It was the kind of drive that wins a game - and makes a season.
Triton went 85 yards behind senior quarterback Brian Keller and scored the winning touchdown in the final minute for a 20-19 victory over Delsea in a WJFL Royal Division game on Friday.
"Our senior class and some of our juniors, they know that in the past we've lost some of these close games, especially against a team like Delsea," Triton coach Pete Goetz said. "It was huge for our program to get this one."
Keller led the drive by passing and running. The winning score came on an 11-yard touchdown pass down to Allen Richards.
"Keller, the wide receivers, the offensive line. They all did a great job in that last drive," Goetz said. "Allen Richards made a great catch in the end zone."
Triton senior defensive back Jimmy Burns sealed the victory with an interception on Delsea's ensuing possession. Goetz said Burns made 10 tackles and also knocked down a two-point conversion pass after Delsea took a 19-14 lead in the fourth quarter.
"Jimmy Burns was all over the field," Goetz said.
Triton improved to 4-1, including a 3-0 mark in the Royal. The Mustangs are looking like legitimate contenders in the forthcoming South Jersey Group 4 tournament.
"Delsea is one of those teams that's a barometer for where you want to be," said Goetz, whose team has a bye before an Oct. 21 battle with Bishop Eustace (3-2). "For us to beat them, especially the way we did, it means a lot."
Pirates uprising. Cinnaminson, which was 0-4 last season in the WJFL Patriot, stunned previously unbeaten Burlington Township by a 27-10 score on Friday night.
Cinnaminson is 4-1 overall and 2-1 in the division, thanks to an offensive line that controlled the game against the 4-1 Falcons.
"Ball control," Cinnaminson coach Mario Patrizi said of the key to the victory. "We dominated time of possession."
Patrizi said Cinnaminson's front line of Sam Ekwonike, Dave Kozak, Kerry Lickfield, Justin Hanus, Mike Shay and tight end Xavier Wilson led the way.
The front line created room for junior running back Tom Donnelly, who gained 167 yards on 34 carries, and time for senior quarterback Dom Elly, who was 9 for 14 passing for 133 yards and two touchdowns.
Frustrated Cougars. Cherry Hill East was on the verge of a signature victory over Shawnee on Thursday afternoon.
But the Renegades drove 65 yards, got the winning score on a 1-yard quarterback sneak by Jamie Jackopin and emerged with a 20-16 victory.
