Camden's Najyere Edwards has winning reunion with old pals at Pennsauken

It was a homecoming in more ways than one for Najyere Edwards.

The senior from Camden planned to end his Saturday in the gymnasium at Pennsauken, visiting his old school and attending the Indians' homecoming dance.

But the 5-foot-9, 170-pound running back put a damper on the festivities in the afternoon, running for 184 yards and two touchdowns to lead Camden to a 40-7 victory over Pennsauken in a West Jersey Football League cross-over clash.

"I was pretty hyped all week," Edwards said. "I grew up with so many of these guys."

After the game, Edwards posoed for pictures at midfield with many of the Pennsauken players, including senior wide receiver Braheem Whitfield.

"He's been my best friend since we were like three," Edwards said. "There was a lot of talking all week. The whole team texted. I didn't respond. I just said, 'I'll do my talking on the field.' "

Edwards and senior quarterback Premier Wilson, who ran for 71 yards on 10 carries, sparked the offense for Camden (5-1), the No. 21 team in the Inquirer Top 25.

Camden has won four in a row heading into Friday night's showdown against No. 5 Rancocas Valley in Farnham Park.

"If we win, I can talk to people" in Mount Holly, said Camden coach Dwayne Savage, a Rancocas Valley graduate.

Camden's defense, which has allowed just seven points in the last three games, was led by end Eli Sloan-El, who registered four sacks, including one for a safety in the second quarter.

"Energy," Sloan-El said of the key to the Panthers' victory. "We just play hard every play."

Junior Nahzir Russell ran 52 yards for a touchdown on the first possession of the game for Pennsauken (2-4).

"We couldn't stop the [Edwards] and [Wilson]," Pennsauken coach Clint Tabb said. "They were slippery, real slippery. Give Camden credit."

Sloan-El, along with junior tackle Tidiane Bamba, sophomore linebacker Emmett Prather and senior cornerback Damon Rice led Camden's defense.

"We couldn't block him," Tabb said of Sloan-El.

The game held extra significance for Edwards, who grew up in Pennsauken, played on a championship 120-pound youth football team in town as a 14-year-old and attended Pennsauken High as a freshman.

"A lot of those guys were on that team with me," Edwards said of the Pennsauken players.

Last season, Pennsauken beat Camden at Farnham Park, and Edwards played just two snaps before he sustained an ankle injury that effectively ended his season.

He was healthy at the end of Saturday's game and looking to joining current and former teammates on the dance floor later that night.

"We're all going to their homecoming tonight," Edwards said. "There's no hard feelings. We're all close."

Camden            12  8  12   8  —  40

Pennsauken       7   0   0   0   — 7

C: Ramer Nock 71 kickoff return (run fail)

P: Nahzir Russell 52 run (Alex Fravel kick)

C: Ahmere Mitchell 1 run (pass fail)

C: Najyere Edwards 10 run (pass fail)

C: Safety

C: Edwards 10 run (pass fail)

C: JuJuan Hudson 8 run (pass fail)

C: Safety

C: Imir Catoe 4 run (run fail)