Phil Anastasia: Wilson connection putting up points

Aaron Spencer throws the football.

T.J. Chambliss catches it.

Over the years and through the seasons - in summer workouts, after-school practices, big games with championships on the line in November - the Woodrow Wilson seniors have been connected by that simplest of sports acts.

Throw.

Catch.

"It seems like yesterday we were freshmen and doing damage," Spencer said on a rainy afternoon on the Tigers' muddy practice field behind the school on Federal Street in Camden.

"Now we're seniors and looking at our last games together. I've been able to count on him for all these years."

Spencer and Chambliss have been one of the most prolific pass-catch combinations in the history of Camden City football. They both are three-year starters. They both rank high on school and city record lists.

They both are set for one of the most important games of their careers, as fourth-seeded Woodrow Wilson (6-3) will visit top-seeded Timber Creek (9-0) on Friday night in the semifinals of the South Jersey Group 3 tournament.

"Very dangerous combo," Timber Creek coach Rob Hinson said. "Chambliss is a kid who can beat you deep or catch a short one and take it the distance."

Friday's game has special significance for Spencer and Chambliss. Woodrow Wilson is two one-point losses away from being 8-1, as the Tigers dropped a 32-31 decision to Delsea and a 33-32 decision to Triton - both games that turned in the final seconds.

But the team's other loss was by 34-13 to Timber Creek on Oct. 14. The rematch offers the Tigers the chance at redemption as well as the program's first trip to the sectional finals since 2001.

"We're very anxious to play them again," Chambliss said. "We know we have to do everything better this time."

Spencer and Chambliss went to different elementary schools and played for different youth football programs. Their only meeting before high school was on the basketball court, where Spencer's team from Hatch Junior High played Chambliss' team from Pine Poynt Middle School.

"He was a little guy," Spencer said of Chambliss.

Spencer played football for the Centerville Simbas. Chambliss played for the Whitman Park Tigers. But their paths never crossed because they were in different weight classes.

They finally got together as freshmen at Woodrow Wilson.

"First or second game, I remember throwing him a touchdown pass, and he's been doing it ever since," Spencer said.

Spencer is the second-most prolific passer in Woodrow Wilson and Camden City history, behind David Goree, who passed for 5,673 yards and 63 touchdowns. Spencer has 4,267 yards and 44 touchdowns.

Chambliss could become the No. 1 receiver in school and city history. He has 1,726 receiving yards, second to former Woodrow Wilson star Rashad Baker's 1,896. Chambliss also has 21 touchdown catches, just behind the mark of 23 set by Woodrow Wilson graduates William Spearman and David Trinidad.

"We just have that connection," Chambliss said of his rapport with Spencer. "He's a good guy, a great friend. We have that timing together. He knows where I'm going to be."

Spencer said the two athletes see the game the same way.

"We think alike out there," Spencer said.

If anything, the connection has grown stronger this season. Spencer is 80 for 157 passing for 1,440 yards and 16 touchdowns. Chambliss has 40 catches for 789 yards and 10 touchdowns.

Throw.

Catch.

Since Woodrow Wilson could clinch the West Jersey Independence division title with a victory over rival Camden on Thanksgiving, Spencer and Chambliss will play at least two more games together. But they will take the field Friday with a chance to cast a big-game spotlight on their long collaboration.

"It went by so fast," Chambliss said. "Now we have a chance to go out on a great note."