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FOOTBALL
Team Record
Previous rankings in parentheses. NR – not ranked.
1. St. Joseph (1) 10-0
The Wildcats outscored opponents by 474-19. Their defense allowed one passing touchdown, one rushing touchdown, and one field goal. Their scoring average of 47.4 is second in South Jersey history to the 48.3 set by Salem in 1996.
2. Timber Creek (2) 12-0
The Chargers return a lot of talent next season. But it's tough to overstate the physical and psychological impact of senior linebacker Quanzell Lambert as well as the value of the dual-threat versatility of senior quarterback Calvin Lowe.
3. Pennsauken (4) 11-1
It was only fitting that senior quarterback Manny Cortez and senior wide receiver Amar Williams put on a bravo performance in the sectional title game against Millville. Those two playmakers were a highlight show all season.
4. Holy Spirit (8) 8-3
It's not quite full-circle, but the Spartans return to where they started - the upper echelon of the rankings - after a dominating, 51-7 victory over Camden Catholic in the Non-Public 2 state final.
5. Millville (5) 11-1
The Thunderbolts tied a program record for victories in a season and helped create a wildly entertaining South Jersey Group 4 final against Pennsauken. Seniors Alquann Jones and Shad Lee made plays. They didn't shrink on the big stage.
6. Camden Catholic (3) 10-1
Things snowballed on the Irish in the Non-Public 2 final, which happens sometimes in big games. It wouldn't be a surprise to see Camden Catholic and Holy Spirit start to meet regularly in the football tournament, just like in boys' basketball.
7. West Deptford (9) 11-1
The Eagles defense posted six shutouts but rose to greater heights in the sectional final, generating four takeaways against Haddonfield.
8. Haddonfield (6) 11-1
The Bulldogs' loss to West Deptford underlines the difficulty in going wire-to-wire and finishing 12-0. Big picture: This program was 40-7 and won seven tournament games during the seniors' four seasons.
9. Williamstown (10) 8-2
The Braves went 15-5 overall, including a 7-1 mark in their first two seasons in the new West Jersey American league.
10. Hammonton (7) 9-3
The Blue Devils stumbled at the end of the season, but that 37-14 victory over Holy Spirit on Oct. 21 looks more and more impressive. Watch out for this team in 2012.
- Phil Anastasia
