Lions Win City Championship Again
Thursday, November 23, 2023
The Annual City Championship Football Game between the G.C. Lions and crosstown rival Gloucester Catholic Rams was played under near perfect weather on Thanksgiving. The Lions 9-2 coming off a heartbreaking SJ Semi Finals defeat to Haddonfield hammered the archrival Rams 33-0 in a game that it appeared much worse then the score indicated. The GHS seniors walked off the home field knowing that their four Thanksgiving game battles against the Rams, they went 4-0 and holding the Rams scoreless with a four year scoring difference of 172 to 0
It was bittersweet win for the seniors, this group of Seniors led by, Kaleb Wright, Jake Zearfoss, Jake Siebert, Jaden Garris, Caidan Elmore, Ibyn Obey, Justin Frazer, Joe MacDonald, Jarren Huaca, Damere Finlay, Mark Dodaro, Zane Maddox, Nick Camp, Kevin Spencer, Logan DePoder and Justice Dolson who worked for 4 years bringing back the Gloucester Pride through hard work and sweat.
This Senior group entered GHS as freshman with Coach Rob Bryan looking to turn the program around who were 6 years removed from their last winning season. The first season was a winning one as these young boys earned a record of 5 - 2. They where just laying the foundation for their next 3 years. Gloucester High football was once again a team to be recognized in the area. This senior squad earned a 4 year record of 32 wins against 8 losses.
Now a Group II regular in the playoffs, these boys have made Gloucester City proud and relevant once again. The foundation has been laid and the building process is moving along. Next season the Lions will return junior running back Mason Widman, who ran for over 1,200 yards and scored 16 TD's this season for 139 points.
Freshman Ashton Wall became both an offensive and defense threat along Sophomore RB Jaden Tillman who rushed for 107 yards on the year and Junior Trevin Burkhardt who provided 32 tackles on defense.
It is hard leaving the field as seniors, but they managed to leave their mark each year to make the team better.