Camden Panthers Secure First State Championship Bid with 37-18 Victory
BREAKING: The Camden Panthers have made history by reaching their first state championship appearance after a commanding 37-18 victory over Haddonfield in the NJSIAA/Xfinity Group 2 semifinals. The Panthers will face Shabazz for the title on December 3 at Rutgers University.
The excitement is palpable as the Camden High School marching band prepares to celebrate late into the night. Coach Rob Hinson expressed his pride, stating, “I’m just elated for these guys, they wanted to make history.” This landmark achievement is significant for a city rich in culture and athletics, marking a pivotal moment in Camden’s sports legacy.
After falling short in previous years, including losses in the semifinals to Delsea in 2022 and 2023, and a sectional final defeat last year, the Panthers are on a roll. They dominated a highly-rated Haddonfield team that was expected to put up a strong fight.
A key factor in Camden’s playoff success has been the emergence of senior quarterback Ahmad Jones. After transferring from Pleasantville and sitting out the first three games, Jones has come into form. He threw for 213 yards, completed 16-of-24 passes, and scored a rushing touchdown against Haddonfield. Coach Hinson noted, “Ahmad thought he was going to come in and pick right up… Now he’s getting it done.”
Defensively, the Panthers were relentless, holding Haddonfield’s star running back Brody Leonard to a mere 8 yards on 9 carries. Senior defensive lineman Jerome Foster emphasized their preparation, stating, “All week we worked on staying in our gaps.”
Camden established dominance early, scoring on their first four drives, which included a 3-yard touchdown run by Jones and a 1-yard run by teammate Roman Duckett. The Panthers quickly built a commanding lead of 24-0.
Despite Haddonfield’s efforts to recover, including a touchdown from sophomore quarterback James Farrell, who rushed for 121 yards, the Panthers maintained control. A key moment came when Talib Shakir intercepted a deflected pass and returned it 85 yards for a touchdown, sealing the game.
Haddonfield’s coach Frank DeLano praised Camden, stating, “They out-played us tonight in every phase, but I’m proud of our guys we fought like heck.” The Bulldawgs will now shift their focus to their upcoming Thanksgiving Game.
As the Panthers prepare for their historic matchup against Shabazz, they are fueled by determination. “It’s only going to get better. Last one, best one,” Jones declared, promising more excitement ahead.
Stay tuned for further updates as Camden continues its journey toward a state title!
