No. 1 WILLIAMSTOWN VS. No. 11 ST. AUGUSTINE SHOWDOWN HIGHLIGHTS END OF REGULAR SEASON
Al Thompson
Undefeated Williamstown (8-0) and St. Augustine (6-2), two of the top big school football teams in South Jersey square off Friday night (7 PM) at Williamstown High School for the West Jersey-American League Championship and bragging rights for being the top team in South Jersey.
Since public and non-public schools have separate state playoff championships. This is it.
“It’s huge step,” Williamstown head coach Frank Fucetola said Tuesday during practice. “We’re looking forward to it. It’s a real challenge for our program.”
When the Braves defeated Shawnee (48-14) last week, they clinched the No. 1 seed in the upcoming NJ Division South Group 5 playoffs. The Hermits will square off in the non-public bracket.
Fucetola put the game against the Hermits in perspective. If they lose to St. Augustine they are still the No. 1 seed…but they would not be league champs.
“I told the kids, and I didn’t sugarcoat anything, last week against Shawnee, you did what you had to do, you secured the No. 1 slot,” Fucetola said. “That’s over. You haven’t done anything yet. This is for the conference championship this week. Let’s get through this week, then worry about next week.”
You get the idea the Braves do not want an asterisk next to anything they do in what is turning out ot be a special season.
2018 South Jersey Top 20 High School Football Teams as of October 24, 2018
1. Williamstown (8-0)
2. Haddonfield (7-0)
3. Burlington Township (7-0)
4. Camden (6-1)
5. Highland Regional(6-1)
6. West Deptford (5-2)
7. Eastern (6-1)
8. Delsea (4-3)
9. Rancocas Valley (5-2)
10. Penns Grove (8-0)
11. St. Augustine (6-2)
12. Cinnaminson (6-2)
13. Holy Spirit (5-2)
14. Kingsway (4-3)
15. Salem (6-1)
16. Deptford (6-2)
17. Buena (7-0)
18. Gateway Regional (6-0)
19. St. Joseph, Hammonton (6-2)
20. Pleasantville (5-2)
20. (tie) Delran (6-1)
Under consideration (alphabetically): Clearview (4-2), Collingswood (5-3), Lenape (3-4), Mainland Regional (5-2), Maple Shade (5-2), Northern Burlington (5-2), Pennsauken (4-3),
Paulsboro (6-1), Triton (4-3), Woodbury (6-1), Woodrow Wilson (7-2).