Williamstown makes playoff breakthrough
Williamstown's football team ended its playoff hex in a big way. Heading into last night's game with an all-time post-season record of 0-6, the fourth-seeded Braves earned their first playoff win with a 21-13 victory over fifth-seeded Toms River North in a South Jersey Group 4 quarterfinal.
Ranked No. 1 in South Jersey by The Inquirer, Williamstown (9-0) will visit top-seeded Cherokee in next weekend's semifinal.
"It takes a lot of pressure off to win a playoff game but we have to keep building and can't stop here," said Williamstown's Ron Gordon, who scored on a 15-yard run and had a key interception late in the first half to thwart a drive.
Toms River North (7-2) took a 13-7 lead when Drew Kollman returned the second half kickoff 95 yards for a TD.
But the Braves didn't get rattled by the kickoff return and Williamstown's running game got some momentum.
The Braves took a 14-13 lead on Marcus Hampton's 9-yard run and Derek Utz's conversion kick with 2:21 left in the third quarter.
Hampton, who rushed for 86 yards on 20 carries, then gave the Braves some breathing room with a 3-yard touchdown run with 2:12 left in the game.
Toms River North 0 7 6 0 - 13
Williamstown 0 7 7 7 - 21
W: Ron Gordon 15 run (Derek Utz kick)
T: Drew Kollman 1 run (Michael Borrelli kick)
T: Kollman 95 kickoff return (kick failed)
W: Marcus Hampton 9 run (Utz kick)
W: Hampton 3 run (Utz kick)
Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225 or mnarducci@phillynews.com
