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Despite struggles, Camden Catholic looks forward to Paul VI matchu

IT'S ALL BEEN a growing experience for Camden Catholic this season and no one understands that better than head coach Rick Brown.

IT'S ALL BEEN a growing experience for Camden Catholic this season and no one understands that better than head coach Rick Brown.

The Irish have lost four games, but a closer look shows that three of those losses came by a combined 12 points. The Irish certainly have had their chances this year, but those close losses will be eased with a win Wednesday night at 6 o'clock, when the Irish travel a few miles down Cuthbert Boulevard for their annual game with Paul VI, which is ranked No. 10 in the Daily News South Jersey poll.

"We have a very young team and the biggest thing this year is we've grown as a team with each week, and that's win or lose," Brown said. "We knew going into the year that our defense would be a big part of any success we would have and if you look at it, that's clearly true. We've improved on both sides of the ball and we have some momentum heading into the off season."

In their first eight games of the season, the Irish went 5-3 and allowed an average of 9.8 points per game. Granted, they were manhandled, 42-20, by St. Joe Metuchen in the Non-Public Group 3 playoffs, but while they fell behind quickly, over the final three quarters, they outplayed the Gryphons to some extent.

That said, they still have their traditional rivalry with Paul VI and the fact is, the teams know each other really well, which should add to what looks to be a very frenetic night at Paul VI.

"Right now, it's two different styles going out on that field," Brown said. "They have a dynamic offense that we have to stop.

"But the real fun is we know each other. They know the rivalry. I'm a big believer in football as a game of history, but they also grew up together and have played with and against each other for years. It's going to be a lot of fun."

108 AND COUNTING

Those not familiar with the rivalry between Haddon Heights and Haddonfield might guess that Haddonfield might be looking beyond their Thanksgiving Day game to the Dec. 3 rematch with West Deptford in the Group 2 final.

They would be wrong.

"It's the 108th meeting," Haddonfield coach Frank Delano said. "Yeah, we have a big game next week, but this, in many ways, is just as big.

"You play football to compete, and the reality is Haddon Heights is a very good team. You simply do not overlook playoff teams. And you certainly do not overlook a rivalry like this one. When you can cross a street and be in their district, you know the rivalry is going to be intense anyway, but that's a good team and we are only focused on them for now."

TRADITIONAL CLASHES

Even with formation of the West Jersey Football League and the loss of several longtime rivalries, several contests this week should still be watched closely:

On Thanksgiving Day, Woodrow Wilson will travel across town to play Camden. The winner gets not only bragging rights, but also the West Jersey Constitution Division title.

The day's most intense battle might be Pennsville vs. Penns Grove. Pennsville is coming off a heartbreaking, 27-20 loss to Glassboro in the Group 1 playoffs, the Eagles' only loss of the season to date. Meanwhile, Penns Grove is still hurting over being banned from the Group 1 tournament because of an on-field altercation earlier this season. The Red Devils are 7-1 and would love to show that they were the best Group 1 school, no matter the result of next weekend's game between Paulsboro and Glassboro.

Another title on the line is the West Jersey Liberty, as Willingboro travels to Holy Cross Friday night. This game lost some of its luster when both schools lost playoff games - and perfect seasons - last week.

Finally, Paulsboro and West Deptford will renew their friendship on Friday night. While some might note that this is the only game between teams still in the playoffs, the guess here is, neither will be thinking about the playoffs under the lights at West Deptford.

TITLE WEEKEND ON HORIZON

Nine area teams are still alive in the state tournament, set for the Dec. 3-4 weekend, and they will give fans ample opportunity to see at least one more high quality high school game this season.

Friday's games will include the Group 2 final: Haddonfield at West Deptford in a 7 p.m. start. Haddonfield almost overcame a 28-point deficit earlier this year, only to lose on a field goal in the waning moments of a game played at Haddonfield.

Also on Friday night will be a pair of Non-Public title games at Rutgers University. The South will be represented by two teams: St. Joseph (Hammonton) will play St. Mary's at 5 p.m. in a Non-Public Group 1 & 2 game, while Holy Spirit plays St. Joseph (Montvale) at 8 p.m. in Non-Public Group 3. The two Cape-Atlantic programs have been in the Daily News South Jersey Top 10 all season long, and Spirit has been first since the preseason.

On Saturday, the remaining titles will be on the line, all in 1 p.m. starts. In Group 4, Cherokee, last year's winner over Egg Harbor, will host Oakcrest. In Group 3, Delsea, last season's Group 2 winner, will travel to Lacey Township; finally, the Group 1 title will be played by longtime nemeses Paulsboro and Glassboro on the Bulldogs' home field. *

Send e-mail to mradano@phillynews.com.