Salem-Camden moving

Logistical issues within the event prompt move of Mid-Atlantic Pigskin Classic game to a yet-to-be-determined alternate site

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

SALEM – The Salem Rams were looking forward to another early-season game on a big stage, but now find themselves in a game without a home.

Logistical conflicts at the site prompted a change in game times that will prevent the Rams’ Sept. 2 game with Camden from being played in the Mid-Atlantic Pigskin Classic at Abessinio Stadium in Wilmington.

“It’s just unfortunate,” director of operations John Schmid said. “We had to make some logistical changes because of the streaming and the stadium and we were unable to work out a time that fit both schools.”

The changes would have prompted a time change to 11 a.m. or 2 p.m., but the schools couldn’t agree on a compromise. It was originally scheduled for a noon start.

The game is Salem’s home game, but the Rams are still working on their stadium so it can’t be played there, so an alternate site must be found.

It is still expected to be played Sept. 2 at its original noon start time, but at a site to be determined. Several nearby college and high school sites are being considered, making an already lengthy team travelogue that much longer.

“Right now we’re trying to find a place to play since technically it’s our home game,” Salem athletics director Darryl Roberts said. “If we can’t find anywhere to host, we’ll play at Camden.”

The Rams already are putting nearly 350 one-way miles on their team bus this season, not counting last weekend’s scrimmage in Wilmington. Camden’s home stadium is 18 miles farther from Salem than Abessinio Stadium.

The Rams open their season Friday night at Lafayette College’s Fisher Stadium against Executive Education Academy of Allentown, Pa. Later this season they will play at Rutgers University.

This story will be updated.