Phil's Pick Six: Playoffs coming into focus
It's Week 7. It's getting late. The rough outlines of playoff fields are starting to take shape. The battles for division titles are coming into sharp focus.
It's Week 7.
It's getting late.
The rough outlines of playoff fields are starting to take shape.
The battles for division titles are coming into sharp focus.
For several South Jersey football teams, this weekend's games offer the opportunity to earn a share of a division title in the newly expanded West Jersey Football League.
One team can clinch a crown outright.
Of the 16 divisions in the WJFL, 15 have six teams. One has five teams.
That's the United Division. And that means Holy Spirit, which has a 3-0 mark in division play, can earn undisputed ownership of the title with a victory over Buena on Friday night.
Interestingly, Buena (2-4, 2-0) can earn a share of the division title with an upset victory.
Several other teams can improve their division record to 4-0, clinching at least a share of the title.
In its first year in the Classic Division after moving down from the Diamond, Schalick (5-0, 3-0) can earn a share of the crown with a victory over Clayton (3-2, 2-0).
The battle between archrivals West Deptford (5-0, 3-0) and Haddonfield (4-1, 3-0) will earn the winner at least a share of the Colonial title.
St. Augustine (6-0, 3-0) can earn at least a share of the new Continental title with a win over Egg Harbor Township (0-5, 0-3).
Lenape (5-0, 3-0) is gunning for its third straight division title. The Indians can earn a share of the Capitol with a win over Hopewell Valley (2-4, 1-2).
Shawnee (4-1, 3-0) has jumped out in front in the American, thanks in large part to its victory over rival Cherokee in the season opener. The Renegades can earn at least a share of the division title with a victory over Williamstown (1-4, 1-1).
Timber Creek (5-0, 3-0) can lock up a share of its fifth division title in six years with a victory over Paul VI (2-4, 1-2) in a National game.
And on Saturday, the winner of Cedar Creek (5-1, 3-0) at St. Joseph (5-1, 3-0) will earn a share of the new Independence Division title.
Pick Six
1
Washington Township (2-3) at No. 6 Cherokee (3-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
The host Chiefs have won three in a row, and senior quarterback Jake Bodine is coming off the best passing game of his career with four touchdown throws against Paul VI. Washington Township can rocket into South Jersey Group 5 playoff contention with a win. The Minutemen have been getting good work from junior all-purpose player Colin Meintel, who has seven touchdowns
Pick: Cherokee, 27-14.
2
Schalick (5-0) at Clayton (3-2), Friday, 7 p.m.
The Cougars have the second-longest winning streak in South Jersey with eight straight. That followed an 0-7 start in 2015. Junior running back Tyreese Snipe is a player to watch for Schalick. Clayton has lost two in a row. The Clippers, with a 2-0 division mark, are looking to grab control of the Classic race and also improve their standing in the battle for a South Jersey Group 1 berth. Senior Donovan Allen has run for four touchdowns for the Clippers.
Pick: Schalick, 22-20.
3
Eastern (2-4) at No. 18 Delsea (3-3), Friday, 7 p.m.
The host Crusaders have rallied from an 0-2 start as their ground game has begun to gain some traction with senior backs Rashad Williams, Taj Summiel, and Charles Walker behind an improving offensive line. Eastern has a young team with several sophomores in key positions, including standout running back/linebacker T.J. Franden. Senior running back Shaun Davis is another player to watch for the Vikings.
Pick: Delsea, 21-10.
4
Winslow Township (1-4) at No. 9 Cherry Hill West (5-0), Friday, 7 p.m.
The Eagles pushed then-No. 9 Rancocas Valley to the limit in a 35-32 loss last Friday as senior quarterback Tyrae Taylor led the way. Junior Nick Divietro is emerging as a big playmaker on both sides of the ball for Cherry Hill West. The Lions are coming off a bye after an emotional victory over Camden on Oct. 7.
Pick: Cherry Hill West, 27-13.
5
No. 23 Collingswood (4-1) at Overbrook (1-4), Friday, 7 p.m.
Collingswood has won four in a row, allowing just 15 points. Senior running back Mike Taulane has scored a touchdown in every game in the winning streak, with six total. Overbrook has lost its last two to Top 25 teams in one-score games - 21-20 to No. 25 Oakcrest and 14-6 to No. 22 Haddonfield. The Rams are coming off a bye.
Pick: Collingswood, 19-13.
6
No. 8 Shawnee (4-1) at Williamstown (1-4), Friday, 7 p.m.
The visiting Renegades will look to bounce back from last Friday's loss at Camden Catholic. Senior all-purpose player Dan Wigley's work against Camden Catholic: 94 rushing yards, 38 receiving yards, and two 20-yard-plus punt returns. Williamstown has lost four in a row, and the last three have been one-score games - 14-13 to Hammonton, 22-14 to Millville, and 25-23 to Atlantic City. With a young team featuring a talented sophomore quarterback in J.C. Collins, the Braves are paying the price for a brutal schedule that features three Top 10 teams - No. 8 Shawnee, No. 2 Timber Creek, and No. 6 Cherokee - over the next three weeks.
Pick: Shawnee, 17-10.
Last week: 3-4. Year to date: 33-9.
@PhilAnastasia
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