High School Football: Deptford Quickly Erases Any Hope of an Upset Saturday, October 29, 2005 By George Brookings SJSports Staff Writer Football is a game of momentum and usually work when that them takes advantage of that emotional edge that spreads through the entire team. The Spartans from Deptford was that team expected to win their game against the Tartans from Highland. Someone forgot to tell the Tartans to just move aside and let Deptford win. Early into this game, Highland’s momentum had the edge and the lead in this Tri-County Conference Royal Division football game. Fullback Ryan Leafey’s two first half scores quickly erased Highland’s advantage leading Deptford to scoring 30 unanswered points. The Spartans went on to post a 43-28 victory. The power of momentum quickly swung to the Deptford sidelines when Highland turned the ball over during the opening kickoff. With 8:14 remaining in the initial quarter, quarterback Sheldon Johnson crossed the goal line from 14 yards out and Deptford took a 6-0 advantage after the failed extra point attempt. That’s when wide receiver now the new starting quarterback James Scott, who got the start after Tedd Teschner was sideline with a broken collarbone, demonstrated his ability to run the ball. On a 4th and 5 from the 34-yard line, Scott broken free past the initial defense and tied this game five minutes later. Scott would put Highland ahead in the second quarter after ripping off 68 yards down to the Spartans 16-yard line. Two plays later Scott scored his second rushing touchdown giving Highland a 13-6 lead. Deptford, winners of their last 5 out of 6 games and headed to the South Jersey Group 2 tournament, quickly turned the tables in the second quarter. Leafey’s 4-yard score and a successful two point run by Rogers gave Deptford the lead back with 6:41 remaining until the halftime intermission. That momentum talked about earlier definitely spread through the visiting sideline and bleachers. The Spartans began to feel a bit more comfortable when Leafey scored again from 16 yards and Deptford pushed their lead to 21-13 with 54 seconds remaining. The Spartans were not done. After another turnover, the offense would be able to score with no time remaining in the half. This time Johnson found Brandon Williams open for the touchdown reception. After the success two point conversion, Deptford quickly had the edge going into the break leading their opponent by two touchdowns. The second began with Leafey powering his way into the endzone from 8 yards out and held a 36-13 lead up until the final quarter. Highland would receive another impressive touchdown run by Scott and then a Daniels 23 yard touchdown run to close the gap to 36-28. But on this day, Leafey was out to prove that he had the will to score every time he touched the ball. His fourth rushing touchdown came from 36 yards out and Deptford would pick up their sixth victory of the season. Photos by Art Redd