WJFL '26 preview: Diamond Division Players to Watch, predictions

Nairavoice | Aug 24, 2026 3h ago 371 0 5 min read

WJFL '26 preview: Diamond Division Players to Watch, predictions

The West Jersey Football League Diamond Division has been one dominated by Glassboro recently. This year Glassboro won’t be in the Diamond and there won’t be much complaining after the Bulldogs not only won the division, but went 14-0 and captured the Group 1 state championship. Once again Glassboro has an expected powerhouse team, but the Bulldogs will now be in the WJFL Classic.

The WJFL makes changes to the divisions every two years. This is the first year of the new cycle. Of the teams, Schalick and Salem are the only teams that competed in the Diamond Division last year.

Without Glassboro, this appears to be a wide-open race with as many as five teams potentially being in the race.

Paulsboro (9-2, 5-1) moves over from the WJFL Patriot after finishing runner-up to West Deptford. The Red Raiders advanced to the South Jersey Group 1 semifinals before a 35-28 loss to Schalick. Coach Kevin Harvey is especially high on his skill position players, but a key will be replacing graduated quarterback Malakhai McKenzie, who accounted for 1,269 yards and 11 touchdowns passing and 324 yards and another five scores on the ground. The main competitors for the job are junior Jahsir Johnson and freshman Jiyayre Thomas.

Burlington City (11-2, 6-0) is coming off a season that earned two titles, and the expectations should be high again. The Blue Devils won the WJFL National Division, and also captured the Central Jersey Group 1 championship, beating Shore 28-20 in the sectional final. The season ended with a state semifinal loss to eventual state champion Glassboro. Burlington City has an impressive list of skill-position players, led by returning starting quarterback Mason Shansey. The Blue Devils must replace eight first-team all-conference players, so there might be an adjustment period.

Salem (6-5, 4-1) remains in the Diamond Division. The Rams showed great improvement after going 0-9 in 2024. Salem also won a South Jersey Group 1 playoff game last year before being eliminated by eventual state champion Glassboro in the second round. Improvement could continue as coach Kemp Carr welcomes back nine starters on offense and 10 on defense. The strength will be the offensive and defensive lines. There is also strength at quarterback. Senior Desmond Thomas threw for 1,226 yards and 13 touchdowns and ran for 329 yards and four scores. Carr says that freshman quarterback Owen McDonald has also been very impressive in workouts.

Overbrook (6-4, 3-3) competed last season in the WJFL Patriot Division and the Rams also earned a South Jersey Group 2 playoff spot, losing to Delran in the first round. The Rams return seven starters on both offense and defense and should be among the many contenders. Replacing graduated dual-threat quarterback Teriq Moore will be one of the keys. Junior Mark “MJ” Hailstork appears to be the heir apparent.

Schalick (5-7, 3-2) advanced to the South Jersey Group 1 final last year after earning playoff wins over Pennsville and Paulsboro. The season ended with a loss to Glassboro in the sectional final. With seven starters back on both offense and defense, the Cougars look to challenge for the division title.

Pennsville (5-5, 3-3) moves over from the WJFL Patriot. The Eagles earned a South Jersey Group 1 playoff berth, losing 21-16 to Schalick in the first round. Pennsville was hit hard by graduation, including four players who earned first-team all-conference honors. Seniors Grady Sanders and Jacob Layfield are competing for the quarterback job. The Eagles return just two starters on both offense and defense, so this may be a bit of a rebuilding season.

Paulsboro at Burlington City, Friday, Oct. 23, 6 p.m. This is the final game of the regular season and it’s possible that the Diamond Division title could come down to this game. Burlington City enters the season having won consecutive division titles. In addition to last year, the Blue Devils won the WJFL National Division in 2024.

Burlington City: Mason Shansey, senior, QB (1,685 yards passing, 18 TDs, 187 yards rushing, five TDs, first-team all-conference); Rashad Newkirk, senior, RB-DE (336 yards rushing, 7.3 avg., eight TDs, 47 tackles, 11 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks); Corey Boykin, junior, DB-athlete (92 tackles, nine tackles for loss, two forced fumbles); Tavion Miller, junior, RB-DB (254 yards rushing 14.9 avg., four touchdowns); Zion Sadler, senior, OL-DL (6-1, 225, returning starter at RT).

Overbrook: Axcel Bailey, senior, RB (first-team all-conference, 1,259 yards rushing, 8.5 avg., 16 TDs); Joseph Calderon Milano, senior, center-DL (6’1, 275, first-team all-conference OL); Rashir McQueen, senior, athlete (179 yards rushing, 98 yards receiving, 35 tackles); Jayon Pressley, senior, OL-DL (6’2, 220, 47 tackles, nine tackles for loss); DJ Loibman, senior WR-DB (seven receptions, 146 yards, one TD; 32 tackles).

Paulsboro: Jeremiah Carr, senior, WR-DB (35 receptions, 550 yards, four touchdowns, 117 yards rushing, two TDs, first-team all-conference WR); Marques Ely, senior WR-CB (nine receptions, 103 yards, one TD); Paris Graves, senior, RB-LB 323 yards rushing, 7.6 avg., two TDs); Zay Mears, senior, RB-S; Khalil Streater, sophomore, WR-S.

Pennsville: Hunter Coulbourn, senior, OL-DL (6’1, 200, 22 tackles, three tackles for loss); Dante Cummings, senior, RB-LB (50 tackles); Aiden Collazo, junior, WR-DB (29 tackles); Lucas Thomas, senior, WR-LB; CJ Johnson, sophomore, WR-DB.

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Salem: Wyatt Irvine, senior, C-DL (6’1, 215); Antonio Merendino, junior, TE-LB (transfer from Woodstown, 6’2, 215); Raymond Brown, senior, OL-DL (6’1, 255, transfer from Penns Grove); Jeremiah Robinson, junior, OL-DL (6’4, 325); Isaiah Carn, junior, OL-DL (6’0, 285).

Schalick: Kenneth Bartee, junior QB (613 yards passing, six TDs, 703 yards rushing, 5.4 avg., 11 TDs); David Stewart, senior, RB-WR-CB (373 yards rushing, 6.1 avg., three TDs, four interceptions, first-team all-conference DB); Aiden Torres, senior, OL-DL (6’0, 250, 31 tackles, first-team all-conference DL); Ayden Jenkins, senior, RB-SS (110 yards rushing, six receptions 72 yards); Evan Elliot, senior, TE-DE (five tackles for loss).

1.Paulsboro