South Jersey Football Preview Part II
Here is our second part look at the top South Jersey football games this week. Collingswood (4-1) at Overbrook (1-4), Friday, 7 p.m.
Collingswood has won four in a row since an opening 35-7 loss to Haddonfield. Panthers senior Mike Taulane has rushed for 388 yards (7.3 avg.) and six touchdowns. The Panthers are a viable threat to earn a SJ Group 2 playoff spot. Overbrook has a deceptive record. The Rams, who are coming off a bye, have lost four in a row, but the last two have been close games against playoff contenders - 21-20 to Oakcrest and 14-6 to Haddonfield. Overbrook has one of the most explosive running backs in South Jersey in senior Marques DeShields. He has rushed for 494 yards (6.3 avg.) and 4 TDs.
Paulsboro (4-1) at Haddon Heights (4-1), Saturday, 11 a.m.
Paulsboro has won four in a row since an opening 14-13 loss to Woodbury. Both Paulsboro and Haddon Heights are contenders for a playoff berth in a loaded SJ Group 1 field. This will be a battle of two accomplished quarterbacks. Paulsboro's Kyle Jones, who threw four TD passes in last week's 36-22 win over Haddonfield, has completed 49 of 85 passes for 777 yards, 11 TDs and five interceptions. Haddon Heights only loss was also to Woodbury, 25-19. Garnets junior Matt DiOrio has 54 of 86 passes for 807 yards, 9 TDs and six interceptions. He has also rushed for six touchdowns.
Pennsville (4-1) at Salem (3-2) Saturday, noon
Salem has won two in a row to get back in the SJ Group 1 playoff race. The Rams most impressive win was a 28-16 win over another playoff contender, Woodbury. Last year Salem beat Pennsville, 40-13, handing the Eagles what would be their only loss of the season. Salem is led by Rutgers commit Jonathan Taylor, who has 14 TDs. Pennsville's top player is tight end-defensive end Rob Saulin, a UConn commit. He has 29 tackles and 1.5 sacks and at 6-foot-6 and 25-pounds, he's capable of taking over a game on either side of the ball.
Cedar Creek (5-1) at St. Joseph (5-1), Saturday, 3 p.m.
This is a game between defending champions. Cedar Creek is the defending South Jersey Group 2 champion, while St. Joseph's won the state Non-Public Group 2 crown, its seventh straight state title. Both teams have suffered losses to playoff-caliber teams. Cedar Creek's lone loss was a 31-12 loss to Camden. St. Joseph's suffered a 17-14 overtime defeat to Holy Spirit. Cedar Creek has one of the more well balanced offenses, run by quarterback Jesse Milza. Junior Qwahsin Townsel leads a balanced St. Joseph offense. He has rushed for 661 yards (5.6 avg.) and nine TDs. Sophomore Nate Johnson has rushed for 264 yards (6.9 avg.) and 3 TDs
Photo by Marc Narducci: St. Joseph's Nate Johnson, St. Joseph's Hammonton
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Author: Marc Narducci; Photo by Marc Narducci
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