Wilson, Camden to renew Turkey Day rivalry

It's a football rivalry that goes back to 1933, and few are more spirited.

The players from both sides know each other well, and in some instances the opponents are classmates who attend the same Camden charter schools.

The teams even spent time together Sunday when the Rev. Roy Jones of the Church of the Nazarene hosted an annual breakfast for both teams.

Both teams have improved this season after combining for just three wins last year, one of which was Wilson's 14-0 victory over Camden.

"It's just an enormous game for both teams and for the community," Camden coach Tom Hanson said.

To the winner goes the Turkey Bowl, a 2 1/2-foot trophy, a symbol of city bragging rights for the next year.

Records. Camden is 3-6, but that is a little deceptive. The Panthers have won three of their last four games and have been in virtually every contest. Four of the losses have been by eight points or fewer.

Camden opened by losing to Camden Catholic, 19-2; Paul VI, 28-12; Triton, 14-6; Holy Cross, 14-6; and Timber Creek, 13-7. The Panthers then beat Northern Burlington, 20-14; lost to Burlington Township, 13-12; and beat Pemberton, 18-7, and Sterling, 14-7. All six losses were to teams that qualified for the playoffs.

Wilson is 4-5, having started the season by losing to Paul VI, 6-0, and Burlington Township, 28-14, before beating Northern Burlington, 26-14, and Florence, 21-14, in overtime. After losing, 30-24, in overtime to New Egypt, Wilson beat Maple Shade, 30-7, and Riverside, 20-6, before losing to Pemberton, 28-20.

The Tigers gained a South Jersey Group 2 playoff berth but lost in the first round to Haddonfield, 52-13.

Coaches. Hanson is in his fourth year at Camden, having guided the Panthers to two playoff berths. His record is 17-24.

Chris Crowley is in his first year at Wilson and has helped the Tigers gain one more win than they had in the two previous years combined.

The rivalry. Camden leads the series, 45-29-3, but Wilson has won four of the last five meetings. So many great players have been part of this rivalry, including former Heisman Trophy running back Mike Rozier of Woodrow Wilson and ex-NFL defensive lineman Art Still of Camden, an all-pro.

Personnel. Wilson is known more as an offensive team, while Camden has one of the area's stingiest defenses.

Nasir Jones, Wilson's senior quarterback and defensive back, is a duel threat. He is the Tigers' leading rusher with 493 yards and four touchdowns on 78 carries, and has completed 86 of 162 passes for 1,314 yards and 15 touchdowns, with 10 interceptions.

Wilson has two game-changing receivers in seniors Jhmad Thomas and Michael Thompson.

Senior linebacker Tiwan Reddick is among the defensive leaders with 10 tackles for losses and three forced fumbles.

Camden employs three running backs: sophomore Bradeem Black and juniors Danzel Satterfield and Tikki Farrington.

Senior Charles Watkins, who has committed to Virginia, where he is expected to be a receiver, has made a big impact in the secondary, with 44 tackles and three interceptions.

Pick: Wilson 14, Camden 13.