 High School Football:
Minutemen Take Down Winslow Twp in a Battle of the Undefeated
Friday, October 4, 2002
By Art Redd
SJSports Staff Writer
When a team is faced with a football program that is known to have an offense with a great deal of speed, you must rely on your defense to at least keep the game close. That's exactly what the Washington Township defense did against the dangerous Eagles from Winslow Township. The Minutemen came up big when needed as they not only kept the game close, but also prevented Winslow from getting any points on the scoreboard. The Minutemen fought their way to a 14-0 victory over the Eagles in an Olympic Conference American Division contest.
Winslow Township features an experienced team that knows what it takes to win a ball game. So far, they have had their way winning easy against Cherry Hill East, Eastern and Shawnee. The talented Miles twin brothers of Antraye and Anthony were leading the Eagle's flight in search of a title in their senior year. On the other side of the field were the defending American Division champs in search of a repeat. Washington Township lined up with key players Ryne Cantwell, Dan Holmes and Chris Nisczcak who are known for their play on the field. So when you put these two teams together on the gridiron, big plays are bound to happen.
 The first half was a scoreless game, but that doesn't reflect that neither team had any scoring chances. The Minutemen's first drive ended when Ken Scott intercepted Sal Calaciura's pass attempt in the endzone. Winslow Township had an apparent fumble recovery touchdown run called back because of an illegal block in the back. A few other missed opportunities and big defensive play kept both teams from completing any scoring drive.
After the Eagles were unable to pick up a first down on their first series in the second half, Washington Township's David Darby rumbled 36-yards virtually untouched on a second down play. The Minutemen preserved that 7-0 lead even after Winslow held the ball for almost seven minutes and ended with Shonn Greene's failure to score from 4 yards out on a fourth and goal play.
On Washington Township's ensuing drive, the running tandem of Cantwell and Holmes took over with Cantwell picking up 63 yards on two carries to move the ball into Eagles territory. Two plays later, Holmes put the Minutemen up 14-0 on his 19-yard run with 10:13 remaining in the game. With those two touchdowns, the defense picked up to preserve the shutout.
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