DELSEA WINS OVER CAMDEN – HS Football
Delsea Crusaders vs Camden Panthers 18-14
By Angelo Teti
On Friday September 27th the Delsea Crusaders beat the Camden Panthers 18-14 at Farnham Park in Camden. Delsea going into this game 0-2 and Camden 3-0 was not going to be easy. Camden started on offense and was picked off by cornerback Louis Nacke, Delsea offense started slow and ended up punting and pinned Camden inside their own 15 yard line. Delsea forced a 3 and out and then blocked Camden’s punt for a Touchdown. Delsea linebacker Ronald Singletary blocked the punt and Corner Tyvon Dawkins picked it up and scored. It was Dawkins 2nd defensive touchdown on the year, Delsea went up 7-0 after the extra point by Pierce Lightfoot. The next drive Camden came right back and scored from 10 yards out, the 2 point conversion was good as Camden took the lead 8-7 to end the first quarter.
Delsea got the ball after the touchdown by Camden and went right down the field. 1st and goal from Camden’s 10 yard line and Running Back, Shaikyi Hannah took the toss from Quarterback Lomax and dove into the endzone to put Delsea up. Delsea went for the 2 point conversion and converted after Lomax floated a jump ball to Cornerback Khyion Willis and came down with it to put Delsea up 15-8 with 8 minutes to go in the half. Delsea kicked off and Camden went 3 and out and punted. Delsea punted back but a few plays before Quarterback Damir Lomax was injured. Delsea brought in Junior Quarterback Luca Gebhard with 5 minutes to go in the half. Gebhard lead the offense down the field and got inside the redzone. Delsea couldn’t punch it in the endzone, but still settled for a field goal to put them up 18-8, it was now a 2 possession game. Delsea kicked off with 3 minutes to go in the half and Cornerback Trey Simmons stripped Camden on the kickoff. Delsea recovered and had the ball looking to extend their lead before halftime. Delsea got inside Camden’s 10 yard line but threw an interception at the goal line and Camden took over at their own 3 yard line. It was a huge momentum shift right before half, Delsea could’ve had a 3 possession lead heading into halftime but Camden stood tall. Camden had a huge play on offense and went from their own 3 yard line to Delsea’s 20 yard line in seconds. Delsea’s defense just like Camden a few plays before stood tall and held Camden out of the endzone as time ran out in the half. Delsea lead Camden 18-8 at halftime and also received the 2nd half kickoff.
Delsea had a 10 minute drive to start the 2nd half, but struggled to score. Delsea punted and Camden went right down the field and punched in a touchdown with 2 minutes to go in the quarter. The 2 point conversion was no good and Delsea still lead 18-14. More field position battles ensued and neither defense gave in.
Delsea once again chewed a lot of time off the clock to start the 4th quarter, but could not score. Delsea turned the ball over on downs and Camden took over at Delsea’s 45 yard line with 6 minutes left in the game. Camden got inside Delsea’s 25 yard line and was knocking on the door to take the lead on Delsea. Camden ran a short post route that looked open but Cornerback, Khyion Willis jumped the route and picked off Camden to shut down their drive. This play ultimately sealed the game and will be remembered all season. Delsea iced the game with a couple nice runs and a premier performance by Quarterback Luca Gebhard.. Delsea a huge underdog in this game stunned 3-0 Camden at home to keep their playoff hopes alive once again. Delsea now with a record of 1-2 will play at Burlington Twp. Friday October 4th @7PM.