Clearview riding wave of 2-0 start in football
Clearview's football team is 2-0 for the first time since 2007. Coach Mark Deal doesn't want his players to look at things that way.
Clearview's football team is 2-0 for the first time since 2007.
Coach Mark Deal doesn't want his players to look at things that way.
"We always talk about going 1-0 each week," Deal said. "Just focus on each game each week and try to win that game."
The Pioneers have gone 1-0 in each of the first two weeks of the season. The last victory was by 49-24 over Bridgeton on Friday night, as senior quarterback/defensive back Jarrett Baker fashioned the best game of his career.
Baker carried the football 11 times for 130 yards and three touchdowns. He ran for a two-point conversion. He was 8 for 9 passing for 102 yards and another touchdown.
And he played his typically strong game at defensive back, according to Deal.
"He's really starting to come into his own," Deal said. "Last year was his first year as a starter, and with the things we do on offense, that can be tough. He's so much more experienced now."
Clearview also got a big game from all-purpose back Gyair Sharper, who carried nine times for 89 yards, caught two passes for 29 yards and lifted an interception.
"Gyair was Gyair," Deal said of his standout senior, who has a scholarship offer from Central Connecticut State.
Clearview has gone 4-6, 4-6, 4-6 and 5-5 in the last four seasons. The Pioneers are angling for their first winning season since they were 6-4 in 2008.
Clearview faces a big challenge Friday against Timber Creek, the No. 2 team in The Inquirer Top 25.
"The kids are excited," Deal said. "We're fairly healthy. We know what kind of challenge we face with Timber Creek. But our kids are excited about the opportunity."
Gambling man. Deptford coach Chris Crowley was leaning toward having his team try to kick the extra point in overtime to tie the score in the Spartans' spirited clash with natural rival Gateway on Friday night.
Then Gateway called timeout.
"I'm looking at the kids in the huddle, I'm looking in their eyes and I'm like, 'Let's go for it,' " Crowley said.
Crowley said the Spartans sent running back Darius Dowd behind linemen Cliff Pierce and Reggie Allen in search of the two-point conversion and the walk-off win.
Dowd crossed the line and Deptford emerged with a 29-28 victory and a 2-0 record.
"Euphoria," Crowley said of the reaction on the Deptford sideline and stands.
The new crossover game in the expanded West Jersey Football League drew a large crowd and featured a lot of familiarity on both sides.
"A lot of our kids played [youth football] in Westville with a lot of their kids," Crowley said. "It was a great event."
Comeback kids. Burlington Township fell behind Paul VI, 14-0, early in the third quarter, but the Falcons rallied for a 21-14 victory on Friday night.
Coach Tom Maderia said the key to the comeback was senior defensive back Nasier Brister, who lifted three interceptions.
Two of Brister's picks led directly to Burlington Township touchdowns.
"I think he got tackled inside the 5 twice," Maderia said. "I wouldn't throw it his way. He's one of these kids who doesn't just play football, he makes plays."
Maderia had high praise for Paul VI under first-year coach Phil Brunozzi.
"They were a very physical football team," Maderia said. "Defensively, I thought they were very, very impressive."
Great start. Clayton coach Marvin Tucker knew some people outside the program figured the Clippers might return to earth this season after making the South Jersey Group 1 title game for the first time in history in 2015.
But Clayton is 2-0, having beaten Gloucester and Florence by a combined score of 61-3.
"I was hearing this the whole off season from coworkers and other people in the community, and even down at the Dunkin' Donuts in town - 'You lost Eli [Elijah Rehm], you lost Tyreek [Jackson], what are you guys going to do?' " Clayton coach Marvin Tucker said. "I would just say, 'Yes, I know, but I think we will be OK.'
"This senior class was ready to take over. . . . I am very proud of the way they started this year, the way they believe in their coaches and themselves."
Tucker said the Clippers have gotten good work from senior quarterback Damir Washington as well as senior wide receiver/defensive back Michael Gibson, among many others.
"Last year he was in the shadows of Eli, but has always shown his capability when given the opportunity," Tucker said of Gibson.
Captains' Day. The Brooks-Irvine Football Club will hold its first meeting of the season on Monday at noon at the Crowne Plaza in Cherry Hill and will honor several captains of South Jersey teams.
The athletes to be honored are Dave Grosmick of Washington Township; Jax Luzinski of Shawnee; Jake Barr of Haddon Heights; J.J. Scarpello of Seneca; Tyler Romano of Camden Catholic; Neil McGee of Gloucester Catholic; Dylan Daisey of Williamstown; and Julian Singh of Lenape.
Record breaker. Salem running back Jon Taylor set a school record with 335 rushing yards in Saturday's 35-6 victory over Burlington City.
According to South Jersey sports historian Chuck Langerman, the previous record of 329 was held by former Salem star and current Millville coach Dennis Thomas.
Fitting site. Great note here from Langerman: Cherry Hill West is seeking its first 3-0 start since 1967, when the Lions went 9-0 under coach Vince McAneney.
McAneney later created one of South Jersey's most fabled programs at Pennsauken.
On Saturday, Cherry Hill West will try to get to 3-0 by beating Pennsauken on Vince McAneney Field.
This and that. Pennsauken (2-0) has scored 42 points in each of its first two games and senior Martin Booker Jr. has a total of five touchdowns. . . . Haddonfield (2-0) is averaging 38 points and senior quarterback Brendan Gilmartin has run for four touchdowns.
Sophomore Rashad Raymond has four touchdowns for Cinnaminson (2-0), which is averaging 40.5 points. . . . Pennsville (2-0) has won nine in a row since a loss to Salem on Oct. 10, 2015. . . . Haddon Heights is 2-0 for the first time since 2012 and junior quarterback Matt DiOrio has run for two touchdowns and passed for four.
Hammonton (1-0) senior quarterback Malachi Winters missed Friday's 15-10 loss to Rancocas Valley with a shoulder injury. His status is uncertain for Friday's clash with Williamstown.
@PhilAnastasia