This was supposed to be somewhat of a rebuilding season for Hammonton.
It has been anything but.
The Blue Devils have combined experienced players with talented sophomores to become one of the region's top teams. Hammonton is No. 9 in The Press Elite 11.
Quarterback Christian Mortellite is one of the impressive newcomers with nine touchdown passes. Senior wide receiver and defensive back Bobby Barbieri, a three-year starter, is one of the veterans Hammonton has relied on. Kingsway has struggled to score at times. The Dragons have scored a total of 26 points in their four defeats.
Key players for Kingsway Regional: Tyler Barnholt, QB, six touchdown passes; Myles Matthews, LB; Ray Lawry, RB, seven touchdowns.
Key players for Hammonton: Dave Williams, RB, 120 carries for 643 yards and nine touchdowns; Russ Forchion (above), RB, 59 carries for 410 yards and seven touchdowns; Christian Mortellite, QB, 55-of-78 for 826 yards and nine touchdowns; Bobby Barbieri, WR, 21 catches for 281 yards and four touchdowns; Nate Haden, OL/DL; Dylan Rosu, LB/RB.
Keys to victory: The Hammonton defense will focus on stopping Lawry, who scored three touchdowns in Kingsway's 35-7 win over Deptford on Oct. 28. The Hammonton offense with its powerful running game and the accurate passing of Mortellite should be able to move the ball for some early scores against the Dragons.
South Jersey Group III quarterfinals
Who: Seventh-seeded Kingsway Regional (4-4) vs. second-seeded Hammonton (7-1)
When/where: 7 p.m. today at Hammonton
Admission: $3 adults and $2 students and senior citizens
What's next: Winner advances to next weekend's semifinals against the winner of tonight's quarterfinal between sixth-seeded Oakcrest and third-seeded Moorestown.
