West Deptford Football Forecast: Playoffs Begin

The march to a South Jersey championship begins today for the West Deptford High School football team. The No. 2 Eagles open up at home against No. 7 Pemberton, riding high on a five game winning streak, while Pemberton has lost its last two and four of six.

Below, is a look at some of the key players and situations to keep an eye on in tonight’s playoff action.

NO. 7 PEMBERTON AT NO. 2 WEST DEPTFORD, Tonight, 7 p.m.

Pemberton (4-4)

Last game: Lost to Hightstown, 35-0.

Key Player: Running back Sean Washington: Explosive is the proper word to describe Washington, who has run for an average of over seven yards per carry this season. In seven games, Washington ran for 741 yards and 11 touchdowns. His biggest effort of the season came two weeks ago, when he rushed for 153 yards and two touchdowns on 18 carries against Burlington Township.

Three keys to the game:

–Get the ball to receiver Nate Brown. The Hornets' passing game goes through Brown, who has 28 catches for 435 yards and two touchdowns this season. Quarterback Marlon Kelsey will need to get Brown involved to keep the West Deptford defense honest.

–Force turnovers. The Eagles' only loss this season came when Haddonfield forced a pair of fumbles and turned them into points. Pemberton has the ability to take the ball away, demonstrated by their eight interceptions and five fumble recoveries this year. To stand a chance, the Hornets will need to win the turnover battle to give their offense an extra possession or two.

–Score early. The West Deptford defense is a freight train going at top speed right now. The Eagles have not allowed a point in 19 quarters and are looking to make it 23. Pemberton needs to get an early score to knock down the defensive unit's confidence a bit. When West Deptford plays with a lead, it is nearly impossible to catch up.

WEST DEPTFORD (7-1)

Last game: Defeated Overbrook, 65-0.

Key Player: Lineman Jamil Pollard: Because Pemberton hasn’t played West Deptford over the last four years, the team has not had a live look at Pollard. Once they do, a few eyebrows may be raised. At 6-4, 270, Pollard is a physical specimen who can control both sides of the line of scrimmage. Look for Pollard to power his way through the Pemberton offensive line and make a few plays in the backfield. On the offensive side, he should cause Pemberton defensive ends fits all night.

Three keys to the game:

–Be ready for a challenge. The Eagles have not played a close game since they were scoreless at halftime against Woodbury over a month ago, and even that contest ended 28-0. West Deptford is once again heavily favored, but must be ready to take it to another level, as the playoffs are sure to bring out the best in Pemberton.

–Run downhill. In Gerald Towns and Josh Cornelius, the Eagles possess two powerful backs who have the ability to get consistent gains up the middle and wear down an opposing defense. If these two backs find big yardage early, Pemberton could be in big trouble, since it does not have the offense to get into a shootout. The Hornets average just 15 points a game.

–Hannan on the move. The last few weeks quarterback Jake Hannan has showcased his mobility, scrambling in broken-down plays as well as designed runs. The senior quarterback is hungry for a South Jersey title, and has the ability to beat the Pemberton defense with his arms and legs.

Predictions:

Sports editor Eric Schwartz: no disrespect to the Eagles' defense–West Deptford 42, Pemberton 6.

Editor Bryan Littel: Towns will have three TDs by halftime–West Deptford 40, Pemberton 0.