Title at stake as Hammonton hosts Egg Harbor Twp.

No hype is needed when Egg Harbor Township visits Hammonton at 7 p.m. tomorrow in a Cape Atlantic League American Conference football showdown.

Both unbeaten and highly ranked teams are headed for the postseason, but one will enter as a conference champion. Tomorrow's winner earns the American Conference title.

"It should be a great atmosphere for a great football game," Egg Harbor Township coach Tony DeRosa said. "I think it will be an epic battle."

Records: EHT is ranked No. 5 in South Jersey by The Inquirer and is 7-0 overall and 6-0 in the American Conference. The Eagles have beaten Atlantic City, 41-7; Millville, 24-0; Oakcrest, 21-0; Absegami, 30-0; Kingsway, 35-15; Vineland, 25-0; and Ocean City, 28-14.

No. 6 Hammonton is 7-0 both overall and in the American Conference. The Blue Devils have defeated Absegami, 41-12; Atlantic City, 48-13; Oakcrest, 41-0; Ocean City, 41-7; Mainland, 27-3; Vineland, 27-7; and Millville, 41-0.

Coaches: EHT's Tony DeRosa has a 70-53 career record with the Eagles. Hammonton's Pete Lancetta is 177-44-2.

Key players: EHT has one of the most highly recruited players in running back-receiver-defensive back Teejay Johnson. The defending Meet of Champions 100-meter champion, Johnson already has visited Nebraska. Among the other schools he is considering are Rutgers, Florida, and Cincinnati.

Johnson has four interceptions on defense. He has rushed for 486 yards and seven touchdowns on 66 carries.

Senior quarterback Scott Miller, who has made an oral commitment to Harvard, has made a smooth transition after playing wide receiver last year. Miller is also a standout at free safety, with five interceptions.

He has completed 47 of 78 passes for 526 yards and four touchdowns, and has rushed for 456 yards and seven TDs on 65 carries.

Middle linebacker Zach Agostino (5-foot-10, 205 pounds), who is headed to Penn to wrestle, is the defensive leader.

Hammonton quarterback Nick Crescenzo has been a dual threat. He has rushed for 507 yards and 11 touchdowns on 46 carries and has completed 25 of 44 passes for 433 yards and seven touchdowns.

His cousin David Crescenzo has rushed for 527 yards and three touchdowns on 81 carries. Senior Josh Baez is averaging 9.6 yards per carry, with 381 yards and six touchdowns on 39 carries.

Tight end Ian Evans, a Maryland recruit, has 10 receptions for 27 yards and two touchdowns. Evans is also a force at defensive end.

Senior Antonio Rodriguez has been another defensive force at inside linebacker.

"He runs the show on defense," Lancetta said. "He makes the calls and has made so many big plays."

Outlook: Both teams run the ball effectively, but the one that gets the most out of its passing game will be the likely winner. Both Nick Crescenzo and Miller can make big plays, so keeping those two in check will be important for the respective teams.

Hammonton may have a slight edge, especially in big-game experience. The Blue Devils advanced to the SJ Group 3 final last season before losing to No. 1 Shawnee.

That experience could be an advantage in what shapes up as a classic matchup.

Pick: Hammonton 21, Egg Harbor Township 19.