Impressive improvement for Cherry Hill West

A number of schools have already equaled or surpassed their win totals from last season and no team was more impressive in accomplishing that feat over the weekend than Cherry Hill West.

After going 2-8 last season, West is 2-3 following Friday's 27-13 win over Pennsauken.

That's a Pennsauken team that took unbeaten Cherokee into overtime the previous week and lost to 4-1 Washington Township, 12-8.

One reason for the improvement: Senior quarterback-linebacker Trevor Loveland is playing out of his mind.

Loveland rushed for a 20-yard touchdown, kicked field goals of 20 and 27 yards and was successful on all three conversion kicks. He also found time to make 12 tackles at linebacker.

"He's one of the most well-rounded players I have ever coached," West coach Jim Scerbo said.

Another key for the Lions, according to Scerbo, is the offensive line, led by senior right guard Josh Martinez. The rest of the linemen are tackles Justin Higgs and James Knox, center Hedra Shokry, guard Dan Topf, and tight ends Mike Williams and Evan Eichhorn.

Falcons flying. Oakcrest is 3-3 after going 2-8 last season. The Falcons got to .500 with Friday's 20-6 win over Atlantic City.

"We've been hurt by turnovers, and against Atlantic City was the first time we haven't turned the ball over in a game," Oakcrest coach Scott Parker said.

Parker said that running back-wildcat quarterback-defensive back Craig James has been playing at an extremely high level. James, who is said to be choosing between Villanova and Penn, rushed for two touchdowns and threw one against Atlantic City.

Parker also said his defense has been impressive.

"It all starts up front," he said. "Our nose [tackle] Billy Cheatham demands a double team."

Cheatham is joined on the defensive line by Mark Forbes and Nick Hanusewicz.

Improved 'Boro. Willingboro (3-2) matched its win total from last year with Friday's 20-6 win over Camden Catholic. First-year coach Reggie Lawrence has made a significant impact. The Chimeras have won three in a row by cutting down on miscues.

Against Camden Catholic, Willingboro committed one turnover, but intercepted four passes, two by Matt Dash and one each by Deshaun Watson and Jumani Mack. Dash also ran for two TDs.

"When you don't turn the ball over [much], you give yourself a chance to win," Lawrence said.

Willingboro is also in the hunt for the scrambled Burlco/Olympic National Division. Bishop Eustace leads the six-team division with a 3-0 mark, Willingboro is 3-1, Camden Catholic is 2-1, and Cinnaminson is 1-1. Eustace must still play Willingboro (on Friday) and Camden Catholic on Nov. 6.

Renegades rolling. It should never be a shock when Shawnee wins, but the margin of victory in the Renegades' 31-12 triumph over previously unbeaten Timber Creek was surprising.

Shawnee went with an old-fashioned successful formula - control the clock and keep the ball out of the hands of a Timber Creek team that was averaging 37.2 points in its first four games.

"We ran 67 offensive plays, which gives an indication that we were controlling the line of scrimmage," Shawnee coach Tim Gushue said.

Senior Ben Schwing rushed for 192 yards and three touchdowns on 31 carries.

Shawnee is now 3-2. Gushue said he feels the Renegades have to win their final three games against Camden Catholic, Seneca, and Cherry Hill East before the cutoff to earn a Group 4 spot.

Shawnee entered the week with 34 power rating points, but should receive 21 alone for the win over Timber Creek.

Glouco supremacy. Local football historian Chuck Langerman notes that there are 12 undefeated high school football teams in The Inquirer's seven-county coverage area. Five of them (Delsea, Williamstown, Glassboro, Paulsboro, and West Deptford) are from Gloucester County. That's 41.7 percent of all unbeaten teams from South Jersey coming from Gloucester County.

There are 13 high schools in Gloucester County that play football, which means 5 of 13 (38.5 percent) are undefeated.

Paulsboro will put its unbeaten record on the line in today's 3 p.m. game at Woodbury.

There are 21 counties in New Jersey. According to Langerman, Only Bergen County has more unbeaten teams than Gloucester County. Bergen has six of 54 schools that are undefeated (11.1 percent).

Hampton back to form. Williamstown's Marcus Hampton had been hampered by a hamstring injury earlier this season, but he has recently returned to form. Hampton, who rushed for 1,231 yards and 25 touchdowns last year, gained 179 yards and scored five touchdowns on 13 carries in Friday's 43-15 win over Clearview.

"He's now feeling healthy and it shows," coach Frank Fucetola said.

In the first three games, Hampton had just 11 carries as the Braves were cautious with his injury. During the last two weeks, he has 338 yards and eight touchdowns on 35 carries.

The Langerman file. Historian Langerman notes that Mainland freshman Jim Cooper has kicked six field goals. The school record of eight is shared by his father Jim in 1980 and Ken Dudnick in 1997. . . . West Deptford (6-0) is averaging 48.2 points. Langerman notes the South Jersey single-season record is held by Paulsboro which averaged 43.5 points in 1995. . . . Glassboro has the longest active win streak in the state (29 games). The Bulldogs face two undefeated teams in the next two weeks, Pennsville and Penns Grove, although Penns Grove must defeat Buena today to remain unbeaten.