S.J. Group 2: West Deptford. The Eagles get the slight nod over Willingboro and Colonial Conference rival Haddonfield, thanks to a potent backfield led by Vaughn Scott and Robbie Fearon and an opportunistic defense led by R.J. Falls. Keep an eye on Shore Conference teams Point Pleasant Boro and Barnegat, which will be led by Tulane-bound quarterback Nick SanGiacomo.
S.J. Group 3: Seneca. The Golden Eagles are the favorites in a packed group, based on a potent ground game led by Steve Greco and Zac Johnson, and a sturdy defense led by Mike Southwick. There's no counting out defending champion Hammonton. Or Winslow Township with Pitt-bound quarterback Bill Belton. Or two-time Group 2 champion Delsea, which moves up this season. Watch out for Timber Creek, which features speedster Damiere Byrd, as well as Shore Conference power Lacey Township - the team that knocked off 11-0 Seneca in the 2006 finals.
S.J. Group 4: Cherokee. The defending champion's biggest threat could come from sister school Shawnee, a regular-season rival with a standout linebacker in Dillon Lucas. The Chiefs rate the slight edge with veteran quarterback Andy Martin and all-purpose player Mike Zeuli. Absegami, with Rutgers-bound running back Ben Martin, could be a factor as well as Toms River East and Williamstown.
Non-Public 4: St. Peter's Prep. With the state's top recruit in running back Savon Huggins, this is the year St. Peter's knocks off last year's No. 1 team in the nation, Don Bosco Prep. Paul VI is South Jersey's best in this group, but the Eagles will be hard-pressed to match up with those North Jersey powerhouses.
Non-Public 3: Holy Spirit. With Stanford-bound linebacker Anthony Sarao, plus running backs Donta Pollack and Nigel Jones, the Spartans have enough to edge Immaculata as well as two-time champion St. Joseph's of Montvale. Bishop Eustace and Camden Catholic also should be in the field.
Non-Public 2: St. Joseph of Hammonton. The defending champion Wildcats return running backs Gordon Hill and Kaheem Reynolds, and several other starters. They could meet quarterback Cody Brown-led Gloucester Catholic in a rematch of the 2009 final. Holy Cross also could be in the mix.
