Winslow was on the outside looking in.
Now, as the program’s Twitter account stated, the Eagles have a seat at the table.
The West Jersey Football League changed its championship pod Saturday, removing Williamstown from its four-team bracket and adding Winslow to the mix. The Eagles will play second-seed Holy Spirit on Friday at 6 p.m. in one semifinal, with fourth-seed Lenape playing at top-seed Cherokee next Sunday at noon.
The winners will then meet for the No. 1 spot in South Jersey high school football the following weekend.
Mythical or not, it’s something to shoot for in this pandemic-stricken 2020 season.
“We’re now in the conversation, but we’re not just happy to be in the conversation. We want to play hungry, inspired football,” Winslow coach Kenny Scott said.
“It’s humbling. I’m sitting here reflecting on the last few years. The task of laying a firm foundation seemed daunting and we definitely had some troublesome times. This makes me appreciate the ebbs and flows.”
Winslow (5-0), No. 20 in the latest statewide NJ.com Top 20, finished 3-8 last season and went 4-6 in Scott’s first season as head coach in 2018.
“It doesn’t matter who we play,” Scott added. “It’s a matter of being given the opportunity to compete. Our kids and staff will relish the moment to play the ‘Who’s Who’ of South Jersey.”
The two-time defending South Jersey Group 5 champion, Williamstown was originally in the top pod when the WJFL announced its postseason format Thursday. But after the Braves suffered a 16-8 loss to Millville on Friday night, the wheels were set in motion to discuss changing the scenario.
“We probably should have waited,” WJFL commissioner Derryk Sellers said. "The fact that (the NJSIAA) gave us the flexibility to make it right, I’m OK with that.
“I feel a lot better today than I did Friday. I was a little upset yesterday. We had to make it right. As a coach, a fan, a South Jersey football person, we had to do the right thing. I couldn’t have that on my watch where we didn’t do the right thing. Not everyone is going to be happy, but that’s OK.”
The second pod will feature Camden at Burlington Township and St. Joseph (Hamm.) traveling to Ocean City.
The third pod has Nottingham at St. Augustine and Hammonton at Williamstown.
The fourth pod did not change, with Delran at Salem and Haddon Heights facing Paulsboro.
“A lot of people had something to say,” Sellers said. “I’m 1000% happier than I was Friday. I was a little down. If we just could have waited until (Saturday) we would have had a clearer picture.”
All four teams in the championship pod are in the NJ.com Top 20. In addition to Winslow, Lenape (4-0) is No. 3, while Cherokee (5-0) is No. 7 and Holy Spirit (5-0) is No. 8.
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Kevin Minnick covers the West Jersey Football League. He can be reached at kminnick@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @kminnicksports
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