Tuesday, December 11, 2012
While many teams have transitioned into a spread offense, champion West Deptford proves the Wing-T can still dominate.
During the past decade, more and more high school football programs moved away from the traditional Wing-T offense and transitioned into more of a spread look. The changes result in a lot more passes being thrown around South Jersey on Friday nights and give receivers something to do other than blocking for tailbacks. Programs such as Timber Creek and Cedar Creek demonstrated just how good the spread can be when executed properly, piling up points on their way to championship appearances. It appears likely that the trend of spreading things out offensively is here to stay and that more programs will transition from the traditional Wing-T in favor of a more college-oriented style. Just don’t expect that type of change to come to West …
Saturday, December 8, 2012
Gerald Owens rushed for five touchdowns in West Deptford's 42-28 win over Cedar Creek.
With his helmet ripped off and blood running down his forehead, Gerald Owens went to the sideline to a standing ovation from the West Deptford fans. It wasn’t the first time Owens brought the fans to their feet, or the last. Owens capped off a dominant junior season with a masterful 206-yard, five-touchdown effort, leading the West Deptford High School football to its second straight NJSIAA South Jersey Group 2 title, 42-28, over Cedar Creek Saturday. Teammate Joe Diaco had a career-high three interceptions to lead a defense that picked off Pirates quarterback Damon Mitchell four times, helping the team secure a perfect 12-0 season. “It feels amazing,” Owens said. “I’m blessed. Our team is blessed to be back here again and blessed to have …
Saturday, November 17, 2012
West Deptford got 250 yards rushing from Gerald Owens and Connor Smith in a 31-7 victory.
The West Deptford High School football team took the first step in defending its Group 2 title Friday night, defeating Sterling, 31-7, in the first round of the NJSIAA playoffs. It was once again the running game that propelled the Eagles, with Gerald Owens and Connor Smith combining for 250 yards on the ground. Sterling was able to hang with West Deptford early on, limiting the Eagles to a 26-yard field goal by Luke Cornelius in the first quarter and a 9-yard touchdown run by Devin Bates in the second quarter. The Eagles were able to find separation in the third quarter as Smith (7 yards) and Owens (1 yard) scored touchdowns to push the advantage to 24-0. West Deptford’s final score came in the fourth when Owens broke free for a 36-yard …
Saturday, November 10, 2012
Connor Smith and Gerald Owens combine for 375-plus yards and three touchdowns on the ground in West Deptford's 25-12 win over Haddonfield.
With a starting offense lineman down and a facing pesky opponent who wouldn’t go away, the West Deptford High School football team elected to go with its bread and butter in the second half against rival Haddonfield Friday night. It hadn’t failed them all season and didn’t fail them again as the Eagles dialed up a physical running game that helped put away a 25-12 win over the Bulldawgs and clinched a Colonial Conference Liberty division title. Connor Smith and Gerald Owens combined for more than 375 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, while quarterback Alex Hilbmann threw for a score in a rematch of last year's Group 3 championship. “We knew it was going to be a battle all game, we just had to win it physically,” said Smith. “They …
Saturday, October 27, 2012
West Deptford clicked on both sides of the ball in a 64-6 win over Collingswood.
Prior to the West Deptford High School football team’s game against Collingswood, head coach Clyde Folsom challenged his team to find its identity on defense. The Eagles rolled through Colonial Conference opponents this season, but there were still areas that could be tightened up. After Friday night’s performance, it’s safe to say that the Eagles’ defense answered the call. West Deptford didn’t allow a first down until late in the fourth quarter, and dominated the ground game in a 64-6 win over Collingswood. Gerald Owens and Connor Smith led the offense's attack, scoring three touchdowns each, while the Eagles defense held the Panthers’ to negative yards total offense for three quarters. “Coach told us we didn’t identify who we are as a …
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Connor Smith and Gerald Owens each go more than 100 yards rushing in West Deptford's 36-28 win over Haddon Heights.
With Gerald Owens on the bench dealing with a bloody nose and his team leading by just two points, Connor Smith knew it was time to put the West Deptford High School football team on his back. A do-it-all senior who is on the field for virtually every snap of the game, Smith converted two third downs into first downs, helping the Eagles run down the clock and eventually salt the game away with a late touchdown in a 36-28 Colonial Conference win over Haddon Heights. Smith’s work, along with a pair of long runs by Owens, led to a Josh Cornelius 2-yard touchdown run with just 22 seconds left in regulation. “I know I was hurting a little bit, but I knew the team needed it,” said Smith, who had 15 carries for 114 yards. “We needed those first …
J McKeown
11:22 am on Sunday, December 9, 2012
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