Timber Creek Among Many South Jersey Football Teams Working Hard in the Summer

by Marc Narducci; Photo Marc Narducci | Jul 12, 2019

Forget about a leisurely summer. Many of the top high school football programs in South Jersey (and many other areas) are in high gear this summer.

One example is Timber Creek.

Annually among the top programs in South Jersey, the Chargers, had a rare offseason a year ago, going 4-7. But they still managed to qualify for the postseason and win a playoff game. In the previous seven seasons, the Chargers were 74-9.

After the final NJSIAA event of the spring, high school fall sports teams are able to work out together. Timber Creek stated with a mini-camp and recently returned from attending three college football camps at the University of Maryland, Elon and then East Carolina.

The Chargers do this every year, going to different football camps. This year coach Rob Hinson said that 46 players made the trip.

“It is good exposure for the kids and it jumpstarts our summer,” Hinson said. “We stay in hotels and this is an incredible bonding experience for the team.”

Hinson said the Chargers have been doing this for the past decade.

Since 2009, Timber Creek has been to seven South Jersey championship games, winning four. Twice during that span, the Chargers have gone 12-0, in 2011 and 2016.

Timber Creek is not afraid to seek the best competition. Last year two of the losses were on the road to powerful out-of-state competition. The Chargers traveled to Central Catholic, Ohio and New Rochelle, NY.

After winning an opening SJ Group 3 playoff game, the Charges lost a tough 21-18 decision to eventual finalist Burlington Township.

This year’s team is led by senior receiver-cornerback Tarheeb Still. During this year’s trips to summer camps, Still made a verbal commitment to attend the University of Maryland.

Last year he had 46 receptions for 800 yards and four touchdowns. Still, is even more accomplished on defense.

“He is the top cornerback in the region,” Hinson said.

Still recorded two interceptions and nine passes defensed.

The Chargers will still be a relatively young team. Last season then-freshman Donovan Leary became the regular quarterback late in the season.

Leary is the brother of Devin Leary, a former record-setting quarterback at Timber Creek, entering his redshirt freshman season at North Carolina State.

Beginning the first week of July, Timber Creek will have workouts Monday through Thursday evenings.

In the spring, since many players compete in other sports, the football team had weightlifting sessions at 6 a.m.

Hinson said it was good for the players and even better for colleges.

“We got visited by a lot of college coaches,” he said. “It was convenient for them because not many teams lift that early.”

Colleges typically visit high schools in the spring, touching base with the coaches for recruiting purposes.

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As stated, all great programs put in hard work in the offseason. It just appears as if Timber Creek is intent on not being out-worked by anybody.

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Author: Marc Narducci; Photo by Marc Narducci

Timber Creek Among Many South Jersey Football Teams Working Hard in the Summer

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