WJFL Junior Wide Receivers to Watch: American Division

New Jersey high school football is in full swing and this jam-packed 2020 season should be as competitive as ever. Already into week two of this season, consisting of just six games, the games are the same as we’ve come to know over the years. There have already been many standout stars throughout the state, especially in the West Jersey Football League, a superconference containing 95 football programs across six different athletic conferences split into 16 divisions. Through two weeks, here’s a list of junior wide receivers to watch, starting in the American Division. <strong>Calem Bowman, Millville:</strong> Bowman is tied for the second-most receptions on the team this season and has the third-most receiving yards for Millville. He’s a reliable target with good hands and he runs routes very well. A very good asset for him is his ability to stop on a dime after the catch, someone who can get to passes and earns a lot of yards after the catch. Bowman shows the ability to be a deep threat as a long, lanky receiver who can burn past defenders. <strong>Tiyon Cephas, Millville:</strong> The Thunderbolts have a great junior wide receiver core developing, with Cephas in the middle of that. He’s a slot receiver, running closer routes or slants to get key yards, but he’s a playmaker. He’s a big yards after the catch receiver, which shows when you watch tape of him against St. Augustine last week. Cephas looks great running a slant route, creating space for himself to allow for bigger yardage gains. There’s a reason why he’s tied for the most receptions on Millville this season. <strong>Brayden Dixon, Lenape:</strong> Dixon has fantastic hands for a receiver, but what might be his biggest asset is his blocking ability. If he’s not open or during a run play, he’s helping create space for his teammates for big plays thanks to his 6-1 frame. His height also makes him an easy target, as he’s been utilized as a curl and slant receiver so far this season, but his build allows lots of yards after the catch. Dixon is one of two Lenape receivers with a receiving touchdown this season. Expect many more opportunities to come his way. <strong>Ian Ver Steeg, Shawnee:</strong> Ver Steeg is playing his first season with Shawnee after leaving Archbishop Spalding High School in Severn, Maryland. That hasn’t affected his game as Ver Steeg is one of their best receiving options: someone who can torch defenders on a deep route or bob and wave through coverage on a slant. He accounted for both of Shawnee’s touchdowns in their season opener and based on his success so far, should have plenty more before the season’s end. <strong>Keyshaun Watkins, Williamstown:</strong> Watkins, though looked at more on the defensive side in the secondary, is an under-looked receiving option due to fellow junior [player_tooltip player_id="27959" first="Keon" last="Sabb"], a top-15 recruit in the Class of 2022, being the primary throwing option for the Braves. However, he is a reliable receiver and an excellent route-runner. He’s been used mostly in out, curl and slant routes, but he has great hands, catching any ball near him. Be on the lookout for more recaps and players to watch as this shortened football season continues.