Haddonfield at St. Joseph is a battle of unbeatens and a flashback for one coach

Haddonfield has never played St. Joseph in football.

That's not true for Haddonfield's coach, however.

During Frank DeLano's sophomore and junior seasons at Gloucester Catholic, the Rams met the Wildcats in the South Jersey Parochial B final. St. Joseph won both games, including a 29-13 triumph in 1992 that still is stuck under DeLano's skin.

"Late in the first half, we're winning, 13-7," said DeLano, a junior quarterback for the Rams that season who later played at King's College. "I'll never forget this. [Teammate] Steve Moraca is in the huddle telling me, 'Use me. I'm going to be open.'

"[Teammate] Harry Halscheid is telling me, 'Frank, whatever you do, don't throw an interception.'

"I throw a pick, their No. 1 steps in front of it, they score a long touchdown, take the lead at halftime, and win the game."

DeLano won't be trying to atone for a 27-year-old loss when Haddonfield plays St. Joseph on Saturday in a highly anticipated West Jersey Football League cross-over clash at Bill Bendig Field.

The Bulldawgs coach doesn't believe in looking back to last week, much less to the last century.

"You know us — it's Week 5," DeLano said. "We're excited about the challenge. That's a great team.

"But we don't get a trophy if we win this game. There's no fire-truck ride for winning this game. No matter the outcome, we have to try to get better and get ready to play next week."

The game matches the Nos. 1 and 3 teams in The Inquirer's Top 25. Top-ranked St. Joseph (4-0) has won 16 games in a row, the longest winning streak in South Jersey. Third-ranked Haddonfield (4-0) has won eight in a row, the second-longest streak in South Jersey.

Both teams are defending champions. St. Joseph won the Non-Public 2 state title last season, the program's eighth state crown in the last nine seasons. Haddonfield won the South Jersey Group 2 title, the program's fourth sectional championship since 2010.

"What they've done down there is amazing," DeLano said of St. Joseph. "What a program, for so many years. What, is two losses a down year for them?

"But we're proud of what our kids have done here as well. We have tremendous respect for them, but we feel like our program deserves respect as well."

Haddonfield has been led by a sturdy defense that has allowed just 14 points all season and has pitched two straight shutouts. Senior linebacker Gabe Klaus has set the pace with 24 tackles, including 10 for losses.

The Bulldawgs offense features senior quarterback Jay Foley, a run-pass threat, as well as senior running back Chris Brown, senior wide receiver John Foley, and senior all-purpose standout Davis Smith.

St. Joseph is averaging 43 points, and the Wildcats have allowed just 14 in three games vs. South Jersey opponents.

St. Joseph's strength has been its offensive line, led by seniors Wisdom Quarshie, Brad Lomax, Tucker Monico, Bobby Hyndman and Sean Morris, as well as its dynamic skill-position players such as junior Jada Byers.

Byers leads South Jersey with 17 touchdowns. He's averaging 10.3 yards per carry.

"What's so impressive about them is the measurables – size, speed, strength," DeLano said. "But the big thing is that you can tell how much they love to play football. That really stands out.

"Hopefully, when people look at us on film, they see the same thing. Our kids love to play football, too."

DeLano was laughing this week in recounting that old story about his Gloucester Catholic days and the Rams' battles with the Wildcats in the final two South Jersey Parochial B championship games. In 1993, non-public football teams began competing for state championships.

DeLano was a good player who has become a great coach. He has built Haddonfield into one of South Jersey's premier programs. The Bulldawgs are 96-22 since 2008, with six appearances in the sectional finals.

But this is a rare game for Haddonfield, the chance to measure itself against South Jersey's premier non-public power. For years in the Colonial Conference and in Group 2 competition, the Bulldawgs schedule was filled with public-school programs.

"Our kids are excited," DeLano said. "They welcome the opportunity, the challenge. They're going to go down there and give it their best shot."