The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 83

Ifb fiilabdpfxia Jnqimtr MONDAY December 4, 1989 11-C SOUTH JERSEY SPORTS For tiny Woodbury High, years of dominance Football notebook i Woodbury's Quincy Harmon roars past Sean Rone of Paulsboro. naminson's David Riley both played three years with the Philadelphia-Baltimore Stars of the USFL. Wilson played briefly with the New England Patriots, then played five years for the Toronto Argonauts of the CFL. Aveni, by the way, once was a placekicker for the Chicago Bears. Washington Township's loss to Brick Township ended Tom Brown's chance to become the only local coach to win two titles at each of two different schools.

Brown, of course, remains the only coach to have won titles at different localschools. He won four Group 1 titles at Paulsboro and won in Group 4 with Washington Township in 1987. Brick Township coach Warren Wolf now has 239 career victories, the most of any active coach in the state. Brown is one of six coaches who have qualified for the playoffs at two different schools. Rosetti led both Wilson and Hammonton to postseason action.

Jim Gallagher has led St. Joseph and Sterling to the playoffs. Bruce Lazaruk led both Hammonton and Rancocas Valley to the playoffs. Jim Ranniello took both Maple Shade and Williamstown to playoff action. Chuck Donohue, however, heads the list.

He has led three different schools St. Joseph, Haddon Heights and Buena to playoff action. Teams and leagues In the 16 years since the inception of playoffs, 62 South Jersey schools have qualified at least once. Highland joined the crowd this fall as the only first-time qualifier. The following 14 are the only local schools that never have qualified: Lenape, Shawnee, West Deptford, Cherry Hill West, Edgewood, Triton, Cinnaminson, Clayton, Schalick, Cumberland, Atlantic City, Egg Harbor Township, Middle Township and Wildwood.

Kennedy, a superpower in the 1960s, closed last spring without ever having played a football playoff game. St. Augustine began varsity play a short schedule this fall and will enter the Cape-Atlantic League as a full-fledged team next year. There are two entire divisions In which every current member has qualified for the playoffs at least once: the Burlco-Freedom and the Tri-Co Royal. Woodbury's Group 1 championship was the 11th title won by a Colonial Conference team in 16 years of play-i offs.

Audubon has won one, Wood-; bury has won two, Sterling has won three and Paulsboro has won five. Playoff ponderings A proposal to create a new state football playoff system is on the agenda for today's NJSIAA membership meeting. The playoff would choose state playoff qualifiers strictly by power ratings, taking the top-ranked team in each group to represent its section. This year, the teams with the highest power rating per group were: Woodbury, in Group Delsea, in Group Lacey Township, in Group Toms River East, in Group Notre Dame, in Parochial and Bishop Eustace, in Parochial B. Woodbury and Notre Dame are the only top-ranked teams to have won championships, although Lacey will play in the Group 3 finals Saturday.

Toms River East lost in a semifinal. Delsea and Bishop Eustace lost in finals. By Don McKee Inquirer stall Writer Summing up the 12th week of the football season, and taking a look ahead: Since the NJSIAA adopted the current playoff format in 1975, only two South Jersey teams have ever gone 11-0 in consecutive years. The first was the great Cherokee ensemble of 1981-82, which swept to the Group 3 title both years and, eventually, extended its winning streak to 30 games one short of Millville's local record. The second name went on that short list Saturday when Woodbury defeated Paulsboro, 27-20, to win its second consecutive Group 1 championship and complete its second straight 11-0 season.

The Thundering Herd has become so dominant that it has ushered in a mini-Woodbury era. The tiny school in Gloucester County has lost- only once in the last three years, to Paulsboro in the 1987 playoffs. In that time, Woodbury's record is 31-1, and the Herd's victory in the final game of 1986 gives Woodbury 32 triumphs in its last 33 games. The Herd has won its last 28 straight conference games and three straight Colonial Conference titles. All of this has come under the coaching of Larry Ginsburg, who is 7048-5 in his 13 years at Woodbury.

Before that, he went 72-28-2 in Dover, and has a career record of 142-76-7. The only eras of the last two decades that approximate Woodbury's current domination are those of Cherokee in the early '80s and Sterling in the mid-70s. Cherokee went 8-1-1 in 1980, 11-0 in 1981 and again in 1982, and 9-1 in 1983, 8-2 in 1984, 11-0 in 198S and 6-1-2 in 1986. During the era, under coach Jim Horner, Cherokee suffered only five losses in seven years, and had three playoff championships. Sterling won three playoff titles in four years, starting with a 10-0 record in 1974.

The Silver Knights were 9-1 the next year, losing to Moores-town in the Group 3 final, and then went 9-1-1 in 1976 and again won in Group 3. In 1977, the Knights capped off the Jim Combs era by going 11-0 and winning the Group 3 title. Moorestown was unbeaten in the Colonial Conference in three of those four years, losing to Audubon and tying Paulsboro in 1976. But Woodbury has managed to do slightly better in the league the last three years, and better than anyone the last two. History beckons Woodrow Wilson is highlighting a great era of its own with a chance to make South Jersey history.

The Tigers can become the first team in local history to win 12 games in one season when they meet Lacey Township (10-0) in Saturday's Group 3 championship. The extra game was made possible by a quirk in the power ratings of the Group 3 schools. The playoff field usually consists of the top four schools in each group's power rating. But the NJSIAA requires a playoff spot for any team that reaches the cutoff date with a perfect 8-0 record. This year Mainland was 8-0 but, because of its membership in the small-school National Division of the Cape-Atlantic League, was ranked' only sixth in the power ratings.

That caused the playoffs to be expanded to six teams, and made it necessary for Wilson to play the extra game. But the current season is just the crowning point of an amazing era at the East Camden school. Consider: That Wilson has qualified for the playoffs in five of the last six years, and has done so despite having had four coaches in that time Joe Famille, Butch Gale, Greg Singleton and Darrell Wilson. That the school's worst record in that stretch was the 64 mark by last year's Group 3 finalist. The 1985 team, which missed the playoffs, went 6-2-1.

That the Tigers' overall record in that six-season span is 42-16-2. In addition, Wilson has had nine consecutive winning seasons. The Tigers went 7-2, 54 and 54 from 1981 through 1983 under Famille, without making the playoffs in any of those seasons. (Famille went to Glassboro State College as an assistant coach after the 6-3-1 playoff year of 1984.) The school's last losing season was in 1980, when it went 3-6 under Famille. Phiyof history Paulsboro has played in a record 18 postseason games, and has won 12 of them, another record.

The Red Raiders have qualified 11 times, a record they share with St. Joseph and Notre Dame, and have won five titles, a record they share with Delsea, Bishop Eustace and Brick Township. The Raiders' playoff record is 12-6. Brick Township has qualified nine times and has won five championships, including three straight from 1981 to 1983. Brick's overall record in the playoffs is 124.

Notre Dame has qualified 11 times and has won only two titles, including Saturday's 9-6 victory over Bishop Ahr. St. Joseph has qualified 11 times, including the last seven years. The Wildcats have won three titles on the field, in 1983, 1985 and 1989, and were awarded the title outright in 1977 when they were the only qualifier. They have a playoff record of 5-7.

Delsea has qualified 10 times and has won a record five titles. The Crusaders' overall playoff record is 11-5, but Saturday's 28-8 loss to Del-ran was Delsea's first in a championship game. Bishop Eustace has qualified seven times and has won a record five titles, despite Saturday's 19-0 loss to St. Joseph. The school won three straight titles from 1986 to 1988, and is the only school from the seven-county South Jersey area to have accomplished that feat.

The Crusaders have a playoff record of 7-2. Delran has qualified only twice but has won titles both times, in 1987 and 1989, and has a 4-0 postseason record. The Bears are the only team with a perfect record among those who have qualified more than once. (Gloucester Catholic is 2-0 and Paul VI is 1-0, but each team has qualified only once). Coaches John Oberg, the only coach Delsea Regional has ever had, ended the 1989 season with 209 victories in South Jersey coaching, plus the nine he had in Delmar, in 1958.

Delsea finished the season at 10-1, the fourth time Oberg's teams have won 10 games in a season. No other South Jersey coach ever has had four teams win 10 games. (Cherokee's Jim Horner had three teams go 11-0, and Pennsauken's Vince McAneney has had two go 11-0 and a third go 10-1.) McAneney ended the 1989 season with 167 victories in South Jersey coaching (in 20 years at Pennsauken and four at Cherry Hill), plus 52 at Philadelphia's West Catholic, for a Delaware Valley career total of 219. Howard "Skeets" Irvine, the long- Top 10 RECORD Special to The Inquirer CLIFF MAUTNER Herd has won another group title. ardy from Oberg and McAneney, should the veterans decide to return for another year or two.

Marion's record may also be in danger, because Mike Pettine ended the season with 205 victories at St. Pius of Pottstown and Central Bucks West. Interestingly, Pettine, Oberg and McAneney all are from Southeastern Pennsylvania. Pettine played for Conshohocken High, which now is a part of the Plymouth-Whitemarsh District. Oberg played for Marcus Hook, which now is part of the Chichester District.

McAneney played for La Salle Prep, which then was adjacent to La Salle College in Philadelphia but now is in suburban Springfield, Montgomery County. Irvine, by the way, was from New Hampshire. Ocean City's loss to Woodrow Wilson Saturday ended Wayne Colman's bid to become the third rookie head coach to win a playoff title. John Aveni took Glassboro to the Group 1 championship in 1975, and Lee Chappine coached Hammonton to the Group 2 title in 1985. Colman, a former Eagles lineman, had joined a group of 10 whose teams qualified for the playoffs while they were a rookie head coach.

The 10 are: Sam Rosetti, Woodrow Wilson, 1974; Aveni; Ty Belford, Willingboro, 1983; Chappine; Tony Galante, Ocean City, 1985; Bob Cleary, Glassboro, 1986; Denny DiDonato, Oakrest, 1986; Glenn Howard, Paulsboro, 1987; Darrell Wilson, Woodrow Wilson, 1988, and Colman. Colman and Wilson are among five former professional football players coaching in the area. Cherry Hill East's Bo Wood played two years with the Atlanta Falcons and two with the New Orleans Saints. Paulsboro's Glenn Howard and Cin- South wins in Paula Settanni of Haddonfield High and Jen Blizzard of Ocean City scored goals yesterday to give the South a 2-0 victory over the North in the South Jersey field hockey all-star game at Glassboro State College. The contest, which featured 60 senior players from South Jersey counties, was divided into three 30-min-ute periods.

Settanni and Blizzard scored in the last 20 minutes of the game. Settanni scored off a crossing pass, and Blizzard got her goal when she rushed the net and put her stick on the rebound of a shot by a teammate, SCOREBOARD rum i mrrftfy PfciliafciiMiwi-MWii4 kmrU Special to The Inquuet MARK STEIN Coach Paul Sacco of St. Joseph being carried off the field after Saturday's 19-0 win over Bishop Eustace. time Collingswood coach, finished Delaware Valley history, his career in 1948 with 223 victories, The Southeastern Pennsylvania and that record has stood for more record is 221, by Phil Marion, the than four decades as the highest ca- longtime coach of Ridley High, reer total of any scholastic coach in Clearly, those records are in jeop- Thanks to rally, Wilson is still No. 1 completed 13 of 20 passes for 182 yards, while Jamie Moore and Marvin Bussie led the defense.

3. WOODBURY 11-0 The Thundering Herd completed its second consecutive 1 1-0 season by defeating Paulsboro, 27-20, to win its second straight Group 1 championship. George Washington and Eddie Walker scored in the fourth quarter to lead a Woodbury rally. Woodbury now has won 23 straight over three years and has won 28 straight Colonial Conference games and the last three league championships. Woodbury has won 32 of its last 33 games, with its only loss coming in a playoff game against Paulsboro in 1987.

4. CHEROKEE A pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns enabled Woodrow Wilson to defeat Ocean City, 20-16, in a Group 3 semifinal Saturday and to retain The Inquirer's No. 1 ranking for the 13th consecutive week. Wilson (11-0) will travel to Lacey Township (10-0) on Saturday for the Group 3 championship in the final game on the South Jersey football calendar. A win would give Wilson the area record for victories in a season and would nail down the No.

1 ranking. The Tigers have been No. 1 in every Inquirer ranking this season, from the preseason Top 10 until this morning. The top three teams in last week's ranking Wilson, Delran and Woodbury all won playoff victories Saturday, and their ranking remained unchanged. But teams ranked fourth through seventh lost, causing the rankings to shuffle.

Delsea fell from fourth to fifth after losing to Delran, 28-8, in the Group 2 championship. Ocean City remained No. 6 after its close struggle with Wilson. Washington Township remained No. 7 after a 13-12 loss to Brick Township in the Group 4 championship.

Mainland fell from fifth to eighth after a 25-16 loss at Lacey Township. The biggest movement in the ranking was Cherokee's upward move from No. 8 to No. 4. The Chiefs were No.

2 three weeks ago, prior to a loss to Washington Township in the Group 4 semifinal. Since then, they have defeated Pemberton to end their schedule. Cherokee's only other loss was to Pennsbury of Fairless Hills, Pa. Millville remained No. 9 and Collingswood remained No.

10, as neither was involved in the South Jersey playoffs and both have completed their season. field hockey Tiffany Bybel of Millville. The game was played in a stiff wind and with a wind-chill factor near zero. "It was really courageous of the kids to play in weather like we had today," said Washington Township coach Maryann Shivers, who guided the South. "Neither team could get any momentum going when it had to play against the wind, and the players' individual skills really stood out.

There was a lot of teamwork, and the players looked as if they'd been playing together for a while." By Kevin latum Ronald Johnson, Woodrow Wilson 84 Brian Mangene. Woodstown 78 Rob Hadden, Pitman 74 Michael London, St. Joseph 74 Derrick Parker, Delran 72 'Darren Wallace, Collingswood 70 Jamiel Josey, Delsea 68 Brian DeAngelo, Cherokee 66 Duane Stanton, Woodbury 66 Billy Moore, Woodbury 64 Billy Cannon, Millville 62 Brian Bailey. Burlington 60 Robert Marshall, Clayton 60 Tom Maxwell. Buena 60 Chris Sadler.

Palmyra 60 Curtis Tnbbitt. Williamstown 60 Eddie Walker. Woodbury 60 Derek Gould, Pemberton 58 Jermaine Green, Glassboro 58 Damon Nelson. Buena 58 Joel Smith, Cumberland 68 Mike Maerten, Delran 57 Obie Daids, Buena 56 Bryan Scott, Delsea 56 Darren Riley. Washington Twp 54 Dominic lannace.

Ocean City 52 Brian Gorman, Delran 50 Brooke Priestley. Mainland 50 Joe Robinson. Eastern 50 Tv Turner, Overbrook 50 Erik Henry. Cherry Hill East 49 Joe Blackwell. Egg Harbor Twp 48 Gabe Romano.

St. Joseph 48 Scott Shea. Millville 46 Calvin Toomer, Overbrook 46 The Chiefs moved from No. 8 to No. 4 as the playoff finals caused shuffling in the ratings.

In Cherokee's last outing, the Chiefs crushed Pemberton, 35-6. 5. DELSEA 10-1 The Crusaders fell one position following the loss to Delran. Earl Simmons ran 32 yards for Delsea's only touchdown. Coach John Oberg ended the year with 209 victories in South Jersey second in the area's history to Howard "Skeets" Irvine of Collingswood, who won 223 prior to his death in 1948.

6. OCEAN CITY 7-2-1 The Red Raiders retained their ranking by playing Wilson evenly until the very end, before losing, 20-16. Dominic lannace and Doug Colman scored touchdowns and Ocean City led midway through the final quarter before Wilson rallied to win. 7. WASHINGTON TWP.

8-3 The Minutemen retained their ranking despite losing, 13-12, to Brick Township of Ocean County. Matt Shultz's fumble recovery set up a 2-yard touchdown run by Darren Riley, who later scored on a 9-yard run to bring the Minutemen within a point. It was Washington Township's second appearance in a Group 4 title game in three years. 8. MAINLAND 10-1 Mainland fell three positions after losing to Lacey Township, 25-16.

Kenny Williams scored both Mainland touchdowns and Erik Ruggiero's 24-yard field goal completed the Mustangs' scoring. 9. MILLVILLE 8-1 The Thunderbolts, who lost only to Ocean City, 3-0, have completed their schedule. 10. COLLINGSWOOD 8-1 The Panthers, who lost only to Woodbury, 22-21, have completed their schedule.

8-2 Lacey Township (10-0). counties of South Jersey. It is compiled by South Jersey Football SCHOOL Football results Saturday NJSIAA PLAYOFFS South Jersey Group 1 championship Woodbury 27, Paulsboro 20 South Jersey Group 2 championship Delran 28. Delsea 8 South Jersey Group 3 semifinals Lacey Township 25. Mainland 16 Woodrow Wilson 20, Ocean City 16 South Jersey Group 4 championship Brick Township 13, Washington Township 12 South Jersey Parochial A championship Notre Dame 9, Bishop Ahr 6 South Jersey Parochial championship St.

Joseph 19, Bishop Eustace Football scoring leaders Through Sunday. Player, school pts. Marvin Goodwin. Woodrow Wilson 1 70 Darrell Parker, Delran 132 Juan Dixon, Northern Burlco 122 Doug Burnett. Highland 118 Damon Brown.

Washington Twp 116 Tony Ranoldo, Shawnee 101 Matt Read, Cherokee 100 Neal Houser, Gloucester 96 Keith Alba. Delsea 92 Gus Hodson, Gloucester 86 1. W.WILSON 11-0 The Tigers remained No. 1 by defeating Ocean City, 20-16. Norman Frisbey threw his 26th touchdown pass of the season, breaking the South Jersey record he had shared with Cherry Hill East's Glenn Foley.

Frisbey and Marvin Goodwin scored fourth-quarter touchdowns to lead the Tigers' comeback. An injury sidelined Frisbey for part of the game, and backup Brian McNak. a wide receiver, threw a touchdown pass in Frisbey's absence. McNair was on the receiving end of Frisbey's record-setting TD pass in the fourth quarter. Goodwin has scored 28 touchdowns this season.

Wilson will visit Lacey Township (10-0) in the Group 3 final Saturday. 2. DELRAN 11-0 The Bears finished 1 1-0 for the second time in three years by defeating then No. 4 Delsea, 28-8. John Sacca ran for two touchdowns and passed to Brian Gorman for another.

Sacca Under consideration Deptford (7-2). Game of the week Saturday Group 3 final: No. 1 Woodrow Wilson (1 1-Q) at The S. J. Football Top 10 is drawn from the seven The Inquirer staff..