The West Jersey Football League's Top Games: Week 7

In this article, we preview some of the West Jersey Football League's top games going into Week 7 of football here in the great, Garden State.   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Friday, October 18</h2>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Timber Creek (4-3) at Cedar Creek (5-2), 6pm Timber Creek against Cedar Creek - either way someone will be hollering "Timber" as one of these great programs falls to the other this weekend like a tree. Despite having a better record, the host Pirates are sitting in 8th place in the South III bracket, looking up at the 5th place Chargers. That said, a win by Cedar Creek could shake the playoff picture up big time. The visiting Chargers get a lot of production on defense, most notably by [player_tooltip player_id='218547' first='Amir' last='Reason-Dallas']. The senior is having an incredible year, ranking amongst the state leaders in tackles with 95 (59 solo) on the season. Although he has just 3 sacks, Reason-Dallas has made 16 tackles for loss with two games to play. Lastly, he has recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass. Furthermore, Reason-Dallas appears to be the Chargers primary weapon on offense. He leads the team in touches with 106 total, which have rendered 432 yards on the ground, 83 receiving, and 2 ground scores. Defensively he might have taken young [player_tooltip player_id='1532426' first='Brody' last='Conway'] under his wing. Conway, a sophomore, is chomping at Reason-Dallas's heels with 86 tackles (46 solo) of his own. Conway has also made 6 tackles for loss and sacked the quarterback 3 times. Wedged in the middle of these two thumpers is [player_tooltip player_id='1475742' first='Erik' last='Worley']. In his junior season Worley has made 35 tackles (20 solo), to go with 1 tackles for loss, and a team-leading 5 interceptions - one of which he took back for six. The Pirates host a slew of productive defenders of their own. Starting with the back-end of the defense, junior [player_tooltip player_id='1282523' first='Frenchmon' last='Bethea Jr'], who had seen some time at quarterback in the wake of [player_tooltip player_id='827679' first='Reilly' last='Hoffacker'] having to sit due to transfer rules, appears to have been a team-oriented player, choosing the team over himself. Bethea leads the team in interceptions with 4, while having made 11 tackles and recovering a fumble. He also has made 7 receptions for 137 yards, with 2 touchdowns. Moving down a level on defense, [player_tooltip player_id='995371' first='Justus' last='Peyton'] does not let much get past him. Peyton, still just a junior, has made 78 tackles (51 solo) with an impressive 17 tackles for loss. Additionally, he has made 1.5 sacks, forced a fumble, and recovered another. Finally, senior [player_tooltip player_id='354978' first='Mandel' last='Pettiford'] is the man with his hand in the dirt , dominating the trenches. Pettiford, who is now nearly a household name, has made 36 (28 solo) tackles on the season; however, he is the team leader in several categories, including: sacks (5.5), tackles for loss (18), forced fumble (2), and fumble recoveries (2). Lastly, we cannot discuss Cedar Creek without mentioning their all-everything running back [player_tooltip player_id='402188' first='Aamir' last='Dunbar']. With yet another season to still play, Dunbar has scored 12 times on the ground with 975 yards on 133 carries.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Washington Township (5-2) at Kingsway (6-1), 6pm Eerily similar to the first game highlighted in this piece, the Kingsway Dragons find themselves also hosting a team that is ahead of them in their playoff bracket despite having a better record. The Minutemen of Washington Township seem to rely on their ground game, particularly junior [player_tooltip player_id='1466305' first='Colin' last='Beeler']. Beeler has gone for 649 yards on 133 carries with 7 scores as their lead back out of the backfield. Beeler appears to not play defense, which is a luxury Washington Township has due to a few standout performers on that side of the ball. Starting with linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1027686' first='Jaylen' last='Robinson'], Robinson finds himself in the midst of a breakthrough season. Robinson has amassed a whopping 17.5 tackles for loss to go along with his 64 tackles, sack, and 2 fumble recoveries. The Minutemen are also fortunate to have two outstanding pass rushers apply pressure on nearly every snap. Joining Robinson in the class of 2026 is [player_tooltip player_id='1466307' first='Andrew' last='Osborn']. Also a fellow linebacker, Osborn leads the team in sacks with 7 on the season. These 7 sacks add to his total of 10 tackles for loss, 33 stops, 2 forced fumbles, and 1 fumble recovery. Book-ending him is a sophomore named [player_tooltip player_id='910872' first='Gabe' last='Palaganas']. Palaganas' encore season is a good one, as he has totaled 34 tackles (12 solo), 10.5 tackles for loss, 6.5 sacks, with a forced fumble and fumble recovery a piece. The Kingsway Dragons likely represent something more akin to Medusa with how they spread the ball around. they currently have 5 players with 29+ carries and no one player with more than 49. With those 49 carries is their lead dog [player_tooltip player_id='1533535' first='Cole' last='DeNick']. Still just a sophomore, DeNick has scored 8 times on 49 carries for 336 yards. The rest of the crew include [player_tooltip player_id='1533536' first='Ashton' last='Ford'] (29/95/2), [player_tooltip player_id='1533540' first='Aidan' last='Licciardello'] (32/105), [player_tooltip player_id='1054153' first='Za'hir' last='Paynter'] (25/118/1), and quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='501876' first='David' last='Oravetz'] (25/38/1). Oravetz, however, has gone 66-111 for 676 yards with 6 touchdowns and 3 interceptions. With that many touches spread around, it ought to be difficult for the Minutemen to zero in on any one player.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Glassboro (6-0) at Schalick (5-2), 7pm When the Bulldogs travel to take on the Cougars Friday night, we might have South Jersey's first taste of a potential sectional championship game. Glassboro is currently the number 4 seed in South I, while Schalick is breathing hot-and-heavy down their necks as the bracket's number 6 seed. Glassboro boasts an outstanding defense that has four shutouts in six games played, while allowing just 22 points in their other two victories. It is rare for defensive linemen to lead their team in tackles, although I played with one who did many, many years ago (shout out to my man, T. Colson), but that is exactly what [player_tooltip player_id='402196' first='Brandon' last='Simmons Jr.'] is doing for the 'Dawgs. Simmons has made 53 stops so far (27 solo) with 15 tackles for loss, and a scoop & score; however, considering he frequently plays in either a 4i or a 3 technique, his most impressive stat might be his 9 sacks. Despite Simmons' heavy duress, should opposing quarterbacks get a pass off [player_tooltip player_id='212380' first='Amari' last='Sabb'] is in the secondary ready to make a break on the ball. Sabb leads the team with 4 interceptions - 2 of which he took back for a pick-sixes. Lastly, senior [player_tooltip player_id='1271465' first='DayShaun' last='Day'] appears to be an explosive, disruptive force for Glassboro. Day has made just 30 tackles (19 solo), but he is a stat sheet stuffer. Day has made 7 tackles for loss, 2 sacs, 2 forced fumbles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 scoop & score, 1 pick-six, and has blocked two kicks. That said, Day has the defensive playmaking abilities to make it a long day for opposing offenses. Expect Schalick to control the clock and grind this game away in hopes of victory. Clearly a run-firs t team, seniors [player_tooltip player_id='995082' first='Reggie' last='Allen'] and [player_tooltip player_id='941872' first='Kenai' last='Simmons'] have nearly a 50-50 split in the backfield. Simmons has the edge in carries and touchdowns - 74 and 6 to Allens 72 and 5 - yet Allen has amassed more yardage with his 487 total, relative to Simmons' 242. Defensively [player_tooltip player_id='1533543' first='Riley' last='Papino'] seems like a thumper. The senior currently leads the Cougars in tackles (66.5), tackles for loss (7), and fumble recoveries (2). Additionally, Papino has 4.5 sacks and recorded 1 safety. [player_tooltip player_id='910849' first='Aiden' last='Torres'] is having a big impact as a sophomore. Torres leads his Cougars squad in sacks with 5.5, while also making 3 tackles for loss on 28 total stops.</li> </ul>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Saturday, October 19</h2>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>Pemberton (4-2) at Riverside (5-2), 1:30pm This next matchup is a bit of a crossover for both teams, as South I's #9 seed in Riverside looks to gain a playoff home game, but they first must play host to South III's Pemberton. For the visiting Hornets, they current are on the outside looking in as the #19 team in their bracket. For Pemberton to change their fortunes, look for them to ride the back of senior running back [player_tooltip player_id='1533545' first='Shaun' last='Lake']. Lake has carried the ball 61 times for 371 yards and 3 scores. Also a contributor on defense, Lake has made 17 tackles, sacked the quarterback twice, made 2 stops behind the line of scrimmage, and recovered a fumble for a score. Lake seems like a piece that settles and gets sophomore quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1533558' first='Nehemiah' last='Maynes'] settled and focused. Maynes actually leads the team in rushing touchdowns with 4, as he has earned 152 yards on 39 carries. As a passer, the 2027 graduate is 38-86 for 484 yards with another 4 touchdowns and 5 interceptions. Looking to stop Riverside's run-oriented offense are a pair of sturdy defensive linemen who have paid their dues in the trenches. First is [player_tooltip player_id='341833' first='Thaisaan' last='Alexander']. Alexander has been a playmaker on defense, having sacked opposing quarterbacks 4 times thus far, going along with his 2 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, and 1 scoop & score. Alexander has also made 13 tackles (6 solo) on the season. Complementing Alexander is fellow 2025 graduate [player_tooltip player_id='1533561' first='EJ' last='Zapata-Smalls']. Zapata-Smalls makes it a habit to live in the backfield as he leads the Hornets in sacks (6) and tackles for loss (5). Zapata-Smalls has also contributed with 34 tackles on defense and forcing 1 fumble. For the host Rams, they have taken their mascot and adopted it as their philosophy. Riverside hosts a trifecta of rushing threats. [player_tooltip player_id='1476884' first='Xavier' last='Parnell'] is the lead back, carrying the ball 91 times for 678 yards and 6 scores. When he needs a blow, young sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1476886' first='Alton' last='Howell'] steps up admirably with 65 totes, 301 yards, and 3 scores; he has also intercepted the ball twice on defense. However, their quarterback might just be there most dynamic threat. [player_tooltip player_id='1476887' first='Dean' last='Potts'] leads the Rams in rushing scores with 10, as he has called his own number 69 times for 455 yards. Although he is just 17-40 for 276 yards with 2 touchdown and 1 interception as a passer, Potts leads the Rams in sacks (5) and tackles for loss (9), while also making 22 tackles, forcing a fumble, recovering 2, while taking 1 backf or a score on defense.</li> </ul>   <ul class="wp-block-list"> <li>St. Augustine (5-2) at Rancocas Valley (5-2), 2pm We close out our football weekend's West Jersey Football League coverage with a battle of heavyweights, as non-public St. Augustine travels to Rancocas Valley. This figures to be a good barometer and tune up for Rancocas Valley as they prepare for the long, arduous playoff road ahead. St. Augustine sets up to ride the coattails of [player_tooltip player_id='1085730' first='Julian' last='Turney'], senior running back, as they look to ride off into victory. Turney has slashed 124/731/8 on the ground during his last dance. A role player on defense, he has been credited with 1 sack and 2 tackles for loss on 9 total tackles. It goes without saying that Rancocas Valley must prioritize blocking [player_tooltip player_id='829432' first='Damari' last='Simeon'] at the first level. Having picked up two more FBS offers this week (now with a total of 24), Simeon has made 27 tackles, 2.5 sacks, 8 tackles for loss, forced a fumble, and intercepted a pass. Should the game come down to the wire, its balance might rest on the foot of sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1476892' first='Luke' last='Tanzola']. Tanzola is 19-20 in PAT attempts, but more importantly is 4-4 on FG tries, having nailed a 34-yarder as his longest. For the Red Devils, they are getting it done through the air offensively this season. Led by junior quarterback [player_tooltip player_id='1466331' first='Sayvien' last='Adams'], they are off to a 5-2 start. Adams' play has shown out, going 64-116 for 1318 with 17 touchdowns to just 3 interceptions. Adams is also their leading rusher, having called his own number a team-high 46 times for 535 yards - also a team high - and 5 scores. Adams' favorite target has unquestionably been [player_tooltip player_id='1043544' first='Brody' last='Deiter']. Deiter has collected 42 of Rancocas Valley's 66 completions. This has yielded 864 yards and 12 touchdowns. Defensively two young studs are atop the leaderboard for the Red Devils. Freshman [player_tooltip player_id='1151578' first='Michael' last='Beasley'] is having a great debut to his high school career. Beasley currently holds team-highs in sacks, 3, and tackles for loss, 13. Not to be outdone, he has made 53 stops, forced a fumble, and registered a safety. Right on his heels is sophomore teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1533565' first='David' last='Ogunsola']. Literally, right on his heels, Ogunsola has made 5 sacks an 11 tackles for loss with 50 tackles, 1 forced fumble, and a safety of his own. </li> </ul>

In this article, we preview some of the West Jersey Football League's top games going into Week 7 of football here in the great, Garden State.