WDHS Football Forecast: Defense Goes For Third-Straight Shutout

The football team eyes its third-consecutive shutout tonight when it travels to take on the . This game sets up favorably for the Eagles’ defense, as the Panthers have struggled to put points on the board all season.

This game is setting up to be the first brisk one of the year, too, with temperatures forecast to dip into the 40s after kickoff.

Below is a look at some of the key players and situations to keep an eye on.

WEST DEPTFORD AT COLLINGSWOOD, Friday, 7 p.m.

West Deptford (5-1)

Last game: Defeated Haddon Township, 49-0.

Last game against Collingswood: Won, 22-15. Vaughn Scott ran for a 25-yard touchdown to give the Eagles a comeback win. Earlier in the game, Jake Hannan connected with Tom Jakubowski on an 18-yard touchdown.

Key Player: Defensive lineman Scott Dennis. Listed at just 5-7, 170 pounds, Dennis doesn't fit the lineman prototype, but he plays with the power of someone twice his size. Look for Dennis to use his high-motor style to cause havoc in the Collingswood backfield and come away with several tackles behind the line of scrimmage.

Three keys to the game:

–Keep feeding Towns. Collingswood has struggled to stop the run at times this season, and one can’t like its chances of slowing down a power-back like Gerald Towns. While it may be hard for Towns to duplicate his four touchdowns from last week, expect a heavy dose of No. 3 running at, through and over the Panthers.

–Limit the penalties. About the only flaw in West Deptford’s romp of Haddon Township was a season-high four penalties. The Eagles have been great in the penalty department this season, averaging about two a game. It should be noted that two of the penalties came in the second half with much of the JV on the field, but coach Clyde Folsom will certainly be looking for a more disciplined effort this week.

–Dial up the pressure. Collingswood has struggled mightily on offense this season, scoring just 4.5 points per game. If the Eagles send the type of pressure it did last week–pressure that resulted in six sacks against the Hawks–the Panthers stand little chance of being able to move the football and a third-straight shutout could be the result.

Collingswood (2-4)

Last game: Lost to Woodbury, 14-6.

Last game against West Deptford: Lost 22-15. The Panthers led 15-14 in the second half, but were unable to get anything going offensively once the Eagles took the lead.

Key player: Quarterback Henry Paul. The Eagles are going to score points in this one, and the only way the Panthers will be able to stay in the game is to get a big effort from Paul. His best game to date was two weeks ago, when he threw a pair of touchdowns in a 14-12 loss to Overbrook.

Three keys to the game:

–Find ways to get the ball to Brandon Babilonia. Both of Paul’s touchdowns against Overbrook were hauled in by Babilonia–one for 39 yards and another for 47. The Panthers will need big plays, and the best way to do that is get the ball in his hands, whether it be on deep passes or screens and reverses.

–Play inspired defense. As much as the Collingswood offense has struggled, the defense has still been able to keep the team in games. The Panthers have given up more than 25 points just once this season (a 44-0 loss to Haddonfield) and have allowed just 9.7 points per game in its last three. It will take a big defense effort–perhaps fueled by a homecoming crowd–to keep this game close.

–Win the turnover battle. If there is one thing that has stopped the West Deptford offense this season, it has been turnovers. The Panthers must be opportunistic and cause a few fumbles to set up extra possessions for its offense. Likewise, they must protect the ball on offense.