Jamil Pollard says the rivalry is "fierce" and also expansive.
"On the field, off the field, we're just big rivals with them," said Pollard, West Deptford's standout two-way lineman.
West Deptford and Haddonfield are rivals in nearly every sport. They sell out the gym in wrestling. They have big-time battles in boys' and girls' soccer. They met in the South Jersey Group 2 title game in baseball in June.
But the football rivalry has become something special in recent seasons.
"You watch it on film and you just see kids from both teams going all-out," Haddonfield coach Frank DeLano said. "The game is so fast. It's like everybody kicks it up another notch."
Haddonfield (2-0), the No. 10 team in The Inquirer's South Jersey rankings, will visit West Deptford (2-0) at 7 Friday night in a renewal of the Colonial Conference's hottest rivalry.
The teams are so familiar, it's almost as if no scouting report is necessary. They've played six times in the last three seasons – once in Colonial Liberty play, and once in the Group 2 tournament.
And while West Deptford holds a 4-2 edge in those games, it's clear that Haddonfield now can look eye-to-eye with the program that has dominated the Colonial Liberty for eight years.
"We knew we had a long way to go to catch up with them," DeLano said. "It took us time."
The Bulldogs arrived last December, with a goal-line stand that preserved a 16-8 victory in the South Jersey Group 2 title game. It was Haddonfield's first sectional title since the state playoff system began in 1974.
Since this is just Week 3 of the Colonial season, the teams are meeting for the second time in four games, which seems about right.
"Seems like it's always us and them," Pollard said.
West Deptford has played sturdy defense behind Pollard and Josh Roane. The Eagles offense is led by senior quarterback Jake Hannan, sophomore fullback Gerald Towns, junior running back Josh Cornelius, and senior wide receiver Tom Jakubowski.
"There's no secrets with them," DeLano said of West Deptford's wing-T attack. "It's just tough to stop them."
Haddonfield has a bevy of players back from last year's 11-1 team. Boston College recruit Jimmy Cashman leads the way up front.
Senior linebacker Matt Bhaya and senior defensive tackle Jack Knecht have combined for 13 sacks. Senior linebacker Carson Stack has 19 tackles. Senior running back Chris Dengler has 309 rushing yards on just 14 carries (22-yard average) and has scored six touchdowns.
Neither team has been truly tested the first two weeks. But Haddonfield always tests West Deptford, and West Deptford always tests Haddonfield.
"They're an excellent football team," West Deptford coach Clyde Folsom said of the Bulldogs. "We're excited. It's a great rivalry right now. We're going to have to play well."
Analysis: With more veterans, more experience, and more confidence from last year's finish, Haddonfield is further along than West Deptford right now. Plus, the Bulldogs are healthier.
Pick: Haddonfield, 24-20.
Contact staff writer Phil Anastasia at 856-779-3223, panastasia@phillynews.com, or @Phil Anastasia on Twitter. Read his blog, "Jersey Side Sports," at www.philly.com/jerseysidesports
