Amid rivalry, Haddonfield, West Deptford debut new QBs

Nick Diaco won't have the chance to ease into his new role as starting quarterback for the West Deptford football team.

Tommy Kadar won't have the chance to slowly settle into his new role as starting quarterback for the Haddonfield football team.

The Eagles and Bulldogs - archrivals who have met 11 times in the last six seasons in Colonial Conference Liberty Division and South Jersey Group 2 tournament play - open the season against each other on Friday night at Gateway.

"It's going to get the juices flowing," Diaco said of the renewal of one of South Jersey's fiercest rivalries.

The teams have combined for nine South Jersey Group 2 titles, including the last five, and all 13 Colonial Liberty titles since 2002.

They enter this season as the teams to beat again in both the division race and sectional tournament, and as the No. 8 (Haddonfield) and No. 14 (West Deptford) squads in The Inquirer's Top 25.

One key for both teams will be the play of their new quarterbacks.

The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Diaco is a converted tight end who also excels at defensive end. He is likely to be a strong running threat for the Eagles, especially between the tackles on power plays out of the shotgun formation.

"It's a lot of responsibility," Diaco said of the move to quarterback. "I like it. I like being in a leadership role, being in control, in charge."

Diaco, who has committed to attend Colgate University on a football scholarship as a projected tight end, said his "throwing mechanics" have improved over the summer.

"I know we have to throw the ball to keep defenses honest," Diaco said. "It's going to be a big part of our offense."

The 6-foot-4, 190-pound Kadar is a converted wide receiver who also excels at defensive back. He is likely to be a strong passing threat for the Bulldogs, especially in combination with receivers such as senior Jake Walter and junior Brendan Gilmartin.

"I'm getting more and more comfortable," Kadar said. "I feel like we're improving as an offense each and every day."

West Deptford coach Clyde Folsom said Diaco's play at quarterback has been a "pleasant surprise" for the Eagles this summer and that his running ability should add a dimension to the offense.

Haddonfield coach Frank DeLano said Kadar has developed into a diligent "student of the game" as a quarterback as well as a team leader.

Both quarterbacks are likely to improve over the course of their senior season.

But both will face the challenge on opening night of being ready to make the difference for their team against the school's biggest rival.