High School Football:
Pennsauken Still in Playoff Hunt

Saturday, Nov. 8, 1997

By Joe Martarona
SJSports Correspondent

Saturday afternoon featured the Pennsauken High School Indians (4-2) hosting the Cherry Hill West Lions (4-2). The winner of this contest would keep their playoff hopes alive.

The Indians first half offensive performance yielded over 100 yards and a touchdown pass by quarterback Cliff Horsey to Al Fisher. In the second quarter alone, the Indians managed to run more than 20 plays in spite of two fumbles and put together an exciting drive late in the first half.

Ahead 6 - 0, Pennnsauken's Howard Clark laid a crushing block that sprang tailback Michael Hawkins for a 10-yard gain. Then on a first-and-ten, Cliff Horsey hit Hawkins again on a bootleg that forced Lion's defensive back Kenny Pitter to make a touchdown saving open field tackle. After a 22-yard bootleg left, the Indians turned the ball over on an interception deep in the Lions territory. The Lions let the remaining 26 seconds run off the clock to end the half with the score Pennsauken 6, Cherry Hill West 0.

In the second half, the Lions threatened to score on their first possession. After a 30-yard reception by Ray Harris and a Pennsauken penalty, the Lions got the ball on the Indians' ten-yard line. But a pass attempt in the end zone was picked off by defensive back Cliff Horsey ending the Lion's threat.

Two series later, the Indians marched 76 yards and scored on a 1 yard quarterback sneak by Cliff Horsey to make the score 12 - 0. The unsuccessful two-point conversion ended with a quarterback sack.

The big play came at 6:05 in the fourth, after the teams exchanged interceptions. The Lions had the ball on the Indians' 49-yard line, when linebacker Vincent Sewell picked off a pass and returned it for a 51-yard touchdown. Ken McClain received a two-point conversion pass to put the Indians up 20 - 0.

The Lions came fighting back with a Ray Harris kickoff return to his own 40-yard line. The offense started hitting the heart of the Indians' defense. The Lions made two first downs and gained 42 yards rushing up the middle. On the fifth play of the series, Kenny Pitter worked his way behind the Indians defensive backs to make a diving catch at the 1-foot line. The Lions closed the drive with a trap to runningback Chris Estilow and a extra point to end a twelve-quarter Indians defensive shut out effort. Pennsauken ran out the remaining 4 minutes of the game. The final score was Pennsauken 20 and the Cherry Hill West Lions 7.