To be 3-3 after a schedule that has been a minefield is admirable. In fighting until the end, faking a punt in the fourth quarter, clawing and scrapping against one of South Jersey's best teams, the Cougars deserve rave reviews.
"They fought us harder than any team we have faced," said Williamstown coach Frank Fucetola, whose 5-0 team is ranked No. 4 in South Jersey by The Inquirer. "That is a really good football team."
When South Jersey Group 4 contenders are being discussed, it doesn't take long for Williamstown to be mentioned.
East's other losses are to No. 2 Pennsauken and No. 7 Shawnee. The 20-16 loss to Shawnee last week was especially gut-wrenching, since the Renegades scored the winning touchdown with 27 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Even at that, East drove to the Shawnee 7-yard line in the final seconds, showing a never-quit approach.
"We lost to Pennsauken, Shawnee, and Williamstown in a 13-day span," East coach Tom Coen said. "I am very proud of what we have done the last three weeks."
Imagine a coach who is proud of a team that has just lost three games. That pride is justified.
The previous three weeks weren't bad either, with victories - one over a vastly improved Washington Township team.
When Williamstown scored on its first possession, it looked like rout city, until East's Robert Taylor returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards.
The fight was on.
"We sense that teams are giving us more respect," said Taylor, who also caught a 35-yard touchdown pass from Jesse Gold. "We're proud of what we have done, but not satisfied."
Williamstown, led 21-14, before scoring on Dan Collins' 10-yard scoring pass to Marques Little 18 seconds before halftime. Most teams would have been crushed, but East kept fighting. Williamstown had to play its first stringers the entire game.
East has a bye this week. After that, Coen says there is only one goal - the playoffs.
Coen says he isn't after moral victories. He believes there are too many of the real ones to chase.
"It's mid-October and we're still playing meaningful football," he said proudly.
And the way the Cougars are competing, those meaningful games could extend into November.
Cherry Hill East 7 7 0 7 - 21
Williamstown 7 21 3 6 - 37
W: John Chamberlin 4 run (Mike Burke kick)
C: Robert Taylor 90 kickoff return (Ryan Suli kick)
W: Chanberlin 7 run (Burke kick)
W: Marques Little 11 run (Burke kick)
C: Taylor 35 pass from Jesse Gold (Suli kick)
W: Little 10 pass from Dan Collins (Burke kick)
W: Burke 30 FG
C: Brian Regan 20 run (Suli kick)
W: Chris Inge 65 run (kick failed)
Contact staff writer Marc Narducci at 856-779-3225, mnarducci@phillynews.com, or @sjnard on Twitter. Find his Rally columns at www.philly.com/narducci
