Leary sets state TD pass record in Timber Creek victory

Timber Creek defeated Winslow Township on Thursday, 48-12, and Chargers junior quarterback Devin Leary wrote his name in the New Jersey record book.

Leary threw for five touchdowns to break the state record for most touchdown passes in a season when he logged his 44th midway through the third quarter.

Leary dropped back and found wingback Blaine Shade for a 42-yard touchdown to break the mark of 43 touchdown passes set in 2001 by Somerville's Ryan Carty and tied in 2011 by Pennsauken's Manny Cortez.

"It's huge," Leary said. "I knew that there was a possibility coming into the game, but that was really the last thing in my head. I was telling my parents all last night I am really worried about it. I just want to get this win today."

Leary threw for two touchdowns in the first quarter, both of which were caught by senior wide receiver Dante Waugh-Hill. They were big plays on which Hill got behind the defense, and Leary found him on deep passes.

Winslow Township answered with two touchdowns of its own to get the game to within one possession, but that was all the scoring it would do for the rest of the game.

Leary connected with senior wide receiver Ezrah Archie on a screen right before the first half ended to tie the state record.

"The biggest thing that we have seen, and the biggest sign of improvement was him being able to shake things off," coach Rob Hinson said of Leary. "Today wasn't a particularly great game, but he battled through and shook it off."

Leary threw his 45th touchdown pass of the season early in the fourth quarter on a fade route. The ball was caught by senior receiver Jean Paul Roane.

Hinson and Leary were happy they got the record out of the way Thursday, so it would not be a distraction in the preparation for the South Jersey Group 4 championship game against Lenape. That game is set for Rowan University at 2:30 p.m. Dec. 4.

"I just think we have to play our game," Leary said. "It all starts Monday off the field, in the weight room, watching film, and we got to get after it this week."

Timber Creek 21 7 7 13 - 48

Winslow Township 12 0 0 0 - 12

TC: Dante Waugh-Hill 64 pass from Devin Leary (Tyler Coluccio kick)

TC: Harold Coleman 25 run (Coluccio kick)

TC: Dante Waugh-Hill 52 pass from Devin Leary (Coluccio kick)

WT: David Wallace 85 pass from Prince-Dru Bey (run failed)

WT: Charles McCall 13 pass from Prince-Dru Bey (pass failed)

TC: Ezrah Archie 8 pass from Devin Leary (Coluccio kick)

TC: Blaine Shade 42 pass from Devin Leary (Coluccio kick)

TC: Ezrah Archie 11 pass from Devin Leary (Coluccio kick)

TC: Jake Kolbe 8 run (run failed)