Highland football passes major test in win over district rival Timber Creek | Marc Narducci

Highland entered the season believing it could be one of the best football teams in Group 4. The Tartans' 5-0 start hasn't stopped this optimism, but no matter how the Tartans fare, at least they have one temporary title — top team in the Black Horse Pike Regional School District.

That unofficial title was earned after Friday's wild 16-15 win over Timber Creek, a titan not only in the school district, but in South Jersey.

Since 2011, the Chargers have won four South Jersey titles. Highland is still seeking its first South Jersey championship, so the Tartans have lived in the shadow of Timber Creek, which is no disgrace but not a lot of fun.

"We've been described as the little brother," said junior safety-wingback Kasim Randall-Dale. "Well, little brother grew up in this game."

Highland can seal its school district's unofficial title with a win over the third member, Triton, on Thanksgiving.

For so long it has been Timber Creek and everybody else, not only in the district but in South Jersey.

It took some wild plays to make this happen, none crazier than when Randall-Dale blocked a 45-yard field-goal attempt and the ball headed to the end zone, but didn't get there. Nobody from either team moved, thinking it was a dead ball.

Highland sophomore Mike D'Amico picked it up and wasn't quite sure what to do until he looked at the Highland bench, which exhorted him to return the miss.

He finally returned it to the Timber Creek 13, which set up Brian Cooey's 25-yard field goal with 4 minutes, 59 seconds left, making the score 16-15.

Highland was ready to seal the game with a first-and-goal on the Timber Creek 4-yard line when the Chargers' Taheeb Still returned a fumble 96 yards for an apparent touchdown, but Timber Creek instead got the ball at midfield after being called for holding on the return.

Highland's defense held and the Tartans had their win. Highland is now 5-0 and the Tartans beat some good teams, but they understood the skepticism in facing Timber Creek.

"This win gives our kids validity," Highland coach Brian Leary said. "People were saying, 'They are 4-0, but what are they going to do against Timber Creek?' "

Highland knew that this was not just a normal game.

"In the end it was like we won the Super Bowl but next week we have a tough team and the week after that we do, so we have to get it back together," Leary said  "But this was special tonight."

The Tartans prepared like it was the Super Bowl.

"This was our best week of practice," said sophomore running back Johnny Martin.

The Chargers (2-2) lost their opener to Ohio power Central Catholic, 45-0, but then beat Hammonton and Vineland before meeting Highland. Counting out the Chargers in this year's Group 3 race would be premature and unwise, although they won't be in the favorite's role.

Still, this is an excellent team and so are the Tartans, who now enjoying the fruits of being the best in their own district.

Highland         0  7  6  3 – 16

Timber Creek 0  9  6  0 – 15

T: Zach Coluccio 40 FG

H: Johnny Martin 4 run (Brian Cooey kick)

T: Jayvin Little 25 pass from Fred Jefferson (kick failed)

T: Jefferson 5 run (kick failed)

H: Cooey 1 run (pass failed)

H: Cooey 25 FG