Hammonton and Delsea Regional are two of southern New Jersey's premier programs. Hammonton is the defending South Jersey Group III champion. Delsea won the 2008 and 2009 South Jersey Group II titles.
Delsea is No. 8 in The Press Elite 11. Hammonton is No. 9.
These teams haven't met since the 2003 playoffs when Hammonton beat Delsea 28-14 in the South Jersey Group III semifinals.
Delsea avenged its only loss of the season with a 38-0 win over Woodrow Wilson in last Friday's quarterfinals. Wilson had beaten Delsea 41-21 on Oct. 23. Delsea's Tyler Colbourn rushed for two touchdowns.
Hammonton has won three straight after a 28-7 loss to undefeated Holy Spirit. Bobby Barbieri intercepted three passes in last week's 30-14 quarterfinal win over Burlington Township.
Playoff histories: These teams are perennial South Jersey title contenders. Hammonton is 28-22 with five titles in 28 playoff appearances. Delsea is 27-11 with nine championships in 21 appearances.
Key players for Delsea: Josh Awotunde, QB, 17-of-24 for 331 yards and seven touchdowns; Darius Convery, WR, 16 catches for 361 yards and six touchdowns; Tyler Colbourn, RB, 107 carries for 799 yards and 13 touchdowns; Marshall Brooks, LB, 77 tackles.
Key players for Hammonton: Tyler D'Amelio, QB, 35-of-65 for 479 yards and three touchdowns; Jared Sanchez (above), RB/WR/DB, 109 carries for 631 yards and 12 catches for 260 yards; Tim Alexander, RB/LB, 72 carries for 432 yards and four touchdowns; Bobby Barbieri, WR/DB, five interceptions; Connor Conway, TE/DB, four interceptions; C.J. Plummer, OL/DL.
Keys to victory: These programs both pride themselves on being physical and able to run the ball. The key to this game is the simple. The winner will be the team that runs the ball more effectively.
Michael McGarry
Who: Third-seeded Hammonton (7-2) at second-seeded Delsea Regional (8-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. today at Delsea in Franklinville
What: South Jersey Group III semifinal.
What's next: Winner advances to the South Jersey Group III final the weekend of Dec. 3-4 against the winner of Saturday's semifinal between fourth-seeded Winslow Township (6-3) and top-seeded Lacey Township (10-0).
