South Jersey Football Preview (Part II)
Hammonton (2-0) at Ranoccas Valley (1-0), Friday, 7 Rancocas Valley running back Iverson Clement, the University of Florida commit, scored three TDs and quarterback Bryce Magene threw for more than 200 yards and ran for two touchdowns in the Red Devils opening 47-14 win over Hopewell Valley. The Red Devils are ranked No. 13 in the state by NJ.com. Hammonton beat Washington Township, 22-14. Leading 15-14, Hammonton’s GianCarlo Palmieri preserved the victory with an 83-yard touchdown return of an interception with seven seconds left. St. Joseph (1-0) at Holy Spirit (1-0), Friday, 7. Last season it was considered an upset when Holy Spirit scored a 17-14 OT win over St. Joseph. As it turned out the Spartans were better than forecast during a 9-3 season that ended with a heartbreaking 26-20 loss to Mater Dei in the Non-Public Group 2 state championship. This year neither team broke a sweat in their first game. Spirit beat Wildwood, 50-0 and St. Joseph downed Mainland, 40-0. Senior Qwahsin Townsel rushed for 182 yards (13.0 avg.) and three TDs for the Wildcats. Moorestown (1-0) at Seneca (1-0), 7. Seneca opened with a 31-28 win over a talented Cherry Hill West squad. Senior Dan Kurp rushed for 101 yards and a TD on 22 carries. Sophomore Nick Ettore led the Golden Eagles with 13 tackles. Moorestown wasn’t tested in an opening 30-6 win over Cumberland. Last season Seneca beat the Quakers 35-14 but this one figures to be much more competitive.
Haddon Heights (1-0) at Penns Grove (1-0), Saturday, noon. Both teams are considered viable playoff threats, although Haddon Heights has moved from Group 1 to Group 2, where it will be more difficult to qualify. Penns Grove is in Group 1. Each team opened with an offensive explosion with Heights beating Haddon Township 33-0 and Penn Grove downing Deptford, 51-34. Penns Grove sophomore Kavon Lewis completed 20 of 24 passes for 305 yards and two TDs. Junior Tyreke Brown had eight receptions for 192 yards and two TDs. In Haddon Heights opening win, senior QB Matt DiOrio ran for two touchdowns and threw for another. Holy Cross (1-0) vs. Haddonfield (1-0) Saturday, 1 p.m. at Cherry Hill West. Both teams are coming off convincing opening wins. Holy Cross’s Andrew Paolini earned the start at quarterback as Jeff Undercuffler was nursing an ankle injury. Undercuffler, who has committed to Albany, did play and threw a TD pass. Paolini threw for more than 150 yards and three scores. Haddonfield opened with a 38-6 win at Collingswood. Davis Smith, an electrifying junior, scored on a 70-yard run and a 31-yard pass from junior Jay Foley. Haddonfield’s stadium is undergoing renovations and the Bulldogs are expected to play most if not all of their home games at Cherry Hill West.
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Author: Marc Narducci
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