Lenape rallies around assistant coach, plus six picks | Phil Anastasia

Regardless of the outcome of Friday night's showdown with school-district rival Cherokee, it's been a good week for the Lenape football team.

That's because beloved assistant coach Mark Lilley has been a regular at practices.

"When he's around, it picks us all up," Lenape senior linebacker Zach Cole said. "He's our rock."

Lilley, 50, has missed some practices and a game or two this season while dealing with the effects of his battle with colon cancer. But this has been a "good week," according to head coach Tim McAneney.

"I can't tell you how much it means to everybody to have 'Lil' around," McAneney said. "He's so positive. He's so level-headed. He's only a couple years older than me, but I call him my uncle because I know I can always count on him."

Lilley was a standout offensive linemen on perhaps the best team in modern South Jersey football history, the undefeated 1984 Pennsauken squad that featured a pair of future NFL players at defensive end in Greg Mark and David Griggs.

McAneney's late father Vince was the coach of that team, which won the South Jersey Group 4 title.

Lilley, who teaches in the Pennsauken district, has been an assistant with McAneney at three schools: Bishop Eustace, Holy Cross and Lenape.

Lilley is one of the most respected football men in South Jersey

Seneca coach Bill Fisher regarded his team's 49-7 loss to Lenape on Oct. 14 as one of his personal highlights of the season because he got the chance to embrace Lilley after the game.

"He treats everyone he knows like he is his best friend," Fisher said. "I got to give him a big hug after our game. He
waited around to see me even though I'm sure he was too tired to hang that long, but that's the kind of person he is."

Camden coach Dwayne Savage worked with Lilley on Pennsauken's coaching staff in 1996.

"He makes any coaching staff better," Savage said of Lilley. "He is a great coach who really cares about his players. He would give his shirt off his back to any of his players that need help."

Lilley has been able to attend most of Lenape's games, sitting in a chair on the sideline. The Indians presented him with the game ball Sept. 22 after a 47-0 win over Burlington Township.

"These guys, they keep me going," Lilley said on the sideline before Lenape's Oct. 6 game vs. Rancocas Valley. "They call me every day, keep my spirits up."

McAneney said Lilley has recently gained weight and strength and has begun to make more regular appearances at practices.

"Every time we see him, we get excited," Lenape senior linebacker Mike Galaida said.

McAneney said he's been leaning on Lilley for most of his coaching career. This year is no different.

"He keeps us all grounded," McAneney said. "He brings us all back to reality. And guess what? Battling cancer, he's doing it again."

Here's a look at six games this weekend, with predictions:

No. 7 Lenape (5-1) at No. 8 Cherokee (5-1): These school districts rivals could meet again in a few weeks in the South Jersey Group 5 tournament. Senior running back JoJo Kellum has eight touchdowns in the last two games for Lenape. Senior quarterback Jack Walters has led the way for Cherokee.

Pick: Lenape, 17-14.

No. 14 Woodrow Wilson (5-1) at No. 10 Delsea (4-3): These teams also could meet again in a few weeks in the South Jersey Group 3 tournament. This game looks like a clash of styles, with Delsea hugging the ground behind a sturdy offensive line and junior running back Aidan Borguet, and Woodrow Wilson taking to the air behind junior quarterback Nick Kargman and junior wide receiver Stanley King, among others.

Pick: Delsea, 24-22.

No. 1 Timber Creek (6-0) at No. 13 Williamstown (4-2): The visiting Chargers have won 22 in a row and senior quarterback Devin Leary needs 238 passing yards and three passing touchdowns to set state records for career marks in both categories. Williamstown is angling for a berth in the South Jersey Group 5 tournament. The Braves are coming off an impressive win at Shawnee as junior quarterback J.C. Collins ran for two touchdowns and passed for another.

Pick: Timber Creek, 28-21.

No. 3 Camden Catholic (6-0) at No. 9 Holy Spirit (6-1): This clash of non-public power programs features player of the year candidates in the visiting Irish's Marcus Hillman, a senior all-purpose player, and the Spartans' Josh Zamot, a senior quarterback. Camden Catholic has won 28 in a row against South Jersey teams. One of the closest games in the streak was the Irish's 28-22 victory over the Spartans last year in Cherry Hill.

Pick: Camden Catholic, 34-31.

No. 12 St. Augustine (4-3) at No. 4 St. Joseph (7-0), noon: The visiting Hermits have won two in a row against the Wildcats, including a 42-0 triumph in 2016. Before that, St. Joseph won five in a row and 17 of 19 in the series. St. Augustine has a top all-purpose player in senior Shamere Collins and a freshman running back to watch in Pat Smith. Junior linemen Quarshie Wisdom and Sean Morris lead the way up front for St. Joseph.

Pick: St. Joseph, 27-17.

No. 16 Haddonfield (5-1) at No. 24 Cedar Creek (5-2), 1 p.m.: In keeping with a theme this week, these teams also could meet again in the South Jersey Group 2 tournament. Both teams will look to bounce back from tough losses. Haddonfield, which will be led by junior quarterback Jay Foley, dropped a 17-14 overtime decision to arch-rival West Deptford. Cedar Creek lost to St. Joseph and will try to rally behind sophomore dual-threat quarterback Louis Barrios.

Pick: Haddonfield, 17-10.

Last week: 5-2.

Year to date: 35-14.