From the Backstretch by Reuben Frank

Three South Jersey track teams lead their state meet after one day of action at Pennsauken and Franklin Township.

Here’s a look at every team battle heading into Saturday. Click the subhead for complete results!

Girls Group 1
Clayton goes into Day 2 trailing Hasbrouck Heights 40 ½-32, with Haddon Township in 4th with 27 points. Audubon [10 ½] and Gateway [10] are also in double digits, and Schalick is right there [9 ½].

Boys Group 1
Emerson leads the way with 22 points, but Glassboro [20] and Audubon [19] are within striking distance, and Salem [12], Paulsboro [10] and Penns Grove [10] are also already in double figures.

Boys Group 2
The move up from Group 1 to Group 2 hasn’t affected Willingboro, which piled up 40 points on Day and leads 2nd-place Haddonfield, who has 24. Deptford is sitting in 4th with 19 points.

Girls Group 2
Haddonfield and Sterling are both in double figures, Haddonfield sitting in 5th place with 13 points and Sterling in 6th with 12 points. Metuchen leads NJ-2 with 22 points after Day 1.

Boys Group 3
The anticipated battle between Delsea and Pennsauken is off and running, with Delsea leading 38-29 through Friday’s action. Moorestown [12] and Timber Creek [10] both reached double figures also.

Girls Group 3
Mainland scored 22 Day 1 points and trails Colts Neck by four going into Saturday. Timber Creek and Winslow are tied for 6th with 14 points.

Girls Group 4
Cherokee scored 18 in the 800 and 10 in the 3,200 for 28 points on Day 1 and a six-point overnight lead on Montclair [22] and Montgomery [20]. Millville [18] and Rancocas Valley [17] are in 5th and 7th in NJ-4.

Boys Group 4
Washington Township is South Jersey’s top school in NJ-4 so far with 14 points. Cherry Hill East and Kingsway are tied for 8th with 10 and Egg Harbor is only half a point back with 9 ½.

Parochial A Boys
Camden Catholic is the only South Jersey school that scored on Day 1, and they’re in 7th place with four points going into Saturday.

Parochial B Boys
Holy Spirit has 21 points and trails only St. Rose of Belmar, which leads with 46 points. Bishop Eustace is in 4th with 17 points.

Parochial A Girls
Camden Catholic and Paul VI each have two points going into Day 2.

Parochial B Girls
Holy Spirit and Holy Cross are tied for 7th with 12 points and Bishop Eustace is just behind with 10 points.