Phil's Picks

October 05, 2011|By Phil Anastasia, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER

This is one of those off-rhythm weeks, with several teams playing Thursday and a bunch of others with a bye.

But there's no bye week in prognostication.

The envelope, please:

Shawnee (3-1) at Cherry Hill East (3-1), 3:45 p.m. Thursday. The Renegades are averaging 291 rushing yards and will try to control the line of scrimmage. They have a top back in junior Robby DiOrio (456 yards, seven TDs).

Cherry Hill East has a top playmaker in senior running back Brian Regan (9 rushing touchdowns) But the key for the Cougars will be standing up to the physical challenge. Pick: Shawnee, 28-21.

Story continues below.

Washington Township (3-1) at Lenape (0-3), 7 p.m. Thursday. The Minutemen are playing with great confidence after last week's 30-29 victory over Cherokee. With so many juniors, such as quarterback Tom Hildebrand, in key spots, this team looks a year away on paper. But the Minutemen have been getting it done on the field.

Lenape is looking for its first victory under first-year coach Tim McAneney. The Indians are going to surprise somebody one of these weeks. Pick: Washington Township, 24-20.

Camden Catholic (3-0) at Seneca (2-2), 7 p.m. Thursday. The Irish have not been truly tested, but Seneca will provide a challenge.

Camden Catholic's sturdy defense, led by lineman Marcus Coleman and linebacker Jarred Alwan, has to slow Seneca's wing-T attack. Pick: Camden Catholic, 20-14.

Moorestown (2-2) at Eastern (1-3), 7 p.m. Thursday. The Quakers have stumbled a bit against big, physical teams such as Timber Creek and Williamstown. The Vikings are riding high after notching their first win last week, against Lenape.

Moorestown's no-huddle, spread attack could be lethal on Eastern's fast turf. This could be a track meet. Pick: Moorestown, 34-30.

Delsea (2-2) at Triton (3-1), 7 p.m. Friday. The Crusaders have rallied after a 0-2 start behind speedy junior running back Tyrone Saud.

Triton junior running back Josh Woods (453 yards, five TDs) is a game-breaker. This is another game that could turn on the last big play. Pick: Triton, 30-27.

Haddon Heights (3-0) at West Deptford (2-1), 7 p.m. Friday. The Garnets offense has been humming along behind senior quarterback Nick Lundholm (527 passing yards, five TDs) and wide receivers Kahson Bounds (three TDs) and Dante Pinckney (two TDs).

West Deptford needs to bounce back from last Friday's 31-21 loss to Haddonfield. The Eagles might have an emerging star in sophomore fullback Gerald Towns. Pick: West Deptford, 24-20.

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