2021 Standings
Paulsboro 5-0, 9-2
Woodstown 4-1, 9-3
Salem 3-2, 11-2
Penns Grove 2-3, 6-5
Gateway 1-4, 3-8
Buena 0-5, 1-8
Coaches: Paulsboro: Kevin Harvey (1st year); Penns Grove: John Emel (61-27; Salem: Montrey Wright (59-19); Woodstown: John Adams (74-50); Woodbury: Anthony Reagan (27-13)
PRESEASON GOLDEN 11
James Hill 6-0, 180 Jr. RB-LB Woodstown
Shawn Gerrity 6-3, 265 Sr. OL-DL Woodstown
David Harvey 6-3, 195 Sr. TE-LB Woodstown
Jaleel Patrick 6-0, 165 Sr. RB Penns Grove
Curt Gould 5-10, 185 Sr. QB-DB Penns Grove
Bryan Johnson 5-11, 170 Sr. QB Woodbury
Derron Moore 6-0, 210 Sr. RB-LB Woodbury
Jahki Coates 6-0, 228 Sr. QB Salem
Emmanuel Lane 6-1, 175 Sr. DB Salem
Ivan Murray 6-2, 260 Sr. TE-DL Paulsboro
Preston Moore 6-0, 170 Sr. WR-DB Paulsboro
Predicted order of finish
WOODBURY
The Thundering Herd move to the Diamond Division after an outstanding 12-1 season in which they won the Patriot Division and the South Jersey Group 1 championship. Woodbury returns two first-team all-conference players on offense, Sr. QB Bryan Johnson (5-11, 170) and Jr. WR-DB Wilson Torres (5-10, 170). Johnson threw for 2,415 yards and 21 Tds and Torres had 35 receptions for 201 yards and 2 Tds. Sr. RB-LB Derron Moore (6-0, 210), Sr. WR-LB-P Dominic Abbatelli (5-8, 160), Jr. WR-DB Ja-Bron Solomon (5-10, 160) and So. DL Jasuan Solomon (6-0, 190) were first-team all-conference on D. Moore, who has scholarship offers from Temple, Duquesne and Campbell, recorded 67 tackles. Abbatelli had 41 tackles also had 38 receptions for 454 yards and four touchdowns. Ja-Bron Solomon had a team- high 7 INTs along with 41 receptions for 657 yards and 5 Tds. Jasuan Solomon 45 tackles, 18 TFL and 12 sacks. Others who saw action on at least one side of the ball are Sr. DB Angel Arocho (5-8, 170), Sr. OL Jamar Wallace (5-9, 190), Jr. WR Jayden Johnson (6-2, 180) and So. LB Kahsir Nesmith (6-0, 200), a second-team all-conference choice. Key returning letter winners include Jr. CB Anthony Reagan Jr. (5-10, 170), So. WR-DB Marquis Taylor (5-10, 150), So. OL-DL Camyle Carter (6-0, 215), Jr. RB-LB Kadeem Woods (5-9, 160) and Jr. LB-DE Robert Meadows (5-10, 170). Among newcomers, Sr. OL-DL Malique Fisher (6-2, 250) is a transfer from Eastside and Jr. OL-DL Marcellus Johnson (6-1, 240) is a transfer from Kingsway). Another newcomer to watch is Fr. WR-DB Iba Muhammad.
SALEM
To demonstrate how tough the Diamond Division is, Salem finished third last season and ended up winning the Central Jersey Group 1 championship. The Rams beat Paulsboro, 13-12 in the title game after losing to the Diamond champion Red Raiders, 25-17 in the regular season. Sr. QB Jahki Coates (6-0, 228) is entering his fourth season as a starter. Last season he was a first-team all-conference choice after throwing for 1,389 yards and 15 touchdowns and running for 729 yards (7.0 avg.) and 13 scores. Jr. WR-DB Ramaji Bundy (5-9, 168) was a first-team choice after catching 36 passes for 670 yards and 9 Tds. Sr. OL-DL Benjamin Pittman (6-3, 285) was also a first-team choice on offense. Sr. RB Anthony Selby (5-8, 170) rushed for 411 yards (5.48 avg.) and 4 Tds. Both Selby and So. RB-LB Cameron Smith (6-1, 185) were second-team choices. Smith rushed for 409 yards (6.1 avg.) and 5 Tds. Jr. OL-DL Detric Simmons (6-1, 305) was a second-team choice on offense. Sr. DB Emmanuel Lane (6-1, 175) has committed to Monmouth. Other key veterans include Jr. OL-DL Darius Brooks (6-0, 305), Jr. OL Zach Gannet (6-2, 260), Sr. WR Abdul Bell (5-6, 181), Sr. LB-WR Amare Smith (6-1, 175), So. RB Jared Pew (5-7 161), So. OLB Davion Jackson (6-0, 170) and Sr. DB Zahiem Jones (6-1, 180)
PAULSBORO
After 35 years, Glenn Howard has turned the reigns over to Kevin Harvey, who went 43-1 as a quarterback during his exemplary career at Paulsboro. The Red Raiders are annual contenders for division and sectional titles and this year is no different. Yet without the guidance of Howard, easily one of the best coaches in South Jersey history, it will be interesting to see how the Red Raiders adapt. Harvey has been on the coaching staff for 14 years so he has not only learned under Howard, but has a great grasp of the personnel. The Red Raiders are the defending Diamond champs and won’t give up the title without a fight. They also lost to Salem, 13-12 in the sectional final after beating the Rams in the regular season. Sr. QB Rocco Pellegrini (6-0, 190) got some backup time last year, completing 29 of 44 passes for 429 yards and 6 TDs. He is competing to be the starter. Jr. Most of the talented RB’s graduated but Sr. RB-DE Damire Avant (6-1, 190) returns where he played a major role on D with 73 tackles, 7 TFL and 3 sacks, earning second-team all-conference honors. He also rushed for 159 yards (4.1 avg.) and 2 touchdowns. Sr. WR-DB Preston Moore (6-0, 170) had 30 receptions for 544 yards and 7 Tds and added 3 INTs on D. Sr. WR-DB Javon Bagby (6-1, 180) had 20 receptions for 208 yards and 1 TD. Sr. TE-LB Brion Hardy (5-11, 205) had 77 tackles and 2 INTs. Jr. OL-DL Amani Segar (6-0, 235) had 48 tackles, 7 TFL and 3 sacks and was a second-team all-conference choice on offense. Sr. TE-DL Ivan Murray (6-2, 260) was a first-team choice on D. He had 77 tackles and a team-high six sacks. He is a Villanova commit. Two other key veterans are Jr. WR-DB Sharif Green (5-9, 160) and Sr. OL-DL Sam Powell (5-11, 185).
WOODSTOWN
The Wolverines not only finished second in the WJFL Diamond last season but advanced to the SJ Group 1 final before losing to Woodbury, 8-6. Now the Wolverines remain title contenders again in both. Jr. RB-LB-P James Hill (6-0, 180) rushed for 1,374 yards (8.3 avg.) and 15 Tds in earning first-team all-conference honors on offense. He also had 51 tackles and 1 INT and was a second-team choice at punter. Sr. OL-DL Shawn Gerrity (6-3, 265) was a first-team selection on D after recording 45 tackles, 12.5 TFL and 6 sacks. Jr. OL-DL Damien Eichler (6-4, 295) was a second-team choice on offense and defense. He had 43 tackles, 12 TFL and 4 sacks. Jr. QB-WR-FS Max Webb (6-0, 170) figures to be the QB. He had eight starts at QB as a freshman and 11 at WR last season. He rushed for 138 yards (5.8 avg.) and 3 Tds, caught 5 passes for 92 yards and 1 score and recorded 18 tackles and 2 INT last year. So. RB-DB Bryce Belinfanti (5-9, 160) rushed for 217 yards (6.6 avg.) and 2 Tds. Sr. RB-DE Andrew Dariea (6-0, 225) rushed for 181 yards (4.8 avg.) and 4 Tds. Sr. TE-LB David Harvey (6-3, 190) had 86 tackles, 10.5 TFL and 8 sacks in earning second-team all-conference honors. Jr.OL-LB Zachary Bevis (5-11, 180) had 93 tackles and 4 TFL. Others who saw action on at least one side of the ball include Sr. TE-LB Will Haines (6-0, 180), Jr. RB-LB Jack Knorr (6-3, 200), and Sr. OL-LB Andhony Bonowski (5-8, 180).
PENNS GROVE
The Red Devils return several key players from an effective offense, but whether they can move up the standings will be determined by the improvement of the defense. There is the personnel to compete with any team in the Diamond. In this tough division, the Red Devils (as many other teams) have the ability to finish anywhere from first to last. Sr. QB-DB Curt Gould (5-10, 185) returns as a two-way performer. Gould completed 78-134 passes for 1,085 yards and 8 Tds. He also rushed for 752 yards (5.6 avg.) and 13 Tds. He was a second-team all-conference choice on offense. Sr. RB-DB Asante Johnson (5-11, 185) rushed for 515 yards (7.4 avg.) and 7 Tds. Two-other two-way returnees are Sr. OL-DL Gio Parente (6-0, 190) and Sr. OL-DE Janier Armstead (6-2, 235). Parente had 41 tackles, 6 TFL and 2 sacks. Armstead had 15 tackles, 6 TFL and 3.5 sacks. As for players who saw action on at least one side of the ball, Sr. RB Jaleel Patrick (6-0, 165) rushed for 902 yards (7.8 avg.) and 8 Tds in earning first-team honors. He also caught 22 passes for 338 yards and 4 Tds and averaged 39.1 yards on 14 kickoff returns. Jr. DL Justin Martin (6-1, 205) had 45 tackles, 13 TFL and 5 sacks. Other key returning veterans include Sr. OL Juan Reeal (5-10, 190), , Jr. OL-DL Nasir Stewart (5-8, 275), So. RB-LB Bryce Wright (6-0, 190), So. WR-DB Knowledge Young (5-9, 150) and So. K-P Jason Derrick (5-9, 180), a second-team PK. Key returning letter winners include Jr. OL-DL Misa Nieves (6-2, 260) and So. Ol-DL Damani Brice (5-10, 210). Among newcomers to watch are Jr. WR-LB Damian Wilson (6-1, 185), Fr. QB Romello Erickson (6-0, 175), Fr. OL-DL Isaiah Upshur (5-11, 210), Jr. OL-DL Willie Slocum (6-2, 235) and So. WR-DB Evan Real (5-9, 160).
2021 Scores
PAULSBORO (9-2)
Aug. 27 West Deptford, 18-3
Sept. 3 at Woodbury, 0-6
Sept. 11 at Penns Grove, 21-20
Sept. 25 Salem, 25-17
Oct. 1 at Gateway, 42-0
Oct. 16 Buena, 47-13
Oct. 23 Woodstown, 35-8
Oct.30 Sterling, 35-12
Nov. 6 South Hunterdon, 26-0
Nov. 13 Gloucester, 20-14
Nov. 20 Salem, 12-13
WOODSTOWN (9-3)
Sept. 3 at St Thomas Aquinas, 0-6
Sept 10 at Buena, 26-0
Sept. 17 at Collingswood, 36-0
Sept. 24 Gateway, 36-0
Oct. 1 Penns Grove, 42-8
Oct. 9 at Lower Cape May, 36-0
Oct. 23 at Paulsboro, 8-35
Oct. 28 Absegami, 46-15
Nov. 5 Middlesex, 42-6
Nov. 12 at Shore, 24-19
Nov. 20 at Woodbury, 6-8
Nov. 25 Salem, 20-14
WOODBURY (12-1)
Aug. 27 Maple Shade, 49-14
Sept. 3 Paulsboro, 6-0
Sept. 11 Florence, 49-0
Sept. 25 at Holy Cross, 42-0
Oct. 1 Palmyra, 57-8
Oct. 8 at Penns Grove, 20-6
Oct. 16 Glassboro, 24-12
Oct. 23 at Burlington City, 42-6
Nov. 6 Maple Shade, 20-3
Nov. 13 Penns Grove, 44-23
Nov. 20 Woodstown, 8-6
Nov. 25 at Gateway, 34-7
Dec. 5 Salem, 8-34
PENNS GROVE (6-5)
Aug. 28 Bernards (at Ocean City), 40-20
Sept. 2 at Pennsville, 48-6
Sept 11 Paulsboro, 20-21
Sept. 24 at Buena, 48-20
Oct. 1 at Woodstown, 8-42
Oct. 8 Woodbury, 6-20
Oct. 16 Gateway, 40-6
Oct. 23 Salem, 13-48
Oct. 30 West Deptford, 35-15
Nov. 6 Asbury Park, 41-14
Nov. 13 at Woodbury, 23-44
SALEM (11-2)
Aug. 27 Camden (at Ocean City), 22-20
Sept. 3 Cinnaminson, 40-0
Sept. 11 Gateway, 35-0
Sept. 17 at Pennsville, 41-0
Sept. 25 at Paulsboro, 17-25
Oct. 9 Haddon Heights, 30-13
Oct. 23 at Penns Grove, 48-13
Oct. 30 Buena, 42-7
Nov. 5 Keyport, 51-0
Nov. 13 Audubon, 42-7
Nov. 20 at Paulsboro, 13-12
Nov. 25 at Woodstown, 14-20
Dec. 5 at Woodbury, 34-8
