By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
On X @tortreports
WEST DEPTFORD — John Emel notched plenty of big playoff wins during his 10-season tenure at Penns Grove, including a pair of sectional titles.
Now in his second season leading West Deptford, Emel recorded another postseason victory this weekend.
And this one was a little extra special. Not only for Emel, but the West Deptford program as a whole.
West Deptford, the No. 2 seed in the South Jersey Group 2 tournament, rolled to a 30-15 victory over No. 7 Camden Eastside on Saturday in the sectional quarterfinals as Emel earned his first playoff win as the Eagles’ head coach. It was also the program’s first postseason win since 2019.
“It’s about the West Deptford football team and the community,” said Emel, who never likes to take much recognition. “Whatever happened in the past and whatever happens the week before is over with. Every game is its individual situation. We just want to come out and play well.
“We’re on to next week. One week at a time,” he continued. “Everybody wants to extend their season another week. For our guys, it’s just about deserving another week with how we perform and how we practice to get to that point.”
West Deptford scored 21 unanswered points to take a 24-7 lead into the halftime break and the momentum carried on in the final 24 minutes. The Eagles leaned on the run game in windy conditions as Zamir Davis ran for three touchdowns and Cole Paskiewicz added another score on the ground. Senior quarterback Brady Cobb did more than just command the offense, going 2-for-2 on extra-point attempts and recording his first career field goal in the win.
“This is my playoff win and our first since 2019. I mean, I was just a little kid back in 2019. I feel like I remember every second of (those teams) though, so it definitely brings back memories,” said Cobb, who was in sixth grade the last time West Deptford won a playoff game. “I love this program with all my heart, so I dedicated a lot of time to turn this thing around. I’m just so proud to do it with all my brothers.”
“His leadership has gotten us to the point where it has, and without him, we wouldn’t be where we are,” Cobb continued, speaking of Emel. “Our scheme has been a lot more involved over the last two years. I feel like we can really run anything against anyone, so I’m always confident out there, and he believes in us.”
Since Emel has taken over, the Eagles have won 14 games. Their 9-1 start this season is their best since that 2019 campaign when the Eagles also started 9-1 under Jason Morrell.
That same year, Emel’s Penns Grove team finished 12-1 en route to the South Jersey Group 1 title and South Regional Championship game appearance. The season before, the Red Devils went undefeated with a perfect 13-0 record, capturing the NJSIAA Group 1 Bowl championship with a 35-26 triumph over Willingboro.
In a full circle moment, Tyreke Brown, a player who played such a pivotal role in those championship runs, is now in his first season coaching as an assistant under Emel at West Deptford.
“I think it means a lot. I just finished playing college ball and (Emel) was the first one to call my phone,” said Brown, a 2019 Penns Grove graduate who played for Sacred Heart at the collegiate level. “For me, it’s a full circle moment. I was able to go to two state championships with coach Emel and I was able to win one my senior year. So for me, it means a lot to me to be back alongside with him.
“First, I wore the helmet for him, and now I’m on the headset, so it feels good,” Brown added. “For me, it’s special because I’m on the other side of the coin now. To be able to start my first year of coaching off right, I’m super proud of him and the staff … It means a lot to the kids and a lot to the program.”
It’s a true testament to Emel’s coaching philosophy. His players are more than just his players. They’re family.
“I spend a lot of time with them and I treat them like my own kids. I’m ‘coach’ for life,” said Emel, a 2002 Salem graduate and Monmouth University alum. “A lot of my former players are either on my staff or they’re here watching. Our connection through football will carry on and off the field forever, I hope.”
It’s safe to say the West Deptford football program couldn’t be in better hands. The win marked the Eagles’ fourth consecutive victory and gave them a semifinal matchup with third-seeded Delran (9-1) in next week’s semifinal round.
“You only play so many games,” Emel said. “We spend so much time together off the field, on the practice field, in the classroom, outside of the game itself. If you don’t appreciate that and if that’s not enjoyable, then you’ve lost. You’ve missed the point. And that’s what’s special.”
