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

The West Jersey Football League's Liberty Division has seen a significant rise in competition since last year, with only two teams remaining from the previous season. Lower Cape May won last year's division, but the Tigers are now competing in the WJFL Memorial Division. Timber Creek, after a tough schedule, joins the division from the Classic Division.

St. Joseph Academy, under new head coach Sal Marchese Jr., may be the biggest change in South Jersey despite having only four seniors. Highland, moving from the WJFL Freedom Division, improved last year and coach Sean Daniels hopes the trend continues. Bridgeton, now from the WJFL Memorial Division, will need to replace graduated quarterback Dante Howell.

Cumberland, a holdover from the Liberty Division, improved by four wins from the previous season and returned six starters on both offense and defense. Players to watch in the Liberty Division include Bridgeton's Jayden Barnett, a senior MLB with 98 tackles and first-team all-conference honors; Cumberland's Dereon Johnson, a senior RB-DB with 210 rushing yards and two touchdowns; and Highland's Trent Fleming, a senior OL-DL with 315 pounds.