Looking at Improved South Jersey Football Teams

by Marc Narducci | Sep 23, 2026

This week many South Jersey football teams will pass the midway point of this fast-moving regular season. Here is a look at some teams that appear vastly improved from last year.

Oakcrest (4-0). The Falcons have already doubled their win total after going 2-7 last year. Oakcrest is coming off its most impressive win of the year during last week’s 27-14 victory over previously unbeaten Egg Harbor Township as junior Dashawn Drinkard rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns. Drinkard, who rushed for 97 yards last season, has already gained 444 yards on the ground, with four rushing TDs. His improvement matches his team’s.

Eastern (3-1). The Vikings improved to 2-0 in the West Jersey Football League Continental Division with last week’s 38-13 win over previously unbeaten Northern Burlington. Eastern was a solid team last year, but the Vikings appear to have taken it up a notch, led by sophomore running back A’Shaad Carter, who has rushed for 534 yards and four TDs. In last week’s win over NBC, he rushed for 230 yards and scored on runs of 49 and 61 yards, showing his big-play ability. Eastern’s lone loss was to Atlantic City, which has a deceiving 1-3 record and has played one of the tougher schedules in South Jersey.

St. Augustine (4-0). St. Augustine was solid last year, going 6-4, but now the Hermits are considered among the best teams in South Jersey. The Hermits have already earned wins over consensus Top 10 South Jersey teams Atlantic City and Winslow Township. Sophomore Dylan Dellanoce has been a difference-maker. This season he has thrown for 648 yards, 11 touchdown passes and just two interceptions. To show what an improvement Dellanoce has made for the Hermits, last season St. Augustine threw seven touchdown passes the entire season.

Schalick (4-0). The Cougars went 5-7 last year, but did advance to the South Jersey Group 1 championship before losing to eventual state champion Glassboro, 47-14. With Glassboro now in SJ Group 2, Schalick has the making of a viable contender in SJ Group 1. The Cougars remained unbeaten with last week’s 15-14 win over Salem, overcoming a 14-0 deficit by scoring 15 fourth quarter points. Kenneth Bartee’s two-point conversion run was the game-winner. A big WJFL Diamond Division at Paulsboro on Saturday is a matchup of 2-0 division teams.

Camden Eastside (3-1). The Tigers matched their win total from last season (3-7) with last week’s 14-6 win over Moorestown to move into first place in the WJFL Freedom Division. Iziah Guzman rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns to lead the victory. Guzman has rushed for 498 yards and seven touchdowns to lead the resurgent Tigers.

Clearview (3-1). The Pioneers had many freshmen and sophomores last season and went 1-10. Now in their second year under coach Mike Wilson, the experience those young players gained last year has paid off. Sophomore Robert Seney has thrown for 310 yards and three touchdowns and run for 243 yards and six scores.

Pemberton (3-1). The Hornets were 1-9 a year ago, but they now are battling for the WJFL Royal title. Both Pemberton and the team above Clearview are 2-0 in the Royal Division and meet Friday at Clearview.

Lindenwold (2-1). The Lions went 1-8 last season, but they doubled that total with last week’s 44-22 win over Haddon Township. Lindenwold is 2-0 in the WJFL United Division, tied for first place with Middle Township.

No. 0 A'Shaad Carter of Eastern / Marc Narducci

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Author: Marc Narducci

Looking at Improved South Jersey Football Teams

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