Watson helps lead Cedar Creek past Delsea

Isaiah Watson is rapidly losing his secret-weapon status.

A Cedar Creek High School senior who often operates in the shadow of his close friend and classmate, Bo Melton, Watson also has the ability to dramatically impact a game.

Take Cedar Creek's 28-21 victory over Delsea on Saturday in a clash of defending South Jersey champions.

Watson caught a pair of touchdown passes, ran for another, and played a strong game on defense as the Pirates held off the Crusaders in a battle of Top 10 teams on a warm, sunny afternoon on Cedar Creek's home field in Egg Harbor City.

"He was an iron man for us today," said Cedar Creek coach Tim Watson, no relation to his versatile senior standout. "He's a weapon, and we know it."

Watson caught touchdown passes of 44 and 60 yards and generated 70 rushing yards on 10 carries with a 2-yard scoring run for Cedar Creek (2-0), the defending South Jersey Group 2 champion and the No. 4 team in the Inquirer Top 25.

Senior halfbacks Charles Walker and Taj Summiel ran for touchdowns and junior quarterback Mason Maxwell led a second-half surge for Delsea (0-2), the defending South Jersey Group 3 champion and the No. 10 team in the rankings.

"I thought we looked better today," said Delsea coach Sal Marchese, whose team lost to No. 2 Timber Creek on opening night. "We made some major mistakes in coverage and hurt ourselves a little on special teams.

"But I saw some improvement. I thought our kids showed some toughness."

Despite trailing by 21-7 and 28-14, Delsea stayed in contention and had possession near midfield with a chance to tie or go ahead with about a minute to play in the game.

Cedar Creek's defense, which was led by senior tackle Owen Bowles and linebackers Watson and junior Michal Gulig, along with several others, made one last stop and the Pirates ran out the clock.

"There are some teams that we've played in the past that maybe would quit down two scores," Tim Watson said. "Not that team. They're too proud. They're too tough."

Cedar Creek senior quarterback Jesse Milza was 10-for-15 passing for 202 yards and two touchdowns. Melton, a Rutgers recruit who was the Inquirer's offensive player of the year in 2015, battled cramps but still caught four passes for 48 yards, scored on a 2-yard run, and intercepted a pass.

Isaiah Watson, a 6-foot-3, 225-pound athlete, has drawn scholarship offers from programs such as Old Dominion, Army, and Villanova, among others.

Most teams see him as a defensive player at the next level.

"Boston College really liked him as a running back," Tim Watson said. "He doesn't have great speed, separation speed, but he has great vision and good feet. We love him.

"Bo kind of had a breakout year last year with so much attention on Ahmir [Mitchell]. This year, we think Isaiah could have a breakout year."

Isaiah Watson believes he will "be on the map" this season.

He said Melton has been his "best friend" for years and that the two have played football together since the youth level.

"Bo is the man," Isaiah Watson said. "But I'm working too. He scores a touchdown, I want to score a touchdown. I want to do the same things."

Delsea 7 0 7 7 - 21

Cedar Creek 14 7 7 0 - 28

CC: Isaiah Watson 44 pass from Jesse Milza (Pat Moran kick)

D: Charles Walker 24 run (Larry Holdcraft kick)

CC: Bo Melton 2 run (Moran kick)

CC: Watson 60 pass from Milza (Moran kick)

D: Taj Summiel 5 run (Holdcraft kick)

CC: Watson 2 run (Moran kick)

D: Quashon Fowler 18 pass from Mason Maxwell (Holdcraft kick)