South Jersey Times football picks, Week 14

With a handful of Thanksgiving rivalries followed by state championship games, this week is no doubt an exciting one for fans of high school football.

Delsea and Glassboro are the last two teams from the South Jersey Times coverage area standing in the playoffs and will be vying for state crowns on Sunday at Rutgers University. It is a return trip for the Crusaders, while the Bulldogs are in the title game for the first time.

There are four Thanksgiving games left involving area teams, and while no state hardware will be on the line, sometimes pride is just as important.

The following is a closer look at each of this week’s matchups featuring a local school, with predictions for those games and all of the state finals from Bill Evans, Kevin Minnick and Matt Cosentino.

Group 3 state final

Delsea vs. West Essex

Sunday, 5 p.m. at Rutgers

Delsea (11-1) has been on a mission to return to this game ever since falling to Old Tappan 24-14 in the first-ever Group 3 state final last year. Senior quarterback Zach Maxwell was unable to play that day because of an injury suffered earlier in the playoffs, but he is healthy now and directing an offense that is firing on all cylinders.

The Crusaders, who entered the state rankings this week at No. 12, had their streak of six straight games with at least 43 points come to an end in last week’s state semifinal against Camden, but still won comfortably 28-12. Dan Russo and Wayne Adair each scored two touchdowns and have combined for 44 on the season.

Maxwell has 10 rushing TDs, and while he doesn’t get a chance to throw often, he is more than capable, as evidenced by his eight passing touchdowns.

West Essex (10-3), the North Jersey, Section 2 champion, has won eight in a row since a 2-3 start that included a 24-10 loss to another South Jersey team, Haddonfield. Like Delsea, the Knights have a balanced rushing attack led by Ryan Lasher, Jorden Simeone and Riley Ruane, so the Crusaders will need Russo and fellow linebacker Alex Grippo to be ready for multiple weapons.

Bill Evans (4-1 last week, 170-53 season): Delsea 28, West Essex 14

Kevin Minnick (3-2 last week, 168-55 season): Delsea 28, West Essex 14

Matt Cosentino (3-2 last week, 176-47 season): Delsea 35, West Essex 17

Group 1

Glassboro vs. Mountain Lakes

Sunday, 11 a.m. at Rutgers

Glassboro (9-3) was 1-2 early in the season and 3-3 after a 6-0 loss to Penns Grove on Oct. 6, but ever since then the Bulldogs have simply been finding ways to win, relying on an outstanding defense and a few big plays per game from its playmakers. Their latest victory was a wild 14-10 thriller over Woodstown in the state semifinals in which two freshmen, Davon Barr and Xavier Sabb, hooked up for a 60-yard touchdown on a halfback pass in the final minute for the game-winning score.

Sabb also scored his third TD on a punt return this season in the win over Woodstown, and has six receiving TDs, a rushing score, and two touchdowns on kick returns. His older brother Amari is another dynamic player who missed most of last week’s game with a knee injury but hopes to return.

Senior Damere Lasseter had a key fumble recovery last week, his third of the season to go with 39 tackles and three sacks. Sophomore Brandon Simmons leads the Bulldogs with 81 tackles and 13 sacks.

Mountain Lakes (10-2) is back in the title game after falling to Woodbury 31-7 last year. That experience should pay off for players like senior quarterback Ben Miniter, who has 14 touchdown passes.

The Lakers have several dangerous running backs, including Jordan Hernando, who rushed for 203 yards and a touchdown in last week’s 49-12 win over Shabazz in the state semifinals.

Evans: Mountain Lakes 21, Glassboro 15

Minnick: Glassboro 19, Mountain Lakes 14

Cosentino: Glassboro 16, Mountain Lakes 14

Group 4

Mainland vs. Ramapo

Sunday, 2 p.m. at Rutgers

Evans: Mainland 24, Ramapo 14

Minnick: Mainland 28, Ramapo 21

Cosentino: Mainland 24, Ramapo 20

Group 2

Westwood vs. Rumson-Fair Haven

Monday, 5 p.m. at Rutgers

Evans: Westwood 21, Rumson-Fair Haven 20

Minnick: Rumson-Fair Haven 20, Westwood 14

Cosentino: Westwood 23, Rumson-Fair Haven 20

Group 5

Toms River North vs. Passaic Tech

Monday, 8 p.m. at Rutgers

Evans: Toms River North 35, Passaic Tech 15

Minnick: Toms River North 28, Passaic Tech 14

Cosentino: Toms River North 31, Passaic Tech 21

Non-Public B

Red Bank Catholic vs. DePaul

Tuesday, 5 p.m. at MetLife Stadium

Evans: Red Bank Catholic 28, DePaul 24

Minnick: Red Bank Catholic 21, DePaul 14

Cosentino: Red Bank Catholic 27, DePaul 21

Non-Public A

Bergen Catholic vs. Delbarton

Tuesday, 8 p.m. at MetLife Stadium

Evans: Bergen Catholic 27, Delbarton 21

Minnick: Bergen Catholic 21, Delbarton 14

Cosentino: Bergen Catholic 28, Delbarton 24

Thanksgiving Rivalries

Woodbury at Gateway

Wednesday, 5:30 p.m.

Although Woodbury (6-4) would surely love to be playing in the Group 1 final again, the Thundering Herd will look to end on a positive note after falling to Woodstown 21-14 in the South Jersey, Group 1 final.

Senior running back Anthony Reagan Jr. will look to cap a terrific career playing for his father, Woodbury head coach Anthony Reagan Sr. He has 1,115 yards and 18 touchdowns on the ground.

Gateway (2-7) is coming off a 15-14 win over Lakewood in its last game on Oct. 26. Jack O’Connell passed for a pair of touchdowns in the victory.

Woodbury has won three straight in the series.

Evans: Woodbury 34, Gateway 12

Minnick: Woodbury 33, Gateway 6

Cosentino: Woodbury 34, Gateway 7

Gloucester at Gloucester Catholic

Thursday, 10 a.m.

Gloucester (8-2) can secure its third consecutive nine-win season with a victory over its crosstown rival. The Lions have been idle since falling to Haddonfield 17-7 in the South Jersey, Group 2 semifinals on Nov. 3.

Mason Widman has rushed for 1,242 yards and 16 touchdowns for Gloucester.

Gloucester Catholic (3-6) is coming off an exciting 21-20 win over Collingswood. The Rams are seeking their first victory in the series since 2019.

Evans: Gloucester 35, Gloucester Catholic 14

Minnick: Gloucester 28, Gloucester Catholic 13

Cosentino: Gloucester 34, Gloucester Catholic 14

Pitman at Clayton

Thursday, 10:30 a.m.

Clayton (5-4) has rebounded from a 3-8 season in head coach John Chamberlin’s first year and would love to finish things off by securing a winning record. The Clippers, who have not played since falling to Shore 14-0 in the first round of the Central Jersey, Group 1 playoffs on Oct. 27, have won two straight over the Panthers, including a 20-14 overtime victory last year.

Pitman (5-4) has reeled off four straight victories to also give itself a chance at a winning season. Kyle Kubat has 12 touchdown passes for the Panthers.

Evans: Pitman 15, Clayton 13

Minnick: Pitman 18, Clayton 12

Cosentino: Clayton 14, Pitman 13

Vineland at Millville

Thursday, 10:30 a.m.

Millville (9-2), No. 10 in the NJ.com Top 20, is looking to bounce back from a 35-13 loss to Mainland in the South Jersey, Group 4 final on Nov. 10. The Thunderbolts will also be motivated to earn their fourth straight win in one of the oldest rivalries in the country.

Junior wide receiver needs two TD receptions and 65 receiving yards to break the all-time South Jersey records.

Vineland (5-6) has been much improved over the second half of the season and is seeking to finish with a .500 or better record for the first time since 2019.

Evans: Millville 39, Vineland 14

Minnick: Millville 35, Vineland 13

Cosentino: Millville 34, Vineland 20