New Jersey football playoff preview: South bracket

Click here to view the MaxPreps' New Jersey football playoff brackets.

Other brackets previews: North 1, North 2, Central, Non-Public.

South Group 1
Game to watch: Schalick (Pittsgrove) vs. Paulsboro
Favorite: Woodbury
Sleeper: Glassboro
Analysis: Some of the best small schools in the state appear in this bracket each year. One notable exception this season is Penns Grove, which was ruled ineligible for the playoffs after an on-field altercation in September. Pennsville is undefeated, and poses a major threat to No. 1 Woodbury. Paulsboro and Glassboro are capable of beating anyone in the bracket.

South Group 2
Game to watch: Barnegat vs. Lower Cape May (Cape May)
Favorite: West Deptford (Westville, N.J.)
Sleeper: Manchester Township (Lakehurst, N.J.)
Analysis: Last year, Haddonfield eliminated West Deptford in the semifinals of this section, and this season, the two teams can meet again. However, No. 2 Willingboro, which is still undefeated, will be a tough out for either. Barnegat, with its ability to stretch the field vertically, could present matchup problems for Lower Cape May. Newly-minted head coach Sean Henry and Point Pleasant Boro will hope to pull off an upset or two.

South Group 3
Game to watch: Woodrow Wilson (Camden) vs. Delsea (Franklinville)
Favorite: Lacey Township (Lanoka Harbor, N.J.)
Sleeper: Moorestown
Analysis: Great coaching and great athletes abound in this bracket. Hammonton, one of the Cape Atlantic League's finest, won this section last year and brings experience to the table. Woodrow Wilson, one of the year's biggest success stories, will face a Delsea squad that it upset a few weeks ago. Watch for Moorestown and Winslow to turn their game into a shootout. Timber Creek may be able to score on Lacey, but they'll need to stop Craig Cicardo and crew.



South Group 4
Game to watch: Shawnee (Medford) vs. Egg Harbor Township
Favorite: Cherokee (Marlton)
Sleeper: Atlantic City
Analysis: It's hard to call Atlantic City and outstanding first-year coach Tom Kelly a sleeper, but the Vikings are in an extremely deep bracket that features perennial powers like Cherokee, Williamstown, Shawnee, and Egg Harbor Township. Interestingly, Altantic City will get a rematch with Millville in round one, a fellow Cape Atlantic League squad.