Division games add buzz to matchups
Rivalry week is upon us. All eight of this weekend’s West Jersey Football League games are division contests, adding a little juice to the matchups.
Though still very early in the season, matchups like Ewing at Nottingham and Pemberton at Steinert are battles of firstplace teams, and each feature an area Player of the Year candidate.
Nottingham’s Dionte Nicholson already has 564 rushing yards and five touchdowns in three games. Steinert’s Jordan Morrison has five total touchdowns as a rusher and passer, as well as two interceptions on defense.
Local teams went 5-7 last weekend. Winners entering this week are Notre Dame, Ewing, Nottingham, Hightstown and Steinert. Ewing (2-0) is the only remaining undefeated Mercer County public school.
Here’s a glance at the upcoming matchups. Princeton (0-3) is on a bye week.
Friday
ALLENTOWN (1-1) AT
NO. BURLINGTON (1-2)
The Redbirds remain one of the most quality teams to watch in the area despite a 35-22 setback last week at the hands of Shawnee from south Jersey. Allentown should bounce back in its first Patriot Division tussle.
HAMILTON (2-1) AT
WW-P SOUTH (0-2)
After notching 70 points in two wins to begin the season, the Hornets were surprised last week in an upset loss to Notre Dame thanks to two twins who went bonkers on the ground. Hamilton should face little resistance in its quest to improve to 2-0 in the Valley Division. The Pirates had a bye last week following a 49-6 loss to Ewing.
NOTRE DAME (1-1) AT HOPEWELL (0-2)
These two local squads are fighting to avoid starting 0-2 in the Capitol Division. And both are eager to bounce back this season after down 2016s neither were accustomed to. Expect a grindit-out bout on the ground at Ackerson Field. The Irish and Bulldogs can run the football.
BORDENTOWN (1-1) AT ROBBINSVILLE (0-2)
It’s been rough sledding for the Ravens through two games, where they’ve yielded 93 points and scored 0. Robbinsville is injecting some youth, but coach Andrew Patterson won’t use that as an excuse. Early-season lessons will be tested for the Ravens back home. TRENTON (1-2) AT
RANCOCAS VALLEY (2-0)
The Tornadoes are one of the tougher adversaries in the county, but the winloss record has not reflected it yet within a brutal Group V schedule. Next on tap is Florida running back commit Iverson Clement and the almighty Red Devils.
Saturday
EWING (2-0) AT NOTTINGHAM (2-1)
With two playoff contenders in the Valley Division, this sizes up as maybe the most entertaining game of the week. The Blue Devils gutted out an ugly win over a solid Pemberton team last week. Meanwhile, the Northstars feature one of the finer power run games around. Ewing won a nail-biter in last season’s meeting, 17-14. LAWRENCE (0-3) AT HIGHTSTOWN (1-1)
The Cardinals are better than their record indicates but have had some tough luck and hard knocks the last two weeks at home against Hamilton Township teams. Maybe getting back on the road can create a spark. The rebuilding Rams still have respect to earn even after dropping 53 points on woeful Princeton last week.
PEMBERTON (2-1) AT
STEINERT (2-1)
The Spartans are fresh off a convincing 25-7 win at Lawrence, and you can be sure the veterans remember blowing a 15-point lead at the Hornets last season. The winner improves to 2-0 in-house and stands alone atop the Patriot Division.