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Non-Public tournament also begins as NJSIAA Tournament advances to regional semifinal round for public schools

Harry November 8, 2024

Postseason football in the Garden State enters week two for public schools and will begin with Non-Public tournaments.

Here’s a look at the best matches of the weekend:

Games to Watch

South Jersey Group 1 semifinal

(3) Paulsboro (8-2), (2) at Schalick (7-3), Friday, 6 p.m.

The Raiders have won four games since the Oct. 7 meeting between these teams. Kyaire Harvey has a familiar name and carries a big load with 827 yards and 10 touchdowns. Malakhai McKenzie threw for 1,163 yards and 11 touchdowns. Jeremiah Carr has 41 catches for 535 yards and nine TDs.

The Cougars won six of seven games, including a 20-10 Oct. 18 loss to Glassboro and a 17-0 road win at Paulsboro. Point guard Kenai Simmons is a threat to score on every shot he takes. He combined for 992 yards and an even split of 16 touchdowns on the ground and through the air. Reggie Allen is the top rushing threat, rushing for 593 yards and five touchdowns.

South Jersey Group 2 semifinal

(5) Willingboro (7-3), (1) at Camden (7-2), Friday, 6 p.m.

The Chimeras put up their best offensive effort of the season, scoring 62 points against Johnson. Sean Taylor excelled behind center with 1,389 passes and 22 touchdowns. Mekhi Cottle emerged as the top rushing threat with 870 yards and 10 TDs. James Pemberton and Terrance Knighton combined for 50 catches and 14 TDs.

The Panthers lit up the scoreboard, averaging 36 points when they weren’t facing South Jersey’s two best teams, Winslow and Holy Spirit. Makhi Brunson is a 2,000-yard, two-way threat with 1,514 passing yards for 18 touchdowns, 491 rushing yards and six more TDs. Jaiden Steele has another 532 rushing yards to go with four TDs. Malik Redd has 10 touchdowns on 32 catches. D’Hani Cobb also has 32 catches with one touchdown.

Central Jersey Group 3 semi-final

(7) Delsea (3-6), (3) Cedar Creek (8-2), Friday, 18:00

The Crusaders are 12-2 in their last 14 playoff games, including a 29-12 victory over Burlington Township last week. While this will be a very different journey with Delsea away for the duration of the tournament, Delsea are certainly not averaging seventh place. The defending state champions have plenty of firepower on both sides of the ball, including a revitalized offense since returning to the Wing-T a few weeks ago. However, Delsea’s defense will be key if the team wants to advance to the regional finals.

The Pirates have won five straight since a 28-14 loss to Holy Spirit on Sept. 27. Following its perfect run in October, Cedar Creek defeated Triton 39-14 in the opening round of the tournament. Senior quarterback Reilly Hoffacker has thrown for 1,361 yards and 14 touchdowns in seven starts, while junior Aamir Dunbar is one of South Jersey’s most productive running backs with more than 1,200 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns. Senior Mandel Pettiford has been a threat to the Buccaneers’ defense with 8.5 sacks and 25 tackles for loss.

(4) Ocean City (6-4), (1) at Somerville (10-0), Friday, 7 p.m.

Ocean City, which entered the postseason with three losses in its previous four games, got back on track with a 42-34 win over Allentown last week. Junior Triston Schmidt ran for 119 yards and two touchdowns in the win. OC held Holy Spirit and Cedar Creek to a combined 22 points in consecutive weeks, but set a season high with 34 points allowed against Allentown.

No team in the Big Central scored more points (361) and gave up fewer points (78) than Somerville. The Pioneers have scored 40 or more points in five games, including four of their last five, and have held teams to one point or less in six straight games, including three shutouts. Senior quarterback Brenden Pacheco threw for 1,325 yards with 20 touchdowns and two touchdowns. Senior running back Terrell Mitchell has 1,102 yards and 15 scores. Ville’s defense has 19 takeaways, including 13 interceptions.

Central Jersey Group 4 semi-final

(4) Marlboro (6-3), (1) at Millville (7-2), Friday, 6 p.m.

The Mustangs (6-3) have won four straight, including two shutouts, after a 2-3 start. Marlboro erased a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter before edging Toms River South in overtime in the quarterfinals. Christian LaFonte is the primary offensive threat with 921 rushing yards and 14 TDs. Nick Dimino threw for 686 yards and two of his three TDs went to Luke Houston.

Thunderbolts (7-2), Winslow and St. Augustine, but are otherwise unstoppable and have averaged 41 points in seven wins. It all starts with All-World receiver Lotzeir Brooks, the state’s all-time leader with 63 TD receptions. The Alabama recruit has 1,005 yards and 12 TDs through the air this fall. Overall QB Robert O’Connor has 1,685 yards and 20 touchdowns. Jamal Wallace is the primary ground threat with 608 yards and eight TDs.

Central Jersey Group 5 semi-final

(6) at Cherokee (5-5), (2) at Atlantic City (7-2), Friday, 6 p.m.

Cherokee ended its two-game losing streak with a 16-14 decision over Old Bridge. The ground attack, which had struggled the previous two weeks, got back on track as senior Murad Campfield rushed for over 100 yards for the seventh time in 10 games this season. Cherokee’s defense struggled with some inconsistency but posted 13.5 sacks and 16 takeaways, including four from Nasir Oliver.

Atlantic City has won seven straight after starting the season at 0-2 with losses to the Mainland and Millville. Senior quarterback Khajuan Roseborough has been one of the most exciting players this season, throwing for 1,996 yards and 24 touchdowns along with 653 rushing yards and seven scores. Sah’nye “Ice Cup” Degraffenreidt, a Rutgers commit, is one of the Garden State’s top wide receivers, with more than 2,631 receiving yards and 37 touchdown catches during his school career.

(5) Cherry Hill East (9-0), (1) at Washington Twp. (8-2), Friday, 18:00

The Cougars have been one of the best stories of the South Jersey football season with an undefeated record, a division title and their first playoff win since 1991. The team shined on both sides of the ball, outscoring opponents 293-76. Senior Isaiah Donaldson is a game-changer at wide receiver (eight receiving TDs, 10 rushing TDs) and defensive back (two interceptions), while senior running back Denzel Lee has rushed for over 3,000 yards in his career.

Washington Township has won five of its last six games and three straight. The Minutemen have turned up the heat on defense lately, racking up back-to-back shutouts, including a 13-0 victory over Howell. Gabe Palaganas (nine sacks) and Andrew Osborn (seven) will be key players as Township looks to put pressure on the East. Offensively, junior Colin Beeler leads a productive ground game, throwing for 914 yards and nine touchdowns.

South Jersey Group 5 semifinal

(3) Hillsborough (7-3), (2) at Rancocas Valley (8-2), Friday, 6 p.m.

The Raiders have five straight wins through the end of September. They scored 97 points in the last two weeks. Running back Jackson Jankowicz has 1,162 yards rushing and 20 touchdowns, plus 26 catches and four more TDs. Quarterback Ryan Seamon has 1,300 passing yards and 13 touchdowns. Andrew Schwartz and Roberto Santiago combined for 61 catches and seven TDs.

The Red Devils won five games in a row and averaged 31 points. Sayvien Adams is a two-way threat at quarterback; He is throwing for 1,779 yards and 22 TDs and rushing for 776 yards and seven TDs. Brody Deiter is an elite wide receiver with 59 catches for 1,085 yards and 13 touchdowns. Montre Wilson has 673 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rusher and receiver.

Government Non-Public B first round

(9) Immaculata (8-1), (8) Paul VI (6-2), Friday, 19:00

The Spartans have won three straight since a one-point loss to Snyder; this was the only time they fell below 35 points. Quarterback Cole Hayden (152-1,209 rushing) caught 26 touchdowns, 16 on the ground and 10 through the air, on just 31 passing yards. Running backs Jahmier Black and Daysir Spille surpassed the 500-yard rushing mark. Quinn Hayden has 11 catches for eight TDs.

Eagles (6-2) against St. They have two losses against St. Augustine and Notre Dame. Quarterback Daulton Phalines threw for 1,193 yards and nine touchdowns. Tyree Roane is the top passing target with 30 catches, including five TDs. Roane also chipped in with four points. Nate Klecko leads the offense with 577 yards and seven TDs.

(11) Camden Catholic (9-0), (6) at Papa John’s (2-7), Saturday, noon

The Irish will look for their first postseason win since 2012 in their first playoff trip in three years, and that win will again be against Papa John’s (28-21 in Non-Public Group 3). Camden Catholic has been one of the biggest surprises in South Jersey football this season; It has reeled off nine straight wins, including a pair of victories over Paulsboro and Lenape. Senior quarterback Michael Mortiz completed 72 percent of his passes for 1,089 yards and 14 touchdowns. Defensively, the Irish forced 20 turnovers, including six that were returned for TDs. Sophomore Bryce Clark has four pick-6s among his five tackles.

Don’t be fooled by Papa John’s 2-7 record, as four of their losses have been to teams ranked in the New Jersey Super 25. The Lions have just one win at state; A 26-20 victory over Seton Hall Prep on Oct. 12. Senior running back Tylik Hill has rushed for 3,500 yards in his varsity career, including 1,485 and 16 touchdowns this season.

Calendar

Friday, November 8

NJSIAA Playoffs

South Jersey Group 1 semifinals

(5) Riverside (1) Glassboro, 6

(3) Paulsboro, (2) Schalick, 6

Central Jersey Group 1 semifinals

(6) Woodbury, (2) On the Beach, 7

(5)Pennsville, (1)Woodstown, 7

South Jersey Group 2 semifinal

(5) Willingboro, (1) Camden, 6

(3) Manchester County, (2) Point Pleasant County, 7

Central Jersey Group 2 semifinals

(4) Delran, (1) Rumson-Fair Haven, 6

(3) Haddonfield, (2) Wall, 7

South Jersey Group 3 semifinal

(4) Seneca, (1) Hopewell Valley, 6

(3) Holmdel, (2) Mainland, 6

Central Jersey Group 3 semi-final

(7) Delsea, (3) Cedar Creek, 6

(4) Ocean City, (1) Somerville, 7

South Jersey Group 4 semifinal

(3)Shawnee, (2)Middletown North, 6

Central Jersey Group 4 semi-final

(6) Jackson, (2) at Brick Memorial, 6

(4) Marlboro, (1) Millville, 6

South Jersey Group 5 semifinal

(5) Kingsway, (1) Toms River North, 6

(3) Hillsborough, (2) Rancocas Valley, 6

Central Jersey Group 5 semi-final

(6) Cherokee, (2) Atlantic City, 6

(5) Cherry Hill East, (1) Washington County, 6

State Non-Public B First Round

(13) Donovan Catholic and (4) Holy Spirit, 6

(10)St. John Vianney, (7) Notre Dame, 6

(12)St. Mary-Rutherford, (5)St. Thomas Aquinas, 6

(14) Hudson Catholic and (3) Paramus Catholic, 7

(9) Immaculata, (8) Paul VI, 7

Saturday, November 9

NJSIAA Playoffs

South Jersey Group 4 Semifinal

(4) Manalapan, (1) Winslow, 1

State Non-Public B First Round

(11) Camden Catholic, (6) Pope John, noon

Tom McGurk is the regional sports editor for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for more than 35 years. If you have a sports story that needs telling, contact him via email. [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.

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Non-Public tournament also begins as NJSIAA Tournament advances to regional semifinal round for public schools