A look at the SJ public school boys’ soccer contenders

by Marc Narducci | Oct 20, 2023

The NJSIAA boys’ soccer tournament begins Wednesday, Oct. 25, with the sectional finals on Saturday, Nov. 4 at the higher seed. The seeding will be done on Oct. 23.

Here is a look at the four public school fields:

SJ Group 1

Defending champion: Haddon Township

Expected contenders: Schalick, Palmyra, Glassboro.

Outlook: Schalick began the week as the top seed (according to the power points posted by NJ.com) and the Cougars were formidable, but they did lose a 4-0 regular season meeting to Palmyra, which began the week as the No. 2 seed. Haddon Township is the defending state champ but the Hawks began the week 4-9-1, yet they have played one of the toughest schedules and won’t be an easy out.

SJ Group 2

Defending champion: Delran

Expected contenders: Delran, Cedar Creek, Cinnaminson, West Deptford.

Outlook: Delran began the week 8-7 and seeded No. 4 in the SJ Group 2 power points, but don’t count out the Bears just yet. They are the two-time defending state champions and have played a difficult schedule, including losing 3-2 to CBA, the current top seeded SJ Non-Public A team.

In senior Drew Roskos, who began the week with 12 goals and five assists, the Bears have the most dangerous offensive player in South Jersey.

The current top three seeds, No. 1 Cedar Creek, No. 2 Cinnaminson and No. 3 West Deptford will all be contenders, but beating Delran will be difficult.

SJ Group 3

Defending champion: Cherry Hill West

Expected contenders: Clearview, Shawnee, Ocean City, Delsea, Cherry Hill West, Mainland.

Outlook: This is one of the more balanced Groups, where any of the above-mentioned teams could win and even another dark horse could emerge. Shawnee has played one of the toughest schedules (including a 3-2 loss to Cherry Hill West) and that should help the Renegades. A big win for Shawnee was 3-2 over Washington Township, the current top seed in Group 4. Clearview has played a majority Group 4 based schedule and that will help. The Pioneers also own a win over two-time defending state Group 2 champion Delran. There will be no upsets in this Group, where the teams are so evenly matched.

SJ Group 4

Defending champion: Cherokee

Expected contenders: There is a long list – Washington Township, Toms River North, Lenape, Rancocas Valley, Southern Regional, Central Regional, Eastern, Kingsway, Cherokee.

Outlook: This may be even more balanced with more contenders in than SJ Group 3. Washington Township began the week as the top seed with a 13-1 record. The Minutemen have played a solid schedule, but not as strong as some of the other contenders. This Group is so strong that defending champ Cherokee began the week as the No. 11 seed and the Chiefs should be a viable contender. Current No. 3 seed Lenape just handed St. Augustine its first loss of the season in the South Jersey Coaches Tournament.

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Author: Marc Narducci

A look at the SJ public school boys’ soccer contenders

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