Michael Radano: Willingboro's defense big reason for perfect record

IT'S NOT that the Willingboro High football team is void of a player or two who likes to score.

The Chimeras (5-0) have averaged 30.6 points per game, and with weapons such as Malcolm Culmer, who has eight touchdowns, and quarterback Matt Dash, who has thrown for seven touchdowns and run for another, scoring hasn't been a concern.

But Willingboro stayed perfect thanks to its defense.

"If you come out to our practices, you'll see that 60 percent of what we do is defense," coach Reggie Lawrence said. "After that, it's 30 percent offense and 10 percent special teams.

"The way we look at it, if they can't score, they can't win. We want to control the clock, and, right now, we have kids who have bought into our system. We have a group of kids that like to tackle and like to hit. Hey, we have kids that like to score, but I think our whole program takes a tremendous amount of pride in our defense."

That focus has shown up on the field this year as Willingboro has allowed just 12 points in the first five games. It also should be noted that all 12 points were scored on opening weekend by Cinnaminson, as Willingboro has reeled off four consecutive shutouts.

"We have playmakers all over the field, but our success is built around our linebackers," Lawrence said.

That's not a surprise either as Willingboro's two-linebacker set exploits seniors Brandon Bennett and James Denson along with junior Jaheem Kendrick. There is also senior Kyle George, whom many schools could use as a one-linebacker set. The senior accepted a scholarship offer from Rutgers, after just 1 year of varsity football.

"Defense is what we take pride in," Lawrence said.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Timber Creek gym was the stage for senior back and special-teams standout Damiere Byrd, who announced his intentions to play for South Carolina next fall.

Byrd's talents - his speed and quickness - will translate well in the Southeastern Conference as he can get on the field early on with the special teams.

Meanwhile, Byrd and the Chargers (3-2) are still in the Group 3 playoff hunt. They have plenty of work ahead of them

after a pair of losses this month put a damper on high expectations entering the year.

"Delsea put a bit of a beating on us," coach Rob Hinson said. "The next week, we got into a shootout with Moorestown.

"But the kids stayed focused and I think we have a lot of confidence going into our next few games. We have Eastern this week and then Seneca, but we've learned that we can't look ahead. Eastern's record may not be that good, but they have talent and I don't know too many programs that could play that schedule."

Timber Creek has been without senior Quinton Alston since he played a few downs against Delsea on Sept. 16 in a 33-10 loss. Without Alston, who could return from right-knee surgery in time for Seneca in 2 weeks, the Chargers needed more options than just Byrd. Into the mix has stepped junior Quanzell Lambert.

"We knew physically he could handle it," Hinson said. "What's been encouraging is the fact he's become more of a vocal leader. We're going to need that to stay positive and reach our goals."

In an odd twist, despite a 21-12 win over Glassboro and a 6-0 record, Pennsville is second in Group 1 power points with 75. So, who is the only team ahead of them? You guessed it, Glassboro (5-1) with 79 points . . . Coming off an impressive 17-14 win over Camden Catholic, Delsea has again set itself up for some home games in the Group 3 playoffs. The Crusaders are one of only two undefeated teams, along with Lacey, the great unknown from the Shore Conference, at 6-0 and comfortably atop the rankings . . . Speaking of Delsea, as good as kicker Frank Freijomil is, it's odd that his one and only field goal so far this year came at the end of the Crusaders' game against Camden Catholic.

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