By BRIAN TORTELLA

Correspondent

On X @tortreports

WOOLWICH TOWNSHIP — When the Kingsway Regional High and Clearview Regional football programs clash each year, the game always has a little extra meaning. 

That’s because it’s more than just any rivalry.

It’s the “Battle of Route 322” and a battle for the rights of the annual coaches trophy given to the winner of the contest each year. 

“There’s nothing like that rivalry,” Kingsway coach Mark Hendricks said. “Coach (Dan) Pidcock (formerly of Clearview) and Tony Barchuk (formerly of Kingsway), and the rivalry that they’ve established, I didn’t want my players to forget what that’s like. We pulled up a lot of old film and we watched things from when myself and coach (Steve) Scanlon were coaching against each other, and just not forgetting what that rivalry is all about.”


On a cool Week 7 Friday night in Woolwich Township, Clearview and Kingsway renewed acquaintances once again — and unlike many of their previous matchups over the years, it didn’t take long before the crowd knew who was rightfully taking home the 2024 trophy, as the Dragons jumped out to a 34-0 first-quarter lead and cruised to a 62-0 victory on their Senior Night. 

“It’s a special thing for the seniors, to go out and beat your rival and to play well in the process of doing it,” Hendricks continued. “I think we’re starting to click on some cylinders that we haven’t clicked on since the start of the year.”

Dragons quarterback David Oravetz was relieved of his duties in the first half — after the junior had thrown for three touchdowns and ran in another in the first quarter alone. Two of those scores were to classmate J.D. Johnson, who also celebrated his 17th birthday on Friday.  

“It was awesome,” Oravetz said. “It was really a team effort. We all came together, the defense with a shutout. All my guys on offense (were) doing their job, it was great. J.D., all the skill guys and myself, we’ve been working since before the summer, really. It was just a matter of time before everything started clicking, and tonight it definitely did.

“I had to get him at least two touchdowns on his birthday, we needed that.”

Johnson said he looks forward to this rivalry game every year, but perhaps this particular performance on his special day is one he’ll remember for years to come. 

“It was a big win against Clearview, they’re a rival,” Johnson said. “We played well together, it was a really good win for the team. It was fun out there winning with the guys. We’re playing a rival, the ‘Battle of 322.’ I’m always looking forward to this game every single year. I got my license this morning, I was excited. All summer, (myself and Oravetz) have been working. Three times a week in the offseason. It’s a connection (built of) hard work over time.”

Oravetz’s strikes to Johnson, from 18 and 5 yards out, gave the Dragons 14- and 21-point leads, respectively.

Said coach Hendricks, “David is really starting to make some faster decisions, and it’s helping our offense move the ball. The one word that we keep using is to continue to ‘attack’. Once he gets in that attack mindset, there’s a lot of things that he can do.

“(It was) great to get the birthday kid (Johnson) a touchdown. That’s in your mind (drawing up extra plays to him), it’s his birthday, we want to make the kid feel good. It’s nice to reward him when it is his birthday. (David and him) have a thing going.”

The Oravetz-to-Johnson connection wasn’t the only one showcased on Friday, though. Oravetz also found senior Gregg Campbell on a beauty of a pass in the back of the end zone to give Kingsway a 28-0 lead late in the opening quarter. 

“When I see Greg Campbell one-on-one, I know that’s somebody I have to hit,” Oravetz said. “I know that’s somebody I have to get the ball to.”

Whether it’s Johnson, Campbell or even sophomore Luca Lentini, who leads Kingsway (6-1, 2-0 West Jersey Football League Classic) with 20 receptions this season, Oravetz is looking to hit on all targets heading into next week’s tilt with Washington Township (5-2, 2-0 WJFL Classic). The winner of that game will have the inside track on an outright division title. Kingsway has won five straight games since an early September loss against Camden.  

“We’re going to go into the playoffs, hopefully secure two home playoff games, that would be the best case scenario, and I’m hoping we can take this momentum into the coming weeks”, Oravetz said. 

Added Hendricks, “we’ve circled these last three games at the end of our season. These are all rivalry games for us. It’s Clearview, it’s Washington Township, it’s Williamstown. These are the games that it doesn’t matter what the record is, we’re just looking forward to playing our best football at the right time of the season.” 

“Against Washington Township, I think that athletically, they’re better than us in some skill positions, they’re better than us up front in some areas, but one thing we’re going to do is we’re going to fight you. That’s the way our kids operate.”

GAME NOTES: Sophomore Cole DeNick started off the scoring action with a 38-yard touchdown run for Kingsway. Junior kicker Zack Burlingame went a perfect 6-for-6 on PATs. Kyle Nordone, Kayden Felder, and Kameron White each recorded an interception on defense for the Dragons. 

Contact Brian Tortella: btortreportssj@gmail.com.