10 burning questions for the 2022 South Jersey football season
What are three must-see games in the first month of the season?
Salem vs. Camden, Rumble on the Raritan at Rutgers, Sept. 4, 4 p.m. – Two of the deepest, most talented programs in South Jersey at SHI Stadium? Yes please.
Winslow at Delsea, Sept. 9, 7 p.m. – The West Jersey Football League Independence Division will be one of the best in South Jersey this year, and this is the first key matchup.
St. Augustine at Millville, Sept. 16, 7 p.m. – These upper-echelon programs have no love lost for each other. This will be a battle.
Who will be the breakout team of 2022?
Mainland. The Mustangs went 4-6 last fall, but each of their setbacks came to teams that reached at least the sectional semifinals. They were also hit hard by injuries, but that should help this season as many of those young players gained valuable experience. The team brings back nine returning starters on offense and 11 on defense including speedy quarterback Marlon Leslie, standout tailback Ja’briel Mace, and two-way standouts Nick Wagner and Paul Lombardo, to name a few.
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Who will be the breakout player of 2022?
Highland quarterback Connor Leary. The Tartans have been a run-heavy squad the last several seasons, and will highlight junior Angelo Rodriguez, who ran for close to 1,400 yards and 18 touchdowns as a sophomore. However, Leary’s growth behind center should open the entire offense. The son of head coach Brian Leary, Connor completed 52-of-94 passes for 718 yards, 4 touchdowns and 6 interceptions in his first campaign. He’s grown at least three inches and 20 pounds this offseason and impressed at multiple camps. He’s ready to take the next step.
How will the late coaching changes by returning South Jersey champions Millville, Winslow and Eastside affect them?
These three championship programs ensured continuity with the hires of Humberto Ayala (Millville), Bill Belton (Winslow) and Melik Brown (Eastside). All three have been with their respective programs multiple years and each was the offensive coordinator last season. The players already have rapports with them, and each coach has maintained a high standard of excellence. All three squads should compete for titles once again.
What new coach is under the most pressure?
Ayala. The Thunderbolts finished last season No. 3 in South Jersey and are predicted by many to be the top program in the area this fall (the official preseason Mean 15 rankings will be released on Aug. 25). They boast one of the best sophomores in the country in receiver Lotzeir Brooks, returning First Team lineman Marcus Offer, plus several other starters and high-level players. Expectations are through the roof despite a difficult schedule and new coach. All eyes will be on Millville to see if it can reach its goals.
What will be the toughest division in the WJFL?
The American. St. Augustine and Millville finished second and third in South Jersey last season, Cherokee and Shawnee were both in the top 11, and Lenape and Williamstown, despite down years, each won a playoff game and were ousted by the eventual section champ. Millville, Cherokee, Shawnee and Williamstown have all won sectional titles in the previous three years, Lenape made a final and St. Augustine has finished No. 2 in South Jersey two of the past three falls. This division will have some great matchups.
The Independence is also outstanding. Cedar Creek, Delsea, Winslow and Ocean City all finished in the Top 8 in South Jersey last season and St. Joseph is in its final season with legendary Paul Sacco at the helm. The Diamond, though only featuring Group 1 squads, should be entertaining as well with Salem, Woodbury, Paulsboro, Woodstown and Penns Grove.
How has Rob Hinson’s return to Camden impacted the purple and gold?
Talk to coaches around South Jersey and the Panthers routinely come up. Hinson’s track record speaks for itself – 114-43, 7 conference titles, 7 sectional finals and 4 South Jersey championships at Timber Creek –and a talented Camden squad got some big-time additions on the field too in transfers like defensive end James Heard (St. Joseph Prep; West Virigina Commit), receiver Jaylan Hornsby (Overbrook; offers from Georgia, Michigan and many others) and quarterback Deante Ruffin (West Deptford). Camden has long contended for titles but hasn’t won one since 1976. It’s considered a favorite in Group 3 and has a huge target on its back. The purple and gold are one of the must-watch teams this fall.
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Who is the top uncommitted senior in South Jersey?
Eastside lineman Shamir Boyd. The 6-foot-2, 297-pound senior was All-South Jersey First Team and All-State Second Team as a junior. He was a mauler at left tackle as the Tigers produced more than 4,500 yards of offense and won a third consecutive sectional title. Washington Township’s John Stone (Rutgers recruit) and Clearview’s Nick Oliveria (Cincinnati) have deservedly signed with Division-I programs as offensive lineman, and Boyd deserves the same attention.
Are there any freshmen that can make an immediate impact?
Glassboro’s Amare Sabb. The younger brother of Michigan safety Keon Sabb is poised to start at corner and will see time all over the offensive formation including in the backfield and in the slot. Sabb already has offers from Georgia, Oregon, Penn State and Mississippi. Watch out for Delran lineman Jake Namnun too. The 6-foot-2, 270-pounder should play a massive role on both fronts for the Bears.
Who would be your first pick in a South Jersey fantasy football draft this fall?
Cherokee senior running back Brandon Boria. There are a lot of great options, but no returning player has proved himself more on Friday nights than the Stony Brook commit. A two-time All-South Jersey First Team selection and two-time All-State honoree (Second Team in 2020, First Team in 2021), Boria rushed for 1,694 yards and 23 touchdowns as a junior and added a pair of receiving scores. He’s averaged 8.38 yards per attempt over the past two seasons. Fantasy teams are ruined by missing on early picks. Boria is as close to can’t-miss as they come.
Josh Friedman has produced award-winning South Jersey sports coverage for the Courier Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times for more than a decade. If you have or know of an interesting story to tell, reach out on Twitter at @JFriedman57 or via email at jfriedman2@gannettnj.com. You can also contact him at 856-486-2431. Help support local journalism with a subscription.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: 10 burning questions for the 2022 South Jersey football season
