Haddonfield, West Deptford to renew rivalry

Here they go again.

Haddonfield and West Deptford will renew one of South Jersey's top recent rivalries when they meet in Saturday's 1 p.m. South Jersey Group 2 final at Rowan University.

Defending champion Haddonfield is 11-0, and the lone loss for West Deptford (10-1) was a 31-21 regular-season defeat against the Bulldogs.

This continues a recent pattern of big games between these Colonial Conference Liberty Division teams.

Haddonfield beat the Eagles, 16-8, in last year's sectional final, winning its first South Jersey championship since the advent of NJSIAA playoffs in 1974.

During the regular season last year, West Deptford won a 31-28 thriller.

In 2009, West Deptford beat Haddonfield in the regular season, 35-13, but the Bulldogs earned a 15-13 victory in the sectional semifinals.

Back and forth they have gone.

"It's been a great rivalry," Haddonfield coach Frank DeLano said. "You have two similar programs, teams that put the work in during the off-season."

West Deptford usually has been the favorite, but now that role shifts to Haddonfield.

"We are all excited about getting another chance at them," West Deptford fullback/defensive lineman Gerald Towns said.

Haddonfield has to stop the 6-foot-2, 245-pound Towns, who has rushed for 1,354 yards on 139 carries and scored 24 touchdowns.

"He's a special player, and I can't fathom what he will be like as a junior and senior," DeLano said.

Junior Josh Cornelius has rushed for 647 yards on 79 carries and scored 126 points. He is also an accomplished placekicker. Senior Jake Hannan has completed 25 of 45 passes for 609 yards and eight touchdowns.

Haddonfield also has dangerous offensive players. Chris Dengler has rushed for 1,292 yards (11.33 average) and 18 touchdowns. Quarterback Dan Ciemniecki has completed 51 of 76 passes for 859 yards, with 11 touchdowns and just one interception.

The Bulldogs have allowed only three sacks, with senior Alex Walter (6-4, 225) at tight end, Boston College recruit Jim Cashman (6-7, 280) at left tackle, senior left guard Carson Stack (6-2, 215), junior center Michael DiNoia (5-11, 261), sophomore right guard Charlie O'Neill (5-11, 211), and senior right tackle Jack Knecht (6-5, 211).

West Deptford is strong up front, led by two-way lineman Jamil Pollard (6-5, 280).

What is interesting is that the only time these two played a close game was when they faced each other. West Deptford's closest game other than the one with Haddonfield was last week's 40-14 win over Paulsboro, and in that one, the Eagles led by 21-0 after the first period.

The closest game Haddonfield has played other than against West Deptford was a 35-12 victory over Sterling.

So the two are expected to be involved in a rare close game, one that should continue to show why this is among the best area rivalries over the last few years.