Timber Creek football could break through

Timber Creek football coach Rob Hinson is a better coach than he is an actor. Hinson acted stunned when it was suggested that Timber Creek could be the team to beat in one of South Jersey's most competitive conference, the Burlco/Olympic Liberty.

Remember, this is the division that was won the previous two years by teams that went 12-0, Shawnee in 2008 and Moorestown in 2007.

And that doesn't take into consideration a Triton team that went 7-4 last season and won a playoff game or a Winslow Township squad that doesn't have to take a back seat when it comes to fielding top college prospects.

And we're not forgetting Seneca, which went 11-1 as recently as 2006 when the Golden Eagles were in the Patriot Division.

So there really are no easy outs in the Liberty, but that doesn't mean that Timber Creek won't supply plenty of punch.

"Timber Creek, we haven't won anything," Hinson said. "Why would anybody pick us?"

Hinson knows darn well why.

The Chargers have the most experienced returning offense line, coupled with no shortage of skill-position players.

Still, his point in a way is well taken, simply because there isn't much of a track record when it comes to contention.

This is only the ninth year that Timber Creek is fielding a varsity program. In that time, the Chargers have exactly one winning season, going 6-4 in 2007. Last season, Timber Creek went 5-5 and earned the school's second consecutive playoff spot.

It should be pointed out that these two consecutive years in the postseason were guided by Hinson, who enters his fourth season as head coach. It's not a stretch to suggest that he is one of South Jersey's up-and-coming coaches.

Hinson has built this program gradually and it appears that metaphorically, the Chargers are ready to knock in the door.

And they will do it with a college-sized offensive line that includes either junior Hunter Jrajewski (6-foot-1, 270 pounds) or senior Eric Briscoe (6-0, 250) at center, seniors Wayne Carter (6-1, 325) and Matthew Huckabee (6-2, 240) at guard, and seniors Billy Bilo (6-2, 290) and Kevin Trant (6-2, 225) at tackle.

And some would suggest that the skill-position players are the more impressive part of the roster.

"Our skill guys are off the charts," said Huckabee, a Hofstra recruit. "There are some fast cats."

The fastest cat could be junior Damiere Byrd, who was third in the Group 3 state 100 meters in a time of 10.9 seconds. Last season he had 380 receiving yards and another 250 rushing.

Byrd is listed as a receiver, but he also carries the ball. Senior Nahjee Gibson will be the main ballcarrier after rushing for 1,250 yards and 10 touchdowns on 151 carries last season. Gibson has made an oral commitment to attend Temple.

The Chargers are inexperienced at quarterback, although sophomore Calvin Lowe has impressed Hinson.

Defensively, Huckabee leads the way after earning first-team all-conference honors on the defensive line.

And if the players begin to read too many of their press clippings, Hinson is always around to offer an honest evaluation.

"You have to eventually make that jump, but we haven't made that jump yet," Hinson said. "The kids know that and have been able to keep things in perspective."

The players realize this is a talented team.

"We have great starters and backups," Huckabee said. "We feel we can have a big year."

Of course, feeling it and accomplishing it are two different things. Still, the expectations are the highest ever for Timber Creek, which could be in line for a breakthrough season.