Summerdale-On Thursday, Justin Burr not only has to deal with one of South Jersey's best forwards.

"Justin is battling a severe cold," Sterling coach Pete Marlis said, after the team defeated West Detford 1-0 to win the Colonial Conference Free Division title. "We let him withdraw from the game very early because I don't think he can play. He sat there for most of the first half, and then he persisted for 40 minutes in the second half. Facing a very good Sidpf For the German team, we need to make brave efforts today."

When he was on the court, he and Sterling's defense did what they did throughout the season.

The Silver Knights men's football team entered the game after being eliminated 13 times-but knowing that the Eagles are an explosive team on the offensive end.

They did what they did all year.

"We have done this to anyone we have played. This is not disrespect for Nate (Schultes, who led the Hawks with 16 goals). He is a very good player. He Played a great game and had a few chances," said Marlis. "A few times I think it will be like this, but we have confidence in our defensive players back there; our goalkeepers-we have confidence in them."

Since Burr walked through the gates of Sterling High School for the first time, he has inspired this confidence.

"He is one of the earliest people. I have been the head coach for about 15 years; Marliss said: "He is the first defensive player I have ever seen who can play a long time in his freshman year. "This year, he directly stepped in and became the starter. He is just super stable, a very hard worker, he was born for such a game. Although he is fighting certain things, we know that we can rely on him. "

This did not happen by accident. As early as his freshman year, Burr had already shown himself on the court as a contributor.

"I have been playing since I was 6 years old," Burr said. "Always as a defender. I think defense is an important part of the game. Sometimes it's even bigger than the score.

"I love this sport. I have been practicing and training all the time, and coach Marlis is an important part of where I am now. I want to start college. This is my dream for a long time. I want to be in college. He played as a central defender at the first time. He gave me a chance, and I did it too."

He played against an elite player on Thursday. Schultes is not someone you would totally deny. Burr said they just wanted to deny him.

"He is a tough opponent. He has the ball very fast," Burr said. "But you stay with him; tolerate him. We made a good team effort today to stop him from shooting and winning online. He is a very good kid-really difficult to deal with. You have to reach him s level."

Schultes did try once on the side panel. He served Casey Todd and forced Cavaliers goalkeeper Joey Lomas to save.

But nothing can be found on the back of the net. Sterling won the game with Josh Moreland's goal and won the free division of the entire colony conference for himself.

This is the 14th time the Silver Cavaliers have been suspended this season. They ended their 13 consecutive games in a 2-1 loss to Haddenfield on Tuesday.

"We are proud of it," Burr said. "But this is the whole team. Not only the guards, but also the goalkeeper. This is the whole team. "We play at the 11th position, we defend at the 11th position, and we score at the 11th position. This is the whole team, together all season. "

He spent an extra second there to add the 12th name.

"We asked Victor John to strengthen the defense until I came back in the second half and felt better," Burr said. "We finished the work."

John A. Lewis is a sports writer for the Burlington County Times, the Courier and Post, and the Daily Daily. Email him jlewis@thebct.com or follow Twitter @JohnLewis19. Please consider subscribing to support local news.