As Labor Day Weekend approaches, high school football fans in South Jersey are gearing up for an exciting start to the season. The South Jersey Gridiron Gang has compiled a list of must-watch games as teams prepare for Week 1 of the high school football schedule.
One of the standout matchups this week features Paul VI (0-0) visiting Delran (1-0) on Thursday at 6 p.m. Paul VI will be eager to begin their season after their previous game against Gloucester Catholic was canceled. The Eagles are looking to extend their winning streak in season openers, having won their last two, including a decisive 34-8 victory against Timber Creek last year. Delran, on the other hand, is coming off a thrilling 24-17 win over Cherry Hill East, where junior quarterback Nate Marter showcased his skills with a total of 230 yards of offense.
Another intriguing game on Thursday sees Moorestown (1-0) take on Cinnaminson (0-1) at 6 p.m. The Quakers are off to a strong start, having secured a 40-0 victory over Bishop Eustace, marking their first win in a season opener in four years. Cinnaminson, however, is looking to bounce back after a 28-7 loss to Lower Cape May, where Jahvon Johnson scored the team’s only touchdown.
Cherry Hill East (0-1) will face Eastern (1-0) at 6 p.m. on Thursday as well. The Cougars are looking to recover from a 24-17 loss to Delran, which ended their impressive 18-game regular-season winning streak. Senior kicker Judah Niv made his mark last week with a 30-yard field goal, and the team hopes to capitalize on last year’s victory against Eastern, which they won 26-23. Eastern, coming off a 17-14 comeback win against Hunterdon Central, will aim to maintain their momentum.
Williamstown (1-0) will visit Pennsauken (1-0) on Thursday at 6 p.m. The Braves celebrated a successful head coaching debut for Brian Leary with a 20-14 victory over Timber Creek, where Kysheem Prunty stood out with 78 rushing yards and a touchdown. Pennsauken is also riding high after achieving a shutout in their season opener, marking their second consecutive shutout in opening games.
In another notable matchup, Cedar Creek (0-0) will take on Ocean City (1-0) at 6 p.m. The defending state champion Pirates suffered a narrow 29-28 overtime loss to St. John Vianney in their opener, while Ocean City secured a dominant 39-0 victory against Princeton, showcasing a strong defensive performance led by senior Jake Chapman.
As the week progresses, Seneca (0-1) will look to recover from a heartbreaking 26-20 loss to Lenape when they face Haddonfield (1-0) on Thursday at 7 p.m. Haddonfield is aiming to build on their strong home record from last season, having won six of eight games at home.
Friday's schedule features Cherokee (1-0) against Burlington Township (0-1) at 5 p.m. at Wilbur Watts Middle School. The Chiefs are looking to extend their winning streak to four consecutive seasons, while the Falcons aim to recover from a challenging loss to Passaic Tech.
Finally, St. Augustine (1-0) will compete against Atlantic City (0-1) on Saturday at 5 p.m. as part of the Mid-Atlantic Pigskin Classic. St. Augustine is coming off a narrow 24-20 victory over Bonner/Prendergast, while Atlantic City seeks to regroup after their loss to Shabazz.
With a full slate of games scheduled, high school football in South Jersey promises to deliver thrilling action as teams kick off their seasons. Fans can look forward to exciting matchups and the potential for standout performances from local athletes.
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