These teams met in last year's quarterfinal with Egg Harbor Township winning 21-17. EHT lost in last year's South Jersey Group IV final to Cherokee, 14-0. The Eagles returned several veterans from last season -running back/defensive back Stephan Thomas, wide receiver/linebacker Kevin Marquez and fullback/linebacker Dominick Moody.
Shawnee is a perennial power. The Renegades won the 2007-08 South Jersey Group III titles. Shawnee comes off a 35-34 win over Washington Township last Friday as running back Ed Royds rushed for 217 yards and four touchdowns. The Renegades have lost to Cherokee and Williamstown - the top two seeds in this year's Group IV bracket.
All of EHT's losses - Absegami, Atlantic City and St. Joseph - are to playoff teams. This is EHT's third straight playoff appearance.
Key players for Shawnee: Ed Royds, RB, 915 rushing yards, 12 touchdowns; Vince Corbi, QB; Dillon Lucas, LB; Robby DiOrio, RB.
Key players for EHT: Stephan Thomas, RB/DB, 136 carries for 487 yards; Jon Kopistecki, QB, 73-of-130 for 1,017 yards and six touchdowns; Dominic Moody, RB/DE; Kevin Marquez, WR/LB, 29 catches, 478 yards, two touchdowns.
Keys to victory: Shawnee is a physical team that relies on the run. EHT has to slow Royds down. On offense, the Eagles have to block Lucas, establish a running game and give Kopistecki time to get the ball to Marquez.
GAME DETAILS
Who: Fifth-seeded Shawnee (5-3) vs. fourth-seeded Egg Harbor Township (5-3)
What: South Jersey Group IV quarterfinal
When/where: 7 p.m. today at Egg Harbor Township
Admission: $3 for adults, $2 for seniors and students
Radio: 94.3 FM
What's next: Winner advances to next weekend's semifinal against the winner of tonight's quarterfinal between top-seeded Cherokee and eighth-seeded Absegami.
