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High School Football:
Deptford Takes Full Advantage Of Rams Turnovers

Saturday, October 11, 2003

By Vincent Lewis
SJSports Staff Writer

It was a game that the Spartans would be able to talk about for a long time. Coming short of scoring a touchdown themselves, Deptford’s defense came up big forcing turnovers and making it easy for their offense to operate. Unfortunately for the visiting Rams from Gloucester Catholic, they were the victims of their own mistakes after showing their ability to run the ball successfully when needed. All three of Deptford’s touchdowns were the result of the defense coming up with big time hits and pressure on the quarterback. The Spartans remained unbeaten, 4-0, with their Tri-County Conference Royal Division 25-12 victory.

Tom Beese’s field goal would have been good from 49 yards away when he gave Deptford a 3-0 lead with 8:21 showing on the first quarter game clock. The Spartans were able to move the ball quickly into field goal range that gave Beese the opportunity to nail his 39-yard attempt straight down the middle of the uprights. Speaking of quickly, just over a minute later, Jeff Clement intercepted a pass setting up Calvin Corsey’s touchdown run from 4 yards out. The defense was not done giving the offense chances to put more points on the scoreboard in the first quarter. After a hard on halfback Mark Bottino, Deptford’s Westly Soper’s fumble recovery and return set up quarterback Steve Sowders one-yard keeper and a 17-0 lead.

Bottino, who had been successful picking up huge amount of yards running the ball, got the call for the option pass. That play call from the coaching staff was executed at the right time. Josh Carr caught Bottino’s pass for 52 yards and was forced out of bounds at the 3-yard line right at the end of the first quarter. Bottino completed the scoring drive for Gloucester Catholic with his 2-yard touchdown.

When the second half begun and the Rams looking at a 17-6 deficit, Bottino went to work again. Showing off his ability to break tackles, his 66-yard touchdown run gave Gloucester Catholic new life now only trailing by 5 points. But turnovers by both teams during the third quarter proved to be too costly for the Rams. Deptford added a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion with 1:46 remaining in the third quarter to complete the scoring in this game.

Photos by Art Redd

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