SJ Sports: Colonial Conf. Preview--Pt. I

The Colonial Conference Patriot Division football race this season offers some interesting subplots. That’s because for the first time in four years, Paulsboro might find itself in the role of underdog. The Red Raiders have won 35 consecutive games, going unbeaten in each of the past three seasons.

Based on reputation alone, Paulsboro will no doubt contend for the Colonial Conference Patriot Divisiion, but local rival Woodbury, coming off a 6-4 season, should give the Red Raiders all they could handle. Woodbury actually brings back a much more experienced team, led by senior running back Chris Pressley, who scored nine touchdowns last year despite missing two games with a leg injury.

Pressley, who is an honor student, is the top college prospect this season in the Colonial Conference. He is also a force at linebacker. For a player 6-foot-1 and 258 pounds, Pressley has outstanding speed and will also key the defense at linebacker.

Woodbury also has one of the Colonial’s most explosive players in senior Marvin McKinnie, who played receiver last year, but should see time as a running back in the Thunder Herd’s wishbone offense. McKinnie is also one of the top defensive backs in the Colonial. Senior Kyle Miller directs the offense at quarterback, whoke senior Justin Elmore (6-2, 265) is Woodbury’s leading lineman.

On Sept. 20 Woodbury visits Paulsboro in a noon contest that should be among the games of the year in South Jersey. The game will be televised by CN8 and both teams will show the Delaware Valley why this is among the best rivalries around.

Paulsboro returns just five starters from a 12-0 team, so the newcomers will play a major role. Senior Earl Pearson is the likely starting quarterback. The five starters back are junior defensive tackle Tredell Hodges, junior receiver Jamel St. John and senior receiver Steve Asay and senior defensive backs Ryan White and Craig Bell. Both Paulsboro and Woodbury are also serious South Jersey Group 1 playoff contenders, so it’s very possible that they could meet twice this season.

It doesn’t appear as if any other teams will match the level of Woodbury and Paulsboro in the Patriot, although Haddon Heights returns the division’s most experience team, Lindenwold is coming off a playoff appearance in only its second year and Gateway (6-4) hopes to continue winning after posting its first winning season since 1993.

Heights returns a total of 20 starters from a 2-8 team, led by senior quarterback Don Newell. Senior Tom Klaus (6-1, 250) will be among the best two-way linemen in the Patriot.This could be the most improved team in the Colonial.

Lindenwold has gone 4-6 in each of its first two seasons and the Lions must replace several key veterans lost to graduation. Senior Jordy Wilson is a leader at wide receiver and in the secondary. Senior Joe Dillard (6-3, 265) is among the top two-way linemen in the conference, while junior fullback-linebacker Tony Pizzo returns for his third year as a starter. Depth is a key question for the Lions.

Gateway’s strength appears to be in the interior line. Senior Craig Nash (6-5, 230) is the Gator’s line returning starter. A two-way tackle last year, wh will move to tight end on offense this season. Other starters back include senior offensive tackle Nick LoCastro (6-6, 265), junior offensive lineman Ed Seely, and senior linebackers Eric Moan and Walt Simcox. The key to being competitive will be developing skill position players in a small-school division with a number of big-time players.

For Part II of this article, check back on Friday, September 5, or click here.

For more Local Sports features, visit our Sports page.

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Author: Marc Narducci