2025 WJFL preview: National Division Players to Watch, predictions

The fact that the West Jersey Football League National Division race was as exciting as any in South Jersey should not surprise old-school fans of the Burlington County League Freedom. The top four teams in the race were separated by one game. Lawrence, the only teams in the National that wasn't part of the BCL Freedom, was one game back.

Each of the top four teams have significant holes for fill after graduation. The team that adjusts the quickest should come away with a well-earned division banner.

Seven wins and a second-place tie for the National last year should light the fire for a Bordentown team that won seven of its last eight games. A quicker start would mean a playoff bid.

City won six games last fall but bowed out in the first round of the playoffs. Making a sectional semifinal and adding to their win total is well within reach.

A win on opening day was the lone bright spot for Florence. Likewise, it was a struggle last year for Shade, winning on the final day of the season to avoid a winless season. Both teams will be looking for incremental imporvement on a march toward competitiveness.

Pemberton finished second in National last fall with all four of their wins coming inside the division. An improvement to a better than .500 record and a playoff berth is Job 1 this season.

It was a successful season for Riverside, winning four of five games down the stretch before running into Group 1 state champion Glassboro in a South Jersey semifinal. The Rams successes should continue.

Mark the Calendar

Burlington City at Pemberton, Sept. 13, noon

The defending champion Blue Devils visit Pemberton, the one team to spoil City's unbeaten run through the division last fall. With Bordentown and Riverside hot on everyone's heels after finishing one game back in second last year, this should be another hotly contested division race.

Players to Watch

Bordentown: Trey Lee, junior QB/DB (5 TDs passing, 3 TDs rushing); Jose Santiago, RB/LB (850 yards, 10 TDs rushing) Carter Stumpf, junior RB/LB (13 crushing TDs, 118 yards)

Burlington City: Dontre Davis, senior RB (784 yards, 12 TDs rushing); Caleb Hilton-Ingram, senior WR (16 catches, 2 TDs receiving); Carmelo Thompson, senior LB (72 tackles, 1.5 sacks)

Florence: Connor Clevenger, senior DL (50 tackles, 7 tackles for loss); Bryce Ojeikere, senior QB (428 yards, 5 TDs passing); Leaire Williams, senior WR (49 tackles, 2 TD catches)

Maple Shade: Nicholas Stanton senior LB (45 tackles)

Pemberton: Andrew Anderson, senior WR (15 catches, 1 TD receiving); David Foster, senior WR/DB (14 totals tackles, 1 fumble recovery); Brody Golightly, senior OL/LB (1 sack, 7 tackles for loss); Ryan Lambert, senior RB/DB (54 tackles, 2 interceptions).

Riverside: Isaiah Ali-Lewis, senior TE/LB (7 tackles for loss, 1 pick-6); Alton Howell, junior RB/DB (5 TD rushing, 4 interceptions); Dean Potts, senior QB/LB (702 yards, 16 TDs rushing 4 TDs passing).

Predicted order of finish

1. Bordentown

2. Riverside

3. Burlington City

4. Pemberton

5. Lawrence

6. Florence

7. Maple Shade

Tom Rimback grew up reading the Burlington County Times and Courier Post sports sections and began writing for the BCT in 1996. He has covered everything from Super Bowls and Final Fours to Tri-County Swimming but he’s happiest on a sideline interviewing South Jersey scholastic athletes. Follow him on twitter @Rimbacksports. Email him with story ideas at [email protected] and, most importantly, support local journalism with a subscription to the Courier-Post.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: 2025 WJFL preview: National Division Players to Watch, predictions