Ten Press-area high school football teams will continue their pursuit of high school football championships this weekend.
Another team, St. Joseph, will have an additional week of rest as the Wildcats as the top seed in the state Non-Public II bracket have their second straight bye.
What follows is a preview of the games involving teams from Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland and southern Ocean counties (seeds in parentheses).
Middletown South at Hammonton
Hammonton's Jaiden Abrams, center, runs the ball against Brick during Friday night's playoff game on November 8, 2019.
Game of the week
What: Central Jersey Group IV semifinal
Who: Fourth-seeded Middletown South (4-4) vs. No.1 seed Hammonton (8-2)
When/where: 7 p.m. Friday at Hammonton
What’s next: Winner advances to the title game against the winner of Friday’s semifinal between third-seeded Toms River East and second-seeded Jackson Memorial.
Key players:
Middletown South: Vinny Condito, RB, Tyler Cuccia, QB, Chris Lotito, RB/DB; Joe Stanzione
Hammonton: Ryan Barts, QB, 36 of 58 for 569 yards and 49 carries for 462 yards and eight TDs; Jaiden Abrams, RB, 207 carries for 1,504 yards and 17 TDs; Caleb Narty, RB/DB, 459 rushing yards and 138 receiving yards; Brock Beebe, OL/DL; Michael Dogostino, OL/NG; Johnny Scibilia, OL/DL.
Did you know: Hammonton was won five sectional titles. Middletown South has won 10.
Buena Regional at Willingboro
Buena's Luke Santiago looks to hand the ball off against Pleasantville during Friday night's game on October 25, 2019. Photo/Charles J. Olson
Central Jersey Group I Semifinal
Buena Regional (4) at Willingboro (1)
7 p.m. Friday
Buena (8-2) makes its second straight appearance in a sectional semifinal. Willingboro (9-1) has won nine straight, is ranked No. 10 in The Press Elite 11 and is the defending Central Jersey Group I champion.
Buena relies on the run with sophomore Shayron Smithbey (92 rushing yards) and freshman Samir Garrison (691 rushing yards). Senior defensive back/running back and wide receiver Byron Spellman (11 touchdowns) is one of South Jersey’s most versatile players.
Buena will try to control the football and keep Willingboro’s offense off the field. Chimera quarterback Ah-shaun Davis has thrown for 2,102 yards and 28 touchdowns. Wide receiver Chris Long has 51 catches for 1,318 yards and 14 touchdowns.
The Buena/Willingboro winner advances to the sectional final against the winner of Friday’s semifinal between third-seeded Salem and second-seeded Woodstown.
Camden at Pleasantville
Pleasantville’s Famah Toure (27) celebrates a touchdown catch to end the first half. Middle Township Pleasantville football held on Memorial Field in Cape May Court House, Friday Nov. 1, 2019. Dale Gerhard | For The Press
Central Jersey Group II Semifinals
Camden (4) at Pleasantville (1)
7 p.m. Friday
Pleasantville (8-1) makes its second straight sectional semifinal appearance and is ranked No. 11 in The Press Elite 11. Senior running back/linebacker Ernest Howard leads the Greyhounds with 484 rushing yards, seven touchdowns and 76 tackles on defense. Sophomore linebacker Jaquan Howard has made 56 tackles for the Greyhounds, while freshman quarterback Marlon Leslie has thrown for nine touchdowns.
Camden (7-2) features sophomore Nasir Dale, who has rushed for 1,068 yards. Senior linebacker and University of Miami recruit Tirek Austine-Cave has made 119 tackles.
The Camden/Pleasantville winner advances to the final against the winner of Saturday’s semifinal between second-seeded Cedar Creek and third-seeded Bernards.
Bernards at Cedar Creek
On November 9th, 2019, at Cedar Creek High School in Egg Harbor City, the Pirates host the Point Boro Panthers in the first round of the Central CJ Group 2 playoffs.
Central Jersey Group II semifinal
Bernards (3) at Cedar Creek (2)
Noon Saturday
Cedar Creek (8-2) features one of the state’s top offenses. Senior quarterback Louie Barrios has thrown for 2,340 yards and 33 touchdowns. Wide receiver Malachi “Max” Melton has caught 53 passes for 738 yards. Wide receiver JoJo Bermudez has caught 45 passes for 793 yards. Senior Manny Reid averages 23.1 yards per catch.
Bernards (8-1) has won eight straight after a season-opening 20-7 loss to Hillside. The Somerset County school features a potent passing game of its own. Quarterback Teddy Gouldin has thrown for 1,805 yards and 20 touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Joey Billotti has 40 catches for 737 yards. Junior linebacker Luke Burns has 132 tackles, 9.5 for losses.
The Beranrds/Cedar Creek winner advances to the sectional final against the winner of Friday’s semifinal between fourth-seeded Camden and top-seeded Pleasantville.
Lacey Township at Wall Township
Lacey Township High School football team practice Monday Aug 5, 2019. Edward Lea Staff Photographer / Press of Atlantic City
Central Jersey Group III Semifinal
Lacey Township (5) at Wall Township (1)
7 p.m. Friday
Lacey (7-3) relies on sophomore quarterback Noah Brunatti, who has completed 90 of 138 passes for 1,202 yards and 11 touchdowns. Senior wide receiver Bobby Evans caught 24 passes for 383 yards. Senior linebacker Mike Kudlacik leads the Lacey defense with 61 tackles.
Wall (9-0) is considered the Shore Conference’s top team. Wall quarterback Logan Peters has thrown for 925 yards and 10 touchdowns and run for 357 yards and eight touchdowns.
The Lacey/Wall winner advances to the sectional final against the winner of Friday’s semifinal between third-seeded Timber Creek and second-seeded Rumson Fair-Haven.
Millville at Shawnee
Millville's Tommy Watson #4 breaks up the middle against Atlantic City's Corey Yeoman #1 during the first half of high school game at Atlantic City School Friday Oct 25, 2019. Edward Lea Staff Photographer / Press of Atlantic City
South Jersey Group IV semifinals
Millville (5) at Shawnee (1)
7 p.m. Friday
This is a rematch of last year’s South Jersey Group V semifinal, which Shawnee won 28-26. Millville (5-4) started the season 0-3. The Thunderbolts rely on a number of talented sophomores, including quarterback Nate Robbins and running back LaQuint Allen. Robbins has thrown for 1,457 yards and 11 touchdowns, while senior wide receiver and University of Pittsburgh recruit Solomon DeShields has 35 catches for 465 yards.
Shawnee (7-2) is the defending champion and ranked No. 7 in The Press Elite 11. Renegades sophomore quarterback Matt Welsey has thrown for 1,167 yards. Senior linebacker Matt Papa leads the Shawnee defense with 73 tackles.
The Millville/Shawnee winner advances to the sectional final against the winner of Friday night’s semifinals between seventh-seeded Ocean City and sixth-seeded Long Branch.
Ocean City at Long Branch
Mainland vs Ocean City during the first half of high school football game at Mainland Regional High School Friday Nov 1, 2019. Edward Lea Staff Photographer / Press of Atlantic City
South Jersey Group IV semifinals
Ocean City (7) at Long Branch (6)
7 p.m. Friday
Ocean City (7-2) got its first playoff win in 18 years with last Saturday’s 21-14 win over Mainland Regional. Ocean City quarterback Joe Repetti has thrown for 1,202 yards and 18 touchdowns. Tight end/linebacker Brad Jamison has caught four touchdown passes and made 55 tackles on defense.
Long Branch (4-5) is a perennial power and won the Central Jersey Group IV title in 2018 and 2017. The Green Wave have played one of the toughest schedules of any New Jersey public school. Long Branch running back Jermaine Corbett has rushed for 715 yards. Long Branch quarterback Kyle Davidson threw for a touchdown and ran for a score as the Green Wave beat Highland Regional 33-3 in last week’s quarterfinal.
The Ocean City/Long Branch winner advances to the final against the winner of Friday’s semifinal between fifth-seeded Millville and top-seeded Shawnee.
Vineland at Williamstown
Vineland vs Southern Regional in the first round of the SJ Group V football playoff game at Southern Regional High School Friday Nov 8, 2019. Edward Lea Staff Photographer / Press of Atlantic City
South Jersey Group V Semifinal
Vineland (5) at Williamstown (1)
7 p.m. Friday
This is the second straight year these teams have met in the South Jersey Group V semifinals. It will be their fourth meeting since the start of last season. Williamstown has won all three previous contests by an average score of 26-7.
Vineland (5-4) rallied from 21-0, third-quarter deficit to beat Southern Regional 24-21 in last Friday’s quarterfinal. Senor quarterback Tyreem Powell (671 passing yards) and running back Nahzir Broome (400 rushing yards) each ran for two touchdowns. Linebacker Ryan Shelton sparked the Vineland defense.
Williamstown (9-1) is the defending champion and ranked No. 2 in The Press Elite 11. Senior defensive end Aaron Lewis is a Michigan recruit. Williamstown quarterback Doug Brown has thrown for 1,356 yards and 15 touchdowns.
The Vineland/Williamstown winner advances to the sectional final against the winner of Friday’s semifinal between third-seeded Hillsborough and second-seeded Lenape.
St. Mary at Holy Spirit
Holy Spirit defeated St. Joseph 22-19 in high school football on Saturday, November 2, 2019. Photo/Charles J. Olson
State Non-Public II Quarterfinal
St. Mary Rutherford (7) at Holy Spirit (4)
6 p.m. Friday
Holy Spirit (4-4) was off last week after losing to rival St. Joe 22-19 on Nov. 2. The Spartans rely on the running of E’lijah Gray (846 rushing yards) and Patrick Smith (796 rushing yards). Quaterback Trevor Cohen has thrown 10 touchdown passes, seven of them to Elijah Steward. Sophomore linebacker Michael Francisco leads the Spirit defense with 53 tackles, 10.5 for losses.
St. Mary (4-5) has won three straight. Quarterback Matt Toman has thrown for 1,186 yards and 14 touchdowns. Senior linebacker Davd Tarrallo has made 72 tackles for St. Mary.
The St. Mary/Holy Spirit winner advances to the semifinals against the winner of Saturday’s quarterfinal between sixth-seeded Immaculata and third-seeded Hudson Catholic.
St. Augustine Prep at Seton Hall Prep
St. Augustine Kanye Udoh catches a long pass against Williamstown. Nov. 1, 2019 Craig Matthews / Staff Photographer
State Non-Public IV Quarterfinals
1 p.m. Saturday
St. Augustine (5) at Seton Hall Prep (4)
St. Augustine (6-3) has won five straight and is ranked No. 1 in The Press Elite 11. St. Augustine defensive lineman and Texas A.M. recruit Isaiah Raikes has made 43 tackles, 10 for losses. Sophomore Nasir Hill has picked off five passes and recovered a fumble. Sophomore running back Kanye Udoh averages 121.8 rushing yards per game.
Seton Hall Prep (8-1) has won seven straight, including a 28-27 win over St. Joseph Montvale on Oct. 26. Seton Hall senior quarterback Zander Zebrowski has thrown for 1,577 yards and 13 touchdowns. Senior running back Matt Colantuono has 1,045 yards. Senior linebacker John Nicosia leads the Pirates defense with 95 tackles.
The St. Augustine/Seton Hall winner advances to next weekend’s semifinals against the winner of Friday’s quarterfinal between ninth-seeded Notre Dame and top-seeded St. Peter’s Prep.
Mike McGarry
Staff Writer
I've covered high school sports and variety of other events and teams - including the ShopRite LPGA Classic and the Phillies - since 1993.
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