Football: New Top 25
Here's the new Top 25 in South Jersey high school football, as of Sunday Sept. 11:
(Last week's ranking in parentheses)
1. St. Augustine (1) 2-0
The Hermits put 40-plus on the board for the second week in a row. St. Augustine visits No. 11 Williamstown on Friday night. It's an interesting game for junior RB Kyle Dobbins, a Monroe Twp. kid.
2. Timber Creek (3) 1-0
So much for the Chargers being "distracted" by that investigation by the Camden County Prosecutor's Office, or by the announcement of findings (no criminal charges; residency "descrepancies" that will be forwarded to the NJSIAA for review) about seven hours before the kickoff of the season. TC rolled over a good Delsea team, putting 54 on the board as junior QB Devin Leary threw six TD passes, five in the first half. TC has another big challenge this week in a visit to an angry Cherokee.
3. St. Joseph (4) 2-0
After winning his 300th game Friday night as his team beat Mainland 50-7, coach Paul Sacco returned to Hammonton and was greeted with a ceremony to name the weight-lifting/locker room facility behind the school "Paul Sacco Fieldhouse." SJ hosts rival Holy Spirit on Saturday. The teams could meet again in the NP 2 tournament.
4. Cedar Creek (6) 1-0
Jesse Milza threw four TD passes in a big opening-night win over Absegami. That gives the four-year starter 51 TD passes in his career. CC faces a big challenge Saturday as Delsea visits Egg Harbor City.
5. Lenape (9) 1-0
The Indians' 24-0 win over Trenton marked the 15th time since the start of the 2014 season that this team has held an opponent to a touchdown or less. That's a lot.
6. West Deptford (7) 1-0
Gio Gismondi ran for four touchdowns as WD opened the season with an imposing win over Audubon. Kingsway transfer Anthony Seas also ran for a touchdown for the Eagles.
7. Shawnee (10) 1-0
The Renegades opened some eyes with an upset of then-No. 2 Cherokee in the opener. Jax Luzinski and Dan Wigley ran for TDs in the 16-13 win over Shawnee's school-district rival.
8. Hammonton (8) 1-0
Hammonton coach Jim Raso said senior QB Malachi Winters is "day-to-day" with a shoulder injury suffered in a 35-7 win over Washington Twp. on Friday. Raso said Saturday that Winters was "sore" but feeling "better" than he had on Friday night. Hammonton hosts Rancocas Valley in an interesting cross-over game this coming Friday.
9. Cherokee (2) 0-1
The Chiefs go from the frying pan of a loss to Shawnee to the fire of a home opener this Friday night against No. 2 Timber Creek.
10. Delsea (5) 0-1
Ditto for the Crusaders, who go from a tough loss to Timber Creek to a visit this Saturday to No. 4 Cedar Creek. The WJFL schedule-makers really created some challenges for some of the more accomplished programs.
11. Williamstown (11) 1-0
Sophomore QB J.C. Collins threw four TD passes in the opener vs. Kingsway, all to senior WR Vic Ruggiano. Friday's visit from No. 1 St. Augustine has a little extra meaning for Braves' coach Frank Fucetola. He started his career as the Hermits' coach.
12. Camden Catholic (13) 1-0
The Irish opened in dramatic fashion with an overtime victory over rival Camden. CC visits rival Bishop Eustace on Friday night.
13. Haddonfield (15) 1-0
The Bulldogs' defense was air-tight for most of the first three quarters against Collingswood. Big nights for senior QB Brendan Gilmartin and junior RB Ben Klaus, too.
14. Burlington Twp. (16) 1-0
The Falcons opened with a big win over Notre Dame as senior QB Brian Pettway threw four TD passes. BT visits Paul VI in an interesting cross-over game on Friday night.
15. Millville (17) 1-0
Clayton Scott, Carlton Lawrence and Co. rolled to an impressive win over EHT in the opener. After a visit to rebuilding Kingsway, the T-bolts could be 2-0 when they host No. 1 St. Augustine on Sept. 23.
16. Cinnaminson (18) 1-0
Sophomore Rashad Raymond ran for a pair of TDs in a 27-0 win over Willingboro.
17. Cherry Hill West (20) 1-0
The Lions got big plays on both sides of the football from all-purpose senior Harrison Hand in a 15-13 win over Seneca. They host riding-high Highland on Friday night.
18. Rancocas Valley (23) 1-0
Rob Hawkins scored three TDs and Iverson Clement scored two in a big win over Hopewell Valley in the opener. The Red Devils face a challenge with a visit to No. 8 Hammonton on Friday night.
19. Pennsville (19) 1-0
Senior QB P.J. Halter ran for a pair of TDs as the defending S.J. 1 champions opened with a 28-7 win over rival Woodstown.
20. Camden (14) 0-1
The clock went out and the Panthers lost a close game in dramatic fashion to rival Camden Catholic at Shamrock Field. That's happened two years in a row.
21. Highland (NR) 1-0
The Tartans were impressive in a 13-7 win over then-No. 12 Woodrow Wilson on Saturday.
22. Holy Spirit (25) 1-0
The Spartans get their shot at rival St. Joe when they travel to Hammonton on Saturday.
23. Woodrow Wilson (12) 0-1
The Tigers hurt themselves with penalties in that 13-7 loss to Highland on Saturday.
24. Clearview (NR) 1-0
The Pioneers opened with an imposing victory over Eastern.
25. Holy Cross (NR) 1-0
Junior Tim Petrucelli scored three TDs in a win over Bordentown in the opener.
Under consideration: Pennsauken (1-0).
-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com
-- Follow @PhilAnastasia on Twitter
Click HERE to read more Jersey Side Sports posts.