One last hurrah

With priorities shifting going forward, Schalick’s Siedlecki looking to have some fun in his final high school football game

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE – The toughest day for any competitive athlete is the day they take the field for the last time. Jake Siedlecki wasn’t sure when that day might come while he was playing except to know it was going to come someday.

Now that it’s upon him, instead of wallowing in sadness and nostalgia, he intends to embrace the experience and have fun with it.

The Schalick senior will play the final game of his four-year high school football career Sunday when he takes part in the Phil Simms NJ North-South All-Star Classic at Kean University. But instead of feeling down about reaching the end of the competitive line, he plans to have as much fun as the day allows.

“In terms of it being my last football game ever, I haven’t really thought about it in that way,” Siedlecki said. “I feel like my ‘last football’ football game, one that meant something I would remember on the field, would be the (Central Jersey Group I) championship game (against Glassboro).

“This I feel like is going to be a fun experience. I’m playing against some major competition and I get one last hurrah. It’s not like I’ll be playing the whole game. Whatever time I get out there it’s like one last hurrah that I get to have fun all weekend. Yeah, it’s my last football game, but it’s not really like a football game, it’s more of just an experience, the last experience on the field. This is kind of something that I earned and I’m able to just go out there and have fun.”

During his high school career Siedlecki has evolved from one of the few freshmen on coach Mike Wilson’s first Schalick team – the freshman with the broken arm – to one of the mainstays in the Cougars’ resurgence. 

This past season he made 32 tackles and a team-leading five interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown against Gloucester Catholic. He also was their leading receiver with 321 yards and four TDs.

He’ll be one of three Salem County players in the game. Woodstown defensive end Damien Eichler and Penns Grove tight end Willie Slocum are also on the South roster. The players check in Friday for two days of workouts and other activities then play 5 p.m. Sunday.

Just like all the players in the game, Siedlecki is heading off to college later this summer. Unlike those guys, however, he doesn’t plan to play football there. He’s going to Villanova to pursue a business degree, and unless he gets a walk-on opportunity (which he hasn’t completely ruled out) the next snap he takes will be in an intramural game with his fraternity buddies.

“Part of me thinks he really means that,” Wilson said. “The other part of me is going after he hits somebody for the first time he might change his mind, like, ah, I kind of miss this.”

He’ll have plenty of chances to make a play. According to the rules of the game everybody has to play the same amount, so with four safeties on the team each will play half the game. 

It’s not like Siedlecki didn’t look into playing football in college. He considered two local options, Rowan and Ursinus, and had the promise of roster spots at two elite Division III colleges in New England. He also was accepted to numerous Power 5 universities for academics, but when he looked at the big picture, Villanova even without sports was better in the long run for his future.

“I’m sure one of the biggest questions that’s going to be passed around is where you guys going to commit,” he said. “They’re probably all going to say their college and I’m going to be like I’m going to Villanova but not for football. It might be a little weird, but at the same time I’m sure once I say I’m one of the top in my class and I got a good deal at Villanova they’ll understand.”

Adding to the emotion of the weekend is player and coach will get one more go-round together. Wilson is the South’s defensive coordinator. 

“It’s bittersweet that we get to do one more game together, because usually you don’t get that opportunity,” Wilson said. “I’m biased because I think he can play another four or five years, but he gets the opportunity (this weekend), he deserves the opportunity. Either way, we’re going to take it for what it’s worth, enjoy the weekend, have fun and hopefully the South wins.”

That would be historical. The series is tied 20-20-2. The South hasn’t won the game since 2018.

While Siedlecki is preparing to have fun this weekend, there’s going to come a time Sunday when the clock runs out and it’ll all be over. He’s prepared.

“There’s definitely going to be sadness,” he said. “The closest thing to that was the championship game. When that clock hit 0:00 there was a moment of realization when I thought this is the last time I’ll be on this field, the last time I’ll be doing these things. 

“Your mind just goes through all the experiences you’ve had over and over again because football is life and now it’s not anymore. I’m assuming it’ll be the same experience on Sunday. I’ll probably take a few minutes on the field to take it all in.”