Late game fumble turns tide for Camden to secure win in home opener

Camden's Haleem Muhammad came up with a huge turnover late in the game as Camden defeated Kingsway, 26-21, in the football gamed played at Farnham Park in Camden, New Jersey on Friday, September 5, 2025. Chris Baker/D2 Sports Network

CAMDEN - The Camden High School football team had its back against the wall with Kingsway piecing together a game-ending drive late in the fourth quarter.

The Panthers needed a hero to step up and make a play for them on defense. Haleem Muhammad answered the call, forcing a fumble on a running play with a little under three minutes left to play in the contest.

Camden hopped on the loose ball, drove down the field, and punched the ball into the endzone on a quarterback sneak by Jaythan Candelario. Jaiden Steele picked off a Hail Mary to secure the 26-21 victory. The triumph was Rob Hinson's 150th win as a head coach in South Jersey.

"I had a big play called back earlier in the game due to a penalty," Muhammad said. "I knew I had to make up for it sometime later in the game. When that ball was in the air, I was just hoping someone in purple came up with it. We needed that momentum badly."

Despite flourishing during a 28-0 win out of state against Martinsburg (WV), Camden seemed to have a little rust on the defense and offense out of the gate. Kingsway put together a six-play, four-and-a-half-minute, 75-yard scoring drive to take an early lead. Camden didn't score until there were two minutes left to play in the first quarter when Christian Braxton sped into the end zone from 26 yards out.

The Panthers settled in and scored 12 more unanswered points until Kingsway stormed back late in the second half, putting Camden on the ropes. David Oravetz tossed a pair of touchdowns in that period that gave the Dragons the lead that would not stand for much longer.

On offense, the Panthers were sparked by Syracuse commit Ibn Muhammad, who made a handful of clutch plays, including a 58-yard catch and run for a score in the second quarter. Muhammad finished the game with five catches for 94 yards and a touchdown and 14 yards rushing on a fake punt that converted a key fourth down.

"I just want to make all of the plays I can when my number is called," Muhammas noted. "I try to get open on offense or make plays on defense that may set us up to win. I know every guy on the field is looking to make something happen on every play."

Having to manage a freshman quarterback is no easy task for a head coach at any level. The adjustment to competition and change of intensity may frighten most rookie quarterbacks, especially at a school like Camden High, where expectations are through the roof and home games are a huge advantage to the purple and gold. So far, Greg Wyche Jr. has exceeded expectations under center, whilst splitting occasional reps with Candelario and presumably Pleasantville transfer Ahmad Jones when eligible.

"Greg's handled the task very well so far," Hinson said. "It's not easy at any school to come in and start as a freshman, but especially here, where everyone is expecting the most from you. For a 14-year-old to come in and play like he has so far, it's exciting for the rest of the year and the next three that follow. We're going to take things one week at a time, but it's nice to know we will have a kid like him moving forward."