HAMMONTON - It has happened so often that we should stop being surprised: Hammonton is again a giant in South Jersey football despite not being gigantic in stature.
Hammonton traditionally relies on execution, toughness, and some of the best coaching South Jersey has ever seen, and the formula is working once again this year.
The Blue Devils won the first title of what could be a multiple-championship season with Friday night's 37-14 win over visiting Holy Spirit.
That clinched the Cape-Atlantic National crown for the Blue Devils (6-0 overall, 4-0 division).
And no doubt everybody in Group 3 understands that Hammonton will be one of the paths that most teams would like to avoid come playoff time.
Against a Holy Spirit team that is 3-3 (after having one win negated because of the use of an ineligible player), Hammonton started strong, watched the Spartans come back to within 16-14 on Nigel Jones' 7-yard touchdown run with 3 minutes, 55 seconds left in the third quarter, and then the Blue Devils went into overdrive.
Among the symbols of this undersized team is senior receiver-defensive back Robert Barbieri, who had three interceptions and a 4-yard touchdown reception. Barbieri is 5-foot-11 and 180 pounds. He doesn't look that tall, but plays much bigger.
"I think people look at our size and underestimate us," Barbieri said. "We just play good, physical football."
Of course, that is not to suggest that there aren't quality athletes at Hammonton. There just isn't a lot of size.
"I think we were overlooked coming into this year," said 5-9, 187-pound fullback David Williams, who scored two late touchdowns. "Hammonton has been winning this way for a long time."
The Blue Devils had a rare off-season last year – by their lofty standards. Hammonton was 7-4, which most programs would take in a heartbeat, but at Hammonton, that's considered rebuilding.
"That was disappointing," Barbieri said. "That isn't Hammonton football."
The program has qualified for the playoffs 28 times, soon to be 29, since the advent of NJSIAA playoffs in 1974.
Hammonton has won five sectional titles.
Coach Pete Lancetta is 194-49-2.
There will still be plenty of obstacles in Group 3, but Hammonton will prove to be a major hurdle for any contender.
Spirit had to play without standout running back Donta Pollock, out with a knee injury, but the Spartans received a good effort from Jones, himself a Division I prospect.
Once the Spartans got back in the game on Jones' touchdown, Hammonton went into another gear.
"Hammonton executed so well," Spirit coach Chalie Roman said. "This is just a great football team."
Hammonton might not have the most high-level college prospects, but it has plenty of players with the will, desire and, more important, know-how to get it done when it matters the most.
Holy Spirit 0 7 7 0 – 14
Hammonton 6 10 0 21 – 37
Ham: Russell Forchion 5 run (kick failed)
Ham: FG Alessandro Padovani 23
HS: Liam Nolan 44 pass from Tom Hehre (Tom Worthington kick)
Ham: Dominic Williams 8 run (Padovani kick)
HS: Nigel Jones 7 run (Worthington kick)
Ham: Robert Barbieri 4 pass from Christian Mortellite (Padovani kick)
Ham: David Williams 1 run (Padovani kick)
Ham: David Williams 1 run (Padovani kick)
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
