West Deptford Captures Second Consecutive S.J. Group II Championship Title

High School Football:
West Deptford Captures Second Consecutive S.J. Group II Championship Title
Monday, December 8, 2003

By Vincent Lewis
SJSports Staff Writer

It has been a tale of two schools looking to prove their football program should get the recognition they fully deserved. The third seeded Rams from Overbrook had definitely earned the respect that they were a team to reckon with by making it to the South Jersey Group II title game against top seed West Deptford. Having to deal with one of the top backs in the area, Overbrook were ready to take on the Eagles running attack led by Tom Walls. West Deptford used that proven running game to methodically march down the field and clearly winning the time of possession. Those time consuming drives did not give the Rams a chance to overcome West Deptford’s 17-12 second consecutive title victory. The Eagles finished the season with a perfect 12-0 record.

It took some time, but the game was finally played after the area’s first significant snowfall rescheduled all of the group title games. It’s widely known that each school had a challenge of getting their field in game shape in a short amount of time. For some teams, that extra time was spent in the weight room, watching game tape or even resting their bodies in preparation of playing in their last football of the season. It’s been awhile, but Overbrook had time to really reflect how long it’s been for a chance of capturing a title for their coaches and school. As for the Eagles, they knew how it feels to hold that trophy up high over their heads. They were expected to do the same thing again this year…and they did.

The Eagles first score of the game consisted a heavy dose of the running game testing the Rams defense. There wasn’t anything spectacular, but Walls used his offensive line well and the Eagles were well into Overbrook territory. The Rams would have a small victory has they watched place kicker Jake Brownell nail a 21-yard field with 3:47 remaining in the first quarter. The lead expanded when the Eagles got their second chance to score in the second when quarterback Anthony Scirrotto showed off his running ability scoring from 12 yards out.

Overbrook would get right back into this game as the second quarter was winding down. Quarterback Frank Wilczynski seems to be very comfortable throwing on the run. His abilities give him the option of either running the ball or finding the open receiver. Well he did both which resulted in Overbrook’s first points of the game. Wilczynski found Justin Stippick open for the 6-yard touchdown reception and the Rams only trailed by a 10-6 margin at halftime.

Too much Walls in the fourth quarter gave the Eagles the momentum. Pinned down at their own 7-yard line late in the third quarter, West Deptford scoring ended in the fourth quarter when Walls got his first touchdown of the game. That drive was impressive as they were able to keep the ball on the ground and pick up the first down after first down. Overbrook would score with 5:04 remaining in the game when Frank Hales crossed the goal line from 6 yards out. The Rams would need one more chance to win this game, but West Deptford kept the ball on the ground and the clock just ticked away.

Congratulations to the Eagles from West Deptford for picking up their second consecutive South Jersey Group II title. Also, Overbrook has accomplished something that most did not think it was possible…a trip to the finals and playing an excellent game against the number one seeded team.

Photos by Mark Fletcher