Haddonfield Has Three Div. I Recruits

Haddonfield Football Has Three Division I Recruits

Haddonfield’s football team made history this year, so it is no surprise that the Bulldogs were one of the big success stories on February 4, the day high school football players could begin signing a National Letter of Intent.

Despite being a Group 2 school, the Bulldogs had three players make Division I commitments: one to a Football Bowl Subdivision school (formerly known at 1-A) and two more to Football Championship Subdivision schools (formerly known as 1-AA).

Receiver-defensive back Jake Robinson signed with Temple. Fullback-linebacker Mark Walker committed to Lehigh and tight end-defensive end Ty Klaus is headed to William & Mary. All three were all-South Jersey performers, another impressive feat, especially for a Group 2 school.

The 6-foot-4, 220-pound Robinson was recruited by Temple as an athlete, which means they could use him at a variety of positions. He has the frame to develop into a tight end and that is likely where Robinson will begin his career, although one could see him playing linebacker as well. Temple liked the fact that he is very athletic and extremely tough.

This season, Robinson had 16 receptions, but made the most of them. He averaged 25.9 yards per reception and caught nine touchdown passes. That means greater than one out of two passes he caught went for scores.

His greatest game as a senior came when he scored all four TDs in a 28-0 win over Collingswood. Robinson had one rushing touchdowns and caught three more. On defense he recorded 41 tackles, one sack, two fumble recoveries and 10 passes defensed.

Robinson, who is also a basketball player, used his height to be a matchup problem in the red zone.

He is also a basketball player and the mobility he gained from that sport has helped him in football.

Walker (6-1, 215) excelled on defense, where he recorded 108 tackles, two interceptions, two passes defensed, 2.5 sacks and three caused fumbles. On offense, he had 46 carries for 280 yards (6.1 average) and five TDs. Walker added 10 receptions for 131 yards and a score.

He saved one of his best performances for last, during Haddonfield’s 27-0 win over West Deptford in the South Jersey Group 2 championship that capped the Bulldogs record at 12-0. That happened to be the first undefeated team at Haddonfield since the 1964 squad was 9-0.

Against West Deptford, Walker carried five times for 21 yards, but it was on defense where he made his mark with 15 tackles and three tackles for loss and one sack.

Klaus also had a big game in the championship with two catches for 24 yards and a spectacular one-handed 16-yard TD reception. As impressive as that play was, Klaus excelled on defense with nine tackles, one tackle for loss and a sack.

For the season, he caught 26 passes for 336 yards and five TDs. He added 59 tackles, 10 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks.

Regardless of a school’s size, to have three players competing on the Division I level is impressive. To come from Group 2 is even more impressive.

Walker, Klaus and Robinson were part of a 19-member senior class that helped lead Haddonfield to consecutive sectional titles for the first time in school history. It was quite a year, and this trio was justly rewarded on signing day.

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Author: Marc Narducci