By Tom Szieber
Posted: Sunday, October 22, 2017 9:15 pm
Check out LaRon Hall's photo gallery from West Deptford's win over Haddonfield.
It was another meeting and another classic in the storied West Deptford-Haddonfield rivalry. The South Jersey rivals played a hard-fought nail-biter that only ended when Eagles kicker Mike Bilodeau hit a 35-yard field goal in overtime to give West Deptford a 17-14 victory. It was, obviously, a critical play in a game that saw the Haddons miss two attempts of their own late in the game. West Deptford’s run game was a difference maker, as well, as Eagles running back Tyshawn Bookman rushed for 134 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries. The victory puts West Deptford one victory win away from yet another division crown.
Somerville beating Johnson wasn’t a shocker, but the ease at which it did so certainly was. The Pioneers pounced early, and pulled out a 33-7 victory to improve to 6-1. Quarterback Ryan Kovacs was 18-of-24 for 221 yards and a touchdown, while the Pioneer D forced four turnovers. The Johnson running game generated 249 yards, but Somerville neutralized any semblance of a passing game the Crusaders may have been able to get going.
Williamstown got a huge victory over 15th-ranked Shawnee, 27-22, thanks to three touchdowns from QB Jonathan Collins. It was a particularly tough loss for the Renegades considering they led 9-0 early, thanks to a safety and an 11-yard TD pass from Colin Wetterau to WR Jake Schillinger. But Collins proved to be the difference on the ground and through the air, reaching the end zone on a two-yard run in the second, a 13-yard scoring pass to Wade Inge in the third, and the game-winner from a yard out in the fourth. Cornerback DaMonte Campbell came up with the game-sealing pick on Shawnee’s final drive.
Manalapan is used to big performances from running back Naim Mayfield, but this week may have been his biggest to date. Mayfield needed just nine carries to pile up 313 yards and five touchdowns in the Braves’ 56-21 victory over Neptune. Mayfield is averaging nearly 16 yards per carry this season, and has been unstoppable against opposing defenses, totaling 1,723 yards and 29 touchdowns on the ground.
One thing that has become apparent is that even in defeat, Pope John has proved it is for real. The Lions couldn’t upset Bergen Catholic, but kept it close before ultimately falling, 20-19. Wide receiver Dylan Classi starred for the Crusaders, scoring twice in the first half on passes from quarterback Johnny Langan. Pope John’s D held BC to 165 offensive yards, though, and was up 13-10 before a botched snap on a punt attempt (assisted by some suspect Lions clock management) set up the latter Classi touchdown. The Lions took another lead, 19-17, before Bergen went ahead for good on a 36-yard Michael Kearney field goal in the third.
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.