2021 Standings
Ocean City 5-0, 12-1
Egg Harbor Township 4-1, 7-4
Absegami 3-2, 4-7
Seneca 2-3, 3-7
Oakcrest 1-4, 3-7
Pemberton 0-5, 1-9
Coaches: Cedar Creek: Jim Melody (16-5); Delsea: Sal Marchese Jr (225-81-1).: Ocean City: Kevin Smith (60-52); St. Joseph: Paul Sacco (352-71-5); Winslow Township: Bill Belton (1st season)
Preseason Golden 11
Jimmy Wilson Jr. 6-2, 210 Sr. QB-FS Winslow Township
Ejani Shakur 6-1, 185 Sr. WR-DB Winslow Township
Kameron Brown 5-8, 165 Jr. WR-DB Winslow Township
Tyler Habersham 6-6, 340 Jr. OL St. Joseph
Trevin DelGozzo 5-11, 175 Sr. K-P St. Joseph
Luke Maxwell 6-1, 220 Sr. RB-DB Delsea
Zach Maxwell 5-10, 180 Jr. QB-S Delsea
Wayne Adair 6-0, 185 Jr. RB-DB Delsea
Riley Gunnels 6-4, 216 Sr. QB Ocean City
Jack Hoag 5-7, 155 Sr. ATH-DB Ocean City
Malik Moore-Summers 6-1, 245 Sr. OL-DL Cedar Creek
Predicted order of finish
DELSEA
(See Super Six)
WINSLOW TOWNSHIP
(See Super Six)
ST. JOSEPH
Major changes are coming for the Wildcats. In early August, legendary coach Paul Sacco, with 352 career wins, announced that this would be his final season guiding the Wildcats. Ironically, thiis is one of his least experienced teams, but expectations are always high for the Wildcats, who went 9-3 while competing in the WJFL Continental and advanced to the state semifinals in Non-Public B. The Wildcats were hit hard by graduation and they continue to play a highly challenging schedule. Usually St. Joseph is a contender for the top spot in South Jersey and that could occur, but starting off, the Wildcats are likely to be outside that realm simply because of the lack of experience and depth. Sacco acknowledges that this is the least experienced team he has returning. Again, that doesn’t mean the Wildcats won’t be talented, but it could take some time to jell. Sr. K-P Trevin DelGozzo (5-11, 175) made 6-8 FG and added 39 PATs. He averaged 26.4 yards per punt. He could be among the top combo PK-P in South Jersey. Jr. WR-FS Nasir Mahmoud (5-10, 165) had 18 tackles and 1 INT, along with 4 receptions. Jr. WR-CB Ty Mercado (5-7, 140) had 14 tackles. The lone returning full-time starter on offense is Jr. OL Tyler Habersham (6-6, 340). Sr. OG-NG Demarion McCoy (6-2, 260) was not a starter but saw extensive time on the OL. Two veterans who are keys to the defense are Sr. FB-LB Richard Chandler (5-10, 190) and Sr. TE-LB Zach Cruet (6-1, 200). Chandler had 54 tackles, 12 TFL and 3.5 sacks. Cruet had 34 tackles, 8 TFL and 3 sacks. The QB is expected to be Sr. Jimmy Mantuano (5-10, 185), who was a reserve RB last year. (He did attempt 2 passes as well and rushed for 106 yards on 15 carries. Among the young players to watch are So. RB-WR-FS Julius Townsell (5-11, 170) and So. WR-LB James Steele (6-2, 200).
OCEAN CITY
What a season it was for the Red Raiders, who won this division, went 12-1 and advanced to the SJ Group 4 final before losing to Millville in the final. While the Red Raiders had some key losses to graduation, they should remain a contender for the conference title. Sr. Ath/DB Jack Hoag (5-7, 155) was a first-team all-conference selection. Hoag rushed for 209 yards (6.1 avg.) and 2 Tds. He also had 20 receptions for 475 yards and 4 Tds. Other returning two-way performers are Jr. OL-DL Justin Gooden (6-0, 235) and Jr. TE-LB Pat Grimley (6-1, 190). Sr. QB Riley Gunnels (6-4, 216) was a first-team all-conference selection. Gunnels completed 85 of 160 passes for 1,395 yards and 17 Tds. He also rushed for 183 yards and 11 Tds. Sr. WR Pat Lonergam (6-2, 190) had 12 receptions for 325 yards and 1 TD. Jr. LB Nick Layton (6-0, 183) had 57 tackles and five passes defensed. Sr. DL Brock Cook (5-8, 220) had 25 tackles. Others who saw action on at least one side of the ball are Sr. WR Andrew Karaviannis (6-4, 202) and Jr. DB Jon Moyer (6-3, 188). Key returning letter winners include Sr. WR-DB Rick Wetzel (5-11, 183), Sr. TE-DE Sean Sakers (6-0, 187), Sr. TE-DE Alec Wisnefski (6-2, 190) and Jr. RB-LB Roy Salugta (5-10, 181). Among newcomers, Jr. RB-DB Duke Guenther (5-8, 166) is a transfer from Minnesota and So. OL-DL Anthony Gasparovic (6-2, 230) is a transfer from West Deptford. Other key newcomers include Jr. OL-DL Dino Christiensen (6-4, 202), So. QB/ATH Walker Bailey (6-1, 180), and So. WR-DB Colin Thompson (5-9, 160)
CEDAR CREEK
The Pirates went 13-0, won the SJ Group 3 and regional titles. That was an explosive team that has lost a lot of big-time playmakers. This year the Pirates will again be talented but it is hard to duplicate what they achieved last year. Still, this is a team capable of competing for a division and sectional title even while being listed last here. How tough is this division if the Pirates are projected fifth? (Anybody in this division has a chance to win it, that’s how talented it is) The lone returning two-way performer is Sr. OL-DL Malik Moore-Summers (6-1, 245) who had 57 tackles, 15 TFL and 9 sacks. Sr. DB Zaire Pilgrim (5-11, 170) had 36 tackles, 2 INT. Sr. LB Dejuan Palmer (5-11, 215) had 50 tackles, 6 TFL. Jr. WR Alim Parks (6-0, 180) had 20 receptions 200 yards and 1 TD. Another returning starter is Sr. TE Mike Sears (6-0, 205). Key returning letter winners are Sr. RB-LB Mekhi Harvey (5-10, 185), and Sr. DL Kahmir Cooper-Brown (5-10, 230). Among newcomers, So WR-DB Darius Benjamin (5-9, 165) is expected to make an impact on both sides of the ball. So. OL-DL Mandel Pettiford (6-2, 245). saw time in two varsity games last year and is expected to be a two-way contributor. Jr. QB Billy Smith (5-11, 170) is slated to be the starting QB after attempting two passes last season.
2021 SCORES
OCEAN CITY (12-1)
Aug. 27 Vineland, 21-0
Sept. 2 Hammonton, 24-0
Sept. 10 Absegami, 35-0
Sept. 17 at Mainland, 34-6
Sept. 24 Seneca, 38-0
Oct. 1 at Egg Harbor Township, 24-7
Oct. 16 at Pemberton, 37-0
Oct. 23 at Oakcrest, 42-8
Oct. 30 Williamstown, 31-14
Nov. 5 Mainland, 41-7
Nov. 12 Long Branch, 45-10
Nov. 19 at Millville, 3-40
Nov. 25 Pleasantville, 34-14
CEDAR CREEK (13-0)
Aug. 29 Scotch Plains (at Camden Catholic), 52-0
Sept. 6 at Willingboro, 36-0
Sept. 11 Pleasantville, 42-0
Sept. 17 at Absegami, 55-0
Sept. 25 Woodrow Wilson, 21-8
Oct. 1 at Holy Spirit, 7-6
Oct. 9 Oakcrest, 25-7
Oct. 15 at Winslow Township, 35-27
Oct. 23 Camden, 27-8
Nov. 6 Absegami, 47-6
Nov. 13 Somerville, 27-0
Nov. 20 Delsea, 30-13
Dec. 4 Woodrow Wilson, 35-34
DELSEA (11-1)
Sept. 3 Delran, 42-14
Sept. 10 Clearview, 41-13
Sept. 17 at Oakcrest, 47-16
Sept. 24 Deptford, 42-7
Oct. 1 at Hammonton, 31-7
Oct. 8 Cherry Hill West, 35-7
Oct. 15 at Moorestown, 47-0
Oct. 22 at Mainland, 42-14
Oct. 30 Steinert, 42-14
Nov. 5 Ewing, 42-21
Nov. 15 at Wall FFT win
Nov. 20 at Cedar Creek, 13-30
WINSLOW TOWNSHIP (9-4)
Aug. 29 Woodbridge at Camden Catholic, 14-26
Sept. 4 Camden Catholic, 42-20
Sept. 11 Woodrow Wilson, 32-30
Sept. 17 at Timber Creek, 44-7
Sept. 24 at Camden, 22-20 (OT)
Oct. 1 at Pleasantville, 53-12
Oct. 15 Cedar Creek, 27-35
Oct. 22 Holy Spirit, 52-21
Nov. 6 Hightstown, 50-7
Nov. 13 Colts Neck, 41-14
Nov. 20 Shawnee, 34-22
Nov. 24 St. Joseph Hammonton, 6-29
Dec. 5 at Millville (at Rutgers), 35-45
ST. JOSEPH HAMMONTON (9-3)
Aug. 27 Northeast PA (at Ocean City, 31-18
Sept. 3 at Holy Spirit, 24-35
Sept. 10 at Cherokee, 38-21
Sept. 17 at St. Augustine, 7-24
Sept. 24 at Eastern, 45-21
Oct. 1 at Rancocas Valley, 52-7
Oct. 8 Notre Dame (at Rowan), 51-7
Oct. 15 at Kingsway, 42-6
Oct. 23 Washington Township, 31-21
Nov. 13 St. Thomas Aquinas, 45-12
Nov. 19 at Red Bank Catholic, 10-21
Nov. 34 at Winslow Township, 29-6
