Who are the top WJFL kickers and punters returning in 2026?

Here are some of South Jersey's best going into the 2026 season.

We ranked the top 11 kickers and punter that return this fall after earning West Jersey Football League All-division honors last fall.

Now, here's your chance to vote for your choice with the poll at the end of this story.

11. Raliel Wiggins, Pleasantville. Wiggins provided game-changing field position in the rare cases when the Greyhounds elected to punt, while also moonlighting with three catches for 37 yards.

10. Gavin Rouse, Eastside. The Tigers had their issues offensively in 2025 but once they did reach the end zone, they found a reliable weapon in Rouse, who was perfect on point-afters last fall.

9. Brendon Kiss, Clearview. In a season where the Pioneers didn’t find their first win until November, Kiss provided a measure of success, with a 28.1 punting average, including a season long of 51 yards.

8. Dawson Rambo, Highland. The Tartans had a reliable option in the punt and kicking games with Rouse, who averaged 24.8 yards a punt, while converting 9 of 12 PATs.

7. Lucas Schwartz, Bordentown. The Scotties found the end zone often and had Schwartz there to tack on extra points in 24 of 28 opportunities. He also stepped in to punt when called upon.

6. Caleb Delgado, Moorestown. The Quakers turned to Delgado when they needed a change of field position and the junior delivered in 2025, launching 34 punts for an average of 31.9 yards.

5. Jeremy Clark, Sterling. An underappreciated feature of the Silver Knights’ most successful season in  memory was the secure knowledge that they had a reliable kicking game in Clark, who made 27 of 34 PATs and launched a 38-yard field goal.

4. Christian Klecko, Paul VI. As a top sophomore kicker, Klecko converted on 16 of 18 extra points and made his only field goal try, from 29 yards out.

3. Shawn Kelly, Schalick. One of the most consistent punters in South Jersey, Kelly averaged 32.2 yards on 30 punts, while dropping five inside the 20-yard line.

2. Luke Tanzola, St. Augustine. There was no mistaking what the Hermits would do when faced with a stalled drive in plus territory. Tanzola’s strong leg resulted in five field goals and 27 of 28 extra points.

1. Shane Palena, Delran. The Bears’ senior put together another stellar year making seven of 10 field goals, with a long of 35 yards and going an astounding 50-for-51 on PATs, while also averaging 32.3 yards on six punts.  He has 14 career field goals, two shy of the school record set by Ryan Molinaro in 1998, according to local historian Chuck Langerman.

Tom Rimback grew up reading the Burlington County Times and Courier Post sports sections and began writing for the BCT in 1996. He has covered everything from Super Bowls and Final Fours to Tri-County Swimming but he’s happiest on a sideline interviewing South Jersey scholastic athletes. Follow him on twitter @Rimbacksports. Email him with story ideas at tomrimback@gmail.com and, most importantly, support local journalism with a subscription to the Courier-Post.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Who are the top WJFL kickers and punters returning in 2026?