The Hammonton High School football team enters the stadium ahead of its matchup against Cherokee at Cherokee High School in Marlton, New Jersey on Thursday, August 31, 2023. Jake Girnuis/D2 Sports Network
This upcoming weekend's highly anticipated action features a battle for first place in the West Jersey Football League Memorial Division, a 2021 South Jersey Group 1 final rematch, and a pair of Saturday matchups featuring four sectional and state title contenders in South Jersey Groups 2 and 3.
Here's an inside look at 10 of this weekend's top matchups with players to watch, predictions and a complete schedule of games involving WJFL teams located throughout the traditional seven-county South Jersey region:
Burlington City (4-2) at Bordentown (2-4), Thursday, 6 pm
The Blue Devils recorded their second straight shutout to improve their record to 4-2. Ayden Shansey threw for 156 yards and two touchdowns in a 38-0 triumph over New Egypt last Friday. The senior also ran for 72 yards and another score. Air Force commit Malachi James rushed for a game-high 110 yards and a touchdown. James has rushed for 305 yards and four touchdowns in two games - wins against New Egypt and Buena - since coach Kadin Booker moved the track and field star to the backfield. Jaquay Knight grabbed two receptions for 65 yards and a score. James also reeled in four catches for 55 yards and a touchdown and Jayvyn Rasberry snared three receptions for 50 yards. Dymear Hill threw a 31-yard touchdown pass and Wayne North caught a five-yard touchdown pass.
The Scotties dropped their second straight contest with a 33-6 loss to undefeated Cinnaminson. Standout quarterback and safety Myles Hansford scored Bordentown's lone touchdown. The senior attended Rutgers' game against Wagner last Saturday. NJ Advance Media's Todderick Hunt reported that the Bordentown senior camped at Rutgers in June and ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash. Coach Skip Edwards moved Hansford to quarterback to put the football in the hands of his best player. So far, the senior has accumulated 327 passing yards, six passing touchdowns, one interception and four rushing touchdowns. Hansford also leads the defense with two interceptions and a defensive touchdown. Elijah Dean leads the Scotties with 124 yards on the ground. He also has a team-high 104 receiving yards. Junior Ari Miller has three receiving touchdowns.
Bordentown held off Burlington City for a 21-18 victory last October. Shansey completed 50% of his 16 pass attempts for 178 yards and two touchdowns. The Blue Devils' signal caller also ran for 121 yards. Hill hauled in two receptions for 36 yards and a score.
Burlington City won three straight matchups in the series from 2015 through 2019. The Blue Devils have won three out of the last five meetings since 2014.
The pick: Burlington City 22, Bordentown 20.
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