At Absegami (4-6, 3-2), the Braves have a young but experienced and talented team. Quarterback Rashad Kinlaw, a 6-1, 185-pound junior, completed 45 of 90 passes for 459 yards and three touchdowns. Tyler Bing and Denond Cottman are in the backfield.
The St. Augustine Hermits (4-6, 1-4) are on the comeback trail, and sophomore quarterback Joe Gatto has a good nucleus around him. Senior John Barillo, a 6-1, 215-pound running back, carried the ball 186 times for 969 yards and 12 touchdowns.
Holy Spirit (12-0, 4-0) rules in the National Division, where the Spartans appear to be even more formidable than they were last year, when they went undefeated and won the Non-Public 3 state title. Senior running backs Donta Pollock and Nigel Jones will lead the charge. Pollock, at 5-10 and 205 pounds, rushed for 1,878 yards and scored 29 touchdowns last year. Jones, 5-11 and 205, ran for 744 yards and eight TDs.
Hammonton (7-4, 3-1) will challenge. The run-oriented Blue Devils have a veteran offensive line and a talented quarterback in Tyler D'Amelio, who completed 38 of 74 passes for 502 yards and four touchdowns last year. Bobby Barbieri, a 6-0, 180-pound wide receiver/defensive back, caught 13 balls for 178 yards and two TDs.
Oakcrest (9-3, 2-2) also is a contender. The Falcons return with a solid nucleus that should contend in the division and in Group 3. Quaashie Jeeter is a 5-11, 210-pound junior quarterback who threw for 700 yards and five TDs in 2010. In the backfield is 6-2, 215-pound running back Brandon Bell, who rushed for 541 yards and six touchdowns.
In the United Division, St. Joseph (10-1, 5-0) is favored. The Wildcats also will look to capture the Group 1 state crown. Their forte is defense, with two stellar seniors leading the charge: Max Valles, a 6-5, 225-pound defensive end, and Kaiwan Lewis, a 6-1, 225-pound linebacker. Junior Anthony Giagunto directs the offense behind a veteran offensive line.
Contact staff writer Bill Iezziat 856-779-3826 or biezzi@phillynews.com.
