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topicnews · October 25, 2024

Seneca’s Hasson shines with spot start and beats Willingboro with trick play

Seneca’s Hasson shines with spot start and beats Willingboro with trick play

WILLINGBORO – Jake Hasson has no plans to serve as the starting quarterback for the Seneca High School football team again.

However, he will never forget his one college start at QB. Neither will the Golden Eagles.

After starting quarterback Anthony Tirico was sidelined due to a concussion, he was forced to return. Hasson threw three touchdown passes, including the game-winning throw after a trick play late in the fourth quarter, as Seneca cruised to a 19-18 win at Willingboro on Thursday night.

The win potentially vaulted Seneca (6-3) into a top-eight spot in the Group 3 playoffs, meaning there could be a postseason game next Friday at Tabernacle. The postseason brackets will be announced on Sunday.

“This feels great,” Hasson said. “Anything can happen, you just have to be ready. Coach asked me to fill the position and I knew I had to do what I had to do.

“I am so proud of all my boys. My line is amazingly jammed (tonight), I can’t thank them enough.”

More: Football 2024: Check out all our content for the South Jersey high school season

Hasson was the quarterback on the freshman team, but didn’t move to QB after that season until last week when Tirico left the game against Paul VI in the first half with a head injury.

Hasson, who normally plays wide receiver, came in relief against Paul VI. four of five passes for 47 yards.

This week, No. 24 knew he would get the starting job.

“I was definitely more nervous than usual (on Thursday),” he said. “A lot of pressure, but I just tried to keep my composure and just fight with my guys.”

“We had our pep rally and that was fun, but when the bell rang at 2:27 p.m., I knew it was time for me to lock up.”

First-year Seneca head coach Anthony Diorio wasn’t surprised the team didn’t make a mistake under Hasson’s leadership.

“The kids follow him, he’s the leader of our team,” Diorio said. “He is so humble and has so much confidence. He will do anything for this team.”

Despite only having two quarters of varsity experience at QB, Seneca offensive coordinator Jay Donoghue hasn’t limited the playbook for Hasson. While the Golden Eagles ran multiple Wildcat formations with Jamar Warthen and Brody Phillips, Donoghue pulled off a double-reverse with Hasson throwing a pass to Nate Sauerwald, who scored the game-winning goal with 4:03 left in regulation.

“Our offensive coordinator, Coach Donoghue, does a great job making it work,” Diorio said. “No matter the size of the staff, he makes plans to ensure our children have the greatest success possible.”

Hasson completed 8 of 11 passes for 141 yards and also connected with Warthen and Phillips for touchdowns.

“We have the best offensive coordinator, he comes up with these things week in and week out,” Hasson said. “It always works.”

Hasson’s work wasn’t done either.

Willingboro had a chance to regain the lead late in the fourth quarter, but the comeback push was short-lived as Gabe Atz forced a fumble that Hasson seized.

Hasson had planned a college visit to DeSales on Friday. The lacrosse standout scored 92 goals and 43 assists for 135 points in his career.

Tirico is expected to be back for the playoffs

Diorio didn’t even wait for the question to finish before giving the answer.

“Hell yeah,” Diorio said of Tirico’s return to the field next week.

Tirico has thrown for 1,332 yards and 10 touchdowns while running for 643 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. He has totaled 3,173 passing yards and 976 rushing yards with 27 passing TDs and 13 rushing TDs in 20 career games (18 starts).

Game notes

Willingboro (6-3) may have lost its chance to host a playoff game in Group 2. The Chimeras were in ninth place at the start of the week.

The Golden Eagles still have a chance to share the Continental Division title, but Haddonfield would have to face Paul VI on Friday. upset.

Willingboro wasted no time getting the game going. Christopher Scott recovered a fumble on the first play from scrimmage and quarterback Sean Taylor hit Terrance Knighton with a 49-yard pass on the Chimeras’ opening play for a 6-0 lead.

Taylor connected with Knighton again in the fourth quarter with a 67-yard touchdown pass early in the fourth quarter.

Mekhi Cottle scored another Willingboro touchdown with a 10-yard run on a fourth-down call to start the second half.

Tom McGurk is a regional sports reporter for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times and has covered South Jersey sports for more than 30 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him at (856) 486-2420 or email tmcgurk@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Support local journalism with a digital subscription.

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