Countdown to Kickoff: Hammonton

(Another in a series of South Jersey football previews)

Hammonton

Conference: WJFL American.

Group: South Jersey 4.

Last year: 9-2, first place in WJFL National division.

Coach: Jim Raso (9-2 entering second season).

Last five years: 9-2, 7-4, 6-4, 5-5, 9-3.

Schedule: at Washington Twp., Rancocas Valley, Williamstown, at Bridgeton, Cherokee, Millville, at Kingsway, at Egg Harbor Twp., Shawnee.

Outlook: In their second year under Raso, who replaced long-time coach Pete Lancetta, the Blue Devils loom as contenders in both their new division and the sectional race. Hammonton was bumped up to the American Division in the revamped WJFL, a hat tip to the power of the program but still a challenge for a Group 4 team. If they can avoid injuries, the Blue Devils should contend in the league's top division and should be a tough out in what looks like South Jersey's strongest sectional, too.

Leading the way will be senior QB/DB Malachi Winters (6-0, 185), a returning starter. The line play should be strong and led by seniors such as Jon Vega (6-0, 230) and Chris Matro (5-10, 195). Senior WR/DB Victor Solis-Mays (6-3, 195) is a top playmaker. Senior HB/LB Daniel Figueroa (5-10, 175) and junior RB/LB Sean Ryker (5-9, 175) are likely to be key ball-carriers along with senior FBs Ron Gibson (6-1, 205) and Mike Zein (6-0, 200). Senior C Cosimo Ricca (6-0, 205) is a top OL and senior DT Hakeem Parker (5-11, 285) is a key player along the defensive front. Among the newcomers to watch is RB/DB Daquan Murray (5-9, 160), a transfer from Triton.

Schedule analysis: Two things jump out about the Blue Devils' regular-season slate in 2016. One is the move to the American Division, and the challenge of playing Group 5 programs such as Cherokee, Williamstown and Washington Twp. as well as perennial Group 4 power Shawnee. That's tough duty. The other is that the WJFL gave the Blue Devils' three cross-over games with former Cape-Atlantic League teams in Bridgeton, Millville and EHT, harkening back to Hammonton's days in that league. Hammonton was a member of the CAL from its inception in the late 1940s until 2014.

Player to watch: Winters is one of the top dual-threat QBs in South Jersey. He ran for 556 yards (10.6 average) and nine TDs as a junior and also passed for 401 yards and four TDs. "I like to run, like to score TDs," Winters said. "But I also like to pass. People don't know that about me. They think I just run. But I like to pass, too."

Winter attended a camp at West Point in the summer and picked up his first scholarship offer. He's considering Army, which projects him as a safety. But programs such as Villanova and Penn also have shown strong interest, according to Raso.

The last word: "We're going to have some kids who go both ways," Raso said. "But we're trying to develop some depth so we can rest them a series here and there. Our schedule is so tough, we need to have as much depth as we can."

-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com

-- Follow @PhilAnastasia on Twitter

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