Few high school football teams are currently on a better streak than Bridgeton.
The Bulldogs have won three straight by the combined score of 154-7. That’s an average of 51.33 points per game.
Senior quarterback Dante Howell Jr. sparks the offense with seven TD passes. Sophomore running back Vascell McKoy has rushed for 512 yards and six TDs. The Bulldogs will play at Triton Regional (2-2) 6 p.m. Friday.
2 more observations
2. Mainland Regional quarterback John Franchini is closing in on an Atlantic County record, according to South Jersey football historian Chuck Langerman. Franchini has 61 career TD passes, nine away from the record of 69 TDs set by Dustin Thomas of St. Augustine Prep in 2009.
3. Penn State coach James Franklin created a stir when he arrived at St. Augustine via helicopter and watched the first half of the Hermits’ 19-6 loss to Winslow Township on Friday.
5 questionsEach week of the high school football season, The Press will ask five questions of a local player or coach.
Southern Regional is 4-0 and has only given up 22 points this season.
The Rams’ defense was as dominant as ever in a 35-7 win over Brick Township, holding the Green Dragons to fewer than 30 yards of offense in the first half.
Ty Eck’Art, a senior linebacker and team captain, sparks the defense. Southern will play at Toms River North (1-3) at 6 p.m. Friday.
What’s been the key to Southern’s 4-0 start?: The key is definitely working hard at practice. We game-plan hard. We watch a lot of film. We just try to have super quality practices. The ol’ saying, practice how you play. That’s what we preach every week.
There was a time — probably before you were born — when Southern couldn’t beat Brick. How big was Friday’s win?: Coach Abbato (Southern defensive coordinator Matt Abbato) told us there’s a lot of history between us and them. There was a lot of hype around the game. We beat them last year. They were looking to come back. We were both 3-0 in the same division (B South). It was really a huge win. Coach Abbato said, “You can be a good team or you can be a special team.” We’re trying to be a special team.
Southern also started 4-0 last season and finished 6-4. What did you learn from last season that can help the team this season?: I was actually just talking with a couple of the guys. We were saying there’s a lot of talk about us now that wasn’t there at the beginning of the season. We’re just going to keep our heads down and keep working like we’re 0-0.
What’s it like to play for coach Chuck Donohue, who is in his 52nd season?: It’s amazing. He really cares. Ever since I got into the program, he just sees players, he motivates them, and he trusts them. He gives you the confidence to have a great game every week.
You’re a Philadelphia Eagles fan. Give us your take on Sunday’s 33-26 win over the Los Angeles Rams: Oh, my gosh! First half, I was pretty angry. The second half, we started throwing the ball. We got A.J. Brown in there, and Jordan Davis won the MVP of the game there. I was jumping off my couch.
This week’s Elite 11A ranking of teams in the West Jersey Football League and Ocean County. Ranking selected by The Press’ high school sports staff based on observation, research and interviews with players and coaches. Last week’s rankings in parentheses. Local teams in bold.
1. Winslow Twp.: (1) 2-2: Beat St. Augustine Prep (19-6)
2. Washington Twp. (2) 4-0: Beat Millville 21-10
3. Rancocas Valley (5) 4-0: Beat Shawnee 17-14
4. Glassboro (4) 4-0: Beat Salem 42-0
5. St. Augustine Prep (3) 3-1: Lost to Winslow Twp. 19-6
6. Cedar Creek (6) 3-1: Beat Hammonton 41-7
7. Burlington Twp. (7) 4-0: Beat Moorestown 50-2
8. Atlantic City (8) 3-1: Beat Ocean City 26-0
9. Southern Reg. (UR) 4-0: Beat Brick Twp. 35-7
10. Haddonfield (UR) 3-1: Beat Seneca 14-11
11. Camden (UR) 3-1: Beat Holy Spirit 28-14
A look aheadThis week’s action begins with an interesting matchup as Mainland (2-2) will host St. Augustine (3-1) at 6 p.m. Thursday. A win would re-establish Mainland as one of South Jersey’s top teams. Meanwhile, St. Augustine will try to bounce back from last Friday’s 19-6 loss to Winslow Twp.
Thursday
6 p.m. St. Augustine (3-1) at Mainland Reg. (2-2)
Middle Twp. (0-4) at Cumberland Reg. (3-1)
ACIT (2-1) at Cherry Hill East (4-0)
Bishop Eustace (3-0) at Buena Reg. (1-3)
Friday
6 p.m.
Hammonton (1-3) at Ocean City (2-2)
Pleasantville (2-2) at Haddonfield (3-1)
Deptford (2-2) at Egg Harbor Twp. (0-4)
Atlantic City (3-1) at Cherokee (2-2)
Holy Spirit (2-2) at Cedar Creek (3-1)
Pinelands Reg. (2-2) at Lacey Twp. (2-2)
St. Joseph (3-0) at Lower Cape May (3-1)
Palmyra (0-4) at Wildwood (1-3)
Absegami (1-3) at Oakcrest (1-3)
Southern (4-0) at Toms River North (1-3)
Bridgeton (3-1) at Triton (2-2)
6:30 p.m.
Lakewood (2-2) at Barnegat (2-2)
7 p.m.
Vineland (0-4) at Clearview Reg. (0-4)
Saturday
1 p.m.
Millville (2-2) at Winslow Twp. (2-2)
Contact: 609-272-7209
MMcGarry@PressofAC.com
X @ACPressMcGarry
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Mike McGarry
Staff Writer
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