By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
On X @tortreports
SEWELL — From the moment the Minutemen set foot on their home turf at Tom Brown field on this beautiful Friday night, they were just prepping for what’s next to come.
Star senior quarterback Cole Aquino accounted for three total touchdowns — two through the air and one on the ground — as Washington Township remained undefeated by routing Lenape, 48-0, in West Jersey Football League action. The Minutemen are now 13-2 in their last 15 games, including 6-0 this season.
“It was a great game,” said Aquino, who rested the entire second half after building a 42-0 halftime lead. “It doesn’t come by just me. It’s everyone around me, especially my other guys on offense, all these athletes — and especially our defense.”
Senior tailback Colin Beeler added two touchdowns for the Minutemen in the triumph, but their defensive performance was just as impressive as their offensive output.
“Our defense has been awesome throughout the whole course of the season, so it’s really no surprise,” Washington Township coach Mike Schatzman said. “We have high expectations with a lot of those guys back, and the guys who have played and rotated in have been good. If we do the little things right, we’re tough defensively.”
Washington Township, ranked No. 2 in the latest South Jersey Football Frenzy Show Best 11 Rankings, will now travel to No. 6 Rancocas Valley next week in what should be a potential Group 5 playoff preview showdown. Rancocas Valley was upset by Williamstown tonight, 21-18.
It’s a game the Minutemen have had circled on their calendar ever since the Red Devils stunned them on their home field last October.
“It’s a bittersweet feeling. It’s a new year, new slate,” Aquino said when asked about the anticipated matchup ahead. “It all starts again on Sunday. We just have to work hard. We’re 1-0 again this week.”
After starting the season 4-0, Rancocas Valley has since dropped its last two contests — falling to No. 5 Camden, 8-6, and losing to Williamstown. Uncoincidentally, those are both games star quarterback Sayvien Adams missed with an injury.
The Red Devils could have him back for next week’s thriller.
“He’s obviously extremely talented,” Schatzman said of Adams. “I hated to see what happened to him. You don’t want to see that happen to any kid. He’s a super respectful, classy kid, just a really good football player.”
According to Schatzman, having Adams back would be ideal for both squads.
“It’s good for high school football,” he said. “It’s good for South Jersey when you have two Group 5 teams healthy and we’re playing each other at full strength. That’s what we want.
“I think it’s different because last year we didn’t play well, and they played really well,” he continued. “Coach (Garrett) Lucas and his staff are awesome. We’re very familiar with each other. Nothing but respect to those guys, and they took it to us last year.”
Throughout the contest with Lenape, many of the Minutemen were consistently checking the score of the R.V. vs. Williamstown game. After last year’s defeat, they want another shot at the Red Devils.
“I hope our guys take that into account,” Schatzman said when asked if his squad is more motivated after losing 27-0 last year.
Washington Township won its first sectional title since 1995 last season, winning five consecutive games en route to the crown after its setback to Rancocas Valley. In search of a repeat, the Minutemen currently sit atop of the South Jersey Group 5 power point standings. Rancocas Valley is third.
A Lenape assistant said it best when shaking hands after the contest:
“Go represent South Jersey and get a chip.”
Perhaps that journey truly starts next Friday.
