Staff Report
So we’re heading into Week 1 of the 2024 season — which is actually the second weekend of games, because the season really starts in Week 0, which was last weekend — confused yet? Well, one thing that isn’t confusing is there are some great games lined up for this weekend! It may be early in the season, but we’re about to find out if a couple of teams are for real or not.
Here’s a quick look at what will be happening in the West Jersey Football League the next two days.
TONIGHT:
5pm: Mastery Camden at Clayton
6pm: Maple Shade at Lawrence; Wildwood at Holy Cross; Oakcrest at Holy Spirit; Cherokee at Lenape; Bordentown at Burlington City; Camden at Kingsway; Delran at Ewing; Gloucester Catholic at Morris Catholic; Atlantic City at Millville; Absegami at Cedar Creek; Hammonton at Mainland; St. Joseph Academy at Egg Harbor Township; Pleasantville at Rancocas Valley; Notre Dame at Timber Creek; Penns Grove at Deptford; Overbrook at Collingswood; Paul VI at St. Augustine Prep; Lindenwold at Buena; Eastern at Ocean City; Steinert at Cherry Hill West; Middle Township at Triton.
7pm: Clearview at Bridgeton; Camden Eastside at Willingboro; Cumberland at Schalick; Williamstown at Shawnee; Sterling at Pitman; Moorestown at Seneca; Palmyra at Bishop Eustace; West Deptford at Pennsville; Delsea at Woodstown.
SATURDAY:
11am: Glassboro at Haddon Heights; Paulsboro at Audubon; Haddonfield at Woodbury.
Noon: Cinnaminson at Salem; Burlington Township at Nottingham.
1pm: Vineland at ACIT.
6pm: Highland at Winslow.
KEY GAMES
Oakcrest at Holy Spirit: This will be a big test for an up-and-coming Falcons team. Yes, Holy Spirit lost 35-0 to Millville last weekend, but the Bolts are the best team in South Jersey and the Spartans hung with them through the first half. Holy Spirit has an experienced quarterback in Ty Costabile, some playmakers on the outside and several running backs who can wear out Oakcrest’s defensive line, so the Falcons’ linebackers, led by Donovan Linthicum, need to come up big. Spirit is also pretty good at stopping the run, so the Falcons will need some plays out of junior QB Andrew Estrada. He was 7-of-15 for 101 yards last week in a 20-0 win over Hammonton.
Overbrook at Collingswood: Both teams are 1-0 so this will be a big early season matchup in the WJFL Patriot Division. Collingswood outlasted Clayton, 30-26, in the season opener as the Panthers rushed the ball 44 times 275 yards and four touchdowns. Overbrook’s D-line better strap up!
Camden at Kingsway:
(South Jersey Glory Days coverage, Sully)
The host Dragons have a brutal schedule coming up that includes Timber Creek, Delsea Regional and Camden Eastside, and this non-divisional tilt starts things off. Kingsway comes in 1-0, but has to be mindful of the Panthers’ passing attack, as QB Mahki Brunson produced 239 yards passing and four touchdowns last week. Kingsway, however, can control the clock as evidenced by last week’s 36 rushing attempts in a 23-6 win over Eastern. Keeping the ball out of Brunson’s hands will be job No. 1 for the Dragons.
Vineland at Atlantic Tech: The Fighting Clan are likely feeling pretty good about themselves after a Week 0 win, but they better be on guard. Yes, this will be ACIT’s first official varsity game as a program, but the RedHawks have an experienced coaching staff that features head coach Chris Mancuso, who cut his teeth under Chris Sacco during the Pleasantville resurgence a few years ago, as well as legendary St. Joe coach Paul Sacco. ACIT also has about 1,400 students now, so expect a pretty good atmosphere.
