West Deptford Football Team Falls In South Jersey Final

WEST DEPTFORD, NJ — The West Deptford High School football team took an early lead, but history was not to be on the Eagles’ side in their quest for a sectional title Friday night.

Third-seeded Hillside rallied to defeat top-seeded West Deptford, 14-10, to win the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 2 championship, according to Gridiron New Jersey. Hillside will face the winner of this weekend’s Central Jersey Group 2 championship game between Cedar Creek and Camden for the South/Central Group 2 title.

Kameron Dixon gave West Deptford the early lead on a 10-yard touchdown run, according to nj.com. Brandon Ratcliffe’s 34-yard field goal in the third quarter gave the Eagles a 10-0 lead.
Hillside cut the lead on an 18-yard TD pass from Nahree Biggins to James Westry early in the fourth quarter. Gavin Melendez threw the game-winning touchdown pass, a 20-yarder, to Westry three minutes, 59 seconds left in the game to give Hillside the come-from-behind win and a South Jersey title.

West Deptford finished the season with a record of 9-2, according to nj.com. The Eagles entered the playoffs as the No. 1 seed, and opened with a 49-0 rout of eighth-seeded Sterling in the quarterfinals. Tyshawn Bookman ran for three touchdowns and a two-point conversion in the win.
In the semifinals, West Deptford defeated No. 5 Delran, 56-17. Bookman rushed for three touchdowns offensively and returned an interception 32 yards for a defensive score in the win.