Absegami Football Team Takes on Cherokee in Consolation game

It's not a playoff game, but the NJSIAA consolation game between the Absegami High School and Cherokee football teams may be one of the most competitive matchups of the weekend.

The NJSIAA pairs up non-playoff teams based on power points so teams don't have three weeks off before their Thanksgiving Day games.

Absegami (4-4) travels to Marlton to take on Cherokee (5-3) at 7 p.m. tonight, Nov. 11, in a rematch of last year's Group IV quarterfinals game, which the Chiefs won, 35-14.

"We definitely want to play and it's a rematch," Absegami running back Tyler Bing said. "We played them in the playoffs last year. It should be a good game. We will see how it plays out."

"With our schedule we have had enough games against brand-name football teams, so to speak," Absegami coach Dennis Scuderi Jr. said. "We have played enough of these games you hope it's just another game."

Both teams were a win away from making the playoffs. Both programs lost last week with a chance to qualify for the playoffs.

Absegami was disappointed with its performance against Hammonton.

"With what we were playing for with an opportunity to make the playoffs we needed to have more energy," Scuderi said. "We took a different approach this week. We were a lot more fired up in practice and we had an excellent week. We don’t know if that will translate (tonight) but I'm proud of the way they responded. They showed intensity and had drive in practice. They are excited to play and have the opportunity to play at Cherokee."

"It was definitely better than last week," Bing said. "It was a good week of practice. We are ready to go play with our hearts."

It will take heart to slow down Cherokee running back Zaire Williams, who rushed for more than 400 yards and six touchdowns last week.

"He is a Division I prospect," Scuderi said of the Cherokee junior. "He is really good obviously. Out of the last four state titles, they won three of them. They are well coached and we have to make sure to make as few mistakes as possible. We have to focus on the small things that tend to get away at this time of year."

While the defense will focus on Williams, the offense will focus on getting back on track. After scoring 27 points against St. Augustine, and averaging close to 28 points through the first six games of the season, the Braves scored 10 points the last two games.

Bing and David Hood had success last week on the ground against Hammonton, but the only touchdown came after the defense set the offense up with favorable field position with an Emil Robinson interception.

Quarterback Mike Dolan scored a rushing touchdown, the team's first touchdown in six quarters.

"We just have to keep doing what we are doing, but we can't have the silly mistakes," Bing said.