With quarterbacks on the mend or away, Pennsville gives its defense a long look at Ginsburg Classic 7v7
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
PITMAN – Most think when a team plays in a 7-on-7 passing tournament it’s all about the offense. That’s where most of the points in the games are going to come from, of course, but it’s just as much about the cornerbacks and safeties as it is the quarterbacks and receivers.
Because they were limited in the quarterback department, Pennsville went into Saturday’s ATF Ginsburg 7v7 Classic at Total Turf with more of an eye on the defensive side of the ball.
They went 1-2 in their pool, beating Gloucester Catholic between losses to Kingsway and Woodbury, but the results weren’t nearly as important as the process.
“Even without the quarterback what we wanted to see on both sides was the basics,” Eagles coach Mike Healy said. “Are we lined up properly where we’re supposed to be, do we know the plays, the coverages and how they’re supposed to run. That was the big thing on both sides. It was a good learning experience.”
It’s tough to play a 7×7 passing camp without a quarterback. Senior starter Robbie McDade is still rehabbing from offseason shoulder surgery on a schedule that’ll have him ready for the season opener. Junior Jake Layfield just went on family vacation. And junior Grady Sanders is recovering from a shoulder injury, but was far enough along in his therapy to give it a shot in the second and third games and in Healy’s mind “did a good job moving us down the field.”
First-team WJFL Patriot Division left tackle Jacob Hand ran the offense in the first game. He threw it to the receivers he was directed to and even threw a touchdown, but the quarterback spot remains in the hands of the three regulars.
“We knew offensively we were going to have some struggles today and we accepted that,” Healy said. “The thing I like about 7-on-7 is while you want to win games what it really allows us to do is this we know what to do, this we’re OK and this we need to work on a lot and teach.
“We were able to run our offense and defensively after the first game we kind of calmed and figured some stuff out. We knew our defense was a little more complete today.”
On the defensive side, safety Hardy had an interception and several deflections. Corner Hayden Sherman, who started as a sophomore but didn’t play last season, broke up a few passes. Kane Green and Danny Knight also did well.
“For the most part they did a pretty good job,” Healy said. “We gave up some big plays, but a lot of it was just on technique stuff that we haven’t gone over yet because we haven’t had the time yet this season.
“I saw a lot of kids make a lot of plays. A lot of kids made mistakes also, but that was expected today. Overall I thought it was a good stepping stone for us going forward.”
The Eagles will get some more 7v7 action at a team camp next month at Kingsway. All three quarterbacks are expected to be back for that.
Camden won the Ginsburg Classic, blanking Paulsboro in the championship game 22-0. Panthers quarterback Ahmad Jones was the MVP.
2025 PENNSVILLE
FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Aug. 28 – Gloucester City, 6 p.m.
Sept. 5 – at West Deptford, 7 p.m.
Sept. 12 – Overbrook, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 – at Audubon, 11 a.m.
Sept. 26 – Camden Catholic, 7 p.m.
Oct. 3 – at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 9 – Paulsboro, 6 p.m.
Oct. 17 – Lawrence, 6 p.m.
Oct. 24 – at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
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