High School Football:
To Salem, From Deptford, With Love

Saturday, October 17, 1998

By Gary Steiner
SJSports Staff Writer

Both the Deptford Spartans and the Salem Rams were looking to gain ground in the playoff race, but it was Deptford who would run away with the victory with the help of Justin Love's two touchdowns. Turnovers would also be key in this Tri-County Conference non-division game.

Neither team was able to score until 1:19 into the 2nd quarter, when Salem's Paul Scafe recovered a Deptford fumble in the end zone for a touchdown. Scafe then caught a pass for the 2-point conversion to give the Rams an 8-0 lead.

The Spartans immediately responded with a 5 play 70-yard drive, which culminated in a 30-yard pass from Jimmer Donapel to Kevin Eli for the touchdown. James Clark ran in the 2-point conversion to tie the score at 8-8 with 8:10 left in the half. Both offenses then settled down as both teams exchanged punts. Then, on a 4th and 27 at their own 21-yard line, Salem's punt was blocked by Deptford's Kevin Eli, and the ball was recovered by Derek Powell. This gave the Spartans a 1st and 10 on the Rams' 11-yard line. On the next play Justin Love ran those 11 yards for the touchdown. A 2-point conversion attempt was stopped by the Rams, leaving the score 14-8 with 1:24 left in the half.

Salem fumbled the 2nd half opening kickoff at their own 34-yard line, but held on a 4th and 7 and took over on downs. A 31-yard run by Shaun Moore followed by a personal foul penalty from Deptford gave the Rams a 1st and 10 on the Spartans' 23-yard line. But Deptford held on a 4th and 4 to get the ball back.

After exchanging punts, the Spartans began a 60-yard drive, capped by an option toss to Justin Love for an 8-yard touchdown run. The Rams again stopped the 2-point conversion attempt, making the score 20-8 with 1:03 left in the 3rd quarter. On the following kickoff, Salem's Luther Terry had a 40-yard run back to the Deptford 40-yard line. But the Rams were stopped 3 plays later when Deptford's Marques Cosby intercepted a pass on a 3rd and 8 to put the Spartans on the Rams' 33-yard line. The Spartans had a 4th and goal on the 11 when Ian Johnson intercepted a pass in the end zone for the Rams. Two plays later, Deptford's James Clark sacked the quarterback to set up a 3rd and 13 on the 17-yard line. Clark then intercepted a pass on the 26 and scampered in for the touchdown with 4:40 left in the 4th quarter. Brian Carter ran in the 2-point conversion to make the final score 28-8.

Photos by Forrest Robleto