Willingboro Scoops Up An Important Victory

High School Football:
Willingboro Scoops Up An Important Victory
Saturday, October 25, 2003

By Jerome Michaels
SJSports Special Correspondent

The play spoke for itself about how both of these team’s season has gone so far. A lateral pass that is dropped, bounced around and then picked up and ran in for a touchdown. Willingboro took advantage of its chances by dominating the Panthers from Camden High. With the playoff cut-off date just around the corner, Willingboro and Camden were both looking to pick up an important division win. The Chimeras took control of their 21-6 victory by executing the plays and never giving up.

Both teams were able to move the ball passing and running but when faced with that all-important third down play, each would come up short. It would take an incomplete lateral pass that resulted in Willingboro jumping out to a 7-0 lead. Rashad Mateen rolled right from his tailback position in anticipation of receiving a pass from quarterback Khaaliq McQuillar. Mateen would drop the pass and wisely picked the ball up just in case. Well the Panthers’ defense totally relaxed on the play and Mateen just kept on running for the 42-yard touchdown run.

The Panthers would receive the ball on the ensuing kickoff but were forced to punt. The snap traveled over the head of the punter and Willingboro had a first and goal from the nine-yard line. This time the Chimeras failed to put any points on the scoreboard. A big pass reception in the second quarter erased all memories of that missed opportunity. Brandon Hill capped off the drive with a 3-yard run giving Willingboro a reason to celebrate.

After the Chimera marching band showed off their stepping skills and musical rendition, Willingboro capitalized on another turnover by the Panthers. Mateen dazzled the home crowd and teammates with a 7-yard run giving the Chimeras a comfortable 21-0 advantage. Camden avoided the shutout in the final quarter when Nathaniel Brown and Shomari Moore hooked up for a 31-yard touchdown reception.

Photos by Art Redd