Marc Narducci’s football predictions

In the beginning of the season, this week's football matchup between Cherokee and Washington Township was considered a potential game of the year. Same goes for Friday's game between Seneca and Shawnee.

These two games, however, illustrate how crazy things have gone in the first three weeks of the high school season.

All four teams were in The Inquirer's top-10 preseason rankings, yet the only one in there now is No. 1 Cherokee. These are still quality teams, but it shows how much parity exists in South Jersey.

Here's a look at some of Week 4's top games.

Washington Township (1-2 overall, 1-0 WJFL American) at No. 1 Cherokee (2-0, 2-0), 7 p.m. Township earned its first win with last week's 23-0 victory over Eastern. Township must stop Cherokee's Nick Follet, who has rushed the ball for 209 yards and three touchdowns on 36 carries. Pick: Cherokee 21, Washington Township 14.

No. 4 St. Joseph (2-0) at No. 2 Holy Spirit (3-0), 7. Even though Spirit is favored, remember that St. Joseph won last year, 19-14, and the Wildcats return a solid nucleus. Neither team throws much. St. Joseph's Darryl Smith has attempted 11 passes and thrown four touchdowns. Spirit's Joe Callahan has five touchdowns passes in 16 pass attempts. Neither has been intercepted. Pick: Holy Spirit 28, St. Joseph 18.

West Deptford (2-0 overall, 1-0 Colonial Liberty) at Haddonfield (2-0, 1-0), 7. West Deptford won the division last year, but Haddonfield upset the Eagles, 15-13, in the South Jersey Group 2 semifinals. Haddonfield's Chris Davis has rushed for 321 yards and four TDs and is averaging 12.84 yards per carry, so he will draw the attention of the stingy West Deptford defense. Pick: West Deptford 21, Haddonfield 14.

Shawnee (2-1) at Seneca (1-2), 7. Seneca's losses to Moorestown and Paul VI have been by a total of seven points. This should be a defensive struggle, so players such as Shawnee lineman Nick Suriano (22 tackles) could play a huge role. Pick: Shawnee 14, Seneca 13.

Camden (2-0 overall, 2-0 WJFL Independence) at Camden Catholic (2-0, 1-0). Few figured these teams would be unbeaten after two games. Camden already has matched last week's win total, with the two victories by a total of five points. Camden Catholic has outscored Gloucester Catholic and Cherry Hill West, 62-0, so scoring on the Irish won't be easy. Pick: Camden Catholic 12, Camden 0.

Kingsway (2-1 overall, at Timber Creek (1-2, 1-1), 7. Timber Creek, a S.J. Group 3 finalist last year, is competing for its playoff life. Kingsway has won two in a row after an opening 45-28 loss to a Delsea team that beat Timber Creek, 33-14. Pick: Timber Creek 30, Kingsway 20.

Burlington Township (2-1 overall, 1-1 WJFL Patriot) at Willingboro (2-0, 1-0), 11 a.m. Burlington Township lost to Holy Cross last week, although many other teams also will suffer that fate this year. Willingboro is looked on as Holy Cross's top challenger, so this game could begin to sort some things out in the Patriot. Pick: Willingboro 20, Burlington Township 18.

Last week: 4-3.

Season record: 17-9.