Camden Catholic scores big win over Camden, 21-16

The game ended with Jamal Parker running the wrong way.

But this was a night when Camden Catholic took a huge step in the right direction.

Parker ran out the clock and took an intentional safety on the game's final play as Camden Catholic stunned Camden, 21-16, in a West Jersey Football League Royal Division clash of top 10 teams on a wet and warm Friday night.

Parker, an all-purpose senior, and junior two-way back Nazir Streater led the way for Camden Catholic (5-0, 3-0 WJFL Royal Division), the No. 9 team in the Inquirer Top 25.

Streater carried 19 times for 195 yards and a touchdown and also returned an interception for a touchdown.

For good measure, Streater also recovered Camden's onside kick with less than a minute to play.

"It's an incredible step," Streater said. "We're on the path to going undefeated this year."

Parker's 32-yard punt return set up the go-ahead touchdown, an 8-yard run by Camden Catholic senior quarterback Tyree Rodgers with a little less than four minutes to play.

Camden Catholic added an insurance touchdown moments later, when Streater returned an interception 43 yards for a score. Rodgers' two-point conversion pass to Nick Reyes made it 21-8.

"I saw a big lineman, and Anthony Richardson got a great block," Streater said of his interception return.

Senior Brad Hawkins, a Michigan recruit, scored two touchdowns for No. 4 Camden (3-2, 2-1).

Hawkins scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak in the first half and added a 3-yard touchdown catch with 1 minute, 1 second to play in the game.

Camden took a 2-0 lead early in the game when Jamal Holloway, a Syracuse recruit, tackled Rodgers for a safety.

Streater cut Camden's lead to 8-7 with a 66-yard touchdown run in the second quarter.

"I had open field, and I saw Brad [Hawkins] out of the corner of my eye," Streater said. "I heard somebody breathing and said, 'Uh-oh, I better keep going.' "

The start of the game was delayed 45 minutes by strong thunderstorms. And there was some confusion when the scoreboard clock stopped working in the fourth quarter.

But the Irish made the big plays to seize the high ground in the division and strengthen their position in both the battle for a Non-Public 3 playoff berth and the top 25 rankings.

Streater said the rivalry with Camden was "incredible."

"They're such a good team," Streater said of the Panthers.

Asked what that says about Camden Catholic, Streater replied: "We're great."

Camden 8 0 0 8 - 16

Camden Catholic 0 7 0 14 - 21

C: Safety

C: Hawkins 1 run (pass fail)

CC: Streater 66 run (Brian Cooey kick)

CC: Tyree Rodgers 8 run (Nick Reyes pass from Rodgers)

CC: Streater 43 interception return (kick fail)

C: Safety

panastasia@phillynews.com

@PhilAnastasia

www.philly.com/jerseysidesports