By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
@tortreports on Instagram
WEST DEPTFORD — It’s safe to say John Emel and the rest of his West Deptford high coaching staff expect plenty of improvement each week.
But the Eagles’ head coach has been around long enough to know that a win is a win.
Despite turning the ball over three times in the first half and clinging to a one-score lead at intermission, his squad dominated the second half en route to a 21-6 triumph over visiting Willingboro.
“I just think we can’t turn the ball over,” Emel explained. “We had three turnovers in the first half. I thought defensively we played pretty well, and we expect that.
“We made some adjustments. When you defer to start the game you have to take advantage of that first possession in the second half. You have to go down there and get a two-score lead and put the pressure on. You’re able to give yourself a little breathing room.”
The Eagles did just that with a hasty drive to start the second frame that took just 2 minutes and 47 seconds. Senior back Cole Paskiewicz scored to give the Eagles a two-possession lead they would not relinquish. It was the fourth touchdown across the first two games of this season for Paskiewicz, who scored three times in West Deptford’s 49-3 decimation of Kinnelon last week in the Battle at the Beach Football Classic in Ocean City.
“We came out slow, especially with the field being mushy the last couple days,” Paskiewicz said. We just went out there and got another win. It’s on to the next week, it’s on to Paulsboro. We’ll go through the weekend, take a couple days off to rest and recover. We’ll come back next week, watch film, and get to it.”
Senior halfback Zamir Davis recorded the opening score of the game and the final one late in the third quarter. Alongside Paskiewicz, the duo headlines a brutal rushing attack that includes some new faces in freshman Jeyden Thomas and sophomore Vince Busbee.
“It’s tough and physical football,” Emel said. “The whole backfield did a good job. Our conference is tough. I was happy with how the offensive line played. It’s hot out here. It’s humid, and it’s early in the season. That was a physical game with a lot of in-between-the-tackles. We just want to keep getting better.”
With the graduation of three-year starting quarterback Brady Cobb and center Sal Fife, the run game and a stingy defense is what the Eagles will need to lean on early and often as new quarterback Timmy Jolmes Jr. gets accumulated to being the starter.
Last year, the Eagles finished 9-2 and were squarely in the mix for a Group 2 sectional title before sacrificing a two-score halftime lead to Delran in the South Jersey Group 2 semifinal. With much of their core back, expectations are even higher this time around.
“We have to make good decisions, and I think there’s always room for improvement, just like me as a coach,” said Emel, who’s in his third year as head coach at West Deptford after spending 12 seasons at Penns Grove. “You always have to do a little better. I just think we can’t turn the ball over. It’s my job to put us in good situations, and it’s the players’ job to make good decisions when the ball is snapped.”
West Deptford’s defense made big plays when most needed. With Willingboro knocking on the door at the Eagles’ 5-yard line, they made a huge stop on 4th-and-1 early in the second quarter. Paskiewicz recovered a fumble and Colton Sabo also recorded an interception late in the first half in what was a show of both team’s trading turnovers.
“It definitely changed the momentum,” Sabo said of his interception. “It changed the game. We got it done on the defensive side. The offensive side just has to clean up the little things. We can always improve.”
West Deptford will now turn its attention to a Sept. 11 matchup with rival Paulsboro. It’s always a big game for the Eagles, and that will be no different this year. There will be a ceremony honoring those who passed on the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attack on the Twin Towers in New York City.
WHAT’S NEXT: West Deptford hosts Paulsboro on Friday at 7 p.m. Willingboro hosts Burlington Township on Friday at 6 p.m.
