Camden football edges Rancocas Valley in thrilling defensive division showdown

Camden's Jawan Brownlee (2) breaks up a pass down field in the football game against Rancocas Valley played at Rancocas Valley Regional High School in Mount Holly, New Jersey on Friday, September 26, 2025. Collin Conway/D2 Sports Network

MOUNT HOLLY - The Camden High School football team was in search of its first division win after stumbling against Shawnee two weeks ago.

The Panthers traveled up Route 295 North for a West Jersey Football League Colonial Division showdown with Rancocas Valley. Camden squeaked out an 8-6 victory over the host Red Devils, putting its hat in the ring for a shot at a division title.

“This win sets us up for a lot down the line,” Camden coach Rob Hinson said. “Beating a top-level Group 5 school as a Group 2 school will give us lots of power points for the playoff seedings. Also, winning in the division puts us back in a spot to give ourselves a chance to make a run for the division title heading into the postseason.”

Both sides mightily struggled on offense for the entirety of the contest. Camden’s second-quarter rushing touchdown from Roman Duckett broke the ice and put the Panthers in the driver’s seat. The High converted the two-point attempt on a pass from Ahmad Jones to Andre Robinson, taking an early lead.

Camden forced a pair of turnovers on defense but couldn’t capitalize on either one. The Panthers also notched an interception by Scott Freeman, but stalled out following the change of possession.

Rancocas Valley showed life late in the third quarter when David Ogunsola came free off the edge for a clear shot at Jones, forcing a fumble in the red zone. Michael Beasley hopped on it, and the Red Devils converted the turnover into a touchdown by Jameer Bellamy. Rancocas Valley couldn’t cash in the two-point conversion playing behind the eight ball by two points for the remainder of the game.

The “Camden Track Club,” as Hinson refers to his team, boasts a turnstile of playstyles from many different players on the roster. The Winslow transfer Duckett provides the power and strength needed to gain extra yards on running plays in the A and B gaps.

“Me and Chris (Braxton) play off of each other and what situations coach puts us in,” Duckett noted. “He’s the speedy guy who can run outside, while I’m the one who likes to try and run people over and get those extra yards running up the middle.”

Duckett mentioned the Detroit Lions running back duo of Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery, and their nickname of “Sonic and Knuckles,” named after the SEGA video game duo of the aforementioned hedgehogs.

“When they started that last year, I was super into it,” Duckett added. “When I came over to Camden, I talked to Chris and said, ‘Bro, we could be exactly what they are,’ and we both went with it.”