South Jersey Group 2 football final at a glance
Cedar Creek (10-1) vs. West Deptford (11-0) Sunday, 11 a.m., at Rowan Cedar Creek: This is the Pirates' third appearance in the sectional finals. They have won one South Jersey title, in Group 2 (2015).
Sunday, 11 a.m., at Rowan
Cedar Creek: This is the Pirates' third appearance in the sectional finals. They have won one South Jersey title, in Group 2 (2015).
West Deptford: This is the Eagles' 12th appearance in the sectional finals. They have won six South Jersey titles, all in Group 2 (2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2011, 2012).
Coaches: Cedar Creek's Tim Watson is 49-15 in his sixth season. West Deptford's Clyde Folsom is 250-71-5 overall in his 31th season. He is 216-60-2 in his 26th season at West Deptford.
Cedar Creek key players: Senior all-purpose Bo Melton, a Rutgers recruit, has 41 receptions for 629 yards and eight touchdowns and 76 carries for 424 yards and seven touchdowns. Senior quarterback Jesse Milza is 137-for-250 passing for 2,177 yards and 19 touchdowns. Senior running back Isaiah Watson has 390 rushing yards on 77 carries and 415 receiving yards on 18 catches. Senior two-way lineman Owen Bowles, a Rutgers recruit, leads the Pirates front lines.
West Deptford key players: Senior running back Anthony Seas has 1,741 yards on 169 carries with 24 touchdowns. Senior fullback Gio Gismondi has 1,181 yards on 147 carries with 16 touchdowns. Sophomore running back Kenny Lim has 986 yards on 94 carries with 11 touchdowns. Senior defensive lineman Nick Novak has 76 tackles with eight sacks.
Key matchup: Cedar Creek's ability to spread the field and get its athletes in space with crossing patterns and swing passes was the key to the Pirates' second-half rally to a one-point victory over the Eagles in last year's title game. That battle looms large again.
Fast fact: This is third time in the last five seasons these teams will meet in the sectional final. West Deptford won 42-28 in 2012, and Cedar Creek won 28-27 in 2015.
Pick: West Deptford, 28-24.