After the shortened season of 2020, the state’s football community was excited to return to a full schedule this fall, and by all accounts the 2021 campaign was a rousing success. Somehow, it went by in a flash and will come to an end in the next few days with regional championship weekend, in which South Jersey will be well represented.
Eight teams from the traditional seven-county South Jersey area are looking to cap the year with regional titles at Rutgers University. Two of those squads — Woodbury and Cedar Creek — can finish off perfect seasons with a win.
The following is a closer look at all of the South/Central regional finals with predictions from Bill Evans, Kevin Minnick and Matt Cosentino.
Group 1: Woodbury vs. Salem
Sunday, 10 a.m.
Both teams earned thrilling wins in the sectional championship games, as Woodbury rallied for an 8-6 victory over Woodstown in the South Jersey final and Salem finally bested old nemesis Paulsboro 13-12 in the Central Jersey final. It was the first sectional crown since 2009 for Woodbury, while Salem defeated Paulsboro for the first time since 1922 and picked up its first sectional title since 1983.
The undefeated Thundering Herd (12-0) have a workhorse running back in senior Teddy Lockhart and a quarterback who can make plays as well in junior Bryan Johnson. Juniors Jabron Solomon and Dominic Abbatelli and sophomores Jayden Johnson and Wilson Torres are all talented wide receivers.
But Woodbury’s calling card all season has been its defense, led by the likes of junior linebacker Derron Moore, junior defensive lineman Nyrell Redrow and freshman defensive lineman Jasuan Solomon. Abbatelli and Jabron Solomon are also playmakers on D.
Salem will attack that defense in multiple ways. Junior quarterback Jahki Coates, a starter since his freshman year, can make things happen with his arm and his legs, and has an explosive receiver to rely on in sophomore Ramaji Bundy. The Rams also have three dependable running backs in senior Jessiah Gildersleeve, junior Anthony Selby and freshman Cameron Smith.
Gildersleeve has been a difference-maker defensively since transferring to Salem as a junior, while senior Jayden Wright and junior Amare Smith make life miserable for opposing QBs. Salem’s defense has 23 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries.
Salem also has an excellent kicker in senior Nate Wilson if the game comes down to a field goal.
Evans (6-0 last week, 175-54 season): Salem 17, Woodbury 14
Minnick (6-0 last week, 185-44 season): Salem 14, Woodbury 12
Cosentino (5-1 last week, 179-50 season): Woodbury 14, Salem 10
Group 2: Haddonfield vs. Point Pleasant Boro
Saturday, 10 a.m.
Former Gloucester Catholic quarterback Frank DeLano has built Haddonfield into a perennial contender and become one of South Jersey’s best coaches during his highly successful tenure. The Bulldawgs captured their third sectional championship in the last five years with a 28-7 victory over Raritan in the Central Jersey final.
Haddonfield (9-3) is coming off a 36-13 loss to rival Haddon Heights on Thanksgiving and will surely be hungry to bounce back and end the year on a winning note. Senior quarterback Carson Wolff and senior running back Bobby Hahn pace the offense and junior linebacker Johnny Mink is the Bulldawgs’ leading tackler.
Point Pleasant Boro (10-1) suffered its only loss by five points to Manasquan and rolled past Willingboro 32-8 in the South Jersey final. Four players have at least 450 yards rushing in the Panthers’ triple-option offense.
Evans: Haddonfield 24, Point Pleasant Boro 20
Minnick: Haddonfield 14, Point Pleasant Boro 13
Cosentino: Haddonfield 28, Point Pleasant Boro 21
Group 3: Cedar Creek vs. Woodrow Wilson
Saturday, 7 p.m.
Cedar Creek has been a consistent winner in its brief history and claimed its third sectional title in 11 seasons with a 30-13 victory over previously undefeated Delsea in the South Jersey final. Now the Pirates can secure their first perfect season since the program started in 2011.
It won’t be easy, however, as they must defeat Woodrow Wilson for the second time following a 21-8 win back on Sept. 25. Cedar Creek has an explosive offense led by senior quarterback JC Landicini, senior running back Ja’Quan Howard and senior wide receiver JoJo Bermudez, a Cincinnati commit, and its defense has recorded five shutouts.
Woodrow Wilson may be the underdog but that role is just fine with the Tigers, who upset Rumson-Fair Haven 28-6 in the Central Jersey final for their third consecutive sectional title. Senior running back Naz’sir Oglesby and senior quarterback Devin Kargman are both capable of carrying the offense on any given day and senior linebacker Damir McCrary is just one of many playmakers on defense.
Evans: Cedar Creek 28, Woodrow Wilson 20
Minnick: Cedar Creek 28, Woodrow Wilson 20
Cosentino: Cedar Creek 24, Woodrow Wilson 21
Group 4: Millville vs. Winslow
Sunday, 4 p.m.
In perhaps the most highly anticipated matchup of the final weekend, Millville will look to finish off a memorable season that has included one dominant performance after another. The Thunderbolts are 11-1 and suffered their only loss to St. Augustine back on Sept. 24.
Since then, Millville has reeled off seven straight wins, scoring at least 40 points in all of them. A 40-3 victory over Ocean City in the South Jersey final gave the Thunderbolts their first sectional crown since 2016 and third overall.
There are plenty of offensive stars on the highest-scoring team in the state, from senior quarterback Nate Robbins to senior running back LeQuint Allen to freshman wide receiver Lotzeir Brooks. Allen and fellow senior linebacker Calem Bowman are stalwarts on defense.
Not to be undone, Winslow boasts the tremendous duo of senior quarterback Hamas Duren, who leads South Jersey with 35 touchdown passes, and senior running back Trey Thorpe, who has been on a tear in the playoffs. The Eagles are 9-3 and beat Shawnee 34-22 in the Central Jersey final.
Evans: Millville 36, Winslow 28
Minnick: Millville 35, Winslow 27
Cosentino: Millville 40, Winslow 37
Group 5: Kingsway vs. Hillsborough
Saturday, 1 p.m.
Kingsway (8-4) claimed the South Jersey title in the most exciting way imaginable, as junior quarterback Nate Maiers hit sophomore Luke Van Brill for a 36-yard touchdown with just seven seconds remaining for a 21-14 win over Toms River North. That gave the Dragons their second sectional championship and first in 20 years.
After a thrilling victory like that and a win over rival Clearview the night before Thanksgiving, one might wonder whether the Dragons are content, but from coach Mark Hendricks on down, they are clearly not satisfied yet and are determined to end the year with their sixth straight win.
Maiers, who injured the pointer finger on his throwing hand but was able to finish the game against Clearview, is one of the toughest quarterbacks around and is also a big contributor at safety. Junior Darrell Brown is a talented yet underrated running back and other key players on defense are junior linebacker DJ DiPietro and junior defensive end Carter Williams.
Hillsborough is a perfect 12-0 and is coming off a 35-8 win over North Brunswick in the Central Jersey final. Eleven of the Raiders’ wins have come by double digits and they are powered by Rutgers commit Thomas Amankwaa, a senior wide receiver/running back.
Evans: Hillsborough 27, Kingsway 14
Minnick: Hillsborough 21, Kingsway 14
Cosentino: Hillsborough 31, Kingsway 17
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