Mike Thomas said his big goal as a senior is to win a playoff game.
Thomas helped Burlington Township move into position to make a deep run in the South Jersey Group 3 tournament with a 39-13 victory over Northern Burlington on Saturday.
Thomas scored five touchdowns as Burlington Township clinched the West Jersey Football League's Patriot Division title as well as the No. 1 seed in the South Jersey Group 3 field.
The 5-foot-11, 175-pound Thomas, an all-purpose player, scored on runs of 5, 4, and 10 yards and also caught touchdown passes covering 19 and 29 yards. Thomas set up one of his touchdowns with a 33-yard punt return.
"He took over the game," Burlington Township coach Tom Maderia said. "He's a special kid. He's one of the best in South Jersey."
Senior linebacker Jalen Ferguson returned an interception 98 yards for a touchdown on the last play of the first half and senior defensive end Dayne Turner recovered two fumbles, registered two sacks, and made an interception for Burlington Township (7-1 overall, 5-0 Patriot).
Junior Kenyata Greene carried the football 17 times for 83 yards and a touchdown for Northern Burlington (4-4, 2-2).
Northern Burlington coach Jon Reising called Ferguson's interception "the turning point" of the game.
Down by 14-7, the Greyhounds were driving for a potential tying touchdown when Ferguson stepped in front of a pass and raced down the right sideline and into the end zone as time expired in the half.
"That changed the whole complexion of the game," Reising said.
The teams are rivals, and the game was a physical battle with a lot of penalties, including several personal fouls.
The teams could meet again in the second round of the South Jersey Group 3 tournament, as Northern Burlington could be a No. 4 or 5 seed, depending on the results of other games.
"Turnovers showed in the score," Reising said.
With the victory, Burlington Township will vault ahead of Delsea for the top seed in the tournament. Delsea (7-1) will be the No. 2 seed.
Thomas, a four-year starter, said Burlington Township never has won a playoff game in his career. He thinks the Falcons have a great chance this season.
"This is huge for us, winning the division and getting the No. 1 seed," Thomas said. "It was just a great day."
Northern Burlington 0 7 6 0 – 13
Burlington Twp. 0 21 6 12 – 39
BT: Mike Thomas 5 run (Joe Pizzigoni kick)
NB: Kenyatta Greene 2 run (Karl Butler kick)
BT: Mike Thomas 19 pass from Khalil Trotman (Pizzigoni kick)
BT: Jalen Ferguson 98 interception return (Pizzigoni kick)
NB: LJ Terry 2 run (kick failed)
BT: Thomas 29 pass from Trotman (kick failed)
BT: Thomas 4 run (pass failed)
BT: Thomas 10 run (kick failed)
Contact Phil Anastasia at panastasia@phillynews.com or @PhilAnastasia on Twitter. Read his blog, "Jersey Side Sports," at www.philly.com/jerseysidesports
