Many of the region’s top Group 1 schools are expected to shine in the West Jersey Football League’s Diamond Division.
Glassboro returns the bulk of its lineup from last season’s state Group 1 finalist. The Bulldogs’ high-flying offense added another key cog in All-New Jersey running back Kenny Smith, who rushed for over 3,500 during his three seasons at Hammonton.
Schalick appears to be in prime position to make another long run this fall. The Cougars won their first 11 games before suffering a loss in the sectional final. Schalick’s offense has the speed and talent to keep pace with any opponent, including Glassboro. Senior quarterback Kenai Simmons threw for 916 yards and rushed for 546 more. The Cougars also return senior running back Reggie Allen Jr. (836 rushing yards, 12 TDs) and junior Levi Feeney-Childers (355, 3).
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Woodstown boasts one of the region’s top running backs in senior Bryce Belinfanti, who rushed for over 1,700 yards and 21 touchdowns last fall. Senior Garrett Leyman, a three-year starter at cornerback, anchors the defense, while senior Jack Ware is among the area’s top kickers.
Woodbury returns eight starters (four on each side of the ball), including a stout defense led by ends Camyle Carter and Amir Arnold, and three-year starting standout Jasuan Solomon at linebacker.
With new coaches, Salem and Penns Grove appear poised for rebuilding seasons.
Mark the Calendar
Glassboro at Schalick, Oct. 18, 7 p.m.: A rematch of the Group 1 sectional final could determine the Diamond Division winner. Glassboro earned a 20-0 win in last year’s meeting. The following week, Glassboro will host Woodstown at 6 p.m. during Homecoming festivities. The Bulldogs won last year’s regular-season meeting in overtime and delivered a 14-10 win at Woodstown in the state semifinal.
Players to Watch
- Glassboro: Kenny Smith, senior, RB; Xavier Sabb, sophomore, WR/DB
- Penns Grove: Karon Ceasar, sophomore, WR/DB; Knowledge Young, senior, DB
- Salem: Daviyonn Jackson, senior, RB/LB; Omarion Pierce, Sr. DB;
- Schalick: Reggie Allen, RB/S/LB; Riley Papiano, senior, LB; Kenai Simmons, senior, QB
- Woodbury: Amir Arnold, senior, OL/DL; Jasuan Solomon, senior, LB/TE; Marquis Taylor, senior, WR/CB
- Woodstown: Bryce Belinfanti, senior, RB/LB; Walter Carter, senior, G/DE; Garrett Leyman, senior, WR/CB
New Coaches
Kemp Carr returns to Salem County as he takes over the Salem program. Carr led Penns Grove for 10 seasons from 2004-13, powering the Red Devils to a 74-34 record, including an unbeaten and sectional championship campaign in 2012. Carr, who was the head coach at Winslow for three seasons ending in 2017, takes over for Daniel Mendoza.
Mark Maccarone takes over as head coach at Penns Grove, replacing John Emel. Maccarone was the head coach at Glassboro to 43 wins in seven seasons, including a pair of sectional titles. Prior to landing the top job, he was the defensive coordinator at PG.
Frank Trautz was promoted from quarterbacks coach to head coach at Woodstown. It’s his first head coaching gig. He replaces John Adams, who led the Wolverines for the previous 12 seasons, including last year’s 9-3 squad that went to the sectional final.
Predicted Order of Finish
- Glassboro
- Schalick
- Woodstown
- Woodbury
- Salem
- Penns Grove
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: WJFL preview: Diamond Division Players to Watch, predictions
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