Holy Spirit 2007 is No. 1

Holy Spirit's 2007 Non-Public Group 3 state champion is The Inquirer's South Jersey football team of the decade.

The Spartans went 12-0 and capped the year with a 26-13 win over Immaculata in the Non-Public Group 3 state championship.

Inquirer first-team all-South Jersey selections William Washington and Nick Hall combined for 3,458 yards rushing and 58 touchdowns. Washington was The Inquirer's South Jersey offensive player of the year.

The offensive line averaged 277 pounds and was led by first-team all-South Jersey selection Pat Schnell and second-team choice Will Martin.

Lineman/linebacker Marcus Witherspoon, who had 27 sacks, and linebacker Chris Mancuso, who caused six fumbles, were first-team all-South Jersey selections on defense.

Coach Bill Walsh's team averaged 41.9 points per game.

Here is how the team fared that season:

Mainland, 19-0

Buena, 45-12

Middle Township, 39-0

Lower Cape May, 70-13

St. Augustine, 48-13

Pleasantville, 47-14

Bridgeton, 55-7

St. Joseph (Hammonton), 48-7

Bishop Ahr, 61-3 (Non-Public Group 3)

St. Joseph Montvale, 12-3 (Non-Public Group 3)

Atlantic City, 32-6

Immaculata, 26-13 (Non-Public Group 3)