South Jersey Group 2 Playoff Preview (Boys)

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>The 2025 NJSIAA state playoff tournament is almost here. Check out our preview of which teams from the South Jersey, Group 1 bracket have the best chance to win their section and potentially punch a ticket to the state finals. <strong><em>NOTE:</em></strong> The public state tournament officially starts on Tuesday, November 4. The seeds will not be official until after the state seeding meeting, scheduled for Wednesday, the 29th. <em><strong>(The top-seeded teams in the bracket are not expected to change)</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Seeds</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>1- Lindenwold (11-6-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>2- West Deptford (10-5-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>3- Sterling (11-6)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>4- Cedar Creek (13-2-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>5- Seneca (12-3-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>6- Haddonfield (8-8-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>7- Collingswood (10-6-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>8- Middle Township (10-5)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>9- Oakcrest (12-2-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>10- Haddon Heights (6-7-3)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>11- Overbrook (8-10)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>12- Manchester Township (9-9)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>13- Barnegat (8-9-1)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>14- Medford Tech (7-9-2)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>15- Pennsauken Tech (6-7-3)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>16- Pleasantville (3-12)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Favorite</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Sterling (11-6): </strong>There's truly no clear favorite in this bracket, but we'll give the edge to Sterling, as it has a 3-1 record against top-seeded Lindenwold and second-seeded West Deptford this fall. The Silver Knights have won five out of their last six games. Sterling has a playoff tune-up against Paul VI on Tuesday before the start of the tournament. Junior forward Connor Maenner has a team-leading eight goals and seven assists for the Silver Knights.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Contenders</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>West Deptford (10-5-2):</strong> The Eagles dropped both of their regular-season games to third-seeded Sterling but also defeated top-seeded Lindenwold twice. Basically, they've all beat each other. It will come down to who has the hot hand next week. Senior forward Riley Yearicks has a team-high five goals and six assists for West Deptford this fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Seneca (12-3-1): </strong>Seneca is a sneaky fifth seed in this bracket, and perhaps the most battle-tested out of all of the higher seeds. The Golden Eagles' only three setbacks have come by one score to ranked teams, and they haven't dropped a game since Sept. 15 to Cherry Hill East. Seneca is riding a six-game winning streak into the tournament behind junior forward Bradley Cooper's team-high 13 goals. The Golden Eagles also have 10 shutouts this season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Underdog</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p><strong>Lindenwold (11-6-1):</strong> Despite owning the top seed in the bracket, Lindenwold has a combined 1-3 record against second-seeded West Deptford and third-seeded Sterling this fall. The Lions have also recently suffered shutout losses to Haddonfield, Haddon Township, and St. Augustine. They'll be looking to get back on track with a non-league playoff tuneup against Clearview on Thursday. Junior midfielder Marvyn Padilla has a team-high five goals and four assists for the Lions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->