Eastern Regional High School
Football History
(This New Jersey School in the Eastern Section of
Camden County Serves Berlin Borough,
Gibbsboro Borough and Voorhees Township)

Recaps of Playoff Games (Top of Page; Followed by Starters for 2003 Group 4 Champions)
Details of Conference/League Championship Seasons (Middle of Page)
Statistical Accomplishments (Bottom of Page, as Provided by Chuck Langerman)

  Details obtained from stories in the Philadelphia Inquirer,
Camden Courier-Post and Burlington County Times.
  Thanks to Sean McAleer for his help with 2003 lineup.

To reach Ted Silary -- tedtee307@yahoo.com

Note: The playoffs involving Eastern included four teams through 1996. They expanded to eight teams in 1998.

1975
GROUP 3
SEMIFINAL
At Overbook
Moorestown 7, Eastern 6
  The Vikings moved within one point with a shade under three minutes remaining when a trick play produced a 24-yard TD pass from Halfback Mike McGuckin to Steve Sherwood. On a two-point try, quarterback Jeff Sneddon was stopped cold on a keeper. Soph Vince Palumbo carried 20 times for 79 yards.

1976
GROUP 3
SEMIFINAL
At Eastern
Sterling 24, Eastern 0
  Though the Vikings entered the game with an 8-0 record, the negatives turned out to be numerous -- five turnovers and two blocked punts. The best drive ended at the 12.

1977
GROUP 3
SEMIFINAL
At Eastern
Cherokee 18, Eastern 13
  Once again, entering a playoff with an 8-0 record proved to be a bad luck charm. Four interceptions were prominent among the problems. A 26-yard pass to Jim Gregory moved the Vikings within five points in the last two minutes, but late miracles did not take place.

1979
GROUP 3
SEMIFINAL
At Eastern
Eastern 41, Mainland 27
  The Vikings ended their playoff frustration in rather easy fashion as the first three possessions produced TDs. Mike Murphy tallied twice, first on an 8-yard pass from Steve Yates and then on a 50-yard return of a punt that was blocked by Bob Pilkauskas. In all, Eastern picked up 351 yards. Murphy also scored on a 50-yard reception. The lead reached 35-7 when Herb Hanson raced 69 yards on the first play of the second half.
FINAL
At Delsea
Delsea 42, Eastern 0
  Ralph Sadler managed to gain 56 yards on 12 carries. The Vikings ran just 25 plays. Coach Jon Batchelor praised his opponent by saying, "They could have scored 100 points."

1981
GROUP 3
SEMIFINAL
At Cherokee
Cherokee 3, Eastern 0 (2 OTs)
  After regulation ended at 0-0, the rules called for 10-minute sudden death overtimes. Cherokee kicked a 27-yard field goal with 4:34 remaining in OT No. 2. QB Bob Pilkauskas ran 20 times for 76 yards. The Vikes' best drive, in the third quarter, stalled out at the 12.

1982
GROUP 3
SEMIFINAL
At Collingswood
Eastern 42, Moorestown 17
  The Vikings rebounded nicely from a 10-0 deficit and wound up scoring 28 consecutive points in the second half. Twenty-two were posted in a 5-minute stretch in the fourth quarter. Fred "Chip" Kron surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the season by churning for 183 (and three TDs) on 21 carries. The grunts were John Brown, Mike Dube, Ken LeBlanc, Dan McDuff and Rich Maddox.
FINAL
At Sterling
Cherokee 24, Eastern 15
  In temps approaching 70 degrees, the Vikings' running game could never get hot. It gathered just 27 yards on 26 rushes. Fred "Chip" Kron scored one TD apiece via rush/reception.

1983
GROUP 3
SEMIFINAL
At Eastern
Eastern 42, Williamstown 26
  Skip Papale bulled for 166 yards and three TDs on 21 carries to pace a 488-yard, total-offense effort. Rick Kerr ran for one score and passed to Brian Lamon for another. Williamstown saved face by scoring the final 14 points.
FINAL
At Toms River South
Toms River South 17, Eastern 14 (OT)
  The Vikes lost this one on a field goal with five seconds left in the extra session. In raw weather conditions, they were guilty of six turnovers (four fumbles, two picks). Eastern tied the score with 1:35 left in regulation as Rick Kerr hit Charlie Seitchick for a 40-yard score.

1991
GROUP 4
SEMIFINAL
At Eastern
Eastern 14, Cherry Hill East 6
  In their first playoff appearance since 1983, the Vkings used an 82-yard TD run by Chris Canty (9-143) with two minutes remaining to claim the school record for wins with nine. Kimatni Rawlins ran 21 yards for the other score. Jason Montgomery sealed the deal with a late interception.
FINAL
At Eastern
Toms River North 24, Eastern 6
  Two early fumbles enabled the visitors to jump to a 10-0 lead. Eastern scored on the final play, trick variety, as Andy Cipollono made the catch and Kimatni Rawlins raced the final 25 yards after gathering in the lateral.

1992
GROUP 4
SEMIFINAL
At Washington Township
Washington Township 41, Eastern 12
  Eastern's highlight was Chris Canty's 80-yard touchdown on a kickoff return. He also scored on a 1-yard run.

1995
GROUP 4
SEMIFINAL
At Washington Township
Washington Township 19, Eastern 0
  The Vikings managed to rack up just 62 yards and the best play, a 28-yard burst by Raheem Halstead, did not take place until the final series.

1996
GROUP 4
SEMIFINAL
At Shawnee
Shawnee 38, Eastern 14
  A 73-yard, bob-and-weave TD run by backup QB Andrew Dawson (Charles Robinson suffered an early injury) created a 7-7 tie. Little went well thereafter.

1998
GROUP 4
QUARTERFINAL
At Eastern
Shawnee 31, Eastern 13
  Though the Vikings had topped Shawnee in a conference game two weeks earlier, in this one their production in the first half was limited to 28 yards on 11 plays. Adam Taliaferro scored two TDs in the second half.

1999
GROUP 4
QUARTERFINAL
At Eastern
Eastern 34, Shawnee 19
  Adam Taliaferro roared to 264 yards and four TDs on 18 carries and tallied a fifth score on an 89-yard kickoff return. Shawnee coach Tim Gushue, a vet of two-plus decades, said of Adam, "He's by far the best player I've ever seen or coached against." Two weeks earlier, Eastern had beaten this same opponent by 61-41.
SEMIFINAL
At Eastern
Eastern 13, Jackson 7
  Darryl Scott slapped together quite the two-way performance as the Vikings upped their record to 10-0, best in school history. The quarterback's 1-yard plunge made the score 13-0 with 4:24 remaining and then, at cornerback, he made an end zone interception at 0:02. Adam Taliaferro contributed 129 yards and one TD on 24 carries.
FINAL
At Rutgers University
Atlantic City 31, Eastern 29
  Many hearts were pierced with eight seconds remaining when AC nailed a 31-yard field goal, thus preventing the Vikings (11-1) from winning their first sectional championship. Eastern, having scored the game's first 17 points, had zipped ahead, 29-28, on Darryl Scott's 75-yard TD pass to Adam Taliaferro with 8:54 to go. Khary Sharpe's two six-pointers came on a 71-yard punt return and a 54-yard toss from Scott.

2003
GROUP 4
QUARTERFINAL
At Mainland
Eastern 14, Mainland 13
  The No. 8 seed pulled off this huge upset as Jahre Cheeseman scampered for 156 yards and his team's first TD, a 42-yarder, on 18 carries. Anthony Orio bulled seven yards for the second score with 1:11 remaining. Will Carney nailed the PATs. Mainland tried a 42-yard field goal on the game's final play. Zach Cundiff swatted it. Eric Dube excelled all day at linebacker.
SEMIFINAL
At Cherokee
Eastern 50, Cherokee 43 (2 OTs)
  In an all-timer featuring numerous heroes, QB-LB Anthony Orio earned top-dog status by running two yards for what became the winning TD . . . when he notched an interception on the very next play. Eastern had started the season 0-2 and Cherokee had inflicted one of those setbacks. Jahre Cheeseman notched the Vikings' first OT score on a 14-yard run. Orio and Cheeseman halved four TDs and Dan McShane racked up six points for the defense with a 20-yard fumble return. This game was played on a Friday night in front of an overflow crowd and the point total (93) broke the record (92) for NJ playoffs.
FINAL
At Washington Township
Eastern 14, Washington Township 7
  Once again Anthony Orio performed two-way magic as the Vikings, in season No. 30 for NJSIAA football playoffs, claimed their first sectional title. Aside from passing for TDs to Dave Kellum (24 yards) and Jahre Cheeseman (38), he was dominant at linebacker and helped to thwart the Minutemen’s last-moments attempt to tie or win the game. That ended at 12.5 when A.J. Schneider made a tackle at the 16. This night game was played on Dec. 9, a Tuesday. The day after Thanksgiving, WT had bested Eastern, 7-2, in a conference game.

2004
GROUP 4
QUARTERFINAL
At Cherokee
Cherokee 14, Eastern 0
  The Vikings, who received 117 rushing yards (62 on one play) from Jahre Cheeseman, were guilty of six turnovers in rainy/muddy conditions.

2006
GROUP 4
QUARTERFINAL
At Toms River East
Toms River East 35, Eastern 3
  The Vikings yielded 398 yards of total offense and avoided a shutout when Alec Sherman booted a 21-yard field goal.

2007
GROUP 4
QUARTERFINAL
At Eastern
Eastern 24, Williamstown 20
  Eastern scored the first 17 points, gave up the next 20 and won it with 2:02 left when quarterback Logan Ryan, thanks in large part to an early lead block by fullback Bryant White, turned a left-side keeper into his second TD, a 48-yarder. Ryan also passed 9-for-11 for 109 yards while Preston Keiffer pounded a 43-yard field goal.
SEMIFINAL
At Eastern
Mainland 17, Eastern 16
  The decisive score was a 31-yard field goal with seven seconds remaining. Bryant White turned 23 rushes into 96 yards and one TD.

2008
GROUP 4
QUARTERFINAL
At Mainland
Mainland 42, Eastern 14
  Brent Caprio was involved in all six of Mainland's TDs. He passed for four and ran for two.

2009
GROUP 4
QUARTERFINAL
At Cherokee
Cherokee 14, Eastern 3
  Eastern’s Bill Long opened the scoring with a 35-yard field goal.

2012
GROUP 5
QUARTERFINAL
At Eastern
Eastern 41, Toms River North 38
  Tom Flacco's 18 completions produced 330 yards and five TDs. Eli Apple (then known as Woodard) also had major fun, making seven catches for 157 yards.
SEMIFINAL
At Eastern
Southern 30, Eastern 27
  After using two TD passes by Tom Flacco (23 yards to Devon Nikolis, 5 to Keshawn Segers) to claim a 27-21 lead, the second-seeded Vikings were bested due to a safety and a 3-yard TD pass with 22 seconds remaining.

2013
GROUP 5
QUARTERFINAL
At Eastern
Eastern 32, Atlantic City 26
  Tom Flacco passed for three TDs and ran for another and Eastern, the No. 1 seed, was able to survive by scoring the final nine points.
SEMIFINAL
At Eastern
Eastern 35, Millville 18
  Once again the Vikings survived thanks to late-game dominance. They scored the final 21 points thanks to rushing scores by Kingsley Ayeni and Eric Sawyer and Tom Flacco’s pass to Cinque Hill (8-137). Flacco finished 20-for-38 for 301 yards and two TDs.
FINAL
At Rowan University
Cherokee 38, Eastern 2
  As evidenced by five turnovers, almost nothing went right on this cold/rainy night. Eastern finished 10-2 and Cherokee inflicted both losses. In non-Cherokee games, the Vikings averaged 39.3 points. Compared to 11.5 against the Chiefs. Tom Flacco finished his career with 7,386 passing yards, the No. 2 number in South Jersey history and No. 3 in state annals.

2017
GROUP 5
QUARTERFINAL
At Rancocas Valley
Rancocas Valley 57, Eastern 9
  The Vikings broke the school record for points allowed and 50 were surrendered prior to halftime. T.J. Franden carried 13 times for 71 yards and Chase Stafford scored the TD on a 1-yard keeper. Eastern also racked up a safety.

2018
GROUP 5
QUARTERFINAL
At Rancocas Valley
Rancocas Valley 22, Eastern 15 (OT)
  Thanks to recoveries by Amiel Davis (off a sack) and Dominic Harris (off a pooch), the Vikings posted 15 points in the first 8:44. TJ Franden scored 12 on rushes and two more on a trick-play conversion run while John Fulleylove hit the PAT. RV created the tie early in the fourth quarter and broke it on OT's opening possession. Franden finished with 16 carries for 75 yards. Drew Heck's 119 passing yards upped his season total to 2,031, No. 3 in school history.

2919
GROUP 5
QUARTERFINAL
At North Brunswick
North Brunswick 32, Eastern 20
  Oddly, the Vikings were placed in the Central Jersey bracket and they traveled to meet the No. 1 seed. Hang tough, they did, and even owned a 20-19 lead before NB rallied. The offense displayed lots of balance. Amiel Davis (26-135) and Mike Suarez (13-133) rushed for one TD apiece. Connor Stafford (15-for-31, 122) also passed for one. Suarez' score enabled him to finish the season with 100 points.

--

STARTERS FOR 2003 GROUP 4 CHAMPIONS
  OFFENSE   DEFENSE
C Robert Dancer T Sean McAleer
G Sean McAleer T Steve Guertler
G Dan Donker E A.J. Schneider
T Phil Trautwein E Joey Kellum
T A.J. Schneider MB Eric Dube
Rec. Dave Kellum OLB Dave Kellum
Rec. Andrew Kirkland OLB Jake Cornely
Rec. Marcus Turner CB Brendan Moles
Rec. Michael Paul CB Jahre Cheeseman
QB Anthony Orio S Andrew Kirkland
RB Jahre Cheeseman S Zach Cundiff
K Will Carney    
P Pat Monaghan    

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1976
OLYMPIC NATIONAL (5-0)
  The Vikings won their first title with a 14-12 win at Clearview on the final day of conference action. Clutch plays by the Maiers were crucial. Bill's fumble recovery set up a 1-yard scoring run by Steve Sherwood (22-106). Bobby blocked a punt, scooped up the ball and journeyed 18 yards for six more points. Joe Hartmann nailed two PAT.
1977
OLYMPIC NATIONAL (6-0)
  In a last-game showdown between 5-0 teams, Eastern was dominant in a 34-0 road victory thanks in large part to its defense. Mitch Brown was the mainstay. He blocked two punts and each swat produced six points. He recovered the ball in the end zone the first time and Vince Palumbo needed to travel just two yards the second time. The Vikings also notched four interceptions while Palumbo added two rushing TDs.
1981
OLYMPIC NATIONAL (4-0-1)
  Five days after suffering a 3-0, two-OT loss to Cherokee in a Group 3 playoff, the Vikings roared to a 40-0 Thanksgiving win over visiting Overbrook to claim the outright title. Chip Kron (three) and Tim Walsh combined for five TDs and Bob Pilkauskas netted 109 yards on 13 completions. A perfect conference mark was prevented by a 6-6 tie with Williamstown in the third game.
1982
OLYMPIC NATIONAL (4-1)
  The Vikings clinched the title in game No. 4 by overcoming a 14-7 deficit and posting a 20-14 win at Gloucester Catholic. The decisive TD was scored with 1:17 left when Tim Walsh passed to Steve Simone for a 72-yarder. Chip Kron and Ned Kerr had rushing TDs. The chance for a 5-0 mark disappeared on Thanksgiving. Overbrook won that one, 14-8. Eastern was 9-0 overall beforehand.
1991
OLYMPIC AMERICAN (6-0-1)
  For their final conference game, the Vikings trekked to Washington Township and earned the title with a 17-17 tie. After Kevin Nicholls recovered a fumble, Mike Weissmann booted a 25-yard field goal with 7:02 remaining to tie the score. WT tried a 44-yarder at 0:02, but John Gavlick blocked it. He'd also recorded a blocked FG in the second quarter.
1995
OLYMPIC AMERICAN (6-0)
  Talk about turning the tables . . . In a Group 4 playoff, Eastern fell to Washington Township by a 19-0 score. A week later, with the conference title on the line (both teams entered at 5-0), the visiting Vikings rolled to a 21-0 success. Raheem Halstead rushed 12 times for 112 yards and all three scores and his 25-yard burst, off a fake punt, helped to set up No. 2.
1999
OLYMPIC AMERICAN (6-0)
  On the night after Thanksgiving, the Vikings overcame rain, mud and host Washington Township, 13-7, to lift their records to 6-0 (conference) and 11-0 (overall). Omar Miles and Adam Taliaferro (18-116) ran for scores of 27 and eight yards, respectively.
2006
BURLCO/OLYMPIC AMERICAN (4-2)
  This time the decisive game was played on Thanksgiving Eve, again in crappy conditions. Eastern triumphed over visiting Washington Township, 13-7, thus leaving four teams with 4-2 records (also WT, Cherokee and Pennsauken). Phil Hook preserved the victory by recovering a fumble on Eastern's 5 in the final half-minute. Steve O'Keefe, the backup QB, replaced the injured starter, Andrew Daley, in the first half and wound up leading his team to the winning score, Bryant White's 1-yard run.
2013
WEST JERSEY AMERICAN (4-1)
  The Vikes needed a win in the final league game to earn a share of the title, and they posted it emphatically, 34-14. The victim was Lenape, by 34-14. Tom Flacco passed 13-for-23 for 166 yards and four TDs and two of those scores were racked up by Keshawn Segers (5-102). Cherokee and Williamstown also finished 4-1.

----------------

  Statistics offered by Chuck Langerman, noted South Jersey sports historian. Thank you, Chuck!
  (Entering the 2017 season.)

  1. Four Eastern players have played in the NFL: Eli Apple (Giants, DB; known as Eli Woodard during his Eastern career), Chris Canty (Patriots, Seahawks, Saints, DB), Logan Ryan (Patriots, DB), and Phil Trautwein (Rams, Browns, OL).
  2. Logan Ryan is the only Eastern player to play in Super Bowls. (XLIX and LI).
  3. In 1999, Adam Taliaferro scored 176 points which is 38th best all-time in South Jersey.
  4. In 2010, quarterback Antony Robbins threw a 99-yard touchdown pass to receiver Mark Burwell. Of course, that ties the South Jersey, state, and national record for longest TD pass.
  5. Kicker Todd Spirt kicked 52 PATs in 2013 to tie for 13th best all-time in South Jersey for a season.
  6. Todd Spirt had 70 kicking points in 2013 for ninth place for most kicking points in a season. (After his junior season in 2013, Todd Spirt transferred to Upper Dublin for his senior year of school.)
  7. Kicker Ed Kehoe booted 8 field goals in 2012 to tie him for 13th place for most field goals in a season in South Jersey.
  8. Kicker Will Carney finished his career in 2004 with 22 field goals which puts him third in SJ history for field goals in a career.
  9. Will Carney booted 11 FG in 2004 which ties him for fourth-place for FG in a season in SJ history.
  10. Wide receiver Keshawn Segers had 246 receiving yards in a game in 2013 which is 7th all-time in South Jersey history.
  11. Keshawn Segers had 1,116 receiving yards in 2013 for 11th highest single-season total in SJ history.
  12. Keshawn Segers had 62 receptions in 2013 which is the 18th highest single-season total in SJ History.
  13. Keshawn Segers had 100 career receptions which places his 24th all-time in SJ history.
  14. Tom Flacco threw for 6 TDS. in a 2012 game.  That ties him for second-place for most TD passes in a game.
  15. Tom Flacco threw for 59 career TDs which is tenth all-time in South Jersey history.
  16. Tom Flacco had 188 completions in 2013 for 5th-place for completions in a season. In 2012, Flacco had 185 completions which is 7th. highest in a season.
  17. Tom Flacco had 304 attempts in 2012 for 8th highest in a season, and 299 in 2013 for 13th highest in a season.
  18. Tom Flacco had a high game of 443 yards in 2012 for sixth highest game total in SJ history, and he threw also for 378 yards in 2012 for 22nd best all-time.
  19. Tom Flacco threw for 2,957 yards in 2012 for 7th best in a season and for 2,782 yards in 2013 for ninth best in a season in South Jersey history.
  20. Tom Flacco threw for 7,397 career yards which is currently second best in South Jersey history and fourth best in state history. (Flacco played his freshman season at Camden Catholic).

------------

Statistics offered by Chuck Langerman, noted South Jersey sports historian. Thank you, Chuck!
  (Entering the 2019 season.)

  1. Four Eastern players have played in the NFL: Eli Apple (Giants, DB; known as Eli Woodard during his Eastern career), Chris Canty (Patriots, Seahawks, Saints, DB), Logan     Ryan (Patriots, Titans, DB), and Phil Trautwein (Rams, Browns, OL).
  2. Logan Ryan is the only Eastern player to play in Super Bowls. (XLIX and LI).
  3. In 2010, quarterback Antony Robbins threw a 99-yard touchdown pass to receiver Mark Burwell. Of course, that ties the South Jersey, state, and national record for longest TD pass.
  4. Kicker Todd Spirt kicked 52 PATs in 2013 to tie for 13th best all-time in South Jersey for a season.
  5. Todd Spirt had 70 kicking points in 2013 for ninth place for most kicking points in a season. (After his junior season in 2013, Todd Spirt transferred to Upper Dublin for his senior year of school.)
  8. Kicker Ed Kehoe booted 8 field goals in 2012 to tie him for 14th place for most field goals in a season in South Jersey.
  9. Kicker Will Carney finished his career in 2004 with 22 field goals which puts him third in SJ history for field goals in a career.
  10. Will Carney booted 11 FG in 2004 which ties him for fourth-place for FG in a season in SJ history.
  11. Wide receiver Keshawn Segers had 246 receiving yards in a game in 2013 which is tied for 8th all-time in South Jersey history.
  12. Keshawn Segers had 1,116 receiving yards in 2013 for 15th highest single-season total in SJ history.
  13. Keshawn Segers had 62 receptions in 2013 which is tied for 21st highest single-season total in SJ History. 

  14. Dante Kiett had 129 career receptions at Eastern (played there in '18) and Camden Catholic good for tenth all-time.
  15. Tom Flacco threw for 6 TDS. in a 2012 game.  That ties him for fourth-place for most TD passes in a game.
  16. Tom Flacco threw for 59 career TDs which is tied for eleventh all-time in South Jersey history.
  17. Tom Flacco had 188 completions in 2013 for 6th-place for completions in a season. In 2012, Flacco had 185 completions which is 8th. highest in a season.
  18. Tom Flacco had 304 attempts in 2012 for 9th highest in a season, and 299 in 2013 for 13th highest in a season.
  19. Tom Flacco had a high game of 443 yards in 2012 for eighth highest game total in SJ history.

  20. Drew Heck had a high game of 399 yards against Washington Twp. in 2018 for 17th highest game in SJ history.

  21. Drew Heck threw for 2,031 yards in 2018 for 55th best in a season.
  22. Tom Flacco threw for 2,957 yards in 2012 for 8th best in a season and for 2,782 yards in 2013 for 12th best in a season in South Jersey history. 
  23. Tom Flacco threw for 7,397 career yards which is currently fourth best in South Jersey history and sixth best in state history. (Flacco played his freshman season at Camden Catholic).