Washington Township High School
Football History
(This New Jersey School is located in
the Sewell
section of Washington Township, in Gloucester County)
Recaps of Playoff Games (Top of Page)
Details of Conference/League Championship Seasons (Bottom of Page)
Details obtained from stories in the
Philadelphia Inquirer
and
Camden Courier-Post.
To reach Ted Silary -- tedtee307@yahoo.com
Note: The playoffs involving Washington Township included four teams through 1996. They expanded to eight teams in 1999.
1982
GROUP 4
SEMIFINAL
At Bricktown
1987
GROUP 4
SEMIFINAL
At Cherry Hill East
Washington Township 12, Cherry Hill East 6:
Two weeks after losing to this same opponent, 29-8, in the regular season, WT
claimed victory with 21 seconds left as Chris Tillison (15-91) turned a counter
reverse into a 27-yard TD. Geno Colongo's fumble recovery set up the drive; he'd
scored WT's first TD on a 1-yard rush.
FINAL
At Toms River South
Washington Township 34, Toms River South 19:
Tom Brown became the first South Jersey coach to win championships at two
schools (four at Grop 1 Paulsboro) as WT stunned the unbeaten Indians. Ralph
Ross rushed 11 times for 123 yards and two TDs. Geno Colongo (12-95), Chris
Tillison (17-81) and QB Dave Koerner (a 47-yarder) added one apiece.
1989
GROUP 4
SEMIFINAL
At Cherokee
Washington Township 13, Cherokee 10:
Darren Riley recovered a blocked punt by Devon Burt to set up the game's first
TD, a run by Brian Scavetta, and scored the second on his own short run. He
finished with 116 yards on 31 carries. Matt Shultz and Wyatt Wilson made key
interceptions.
FINAL
At Washington Township
Brick Township 13, Washington Township 12:
The second of Darren Riley's two TD runs moved WT within 13-12 in the third
quarter, but the conversion pass was intercepted. The Minutemen's final
possession advanced to Brick's 31.
1991
GROUP 4
SEMIFINAL
At Washington Township
Toms River North 10, Washington Township 7:
WT lost this one on a 27-yard field goal as time expired. Jim Colongo ran 53
yards for the Minutemen's TD.
1992
GROUP 4
SEMIFINAL
At Washington Township
Washington Township 41, Eastern 12:
Jim Colongo rushed 19 times for an even 200 yards and two scores while Tim
Huckel passed for two six-pointers. Eastern did not rack up a first down until
7:30 remained in the third quarter.
FINAL
At Washington Township
Washington Township 20, Brick Township 6:
The Minutemen capped their first 11-0 season even though the offensive
production was minimal -- no passing yards, just 63 total yards for top rushers
Mike Koerner (two TDs, one on a 61-yard punt return) and Jim Colongo.
1993
GROUP 4
SEMIFINAL
At Washington Township
Washington Township 48, Pemberton 0:
Aside from turning 23 carries into 92 yards and four TDs, Mike Koerner made four
snags for 82 yards and added a conversion catch. The romp began when Mike
Colavita recovered a fumble and scored four plays later on a pass from Chris
Engelhart.
FINAL
At Cherokee
Cherokee 16, Washington Township 6:
The Minutemen, who
had been averaging 39.9 points, waved bye-bye to a 21-game winning streak while
being held to 77 yards and four first downs. Mike Koerner, who scored on a
58-yard punt return, finished the season with 200 points.
1994
GROUP 4
SEMIFINAL
At Cherokee
Cherokee 29, Washington Township 14:
WT was dominated in yardage (331-100) and first downs (19-6). Pete Ferris rushed
for two TDs.
1995
GROUP 4
SEMIFINAL
At Washington Township
Washington Township 19, Eastern 0:
Phil Pleasant ran for three scores and notched the first two 34 seconds apart in
the second quarter.
FINAL
At Giants Stadium
Washington Township 17, Shawnee 9:
One week after returning to action from a sprained ankle, Pete Ferris carried 22
times for 156 yards and three TDs as the Minutemen won their second South Jersey
title in four years (and third in nine). Joe Kraus and Phil Pleasant helped to
protect the lead with second half interceptions.
1996
GROUP 4
SEMIFINAL
At Ocean City
Ocean City 45, Washington Township 7:
The Minutemen were scorched for 427 yards and surrendered the first 39 points.
In the fourth quarter, Phil Pleasant's 3-yard run ended OC's shutout bid.
1999
GROUP 4
QUARTERFINAL
At Jackson
Jackson 10, Washington Township 9:
WT scored on Jim Lawson's field gaol and Kevin Maguire's 1-yard sneak with 5:55
remaining. Alas, Lawson's PAT was blocked.
2000
GROUP 4
QUARTERFINAL
At Lenape
Washington Township 23, Lenape 14:
The Minutemen avenged a 26-25 defeat to Lenape by scoring the final 17 points.
Mike D'Andrea's rushing score put WT ahead for good with 45 seconds left in the
second quarter. Fred
"Von"
Bryant ran for two TDs.
SEMIFINAL
At Washington Township
Shawnee 21, Washington Township 7:
Mike D'Andrea capped WT's 11-play, 80-yard scoring drive by bulling in from the
1.
2001
GROUP 4
QUARTERFINAL
At Washington Township
Washington Township 34, Toms River North 7: Steve Ramick rushed for the
first two TDs while Steve Koerner ran 57 yards for one and fired a 31-yard pass
for another.
SEMIFINAL
At Washington Township
Cherokee 13, Washington Township 6:
Steve Koerner tallied for WT on a 40-yard keeper. Cherokee had dropped the
teams’ regular season meeting by 21-0.
2002
GROUP 4
QUARTERFINAL
At Washington Township
Washington Township 35, Jackson 20:
David Darby and Ryne Cantwell contributed two TDs apiece as the Minutemen
coasted. Darby, the wingback, did so on his only two touches – a 71-yard run and
a 22-yard pass from Sal Calaciura.
SEMIFINAL
At Washington Township
Washington Township 17, Winslow Township 14:
Shaun Logan’s 27-yard field goal, which provided a 10-6 lead, wound up making
the difference. David Darby earned the game’s first and last TDs on passes from
Sal Calaciura. Linebackers Chris Niszczak and Hugh D’Imperio paced the defense.
FINAL
At Washington Township
Shawnee 14, Washington Township 10:
WT could not maintain the momentum it displayed while claiming a 10-0 halftime
lead; it earned just one first down thereafter. An interception by Hugh
D’Imperio set up Shaun Logan’s field goal and a fumble recovery by Justin Deal
preceded Dan Holmes’ 4-yard TD run.
2003
GROUP 4
QUARTERFINAL
At Shawnee
Washington Township 21, Shawnee 9:
Jesse Cooper rushed for WT’s first two TDs and Sal Calaciura repped the defense
with a 37-yard interception return. Shawnee had triumphed in the teams’ three
previous games.
SEMIFINAL
At Washington Township
Washington Township 49, Absegami 7:
Tom Brown (57 in seven seasons at Paulsboro, 143 in 19 at WT) became the third
South Jersey coach to bag 200 wins as Jesse Cooper rushed for four TDs and Sal
Calaciura (6-for-9, 121 yards) passed for two more.
FINAL
At Washington Township
Eastern 14, Washington Township 7:
The Minutemen could not match their regular season win over Eastern. Sal
Calaciura ran eight yards for a TD, but was tackled on the 16 as the clock wound
down.
2004
GROUP 4
QUARTERFINAL
At Atlantic City
Washington Township 27, Atlantic City 14:
On a cold/rainy night, fullback Ryan D’Imperio notched the game’s first TD on a
pass from Kyle Terry . . . and scored the final three on rushes of 28, two
(shortly after Brett Swiecinski tackled AC’s punter on the 1) and 69 yards. He
finished with 181 yards on 21 totes.
SEMIFINAL
At Cherokee
Washington Township 14, Cherokee 12:
Jesse Cooper ran for the winning TD and made a that’ll-do-it interception with
1:03 remaining.
FINAL
At Shawnee
Shawnee 26, Washington Township 13:
Shawnee posted a perfect record (12-0) for the first time in the program’s 35
seasons. Also, the Renegades were the first perfect team to capture a Group 4
South Jersey
crown
since WT in 1992. After Shawnee posted the first 19 points, Ryan D’Imperio ran
for a 4-yard score.
2006
GROUP 4
QUARTERFINAL
At Cherokee
Cherokee 28, Washington Township 20:
Brandon Colavite ran for TDs of 45 and three yards. Mike Schatzman hit paydirt
from the 2. An interception with 3:37 remaining sealed the deal.
2007
GROUP 4
QUARTERFINAL
At Washington Township
Southern Regional 21, Washington Township 7:
WT experienced frustration after Skylar Robinson rushed for the game’s first
touchdown.
2008
GROUP 4
QUARTERFINAL
At Washington Township
Washington Township 28, Williamstown 24:
After a lengthy discussion during two timeouts with 42.5 seconds remaining, WT
decided to go for the win instead of a tie on fourth-and-two from the 4. With
Nick Krauss leading the way, Brandon Colavita ran for a joy-producing TD. He
finished with 78 yards -- also had a 43-yard score – and made an interception to
set up the decisive six-pointer.
SEMIFINAL
At Mainland
Mainland 45, Washington Township 10:
The Minutemen had to settle for 137 yards of offense. Rusher Uriah Brickhouse
(6-48, TD) led the way and Ben Palestino nailed a field goal. Mainland scored
the final 24 points.
2009
QUARTERFINAL
At
Toms River
Toms River East 28, Washington Township 13:
WT had no answer for Nico Steriti, who went the old-school route by rushing 45
times – yes, 45 – for 206 yards and three TDs. Scores by
Steve
Hughes (rush) and
Kordel
McIniss (pass from
Nick Valori) gave WT a 13-6 halftime lead.
2011
QUARTERFINAL
At Williamstown
Washington Township 42, Williamstown 23:
Andrew O’Neill and Julian Allen scored on fumble returns as WT left a 17-0
deficit waaaaaay behind. Plus, Tom Hildebrand completed his final seven passes
for 181 yards and three scores (two to Chris Colavita).
SEMIFINAL
At Millville
Millville 42, Washington Township 41:
Again the Minutemen faced a deficit that was hardly minute – 28 points at 35-7.
And again they roared back. On a run and reception, John Montesjardi scored the
last two touchdowns. WT opted to go for the win, but a conversion pass was
intercepted.
2012
GROUP 5
QUARTERFINAL
At Washington Township
Southern Regional 33, Washington Township 32:
Tim Hildebrand hit four receivers for one TD apiece, but the Minutemen
experienced heartache when a kick that would have created a 33-33 tie went awry.
SR’s Abe Gonzalez was quite the beast, rushing 39 times for
238 yards and four six-pointers.
2013
GROUP 5
QUARTERFINAL
At Cherokee
Cherokee 51, Washington Township 0:
Cherokee scored four TDs within its first 10 plays and owned a 30-0 lead 2:15
before halftime.
2015
GROUP 5
QUARTERFINAL
At Williamstown
Williamstown 21, Washington Township 0:
The Minutemen fumbled the opening kickoff and quickly fell
behind for good. In all, WT was guilty of seven turnovers.
2018
GROUP 5
QUARTERFINAL
At Williamstown
Williamstown 34, Washington Township 3:
Anthony Rossi nailed a 30-yard field goal in the second quarter.
2019
GROUP 5
QUARTERFINAL
At Hillsborough
Hillsborough 28, Washington Township 7: The hosts scored the
first 28 points and held WT to no first downs in the first half. The TD was
scored by Brandon Leone on a pass from Liam Friel.
--
1970
OLYMPIC NATIONAL (5-0)
In season No. 7 of varsity football, the visiting Minutemen topped
Eastern, 18-14, on Thanksgiving to finish perfect not only in conference play
but also overall (9-0). Robyn Small, the two-year QB starter, rushed for two
scores (breaking a career drought) and fired his 15th TD pass of the season.
Jack Pfizenmayer added two interceptions.
1982
OLYMPIC AMERICAN (5-0)
Visiting WT beat Edgewood, 12-6,. to earn its first conference title
in 12 years and first-ever berth in the sectional playoffs. The scores went to
Kevin Long on a short keeper and Walt Dzierzgowski on a lengthy interception
return (83 yards). Edgewood committed turnovers on its first four possessions.
1989
OLYMPIC AMERICAN (6-1)
WT suffered its setback (14-7 to Pennsauken) in OA game No. 5, but
finished with a serious flourish (50-6 over winless Paul VI). The Eagles
experienced mighty struggles after posting the game's first score. Rushers Damon
Brown (18-156), Darren Riley (22-110), Brian Scavetta (4-106) and Rafael Soto
(7-101) all topped 100 yards. WT shared the crown with Pennsauken.
1992
OLYMPIC AMERICAN (7-0)
One week after thumping Eastern, 41-12, in a playoff, the Minutemen
largely relied on clutch defense to win the rematch, 14-7, and achieve OA
perfection. In the third quarter, Jim Colongo and Mike Koerner rushed for
touchdowns after interceptions by Chris Engelhart and Roy Price.
1993
OLYMPIC AMERICAN (6-0)
Mike Koerner ran for 170 yards and four scores -- one in each
quarter; Mike Colavita went 4-for-4 on PAT -- as WT squashed Eastern, 28-0, and
finished perfect in OA play for the second consecutive season. From the last
five conference games in '91 through the first five in '94, the Minutemen went
21-0-2. A 21-12 loss to Eastern ended the streak.
1996
OLYMPIC AMERICAN (6-1)
The Minutemen fell to Lenape, 21-14, in their fourth OA game and
recorded a 10-0 win over Eastern in their finale. The Vikings advanced no closer
to the goal line than WT's 30 while the scores went to Pete Ferris (35-yard
field goal) and Phil Pleasant (7-yard run). Though WT and Shawnee finished with
matching 6-1 records, the former was awarded the title because it won the teams'
head-to-head battle, 28-24.
2001
OLYMPIC AMERICAN (6-0)
Late in the first half, after TWO measurements confirmed that Eastern
came up roughly an inch short of a first down at the 3, the Minutemen drove 97
yards in 12 plays to take a 13-10 lead. That score stood up. Steve Koerner
passed 3-for-3 for 39 yards on the decisive drive and Shea Harris bulled into
the end zone from the 1.
2002
BURLCO/OLYMPIC AMERICAN (7-1)
The Minutemen lost to Shawnee, 21-14, in their fifth conference game,
but capped a 7-1 campaign by beating Eastern, 35-7, and back-doored its way to
the title the next day when Winslow Township fell to Cherokee. Fullback Ryne
Cantwell turned 23 carries into 159 yards and four visits to the end zone.
2006
BURLCO/OLYMPIC AMERICAN (4-2)
WT dropped its last two B/OA tilts -- 49-21 to Cherokee, 13-7 to
Eastern -- to finish in a four-way tie for the championship. The three others
were Eastern, Cherokee and Pennsauken.
2007
BURLCO/OLYMPIC AMERICAN (6-0)
In a winner-takes-all showdown vs. Eastern, WT rolled to 20-7
halftime lead en route to a 27-21 triumph. Skylar Robinson's 74-yard dash got
things started.The next two scores were racked up by Mike Schatzman (1-yard run)
and Matt Bosnjak (27-yard pass from Steve Graziano).
2015
WJFL AMERICAN (4-1)
WT dropped its first conference game to Cherokee, 33-13, and won its
fifth and final by 28-7 over Williamstown. The Minutemen and Cherokee shared the
title. Mike Piperno passed to Nick Grosso for touchdowns of 52 and 44 yards as
WT bounced back from a seven-turnover mess in a playoff.