South Jersey high school football roundup for the first week of the playoffs
Catch up on all the opening-round action from the high school football playoffs in South Jersey right here.
Saturday games
The sectional quarterfinals concluded on Saturday.
Central Jersey Group 5 Quarterfinals
Rancocas Valley 13, Lenape 3: Damien Peterson forced a Lenape fumble inside Rancocas Valley’s 5-yard line to save a touchdown in the third quarter, then the Red Devils proceeded to march 97 yards in 15 plays, capped by a Nick Marco 1-yard touchdown run, as the No. 3 seed in the Central Jersey Group 5 playoffs held off sixth-seeded Lenape to advance to the sectional semifinals.
Malachi Castle played a key role on both sides of the ball, rushing 16 times for 43 yards and a score and recording two sacks on defense.
Central Jersey Group 4 Quarterfinals
Winslow 46, Pennsauken 14: After freshman quarterback Jalen Parker suffered a season-ending elbow injury last week, junior Deante Ruffin regained the starting role and shined in the Eagles’ 46-14 win over Pennsauken. Ruffin rushed for a pair of touchdowns and threw for two more scores, including one to Cam Miller.
Central Jersey Group 3 Quarterfinals
Camden 27, Carteret 7: Judah Anthony had 19 carries for 147 yards and Eric Lee and Mahki Brunson both rushed for touchdowns as the third-seeded Panthers handled sixth-seeded Carteret in the opening round Saturday.
Camden’s defense was stout as Azir Lee recorded a pair of interceptions and Nasere Blakney, Richard James and Joshua Steeley each had a sack. Braheem Long Jr. had an 83-yard kickoff return score as well.
The Panthers will visit No. 2 Holmdel in the semifinals.
South Jersey Group 3 Quarterfinals
Eastside 33, Highland 13: Senior quarterback Nazir Flack threw for two scores and rushed for a third TD while Montel Anderson provided a huge play with a pick-6 on the final play of the first half as the Tigers cruised into the semifinal round for the sixth straight season.
The second-seeded Tigers will host third-seeded Seneca on Saturday.
South Jersey Group 1 Quarterfinals
Woodbury 40, Riverside 8: Ibn Muhammad had 58- and 46-yard touchdown catches, recovered a fumble and capped his monster day with a 38-yard pick-6 as the third-seeded Thundering Herd began their quest for a third straight South Jersey 1 title with a victory over No. 6 Riverside, which was playing in its first playoff game since 2003.
Woodbury didn’t run a single offensive play in the second half as it scored on a 70-yard kickoff return by Marquis Taylor, a 94-yard punt return by Wilson Torres and Muhammad’s interception. Jayden Johnson finished with three TD passes, the other a 64-yarder to Taylor.
Woodbury will host Burlington City in the semifinals.
Friday games
Here's a closer look at the results from the opening night of the playoffs.
South Jersey Group 5 Quarterfinals
Cherokee 44, West Windsor-Plainsboro South 7: Murad Campfield had four first-half rushing touchdowns as top-seeded Cherokee advanced to the sectional semifinals. Tommy Pajic scored on a 51-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Bender and Cooper Burti ran in a 32-yard touchdown as well to help the Marlton squad improve to 7-2 on the season. West Windsor-Plainsboro’s only touchdown came on a kick return in the fourth quarter. The Chiefs will host No. 5 Kingsway next week.
Kingsway 27, Hunterdon Central 14: The fifth-seeded Dragons traveled almost 80 miles north and took care of business against the No. 4 seeded Hunterdon Central. Next up, Kingsway will hope to pull off another upset against top-seeded Cherokee, though it lost the first time the teams played, 34-7 on Oct. 13.
Hillsborough 14, Howell 0: The second-seeded Raiders improved to 8-2 in dominating fashion, picking up their second shutout of the season along the way. Howell finishes its season with a 3-6 record.
Central Jersey Group 5 Quarterfinals
Washington Twp. 43, Atlantic City 14: Giuliano Scavetta returned to the field after missing a month win an injury and rushed for three touchdowns while the Township defense produced three interceptions and five sacks helping the Minutemen march to their first playoff win since 2011.
Washington Township advances: Scavetta's trifecta gives Washington Township long-awaited postseason win
Toms River North 49, Southern 7: The top-seeded and reigning-champion Mariners advanced with ease while improving their season record to 8-2. North will host No. 5 seed Freehold Township next week.
Freehold Twp 21, North Brunswick 20: The fifth-seeded Patriots (7-3) won a nail-biter over No. 4 North Brunswick. This was the fourth straight victory for Freehold, which will travel to face No. 1 Toms River North next weekend.
South Jersey Group 4 Quarterfinals
Mainland 56, Manalapan 20: John Franchini threw three touchdowns – two to Jamie Tyson and one to Hunter Watson – and Cohen Cook ran in two touchdowns as the second-seeded Mustangs advanced to the semifinals. Mainland also scored on Tyson's 28-yard pick-six, a Rocco DeBiaso 33-yard run and a Stephen Ordille 25-yard scamper. Mainland remains undefeated at 10-0 and will face the winner of No. 3 Colts Neck and No. 6 Toms River South.
Millville 49, Northern Burlington 7: The top-seeded Thunderbolts won their eighth game in a row and improved to 8-1 on the year. Lotzeir Brooks caught three touchdown passes from Jacob Zamot, Na’eem Sharp had two rushing scores and both Demere White and Jamal Wallace ran in one touchdown apiece. Next up, Millville will host fifth-seeded Shawnee.
Shawnee 35, Middletown South 21: Joe Papa scored the game’s final touchdown on a 78-yard run with 2:44 remaining in regulation to seal the Shawnee’s opening-round victory at No. 4 Middletown South. Next up, Shawnee will travel to No. 1 Millville. The Medford squad fell to the Thunderbolts 38-14 on Oct. 6.
Central Jersey Group 4 Quarterfinals
Hammonton 23, Ocean City 22: Hammonton’s Kenny Smith scored the game-tying touchdown with 26 seconds left in the fourth quarter and Gavin Kovacs kicked the game-winning extra point to help lift the fourth-seeded Blue Devils past No. 5 Ocean City. The touchdown was one of three for Smith on the evening. For the Red Raiders, Duke Guenther had one rushing touchdown and caught a touchdown pass from Walker Bailey, while John Moyer scored on a 90-yard kick return. Next up, Hammonton will face the winner of No. 1 Winslow and No. 8 Pennsauken.
Long Branch 13, Jackson Memorial 0: Earnest Reevey threw a touchdown pass to Zaheem Brown and also ran for a score as No. 6 Long Branch pulled off the upset against the third-seeded Jaguars (7-2). Long Branch will travel to No. 2 Brick Memorial next weekend in the semifinal round.
Brick Memorial 41, Moorestown 7: The seventh-seeded Quakers struck first to go up 7-0 early in the first quarter, but Brick rebounded and put up 41 unanswered to advance to the next round of the tournament. Moorestown finishes its season at 6-4, while Brick remains undefeated at 10-0.
South Jersey Group 3 Quarterfinals
Delsea 44, Burlington Township 6: Daniel Russo had three rushing touchdowns and Zach Maxwell ran in two of his own as the top-seeded Crusaders dominated from start to finish. Wayne Adair also scored a rushing touchdown as Delsea won its seventh-straight game to improve to 8-1. The Crusaders will face the winner of No. 4 Manasquan and No. 5 Somerville in the next round. Burlington Township finished its season with a 2-8 record.
Seneca 51, Allentown 14: The third-seeded Golden Eagles won their sixth-straight game and improved to 8-1 on the year with a convincing opening-round victory against No. 6 Allentown. The Golden Eagles will face the winner of No. 2 Camden Eastside and No. 7 Highland in the semis.
Central Jersey Group 3 Quarterfinals
Timber Creek 42, Robbinsville 12: Victor Oquendo threw six touchdown passes to four different receivers – two to Karon Brookins, two to Marcus Upton, one to Kysim Khan and one to Quadir Baldwin – as the top-seeded Chargers (9-0) remained undefeated and advanced to the semifinals. Next up, they’ll face No. 4 Cedar Creek.
Cedar Creek 33, Wall 20: The fourth-seeded Pirates (7-3) took care of business against the No. 5 Wall in the quarterfinals. Cedar Creek will travel to No. 1 Timber Creek in the semifinals.
Holmdel 21, Matawan 7: Matt Tempone caught a touchdown pass from Jack Cannon and both Matt Lulo and Braden Savage scored a rushing touchdown to help the second-seeded Hornets (9-0) remain undefeated. They’ll host the victor of No. 3 Camden and No. 6 Carteret in the semifinals.
South Jersey Group 2 Quarterfinals
Haddon Heights 14, Oakcrest 12: The fifth-seeded Garnets squeaked by No. 4 Oakcrest on the road to capture their fourth win in a row and advance to the sectional semifinals. They’ll travel to face top-seeded Rumson-Fair Haven next weekend.
Rumson Fair-Haven 47, Delaware Valley 13: The No. 1-seeded Bulldogs improved to 5-4 and will host Haddon Heights in the semifinals.
Haddonfield 31, Raritan 7: The Haddons won their third straight and improved to 8-1 as they advanced to the South 2 semifinals. They’ll host No. 3 Gloucester in the semis.
Gloucester 35, Middle Township 34: Mason Widman scored three second-half touchdowns, and his 4-yard TD run with 7:04 left gave the third-seeded Lions a 35-28 lead they wouldn't relinquish against the sixth-seeded Panthers. Gloucester has now won eight straight games since its 17-14 season-opening defeat at Schalick. The Lions will travel to Haddonfield next round.
Central Jersey Group 2 Quarterfinals
Cinnaminson 14, New Providence 0: The fifth-seeded Pirates captured a road victory and improved to 8-1 on the year over No. 4 New Providence. Brian Finerghty and Domenic Del Grippo both scored rushing touchdowns to help Cinnaminson advance. Next week, the Pirates will face No. 1 Point Pleasant Boro.
Point Pleasant Boro 55, Spotswood 7: The top-seeded Panthers were overpowering in their victory and improved to 8-1 with their third-straight win. This was just the second loss of the year for Spotswood, which finished its season with a respectable 8-2 record.
Pleasantville 55, Johnson 22: The Greyhounds were firing from all cylinders on Friday night and won their eighth game in a row to advance to the sectional semifinals. Ahmad Jones threw two touchdowns – both to Khalil Witherspoon – and ran one in from 33 yards out to help his team improve to 8-1. Dwayne Carter scored two defensive touchdowns (one on a fumble recovery and the other on an interception) and added a rushing TD on offense, while Rashad Floyd and Kwalil Shepperson both ran for scores as well. Third-seeded Pleasantville will travel to face No. 2 Willingboro next week.
Willingboro 42, Monmouth 0: The second-seeded Chimeras posted their fourth shutout of the season and improved to 8-2 overall on Friday night. They'll host Pleasantville in the semifinals.
South Jersey Group 1 Quarterfinals
Burlington City 60, Middlesex 15: The seventh-seeded Blue Devils (8-2) handed the Blue Jays their second loss of the season in dominating fashion. Next up, City will face the winner of No. 6 Riverside and No. 3 Woodbury.
Woodstown 42, Dunellen 6: Bryce Belinfanti ran for five touchdowns and Alex Ware ran in one of his own as the top-seeded Wolverines improved to 7-2 on the season. They’ll host No. 5 Penns Grove in the semifinals. In one meeting this year between the division rivals, Woodstown came out victorious with a 21-6 triumph on October 21.
Penns Grove 6, Florence 3: The fifth-seeded Red Devils picked up their first road playoff victory since 2011 as their defense limited No. 4 Florence to 77 yards from scrimmage in the quarterfinals. Ka'ron Ceaser's 38-yard touchdown run on the first drive of the second half proved to be the difference. The loss will be Florence head coach Joe Frappolli's final playoff game as he's retiring after 50 years at the helm.
End of an era: Penns Grove football ousts Florence, Frappolli coaches final playoff game
Central Jersey Group 1 Quarterfinals
Schalick 35, Audubon 0: The top-seeded Cougars improved to 10-0 and picked up their first playoff win since 2007 on Friday night. This was also Schalick’s second shutout of the season. Next up, the Cougars will host No.4 Shore in the semifinal round.
Shore 14, Clayton 0: The fifth-seeded Clippers fell to No. 4 Shore on the road, dropping their record to 5-4.
Glassboro 28, Keyport 0: Third-seeded Glassboro picked up its third straight win and improved to 6-3 on the year with a dominating performance against No. 6 Keyport. This was the Bulldogs’ second shutout of the season, and they have won their last three games by a combined total of 110-6. Glassboro will travel to No. 3 South Hunterdon in the next round.
South Hunterdon 16, Salem 6: Jared Pew scored Salem’s lone touchdown on a 13-yard run in the second quarter, but the seventh-seeded Rams were unable to pull off the upset. Salem finishes its season with a 2-7 record while South Hunterdon will go on to host No. 3 Glassboro next weekend.
Tom McGurk is a regional sports reporter for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 30 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him at (856) 486-2420 or email tmcgurk@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: South Jersey high school football roundup for first round of playoffs
