1. MILLVILLE (12-1)
After an outstanding 12-1 season that included a SJ Group 4 and regional Group 4 title, Millville faces change as former offensive coordinator Bert Ayala replaced Dennis Thomas, who is now on the staff at Rutgers. Last year the only loss was to St. Augustine, 31-17, and Millville looks to be very much in the mix for the division and sectional titles once again. The Thunderbolts were hit hard by graduation but have plenty of playmakers, led by So. WR-CB Lotzeir Brooks (5-11, 175). He has already received multiple Division I offers, including from Georgia, Pitt, Texas A&M, according to Ayala. Brooks had 36 receptions for 956 yards and 14 Tds., while also recording 2 INTs. Jr. WR-LB-DB Ta’Ron Halle (6-1, 175) had 25 receptions for 374 yards and 2 Tds. Pitt, Nebraska and Temple are among the schools that have offered him. Brooks and Hale were first-team all-conference on offense. Also returning at slot back is Sr. Thomas Smith (5-9, 150) who had 18 receptions for 234 yards and 3TDs. A key will be replacing RB LeQuint Allen, now at Syracuse, who rushed for 1,913 yards (8.4 avg.) and 22 Tds. Jr. RB-LB Bricere Hunter (5-11, 175) rushed for 251 yards (5.2 avg.) and 3 Tds. Jr. RB-DB Nameen Sharp (5-6, 140) rushed for 145 yards (5.8 avg.) and 4 Tds. Jr. QB Jacob Zamot (6-1, 185) was the backup last year, having attempted 14 passes, but looks to take over the offense. In the summer he was the MVP in the Winslow Township Showcase. So. OL-DL Marcus Offer (6-0, 225), So. OL-DL Darian Blachewicz (6-2, 225) and Sr. OG Edison Andino (5-10, 210) are returning OL starters. A key newcomer is Sr. OL Francisco Aquino (5-11, 215), expected to challenge for a starting spot. A transfer from Missouri is Jr. WR Freddy Lavan (6-0, 195), who is expected to add another explosive player on offense. Jr. OT-DL Kevin White (6-1, 230) is one of the defensive leaders after being a first-team all-conference selection on D. Sr. LB Keyan German (5-11, 215) is a fourth-year starter and another one of the defensive leaders. Sr. S Kyon Conyers (6-0, 170) is one of the key returnees in the secondary. Sr. WR-DB Brycen Bartley (6-0, 170) is a transfer from Bridgeton.
2. KINGSWAY (8-5)
Some might suggest that Kingsway came along a year earlier than expected. The Dragons went 8-5 and won the South Jersey Group 5 championship. Now with one of the largest returning starting groups in South Jersey, the expectations will remain high at Kingsway, where the Dragons should contend for the WJFL Continental title and a Group 5 sectional championship. Sr. QB-DB Nate Maiers (6-1, 185) came on strong at the end of the year. For the season he threw for 1,084 yards and 5 Tds and ran for 628 yards (4.2 avg.) and 7 scores. Maiers was also a first-team all-conference choice on D where he recorded 58 tackles and 1 INT. Sr. RB-CB Darnell Brown Jr. (5-11, 170) rushed for 717 yards (4.6 avg.) and 7 touchdowns. He was a first-team choice on offense as an athlete. Jr. TE-LB Luke Van Brill (6-1, 205) was a first-team all-conference choice on offense. He had 29 receptions for 441 yards and three touchdowns, while contributing a team-high 89 tackles. Jr. WR Benny Liles (5-10, 170) was a second-team choice on offense. He had 24 receptions for 250 yards and 1 TD. Sr. OL-DL Carter Williams (6-1, 210) was a first-team choice on D and second team selection on offense. Williams had 67 tackles, 11 TFL and 4 sacks. CB-WR Roman Kuzmick (5-10, 160) was an honorable mention all-conference selection. He had 40 tackles and three interceptions along with 7 receptions for 151 yards. Sr. OL-DT Demetrius Ranson (6-1, 290) and Sr. OG Moises Sanchez (6-0, 240) are other key returning veterans. Sr. OL Dallas Brown (6-0, 215) is converting to the OL after playing TE. Sr. LB DJ DiPietro (5-11, 175) was a second-team choice after recording 72 tackles and 9 TFL. So. LB Brady Whitzell (6-0, 180) had 70 tackles, So. RB-LB-S Tommy DiPietro (5-10, 160) will be a key newcomer.
3. CHEROKEE (7-3)
The Chiefs are coming off a 7-3 season in which they won a first round playoff game, but lost to North Brunswick, 34-21 in a Central Jersey Group 5 semifinal. Now they return to the American Division after competing in the Continental the previous two seasons, The lone returning two-way starter is Sr. OL-DL Dom DeChurch (6-0, 245) a second-team all-conference choice on offense. Sr. RB Brandon Boria (5-9, 192) is one of the top offensive players in South Jersey. He rushed for 1,692 yards (8.2) avg. and 23 Tds. Boria is a Stonybrook commit. Jr. QB Ryan Bender (6-3, 175) completed 64 of 111 for 1,028 yards and 7 Tds. He also rushed for 389 yards (5.1 avg.) and 9 Tds. The receivers are experienced. Sr. WR Cam Burti (5-10, 170) had 16 receptions for 212 yards and 1 TD. Jr. WR Tom Pajic (6-2, 175) had 10 receptions for 192 yards. Other veterans on offense include Jr. WR Trent Osborn (6-2, 180), Sr. TE Jake Zubrycki (6-2, 215) and Sr. OL Jake Ellis (6-0, 250). Sr. S Brian Mitchell (5-10, 183) had 39 tackles and 4 INTs. Sr. LB Austin Lenart (6-1, 190) recorded 48 tackles. Jr. DL-LB Leo Bluestein (6-1, 215) had 41 tackles and 4.5 sacks. Sr. DL Roman Dougherty (6-0, 220) had 37 tackles and 6 TFL. Sr. DB Sean Cole (5-9, 165) had 42 tackles. Key returning letter winners include Sr. LB Brandon Petrick (5-11, 192), Jr. WR-TE Jake Wood (6-5, 195), Jr. OL Zack Ott (5-11, 245) and Jr. QB-LB Luke Brown (5-10, 182). Key newcomers include So. OL Dylan Grau (6-5, 320), So. DB Evan Bryfogle (5-8, 155), So. QB-DB Darwin Walker (6-3, 190) and So. RB Murad Campfield (5-10, 190)
4. DELSEA (11-1)
The Crusaders won the Royal Division, going 11-1, 4-0, but now move to the Independence, which should be one of the tougher divisions in South Jersey. Delsea should be improved from a team that lost 30-13 to Cedar Creek in the South Jersey Group 3 championship, but the schedule is more difficult. Still, consider Delsea a major contender in the division and in Group 3. Sr. RB-DB Luke Maxwell (6-1, 220) rushed for 1,101 yards (8.7 avg.) and 14 TDs. Jr. QB-S Zach Maxwell (5-10, 180) completed 16 of 32 in the run-oriented offense for 256 yards and 5 TDs. He also rushed for 528 yards (7.3 avg.) and 5 TDs. Jr. RB-DB Wayne Adair (6-0, 185) rushed for 611 yards (12.0 avg.) and 8 TDs. He had 30 tackles and was a first-team all-conference DB. Sr. OL-LB Dan Digiovacchino (5-10, 200) had 82 tackles and 14 TFL and 2 sacks. Sr. OL-DL Ashton Blose (6-3, 240) had 62 tackles, including 23 TFL and 9 sacks. Jr. S Dom Teti (5-8, 145) contributed 17 tackles and 4 INTs in 6 games. Sr. DE Austin Boos (6-0, 165) contributed 26 tackles. Jr. DB Gary Harper (5-5, 160) had 22 tackles. Another key returning starter is Jr. OT Jake Phelan (6-1. 270). Key letter winners include Jr. RB-DB Xavier Wyatt (5-8, 150), Sr. LB Landon Glicher (5-9, 175), Jr. LB Michael Stokes (5-5, 150) and Sr. DT Tyyon Dawkins (6-4, 280). Among key newcomers are OT Greg Masso (6-4, 360) C Dyland Snodgrass (6-0, 215) and OT Todd Murray (6-0, 230)
5. PENNSAUKEN (8-3)
The Indians went 8-3, recording their most wins since going 11-1 in 2011. With a strong senior class, Pennsauken should again contend in the WJFL Liberty and in Group 4. A key will be replacing three OL who were either named first or second-team all-conference. Sr. WR-DB Kahlil Ali (6-1, 185) is a Boston College commit. He was a first-team all-conference selection on D. Ali had 25 receptions for 424 yards and 6 Tds and rushed for 73 yards (7.3 avg.) and 1 score. He is also a threat as wildcat QB. Ali also had 25 tackles and 3 INTs. Jr. QB Dante Viccharelli (6-0, 168) completed 80-161 passes for 1,305 yards and 14 Tds. He also rushed for 167 yards and 2 scores while earning second-team all-conference honors. Jr. RB-CB Elijah Jennings (5-8, 170) rushed for 1,341 yards (6.5 avg.) and 15 Tds. He also caught 8 passes for 130 yards and 2 scores and earned first-team honors on offense. At the beginning of July, Jennings held 7 offers. He ran a 10.84 100 meters in track. Jr. FB-LB Isaiah Jones (6-0, 218) had 61 tackles, 8 TFL and earned second-team honors. Sr. LB Shane Kenner (6-0, 210) had 100 tackles, 11 TFL and 4 sacks. Sr. TE-DE Kelvin Bishop (6-1, 225) had 41 tackles and 6 sacks. Bishop and Kenner were first-team selections on D. Jr. WR-CB Jayden Farmer (6-1, 210) had 37 tackles, 5 TFL and 6 sacks in earning second-team honors. Sr. WR-CB Premier Wynn (5-10, 150) had 29 tackles and 2 INTs. Sr. OT-DT Gervon Johnson (6-0, 295) is a third-year starter. Sr. PK-P Sean Rullo (5-11, 160) was a first-team all-conference P. He also connected of 2-2 FG with a long of 44 yards and 32 of 36 PATs, while averaging 36.8 yards per punt. Sr. WR Jalen Brown (5-8, 160) had 9 receptions for 124 yards and 1 TD. Jr CB Bronze Whitmore (5-10, 152) started three games, including both playoff contests. Key returning letter winners include Sr. OG Dante Morrison (5-10, 225), Sr. OL-DL Darius Foreman (5-9, 205. who had 21 tackles), Sr. DB Robert Bayard (5-8, 160), Jr. OL Khane Hilsee (5-11, 290) and Jr. OL Steven Uv. (5-10, 285)
6. WINSLOW TOWNSHIP (9-4)
The Eagles won their first sectional championship during a 9-4 season while competing in the WJFL Memorial Division. After that season not only did Winslow Township lose key players to graduation, but during the summer, coach Kenny Scott announced he would not be returning. Former Winslow Township and Penn State player Bill Belton is the new coach. Belton served as offensive coordinator last year. Despite a new coach and with several key players graduated, there are several big-play performers on both sides of the ball. Sr. QB-FS Jimmy Wilson Jr. (6-2, 210) is moving to QB after playing WR and recording 36 receptions for 634 yards and 9 Tds. He was a second-team all-conference choice. Jr. WR-DB Kameron Brown (5-8, 165) had 89 tackles and 5 INTs. Sr. WR-DB Ejani Shakir (6-1, 185) is a transfer from Pennsauken and a Penn State commit. He had 28 receptions for 555 yards and 6 Tds for Pennsauken last year. Jr. WR-LB Jeremiah Taylor (5-10, 190) had 63 tackles. So. WR-DB Cameron Miller (6-0, 165) has already received offers from Penn State, Maryland, Nebraska, Temple, West Virginia and Boston College. He had 26 receptions for 361 yards and 6 Tds, along with 23 tackles. Jr. WR-DB Kenneth Everett (5-11, 175) has offers from Temple and Penn State. Jr. K Timmy Bright (5-11, 170) had one FG and 19 PATs. Other returning starters are Sr. OL-DL Zach Thompson (6-0, 260), So. OL-DL Malachi Brown (6-1, 250), Sr. OL-DL Darrien Smith (6-3, 260), Jr. WR-DE Jalen McCain (6-2, 225), Jr. RB Roger Brown (5-8, 170) and Sr. RB-LB Jamil Peterson (6-1, 210)
