South Jersey high school football Week 5 games to watch, plus full weekend schedule

The Williamstown High School football team enters the field ahead of a West Jersey Football League game. Kayla Patrick for D2 Sports Network

After St. Augustine moved to No. 1 in last week's South Jersey Sports Zone Top 15 high school football rankings, Millville shocked the Garden State with a 28-21 win over the Hermits in overtime last Friday.

Atlantic City, a Group 4 sectional and state title contender with three losses, made a statement with a 36-30 road win over two-time defending Group 4 state champion Winslow Township.

Hammonton edged previously unbeaten Oakcrest, 21-20, in overtime.

Arthur P. Schalick emerged with a 16-8 win in a muddy showdown against Paulsboro in a battle between South Jersey Group 1 title favorites.

It was a jam-packed week with several storylines.

Week 5 is on deck for New Jersey high school football.

Here's an inside look at five of this weekend's top matchups in South Jersey with players to watch, matchup history, predictions from myself, Chris Baker and Roderick Boyd, and a complete schedule of games involving West Jersey Football League teams located throughout the traditional seven-county (Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem) South Jersey region:

Kingsway (0-5 record) at Williamstown (3-2), Fri., Oct. 2nd, 6 pm

The battle-tested Dragons suffered a 28-7 loss to reigning Group 5 state champion Washington Township last Friday. Rutgers lacrosse commit Cole DeNick ran for 64 yards and a TD in the setback. Ben Leonard led Kingsway with 10 tackles and 2 TFL. Nico LaSpata and Luca Lentini each recorded 7 tackles. The Swedesboro program remained winless but has navigated a tough schedule with games against Millville, Rancocas Valley, Winslow Township and Donovan Catholic.

The Braves earned their second straight win with a 33-21 triumph over Cherry Hill East last Thursday. Kristopher Foster was 7-for-13 passing for 158 yards, 3 TDs and an INT with 53 yards on the ground. Sincere Ebanks rushed for 83 yards and 2 TDs. Kysheem Prunty reeled in 3 receptions for 86 yards and 2 TDs. Marco Colbert had 2 catches for 42 yards and a score. Williamstown has not defeated Kingsway since 2022. The Dragons have won each of the last three meetings.

Predictions:

Emmons - Kingsway

Baker - Kingsway

Boyd - Kingsway

Burlington Township (4-1) at St. Augustine (4-1), Fri., Oct. 2nd, 6 pm

The Falcons edged Pleasantville, 20-18, for their fourth straight win. Bryce Carter finished 10-for-22 passing with 134 yards, 2 TDs and 2 INTs. Julian Carter and Mekhi Curry each caught a TD pass. Gerald Sackie had 3 catches for 41 yards. Aiden Binns rushed for 43 yards. Temple commit Londyn Johnson recorded 10 tackles, 2 TFL, 2.0 sacks and 2 fumble recoveries. Gabriel Atz and Patrick Moore each recovered a fumble. Julian Lattimore finished with 5 tackles and 2 TFL.

Cincinnati commit Roman Coney rushed for 93 yards and 2 TDs in the Hermits' 28-21 loss to Millville in overtime last Friday. Quarterback Dylan Dellanoce was 13-for-29 passing with 208 yards, a TD and an INT. Zehkiy DeJesus reeled in 7 receptions for 132 yards and a TD. Kenny Taylor recorded 8 tackles and a TFL. Jacob Rebman also had 8 tackles. Mekhi McNair and Jacoby Martin each recorded an INT. Akeem Jones forced a fumble.

Predictions:

Emmons - St. Augustine

Baker - St. Augustine

Boyd - St. Augustine

Holy Cross Prep (2-2) at Florence (2-2), Fri., Oct. 2nd, 6 pm

Sons of two legendary South Jersey football coaches will lead their respective programs into battle in Burlington County on Friday night.

T.J. Maderia, the son of former Holy Cross and Burlington Township coach Tom Maderia, directs the Lancers. His father guided the Delran program to a Non-Public Group 4 state championship in 2000. The Lancers tallied 90 wins in Maderia's 11 seasons. Joe Frappolli, Jr., the son of Joe Frappolli, has led the Flashes since his father retired after a 50-year tenure. Florence won 336 games, 6 sectional championships and 24 divisional titles under Frappolli.

Holy Cross Prep suffered a 46-19 loss to Deptford last Friday. Kasir Cotrell ran for 43 yards and a TD. Gavin Semmon had two kick return TDs of 78 and 72 yards in the third quarter. The Lancers have lost three in a row against Florence. Their last win was a 27-7 decision in 2020.

The Flashes edged Riverside, 21-20, last Thursday. Nahsir Moore ran for 127 yards and a TD. Giovanni Cusmano also ran for a score. Joe Ivanisik led Florence with 12 tackles. Stone Carnival and Darius Jean-Baptiste each had 11 tackles. Emmanuel Nagbe snared an INT. Gerald Bonsu charted 8.5 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. Patrick Dunphy had 5.5 tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Caleb Carroll was responsible for 6 tackles and a fumble recovery.

Predictions:

Emmons - Holy Cross Prep

Baker - Florence

Boyd - Holy Cross Prep

Penns Grove (4-0) at Pennsville (2-3), Fri., Oct. 2nd, 7 pm

The Red Devils stayed undefeated with a 24-14 win over Woodbury on Monday. The game was postponed due to the nor'easter that poured rain and delivered blistering winds around South Jersey. Jaivon Thomas accumulated 145 yards and 2 TDs on the ground. He also recovered a fumble on defense. Terrell Thomas added 66 yards and 2 TDs. The latter of the two also finished with 10 tackles, 5 TFL and 2.0 sacks. Jakai Ingram recorded 5 tackles, 4 TFL and 2.5 sacks. Zahvier Reeder had a fumble recovery. Penns Grove has won its first four games in a season for the first time since 2019. The Red Devils were winless in 2025.

The Eagles suffered a second straight loss with a 24-22 setback to Burlington City. Jake Layfield finished 18-for-32 with 236 yards, 2 TDs and an INT in the loss. Chase Johnson tallied 9 receptions for 115 yards and a TD. Lucas Thomas reeled in a pair of catches for 51 yards and a TD. Aidan Collazo ran for a score. Grady Sanders recorded 9 tackles and 2 INTs. Tristan Horner also had 9 tackles with a TFL. Javion Sydnor finished with 7 tackles and an INT. Pennsville has won each of the last two meetings in 2024 and 2025 by a combined score of 60-12. Penns Grove won six in a row in the series between 2017 and 2023.

Predictions:

Emmons - Pennsville

Baker - Penns Grove

Boyd - Penns Grove

Gateway (2-3) at Clayton (3-1), Fri., Oct. 2nd, 7 pm

The Gators suffered their third straight loss with a 24-12 setback to Colonial Conference rival Audubon. Lamar Smith rushed for 170 yards and 2 TDs. Smith has 907 yards and 11 TDs on the ground through five games this season. Shane Kirwin threw for 43 yards. Gavin Trout had 8 tackles and 2 TFL. Brenner Tuttle finished with 5 tackles, a TFL and a sack. Kevin Zagone had 2 TFL and Dan McNeill recorded a sack.

Trevor Rehm threw for 145 yards and 2 TDs in the Clippers' 34-6 triumph over Buena. Clayton charted 224 yards on the ground. Michael Bull, Deron Williams and Naeem Smith each ran for a score. Haven Walls had 2 catches for 75 yards and a TD. On defense, he tallied 12 tackles, 2 FF, a TFL and a sack. Ny'cere Walls also caught 2 passes for 70 yards and a TD. Mikhail Hibbert had 2 FR. Enok Figueroa and Anthony Taylor, Jr. each contributed 7 tackles. The Clippers have won back-to-back meetings in the series in 2024 and 2025.

Predictions:

Emmons - Gateway

Baker - Clayton

Boyd - Clayton

Week 5 Schedule

(Thursday, Oct. 1)

Princeton (3-2) at Northern Burlington (4-1), 6 pm

Clearview (4-1) at Highland (1-4), 6 pm

Collingswood (0-5) at Deptford (3-2), 6 pm

Palmyra (2-2) at Burlington City (1-4), 6 pm

Cherry Hill East (0-5) at Washington Township (5-0), 6 pm

Arthur P. Schalick (5-0) at Cumberland (0-5), 6 pm

Egg Harbor Township (4-1) at St. Joseph (2-3), 6 pm

Camden (3-1) at Permian, Tex. (5-0), 7 pm

(Friday, Oct. 2)

West Windsor-Plainsboro (1-4) at Lindenwold (2-2), 6 pm

Paul VI (3-1) at Eastern (4-1), 6 pm

KIPP Cooper Norcross Academy (0-5) at Lawrence (1-4), 6 pm

Holy Cross Prep (2-2) at Florence (2-2), 6 pm

Seneca (3-2) at Hopewell Valley (5-0), 6 pm

Nottingham (0-5) at Delran (3-2), 6 pm

Kingsway (0-5) at Williamstown (3-2), 6 pm

Wildwood (2-3) at Buena (1-4), 6 pm

Delsea (1-4) at Triton (1-3), 6 pm

Shawnee (4-1) at Lenape (2-3), 6 pm

Timber Creek (3-2) at Absegami (0-5), 6 pm

Rancocas Valley (5-0) at Millville (3-1), 6 pm

Maple Shade (1-4) at Sterling (3-2), 6 pm

Holy Spirit (1-4) at Pleasantville (2-3), 6 pm

Burlington Township (4-1) at St. Augustine (4-1), 6 pm

Atlantic City (2-3) at Mainland Regional (1-4), 6 pm

Willingboro (0-5) at Glassboro (4-1), 6 pm

Cherokee (1-4) at Cedar Creek (0-5), 6 pm

Hightstown (0-5) at Bordentown (3-1), 6 pm

Cinnaminson (1-4) at Camden Catholic (3-2), 7 pm

Penns Grove (4-0) at Pennsville (2-3), 7 pm

West Deptford (5-0) at Overbrook (2-3), 7 pm

Riverside (1-4) at Gloucester City (3-2), 7 pm

Gateway (2-3) at Clayton (3-1), 7 pm

Bishop Eustace (2-3) at Haddon Township (1-3), 7 pm

Moorestown (4-1) at Robbinsville (0-5), 7 pm

(Saturday, Oct. 3)

Oakcrest (4-1) at Ocean City (4-1), 10 am

Paulsboro (3-2) at Woodbury (2-3), 11 am

Pitman (1-3) at Gloucester Catholic (0-4), 11 am

Mastery Charter (1-4) at Audubon (2-2), 11 am

Lower Cape May (4-1) at Middle Township (3-2), 11 am

Woodstown (3-2) at Salem (2-3), 12 pm

Bridgeton (4-1) at Atlantic Tech (2-3), 12 pm

Pennsauken (3-2) at Trenton (2-3), 1 pm

Cherry Hill West (2-3) at Ewing (3-2), 2 pm

Hammonton (4-1) at Steinert (4-0), 2 pm

Pemberton (3-2) at Hamilton West (2-2), 2 pm

Winslow Township (3-2) at Red Bank Catholic (4-1), 6 pm