Football: Updated Top 25 with analysis
Based on a few scrimmages and a pair of season openers this weekend, here's a updated Top 25 for South Jersey high school football teams, as of Sunday Sept. 4:
(With previous rankings in parentheses)
1. St. Augustine (1) 1-0
The Hermits were impressive in a 47-30 win Friday night over Malvern Prep, the No. 5 team in the Inquirer's preseason Top 25 in Southeastern Pa. Junior RB Kyle Dobbins, sophomore RB True Robinson and junior QB Josh Zamot turned the game into a showcase for their big-play ability.
2. Cherokee (2) 0-0
The Chiefs went toe-to-toe with St. Augustine in a scrimmage. They open home Friday vs. arch-rival Shawnee, then face No. 3 Timber Creek in a Week 2 showdown.
3. Timber Creek (3) 0-0
The Chargers' first two games: at defending SJ 3 champion and No. 5 Delsea on Friday night, then home vs. No. 2 Cherokee. The Delsea game is a classic clash of styles, with TC featuring a spread offense led by QB Devin Leary while the Crusaders are a run-first, -second and -third outfit.
4. St. Joseph (7) 1-0
The Wildcats bump up three spots after impressive performances in a scrimmage vs. No. 10 Shawnee and in Saturday's season opener against Allentown, a Central Jersey Group 4 program. Best scene on Saturday: After St. Joe committed two delay-of-game penalties deep in Allentown territory on the same possession, coach Paul Sacco's wife Peggy walked up to a reporter and said, "My night just went down the drain." First, it was funny. Second, it showed what a perfectionist Sacco is. You don't win 299 games without sweating every last detail. Sacco can become the first coach in SJ history to win 300 games Friday night at Mainland.
5. Delsea (4) 0-0
The Crusaders' first two games: home vs. defending SJ 4 champion Timber Creek, then at defending SJ 2 champion Cedar Creek Sept. 17. And September hasn't been a particularly good month for Delsea football in recent years. December has, though.
6. Cedar Creek (5) 0-0
The Pirates have a tricky opener at Absegami, a school district rival with a larger enrollment and probably a little bit of an axe to grind. And they still have Delsea and Camden before the end of September.
7. West Deptford (6) 0-0
The Eagles have a young player to watch in speedy sophomore RB Kenny Lim. He might only get about 8 carries a game. But he's first-and-goal from anywhere on the field.
8. Hammonton (8) 0-0
The Group 4 Blue Devils' first three games are against Group 5 teams: Washington Twp., Rancocas Valley, Williamstown.
9. Lenape (9) 0-0
The Indians looked sharp in a scrimmage Thursday night vs. Washington Twp. Junior QB Matt Lajoie ran for a TD and threw for another, and senior DB Mike Doulong made the play of the night with a blocked FG, scoop and 60yard return for a score.
10. Shawnee (10) 0-0
The Renegades' defense should by stout with returning LBs Jax Luzinski, Ryan Parris and Dan Wigley leading the way. They play Allentown in Week 2, which is why 3/4 of the coaching staff was in the stands at St. Joe's on Saturday.
11. Williamstown (11) 0-0
The Braves project as a big, strong, sturdy team. If a couple of playmakers emerge, watch this squad in WJFL American and SJ 5 races.
12. Woodrow Wilson (12) 0-0
Senior QB Tamir Moore's play will be a key for the Tigers. This team's defense, led by Rutgers-bound Edwin Lopez, should be among the best in SJ. WW has a tough opener Saturday against improved Highland.
13. Camden Catholic (13) 0-0
The Irish open Friday at home vs rival Camden. Those two waged fierce battles in 2014 and 2015, with the home team winning each time. CC has a young player to watch in Mekhi Bryant, a 6-foot-2, 300-pound freshman who "had the third-fastest shuttle time of all our linemen," according to coach Nick Strom.
14. Camden (14) 0-0
Senior two-way lineman Kurtis Huff and senior QB Drew Harris are two returning starters for the rebuilding Panthers. This is a team with a challenging September slate: Camden Catholic, Seneca, Cedar Creek, CH West.
15. Haddonfield (15) 0-0
Sophomore WR Davis Smith is a young players to watch. The Bulldawgs have a lot of them in that class. Haddonfield opens Friday with rival Collingswood.
16. Burlington Twp. (16) 0-0
Watch the Falcons in SJ 3. This is a team with dangerous playmakers such as Rutgers-bound WR Everett Wormley and RB Drew Price.
17. Millville (17) 0-0
Second-year coach Dennis Thomas has a team that's a darkhorse in the WJFL Continential as well as SJ 5.
18. Cinnaminson (18) 0-0
The Pirates might have picked up another impact player in senior two-way back Andrew Goshine, a transfer from Pennsauken. Another key transfer, senior LB Dylan Thevanayagam, must sit out 30 days because he didn't change residence.
19. Pennsville (19) 0-0
The defending SJ 1 champions have their most challenging schedule in years since they moved up to the Diamond Division and also meet Woodbury and St. Joe in crossovers.
20. Cherry Hill West (20) 0-0
Senior FB/NG Lorenzo Hernandez has five scholarship offers. Coach Brian Wright said the 6-0, 235-pound Hernandez, a blend of explosive power and surprising quickness, in one of the most unique athletes in SJ.
21. Winslow Twp. (21) 0-0
The Eagles open Saturday vs. Pennsauken in Year 2 under coach Kemp Carr.
22. Washington Twp. (22) 0-0
Senior two-way lineman Dave Grosmick sat out the Lenape scrimmage with a sore ankle. He said he'll be ready for the opener vs. Hammonton. Junior RB Akennis Yates is a player to watch.
23. Rancocas Valley (23) 0-0
The Red Devils, who open Friday vs. WJFL Capitol foe Hopewell Valley, have 30 seniors. That's usually a good sign.
24. Seneca (24) 0-0
The Golden Eagles' opener Friday vs. No. 20 Cherry Hill West is a big game for both teams.
25. Holy Spirit (25) 0-0
The Spartan open Friday vs. Middle Twp., then visit rival St. Joe on Sept. 17. Those two could meet again in, the NP 2 tournament.
Under consideration (listed alphabetically): Bridgeton (0-0), Collingswood (0-0), Florence (0-0), Glassboro (0-0), Highland (0-0), Holy Cross (0-0), Oakcrest (0-0), Overbrook (0-0), Paulsboro (0-0), Salem (0-0), Woodbury (0-0).
-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com
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