Cherokee is reloading a bit this season, but still looms as the team to beat in the division and maybe in South Jersey Group 4 as well.
"We're proud of what we've done the last two years," said Cherokee coach P.J. Mehigan, whose team is 23-1 over the last two seasons. "But this team needs to establish its own identity. What we've done in the past doesn't matter as far as what this team has to do to win games."
Cherokee should have a solid offensive line, anchored by seniors Quinn Mehigan, the coach's nephew, and Mike Alosi. The defensive front features a top returning player in Tyler Hartman.
Mehigan is fond of saying that the Chiefs love to run the football for two seasons: November and December. If the team is still playing in December, it likely would be because of a potent ground game led by senior Nick Follet and junior Zaire Williams, who could be poised for a breakout season.
There's inexperience at several positions, including quarterback. The Chiefs took a blow in preseason when projected starting quarterback, and veteran kicker, Casey Coyle was lost for the season with a stress fracture in his back. Senior Billy Cumminsky is likely to step in.
Williamstown pushed hard for inclusion in the WJFL American after years in the Tri-County Royal. The Braves are rebuilding after losing a ton of talent over the last two seasons, but still have a veteran quarterback in Dan Collins and some big-play capability in two-way backs Chris Inge and Marques Little, a talented sophomore.
Lenape is a dark horse in the division under new coach Tim McAneney. The Indians have top linemen in Bobby Isopi and Doug Gilbert. Cory Jett is the new quarterback, and the Indians will run the ball with halfbacks Trevor Terrell and Arkemus Baskerville.
Eastern struggled through a 1-9 season in 2010. The Vikings hope to bounce back, but might be a year away with a sophomore quarterback in Camden Catholic transfer Tom Flacco, a top linebacker in senior Anthony Gallo, and a talented junior defensive back in Eli Woodard.
Washington Township slipped to 3-7 last season, the Minutemen's first losing season in more than two decades. The proud program is rebuilding with senior center Grant Wilson and senior running back Jordan Parra leading the way.
Contact staff writer Phil Anastasia at 856-779-3223, panastasia@phillynews.com,
or @PhilAnastasia on Twitter.
