Football: 12 games to watch this weekend

Here's a mid-week look at 12 games of note this weekend in South Jersey football:

Friday at 6

Wildwood (2-1) at Maple Shade (3-0): This is clash of two of SJ's top RBs in WW's Wesley Hills (65 carries, 610 yards) and MS's Tyler Nicolo (75, 448). MS has a chance to get to 4-0 for the first time in forever. This is one of those games the WJFL arranged in its second go-around through the schedule. Nice matchup giving two programs that have struggled at times in recent years a chance to play a game with real meaning.

Friday at 7

Absegami (2-1) at Millville (2-1): One of these teams will come out of this game at 3-1 and sitting in pretty good shape to qualify for SJ 5 tournament. The other will be scrambling a bit. Absegami has a top RB combo in David Hood and Tyler Bing and this might be the week that Notre Dame-bound Rashad Kinlaw returns from a broken leg. Millville has a top RB in soph Rob Ennis (56, 379) and playmaker in QB Rashon Sorrell (30 for 50 for 468).

Cedar Creek (3-0) at Buena (3-0): This Cape National clash will mark the biggest threat to St. Augustine in the revamped division. CC has a top athlete in Georgia Tech-bound QB Damon Mitchell (28 for 42 for 489). Buena's Rob Bunton, the leadoff hitter on the SJ Group 2 champiosnhip baseball team, scored 5 TDs last week.

Kingsway (2-1) at No. 6 Delsea (2-1): This game harkens back to the best days of the TriCo Royal. These guys are in different divisions in WJFL and different groups in the tournament. But there's a lot of history here. Kingsway is led by junior RB Ray Lawry (55, 624) who made Penn State visit last week. Delsea features senior RB Tyrone Saud (35, 222) and senior QB Josh Awotunde, a run-pass threat.

Glassboro (1-1) at Gloucester (3-0): The defending SJ champions have a tough battle at the resurgent Lions. Glassboro is led by RB Corey Clement (55, 366) while Gloucester has a top RB combo in Ben Boyer (74, 429) and Larry Spann (25, 272).

Mainland (1-2) at Holy Spirit (0-2): One of these Route 9 rivals will be in trouble when this game is over. The other will be dreaming of rejuvenating their season. Mainland played some serious D in losing by 14-7 to Absegami in OT last week. HS will make a QB change, a big move in their triple option O. Junior RB Talib Gerald is a breakaway threat.

No. 9 West Deptford (3-0) at Sterling (2-1): This will be the Silver Knights' third straight game against what has been the Big 3 of the Colonial -- Paulsboro, Haddonfield and WD. Sterling is 1-1 so far. Senior RB Khalil Howard (53, 307) leads the way. WD is coming off as tough Saturday battle with HH. Junior FB Gerald Owens (63, 509) is the key to the Eagles' Wing T.

No. 3 Williamstown (3-0) at No. 2 Timber Creek (2-1): The game of the week, the month and maybe the regular season. Williamstown takes another big step up in SJ prominence with a win at the defending SJ 3 champions. One key for TC could be the health of DT Greg Webb, who could return to action for the first time this season. He's been rehab after knee surgery. This could be the hardest-hitting game of the season as both defense will be open for business.

Pennsauken (1-2) at Washington Twp. (2-1): The Indians need an upset to turn around a season that's starting to slip away. The Minutemen need to build on last week's impressive win at Lenape and improve their position in SJ 5 playoff jockeying. Something has to give. WT QB Tom Hildebrand might be due to break out.

Saturday at 11

Lindenwold (0-3) at Audubon (2-1): The Green Wave can stay tied for first place in the Colonial Patriot with a vicotry. Big game for Audubon junior Kahleil Chisolm (71, 572). He's a choice student who lives in Lindenwold. Lindenwold QB Malik Mudrow (51 for 108 for 462) operates Air Sellers.

Woodbury (2-1) at Paulsboro (2-1): This game likely will decide the Colonial Patriot race and will have a major impact on SJ playoff seeding. The key could be Paulsboro's ability to contain Woodbury QB Anthony Averett (28, 315), an Alabama recruit.

Saturday at noon

No. 7 EHT (2-1) at No. 1 St. Joseph (3-0): Another week, another challenge in the Cape American for the Wildcats. EHT is riding high after last-season win over Hammonton. SJ has fought off challenges from Absegami, Holy Spirit and Millville. SJ junior RB Cody Sampton (32, 303) is developing into a dependable ball-carrier for the Wildcats.

-- Phil Anastasia