Woodrow Wilson ends playoff drought

The progress that Woodrow Wilson's football program has made is measured in the fact that it is no longer just good enough to qualify for the playoffs.

The Tigers have been there, done that, in each of the previous three seasons. Once they arrived, the postseason wasn't the most pleasant of experiences.

After three consecutive first-round ousters, all by lopsided scores, fourth-seeded Woodrow Wilson changed its fortune in a big way with Saturday's 39-0 victory over fifth-seeded and visiting Central Regional in an opening-round South Jersey Group 3 playoff game.

More than vindication, the Tigers surely felt both relief and pride in advancing to the second round, where they will meet top seed Timber Creek in Friday's semifinals.

The previous three years, Wilson lost by a combined score of 146-31. This was the school's first playoff win since the 2001 season, when Wilson went 12-0 and won the South Jersey Group 3 crown.

"The playoffs weren't too kind to us, but these kids kept fighting and this is really big for our program," said Wilson coach Chris Crowley, whose team is 6-3.

This one was really over by halftime, when the Tigers led by 27-0. Wilson received a huge jolt with the return of running back Anthony Haynes, who had missed the previous two games with an ankle injury. Haynes rushed for 193 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries.

"This was so big," Haynes said. "We're living a dream and trying to win a state title."

Before this, the current group of Wilson seniors was living anything but a dream in the postseason. It is so difficult just to earn a playoff spot, but once in, teams want to be as competitive as possible.

Wilson was expected to be more competitive this season, and that has certainly been the case. Of the three losses, two were by one point, to Delsea and in overtime against Triton.

"It made us stronger going through those close games," said middle linebacker Quantrill Eversley, one of the team's defensive leaders.

This was the Tigers' second shutout of the season, but the players said that considering the opponent, it was their best effort. Eversley, who stands just 5-foot-9 and weighs 175 pounds, seemed to be in on virtually every tackle.

"We just kept competing and never stopped," Eversley said.

Eversley symbolizes this team, which doesn't have overwhelming size but is fleet of foot.

"I thought they had a lot of weapons, but more than just the speed, they play hard and tough," Central coach Vinnie Casale said. "This team will be a very difficult out in the playoffs."

Actually, the most difficult part will be advancing another round, because waiting is a 9-0 Timber Creek team that beat Wilson, 34-13, on Oct. 14.

"We know what a talented team they are and know what we are going to face, but we accept the challenge," Crowley said.

That Wilson has earned a rematch is another step of progression.

The Tigers will be underdogs, but it takes a lot to sap their spirit. This is a team that experienced three seasons of lopsided postseason games and couldn't wait for a fourth try. And as the effort showed, it was well worth the wait.

Central Regional   0 0 0 0 – 0

Woodrow Wilson   13 14 12 0 – 39

WW: Anthony Haynes 12 run (Amir Clarke kick)

WW: Haynes 66 run (kick failed)

WW: Haynes 6 run (run failed)

WW: Sean Walters 30 run (Aaron Spencer run)

WW: T.J. Chambliss 8 pass from Spencer (pass failed)

WW: Spencer 9 run (kick failed)