On paper, Williamstown is the team in control of this situation. The Braves are angling to win out and secure the No. 1 seed in the sectional tournament.
That's a turnaround for a Williamstown program that has long looked at the top Lenape district programs such as Shawnee and Cherokee as the benchmark for improvement.
"We know what a good program that is," Williamstown coach Frank Fucetola said of Shawnee.
With wins over Lenape and Cherokee this season, Williamstown has a chance to go 3-0 against the Group 4 programs in the Lenape district. That's the reason the Braves pushed for the formation of the West Jersey Football League and their inclusion in the American Division.
Shawnee is a big, strong team that plays through an offensive line led by Tulane recruit Bob Bradley. Junior Robbie DiOrio is the team's top rusher, and senior quarterback Jamie Jackopin has emerged as a playmaker.
"Our two losses, we were right there," Gushue said. "We just haven't been able to finish, and you have to give the other teams credit."
Williamstown has an explosive offense led by senior quarterback Dan Collins and sophomore running backs Marques Little and John Chamberlin. The Braves will miss senior running back/defensive back Chris Inge, out for the season with a knee injury.
Williamstown's strength might be a rangy, speedy defense led by outside linebackers Rashon Pleasents and Buddy Brown as well as lineman Fidel Oyoke.
Shawnee is the more desperate team, with the cutoff to the playoffs set for next weekend.
"We'll never say to our kids, 'Guys, if you want to make the playoffs, you have to win,' " Gushue said. "But they know there's a boatload of power points in this game that would put us right in the mix."
Analysis. Shawnee needs to slow the game, control the clock, and limit Williamstown's big plays on both sides of the football.
The Braves' team speed could be a big factor on a dry night on that fast artificial turf.
Pick: Williamstown, 24-21.
Contact staff writer Phil Anastasia at 856-779-3223, panastasia@phillynews.com, or @PhilAnastasia on Twitter. Read his blog, "Jersey Side Sports," at www.philly.com/jerseysidesports
