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Breaking down the South Jersey football races

Here's a look at the division races in South Jersey football this season: WJFL American Defending champion: Shawnee (5-0 record in 2014).

Camden Catholic defensive players practice September 1, 2015.
Camden Catholic defensive players practice September 1, 2015.Read more( TOM GRALISH / Staff Photographer )

Here's a look at the division races in South Jersey football this season:

WJFL American

Defending champion:

Shawnee (5-0 record in 2014).

Outlook: Shawnee lost 19 senior regulars from last season's South Jersey Group 4 title team, but the Renegades are in position to defend their division crown.

Senior quarterback Mike Welsh (15 passing touchdowns, 13 rushing touchdowns) is a three-year starter and will team with senior wide receiver Anthony Mague, a William and Mary recruit, to form a top pass-catch combination.

Cherokee will be led by senior linebacker/quarterback Evan Powell, a top all-around player.

The Chiefs, who are the two-time defending South Jersey Group 5 champions, have a young player to watch in junior running back/defensive back Jon Lovett.

Williamstown returns several starters from last season's 8-3 team, including senior running back/defensive back Joe Early and senior running back/linebacker Tyrik Glenn.

The Braves got a big boost in the offseason with the addition of senior quarterback Rich Stanzione, a transfer from Washington Township.

Junior quarterback Mike Piperno is a player to watch for Washington Township while senior slot/defensive back Nick Grosso is a team leader.

Eastern has a top lineman in senior Jacob Gruber and a talented young quarterback in junior Zach White.

Cherry Hill East has a pair of junior running backs to watch in Miles McLeod and Jay Jay Vaughters along with a veteran two-way lineman in John Lass.

WJFL National

Defending champion:

Timber Creek (5-0).

Outlook: Timber Creek looms as the favorite again with a potent passing attack featuring senior wide receivers Cameron Chambers, a Michigan State recruit, and Noah Ellison, an Old Dominion recruit.

Sophomore quarterback Devin Leary is a young player to watch for the Chargers.

Kingsway will be in the mix with a strong running game, led by junior back Anthony Seas and a top defense sparked by senior linebacker Jay Scerbo and senior lineman Wale Mustafa.

Hammonton, which plays Kingsway on opening night, will feature senior fullback/linebacker Zach Barnard and senior two-way lineman Miles Sampson.

Junior quarterback Malachi Winters could be set for a breakout season for the Blue Devils.

Delsea is the three-time defending Group 3 champion. The Crusaders have a veteran quarterback in senior Quinn Collins, a top two-way player on the outside in senior James Chukwurah and a junior running back to watch in Rashaad Williams.

Senior running back Marquan Jones and junior running back Martin Booker are playmakers for Pennsauken while junior running back Gyair Sharper is a player to watch for Clearview.

WJFL Constitution

Defending champion:

Paul VI (5-0).

Paul VI brings back a pair of explosive playmakers in senior wingbacks Lonnie Moore and Stefone Moore-Green, an Army recruit.

Senior two-way lineman Darrin DiLauro and senior quarterback Matt Vitale are among a host of veterans for the Eagles.

Cherry Hill West has a strong junior class, led by all-purpose standout Harrison Hand, along with two-way end Sameer Parks and lineman Lorenzo Hernandez, a transfer from Georgia.

Wide receiver Quincy Jenkins and linebacker James Potts are senior leaders for the Lions.

Winslow Township could emerge as a dark horse with a top two-way lineman in Devon Robinson, an Illinois recruit, and senior all-purpose Melvin Reid.

Seneca is poised for a step forward with a veteran group, led by senior running back Sam Pawlikowski and senior two-way lineman Jon Kornacki.

Triton has a sturdy front line, led by seniors Tyrus Legenski and Brandon Niewinski and a top back in senior Dom Staiano.

Moorestown has a player to watch in senior fullback/defensive lineman Miles Turner and a veteran quarterback in senior Mike DiMarino.

WJFL Royal

Defending champion:

Camden (5-0).

Camden looms as the favorite in this division and as a serious threat in South Jersey Group 3 as well.

The Panthers feature top seniors such as all-purpose standout Brad Hawkins and two-way end Ron Johnson, a pair of Michigan recruits.

Senior linebacker Dymelle Parker and senior defensive end Jamal Holloway are Syracuse recruits and senior fullback/linebacker Demian Thomas is a Maine recruit.

Camden Catholic is coming off an eight-win season, and the Irish could match that total with a talented team, led by senior quarterback Tyree Rodgers, an Old Dominion recruit, and senior all-purpose Jamal Parker.

Senior wide receiver/defensive back Anthony Richardson and senior wide receiver/defensive back Joe Hahn are other players to watch for the Irish.

Bishop Eustace has a speedy senior running back in Kevin Lammers and a top two-way lineman in senior Trevor McDade. Senior two-way end Jack Smith is another key player for the Crusaders.

Woodrow Wilson could emerge under new coach Preston Brown. The Tigers will be led by senior all-purpose Adrian Clark, as well as junior running back/defensive back Edwin Lopez.

Highland has a new coach in Brian Leary and some strength up front, led by senior two-way lineman Andrew Baez and junior two-way lineman Mike Lovenduski. Junior Orlando Council should be a top running back for the Tartans.

Cumberland has a top defensive player in senior tackle Marquay Richmond.

WJFL Diamond

Defending champion:

Glassboro (5-0).

Penns Grove should challenge for the division title and contend in South Jersey Group 1 with a veteran group, led by senior all-purpose Kimere Brown, a Temple recruit, along with senior running back Craig Ransome and senior defensive end Jaron Maldonado.

Glassboro will rebuild a bit but has some top young players and senior leaders such as running back/linebacker Qaadir Campbell, two-way linemen Kenyonn Jones and linebacker Dezmon Horne.

Deptford could be set for a jump in the second year under coach Chris Crowley. The Spartans have a potent passing game featuring junior quarterback Riley Giles and junior wide receiver Dante Waugh and a top two-way back in senior Derrick Clement.

Woodstown will be another young team, although the Wolverines have an accomplished senior back in Trahsia Mofield and a top two-way senior lineman in Lucas Brody.

Senior linebackers Authin Carey and Bryan Carey should lead the way for Schalick, while Gloucester Catholic will continue to rebuild with senior quarterback Brandon Cunningham and a boost from junior running back Rashaan Hornsby, a transfer from Camden.

WJFL Liberty

Defending champion:

Holy Cross (5-0).

Cinnaminson might be a year away from big thunder with a loaded junior class, led by all-purpose player Shaun Davilla and two-way lineman Keith Swartley.

Holy Cross lost a ton of standouts from last year's 10-1 team but the Lancers return senior two-way end Matt Correnti, one of the state's top athletes, as well as senior running back Rob Rodolico.

Pemberton could be poised for a jump up with senior wide receiver/linebacker Dezman Johnson leading the way.

Bordentown was hit hard by graduation, but the Scotties have a couple of top returning players in senior quarterback Mitch Luyber and senior fullback/linebacker Nate Wiggley.

Delran was a young squad in 2014. Senior running back/linebacker Robbie Wachter, senior wide receiver/defensive back Matt Heisler and junior quarterback Gianni Bryant-Lopez are players to watch.

WJFL Classic

Defending champion:

Pennsville (5-0).

Pennsville returns several veterans, including senior quarterback Matt Widmaier, senior wide receiver Jeremy Boucher and junior two-way lineman Rob Saulin.

Gloucester will challenge behind seniors such as two-way back Justin Graves, two-way lineman Bobby Girgenti and quarterback/linebacker Andrew Burkhardt.

Salem has a top junior in running back/linebacker Jonathon Taylor, who has a scholarship offer from Rutgers, and a terrific pass rusher in senior Dai'Quan Blake, who had 18 sacks last season.

Clayton has one of South Jersey's best-kept secrets in speedy senior wide receiver Elijah Rehm and a top senior running back in senior Tyreek Jackson.

Pitman has a new coach in Chris Thomas and top seniors in two-way lineman Gabe Carson and wide receiver/linebacker Eric Larson.

Wildwood will be led by senior backs Abdeihl Richards and James Grauel.

WJFL Freedom

Defending champion:

Palmyra (5-0).

Palmyra the team to beat again with one of South Jersey's most potent passing combinations in senior quarterback Max Smyth and senior wide receiver Kelvin Harmon.

Senior two-way lineman Noah Stephenson is another player to watch for Palmyra.

Florence will rebuild a bit under veteran coach Joe Frappolli, who enters the season with 286 career victories. Senior two-way back Joey Foga will lead the way for the Flashes.

Maple Shade has top seniors in wide receiver/defensive end Justin Snuffer and two-way back Chaz Verdon.

Riverside has a new coach in Pete Brescia and a pair of seniors to watch in two-way lineman Ted Gauntt and fullback/linebacker Marquis Thomas.

WJFL Patriot

Defending champion:

Hopewell Valley (5-0).

Burlington Township has a strong junior class, led by all-purpose Everett Wormley and running back Drew Price.

Northern Burlington features senior running back/linebacker Lawrence Garner while Willingboro has a top senior in all-purpose Antonio Parnell.

WJFL Colonial

Defending champion:

Lenape (5-0).

Lenape hopes to build on a breakthrough season behind senior all-purpose Ryan Shuts and senior tight end/linebacker Cole Keyes.

Senior two-way lineman Mike Boyer and senior quarterback Bryce Long are other players to watch for the Indians.

Rancocas Valley was hit hard by graduation after reaching the Group 5 title game in 2014. The Red Devils should be led by top seniors such as two-way back Ricky Jones and defensive veterans Joel Pennoh, Xavier Santos and Jeff Konzelman.

Cape-Atlantic American

Defending champion:

St. Joseph (8-0).

St. Joseph looms as the heavy favorite again as the Wildcats likely will open the season as the No. 1 team in the rankings.

Senior twin backs Salaam and A'Laam Horne led the way for St. Joseph, along with senior two-way linemen Derek Lomax and Chris Carey.

St. Augustine will be led by senior quarterback Jose Tabora and senior linebacker Jim Brady. Sophomore all-purpose Kyle Dobbins is a young player to watch for the Hermits.

Atlantic City has a top playmaker in senior quarterback Jamir Prevard and one of South Jersey's more imposing linemen in senior Chris Marsh.

Mainland has a strong senior class that features two-way back Ryan Swenson, tight end/linebacker Dean Deveney and quarterback Sam Jackson.

Senior fullback/linebacker Connor Agostino and senior wide receiver/defensive back Spencer LaSure will lead the way for Egg Harbor Township.

Vineland has a top young player in sophomore quarterback Isaih Pacheco, while Ocean City will be led by senior two-way end Christian Baumgardner, a Virginia recruit.

Absegami has a playmaker in senior all-purpose Vinnie Nelson.

Millville has a new coach in Dennis Thomas, who led Salem to the South Jersey Group 1 title game. The Thunderbolts have a veteran quarterback in senior Will Polhamus.

Cape-Atlantic National

Defending champion:

Buena (7-0).

Buena lost just three seniors from a 10-1 team, so the Chiefs loom as the team to beat in this division.

Senior running backs Sammy Crouch and Quadir Albright lead the way for the Chiefs along with senior two-way linemen Antonio Rodriquez and Eddie Torres and senior quarterback Tyler Rainear.

Cedar Creek will be led by senior all-purpose Ahmir Mitchell, a Michigan recruit. Junior two-way lineman Owen Bowles, junior quarterback Jesse Milza and junior two-way back Bo Melton are other players to watch for the Pirates.

Bridgeton has a top athlete in junior quarterback/defensive back Markquise Bell and a top two-way lineman in senior Jon Morris.

Oakcrest could be poised for a strong season behind junior quarterback Kendell Elliott along with senior running back Terrence Smith.

Holy Spirit has a new coach in A.J. Russo. The Spartans will rebuild a bit with a top two-way senior lineman in Anthony Dobronte and a junior to watch in fullback/linebacker Justin Figueroa.

Junior running backs Zhiair Bland and Shawn Scott should lead the way for Middle Township, which returns several players from a 4-6 team.

Pleasantville has a top two-way lineman in senior Eric Burch, while Lower Cape May is rebuilding with senior fullback/linebacker Andrew Robb as a player to watch.

Colonial Liberty

Defending champion:

Haddonfield (5-0).

Haddonfield meets West Deptford in the season opener, a game that could decide this division race by 9:30 on the night of September 11.

Haddonfield returns three key players from a 12-0 team in senior tight end/defensive end Jake Walter, senior quarterback/defensive back Tommy Kadar and senior fullback/linebacker Frank Fortino.

West Deptford will be led by senior quarterback/defensive end Nick Diaco and two-way senior lineman Bobby Brewer.

Collingswood should contend with a strong senior class led by all-purpose Jahmir King, running back/linebacker Donny Barr and running back/linebacker Dashon Burdett.

Audubon is a team to watch with top seniors such as two-way lineman Eli Lapp and quarterback Brian Furlong.

Sterling has a new coach in Dan Harris. The Silver Knights will rebuild a bit with senior two-way back Larry Bey leading the way.

Overbrook has a new coach in former star quarterback Frank Wilczynski. The Rams have a senior quarterback to watch in Tommy Wyatt and a top linebacker in Mitch Baraldi.

Colonial Patriot

Defending champion:

Paulsboro (5-0).

Paulsboro is a strong contender to defend its division title as well as its South Jersey Group 1 title.

The Red Raiders return senior quarterback Carlton Aiken, a top pass-run threat, along with senior two-way ends Tyrique King and John Pellegrini.

Woodbury has experience along both lines led by two-way senior standout Deontae Moore and a top all-around player in senior quarterback/defensive end Darius Triplett.

Haddon Heights will be led by senior all-purpose standout Nick Smith along with senior running back/linebacker Roman Massi and junior wide receiver/defensive back Tariq Miller.

Gateway is a program on the rise with a top senior running back in Josh Davis and other seniors to watch in two-way backs Dan Teschko and Ryan Lightcap.

Lindenwold returns a top athlete in senior wide receiver/defensive back Bryant Geddes.

Haddon Township will rebuild with senior Curtis Staubmiller back at quarterback. Junior two-way end Eric DiCrescenzo is a player to watch for the Hawks.