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Football: Grosso, Piperno spark Washington Twp.

By Phil Anastasia

Inquirer Staff Writer

The chemistry between the best pass-catch combinations often is based on something deeper than one guy's ability to throw the football and the other's ability to grab it.

"Trust," Washington Township senior wide receiver Nick Grosso said.

"One-hundred percent," Washington Township junior quarterback Mike Piperno said.

Grosso said he trusts that Piperno will stand in the pocket and deliver the football.

"He's not afraid to take a hit," Grosso said.

Piperno said he trusts that Grosso will "sacrifice his body" to corral his throws.

Piperno and Grosso have developed into one of South Jersey's most productive pass-catch combinations.

The duo has Washington Township football on the rise after a big win over two-time defending South Jersey Group 4 champion Shawnee on Friday.

The 6-foot-3, 160-pound Piperno was 19-for-28 passing for 214 yards and three touchdowns in Washington Township's 19-17 win victory over Shawnee.

For the season, Piperno has passed for 565 yards and five touchdowns.

The 5-foot-11, 205-pound Grosso has 12 receptions this season for 246 yards and three touchdowns. He caught the game-winning touchdown against Shawnee.

"It was a win we really needed," Grosso said of the Minutemen, who started the season with consecutive losses after going 2-8 in 2014. "It gives you confidence, makes you feel a little better."

Piperno has been "getting better and better" every week, according to Washington Township coach Mark Wechter.

"He's a quarterback," Wechter said. "He knows how to play the position."

Piperno said the victory over Shawnee gives the Minutemen "a lot of momentum" going into Friday's game against Timber Creek, the No. 4 team in The Inquirer Top 25.

"We've got a lot more confidence," Piperno said.

-- Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com

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