By MARK TRIBLE

South Jersey Glory Days Senior Football Writer

On X @Mtrible

HADDONFIELD — You could watch the first play of the game, the three 4th-down stops, the red zone interception, Hutch Rhyne’s massive hit on a receiver — or you could just watch senior defensive lineman Logan Rhea here on Friday night.

Whichever one you caught a glimpse of, you saw the theme — a Haddonfield defense that imposed its will on Homecoming. It allowed for plenty of spoils after the final whistle of a 24-7 win over Paul VI.

Haddonfield avenged a 19-13 loss to the Eagles, their foe from 2.7 miles away. The Haddons, ranked No. 11 in the South Jersey Football Frenzy Show Best 11, won a share of the West Jersey Football League Continental Division title. Most importantly, they clinched the No. 1 seed in the South/Central playoff brackets in Group 2.

“We knew we were going to get the 1 seed, coach reinforced that,” Rhea said. “But we always knew it was just another game. We had to play our hearts out for each other, like we do every other game.”

Rhea spearheaded a dominant performance. He came away with a sack, a few tackles for loss and had plenty of near misses in both categories. His performance didn’t surprise those in black and red. They’d seen it all season.

“It’s a lot of fun to play next to him,” Jack McKeever said. “He’s my brother and playing next to him all five years, it’s a pleasure to play next to a dog like him.”

McKeever had the interception that pretty much sealed the Eagles’ fate here in the fourth quarter. The other forced turnover by Haddonfield (6-2, 4-1) set the tone before anyone took a snap.

Mike Keenan dislodged the ball on the opening kickoff and Joey Testa rolled 10 yards to pay dirt on the recovery. Just 10 seconds into the game, the Haddons were up 7-0.

Paul VI (4-4, 2-3 WJFL Continental) responded midway through the first frame when Nick Ried made an impressive catch on a jump ball near the end zone. The play covered 49 yards for the Eagles, and even that was a play where the defense had the ball before Ried snatched it away.

Haddonfield responded with a 12-play drive that covered 72 yards, capped by a halfback pass — Dan Keenan to McKeever. Keenan would tack on a field goal in the second half, while his brother, Mike, caught a 74-yard touchdown pass from Van Lefakis to open the third quarter.

But after that trick play at 14-7, the defense got its first turnover on downs on the next possession and after a lost fumble two plays later, coordinator Mike Miller’s stingy unit went back to work. Four plays later, it had forced another turnover on downs.

“I’m proud to be able to lead this group of guys,” Rhea said. “Guys that are so attentive and eager to get better and play well together.”

One of 17 seniors, Rhea is a captain and clear leader on a unit that has given up an average of 9.4 points per game since a loss in the season opener to undefeated Glassboro.

“It’s a group of guys that flies around with relentless pursuit of the ball,” McKeever said. “We just feed off each other. We feed off each other’s energy and successes.

“There aren’t ‘me’ guys on this team. There are a lot of ‘we’ guys. Guys who make the play because another guy did his job. It’s awesome to be a part of.”

That type of mentality mixed with the performances of the season has set up coach Frank DeLano’s squad with the catbird seat in South/Central Group 2. Every postseason game they play from here on out will either be at home or at a neutral site.

The latter would mean a state championship appearance.

“We’re just proud to have the honor (of a division title) and we’re even more excited about what lies ahead,” DeLano said. “Everybody’s got the same goals and aspirations before the season starts.

“There are only a handful that get the opportunity and privilege to be in those situations.”

After it had all been clinched thanks to a stingy defense and timely offense, the privilege of that top seed belonged to the Haddons.

“The 1 seed is always a good feeling and I’m excited because they all gotta come through our house,” McKeever said. “As far as we go, they’ve got to come through us.”

Mark Trible is the host of the South Jersey Football Frenzy Show. You can check it out every Wednesday at 7 p.m. at facebook.com/sjglorydays. The show features highlights, analysis, rankings and more from high school football games throughout South Jersey.