125lb MUSTANGS Fall in Final Minutes of Game, Score 19-12

PHOTO OF MUSTANGS celebrating there win over Westville two weeks ago. The team members are: Ryan Ziegler, James Burkhardt, Colin Ward, Mike Davis, Matt Davis, Michael Cox, Ben Boyer, Tommy Burke, Patrick Rafferty, Justin McCleary, Nate Theckston, Christian Phelps, Steven Morrad, Joey Weatherly, Mike Becker, John Lado.

The capacity crowd at the Camden Catholic High School Field all knew that #34 Ben Boyer was getting the ball. He did and powered off tackle to pick up 4 yards and a huge 1^st down at the 2 yard line with time winding down and giving Gloucester 4 downs to take the lead and the Championship for that matter. But that play would be negated as there was a flag on the play for illegal procedure for \”leaning forward\” stated the official. The long drive stalled deep in enemy territory and Willingboro took over on downs.

It looked like overtime was inevitable.

However, Gloucester’s Defense who played valiantly all day and kept the speedy Panthers in check all game succumbed to the big play at the wrong time as the lightning quick tailback broke an 82 yard game winning TD. The game was a heavy-weight battle by both hard hitting teams with the outcome undecided until the very end. In fact, the perennial Champions from the large school NFC division, Willingboro, was so impressed by the Gloucester Boys efforts that there Coaches, Team, and Fans gave them 2 standing ovations in post-game ceremonies in a what can only be viewed as the ultimate sign of respect in sports and a class act on Willingboro’s part.

Ryan Ziegler managed the game well for the Mustangs using ball control and time eating drives and Nate Theckston anchored the line in a \”Kirk Gibson\” like effort. The entire team played as a unit and this group of boys should be acknowledged not only for this fine season but for their entire careers down on Johnson Blvd as they have always represented the Mustangs and the City well, on and off the field. It was also Coach Mike Cox’s last game after 19 years of unselfish volunteerism in the program. He gets to leave with his head held high and can be proud of his team and legacy he has left. He and these boys who all graduate and move on to high-school will all be missed.

~Michael Kenrod Kenny