By MARK TRIBLE

South Jersey Glory Days Senior Football Writer

On X @Mtrible

MOUNT HOLLY — There is an it quality that’s pronounced when a person sees a team that carries the promise of something special. Oftentimes, it is indescribable or slightly beyond words.

On Friday night, the it was a championship-caliber football team — Washington Township.

The Minutemen hit their mark on each side of the ball for a full 48 minutes in a 38-17 rout of homestanding Rancocas Valley. Ranked No. 2 in the South Jersey Football Frenzy Show Best 11, Washington Township (7-0, 2-0 West Jersey Football League Classic) took a close and competitive tilt and turned it into a laugher.

“I think for us, as far as the team aspect, it was probably our most complete game given the circumstance and obviously the opponent and the things we were able to do,” coach Mike Schatzman said. “I was happy with all the success we had in different areas, which is going to be huge when you play teams like this, Kingsway next week and then obviously playoff football.

“You’ve got to be on your A-game, and I feel like our guys really answered the call.”

Boy, did they. The Minutemen punted once. They turned over the Red Devils (4-3, 2-1 WJFL Colonial) twice and ran one of them back for a score. After an RV touchdown with 5 minutes, 36 seconds left in the first half, Township marched 68 yards on eight plays.

Senior back Colin Beeler ran in from 9 yards out to make it 21-10. On the next drive, Jyair Moore snuffed out a Red Devils drive with an interception.

Just five plays into the second half, Tyler Alicea got his hand on the ball and ripped it out. Defensive back Parker Reese scooped it and waltzed 21 yards to paydirt.

“I just yanked the ball out as hard as I could, it’s great,” Alicea said. “We work so hard, every day at practice we just keep grinding, to see (Reese) scoop and score that, it’s great, especially since he’s a senior.”

That magic word that begins with S is the ingredient that helps turn a very good team – say, like last year’s sectional champion – into it.

“That senior leadership, that comes into play,” Schatzman said. “… Handling not having success, I think that was a huge emphasis this offseason.

“How do we deal with adversity? Things are going to happen, you’re going to get punched here and there. The response — we didn’t panic, it was next-play-up mentality. We preach that, but ultimately it comes down to the kids.”

He pointed to quarterback Cole Aquino and linebackers Jaylen Robinson and Andrew Osborn.

The status of what those players do for the unit was also understood on the other sideline.

“You can see that it’s the senior-led team that has done this year after year,” RV coach Garrett Lucas said. “Those guys have continuity. We’re still struggling to put it all together and repeatedly just do it. It’s impressive.”

Lucas had his star quarterback, Sayvien Adams, return from injury on Friday. Adams had just the fifth-ever South Jersey season of 2,000 pass and 1,000 pass yards last season, He made a difference early.

Then, it became clear the team’s acclimation to him in the pocket may have held some rust. With two games left before the playoffs, Lucas hopes his bunch can start to gel at the right time.

If they do, he knows who will be the prime obstacle in South Jersey.

Beeler, who ran for two scores on the night, shouted out his offensive line for the work they did up front. Beeler is a tough-as-nails back with a knack for knowing when to make a move or lower a shoulder.

Behind Jake DiRidolfo, Gunner McFall, Stephen Davidson, Dante Morici and Jordan Palmer, offense looks easy. 

On the second touchdown drive of the night, the Minutemen marched 70 yards on 15 plays. No negative plays. No incompletions. Osborn’s first of two rushing touchdowns on the night capped the possession that took more than nine minutes off the clock.

“I say it all the time, our linemen are the hardest workers on our team,” Beeler said. “This win goes to them. Every win we have this season goes to them.”

A Group 5 showdown at home with one-loss Kingsway is next. Then, a wide-open Group 5 playoff slate to feature those Dragons, RV, Atlantic City and others.

It takes a lot to win a title and plenty must go right. Not every team that appears to be championship-caliber goes home with a trophy.

But none who go home with a trophy are less than championship-caliber.

Therein lies the magic of it. And it is something Washington Township can no longer keep to itself after Friday night.

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.