Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Sept. 2-6; x-scrimmage
TUESDAY, SEPT. 2 FIELD HOCKEY Haddon Heights at Schalick, 4 p.m. Pennsville at Bridgeton, 4 p.m. GIRLS TENNIS Glassboro at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m. Penns Grove at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m. Overbrook at Schalick, 4 p.m. Salem at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 3 FIELD HOCKEY x-Gloucester City at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m. x-Salem at Overbrook, 4 p.m. BOYS SOCCER x-Camden Academy Charter at Salem Tech, 4 p.m. x-Salem at Gloucester City, 4 p.m. x-KIPP at Pennsville, 4 p.m. GIRLS SOCCER x-Salem Tech at Pennsville, 3:30 p.m. x-Cumberland at Penns Grove, 4 p.m. GIRLS TENNIS Pennsville at Bridgeton, 3:45 p.m.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 4 WJFL FOOTBALL Salem at Cinnaminson, 6 p.m. FIELD HOCKEY Salem Tech at Sterling, 4 p.m. GIRLS SOCCER Washington Twp. at Schalick, 4 p.m. GIRLS TENNIS Gloucester Catholic at Schalick, 4 p.m. Penns Grove at Overbrook, 4 p.m. Wildwood at Salem, 4 p.m.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 5 WJFL FOOTBALL Schalick at Cumberland, 6 p.m. Pennsville at West Deptford, 7 p.m. Collingswood at Overbrook, 7 p.m. Woodstown at Delsea, 7 p.m. Haddon Heights at Glassboro Woodbury at Haddonfield FIELD HOCKEY Schalick at Washington Twp., 4 p.m. BOYS SOCCER x-Penns Grove at Pennsville, 4 p.m. Schalick at Washington Twp., 4 p.m. GIRLS SOCCER Bridgeton at Pennsville, 4 p.m. Paulsboro at Salem, 4 p.m. Woodstown at Audubon, 4 p.m. GIRLS TENNIS Kingsway at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m. Woodstown at Clearview, 3:45 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 6 WJFL FOOTBALL Audubon at Paulsboro, 11 a.m. Deptford at Penns Grove, noon KIPP at Camden Catholic
Penns Grove sees five starters go down in second quarter alone, then spends rest of the game shuffling personnel to get through the opener
SATURDAY’S SCORE Paulsboro 36, Penns Grove 6
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
PENNS GROVE – When a team doesn’t have a lot of players to begin with, the last thing anyone in the organization wants to see is somebody get hurt.
One injury at an important position (or to a key player) is disruptive enough. Now, have multiple players go down across a varsity of positions and it’s a recipe for disaster. It’s particularly concerning in Group I where most of the players are two-way guys.
That’s what the Penns Grove football team faced in its season opener Saturday.
The Red Devils lost five starters to cramping or worse in the second quarter alone of their 36-6 loss to Paulsboro. It forced them to put players in unfamiliar positions and throw younger players into key roles sooner than anticipated and hope for the best.
“You’ve got guys who now have to step up and play,” head coach Marc Maccarone said. “We had guys who were not offensive linemen get thrown into playing spots on the offensive line. We got guys who were down on defense, guys who were cramping for no reason.
“When you’re Group I and you have a small Group I squad everyone’s got to play the utility spot. We had to go to the well with that a lot today.”
Of all the injuries, the most impactful is the one to Ray Brown. The two-way lineman left with an ankle injury and didn’t return to the game. He was said to be on the way to a local hospital for tests.
Brown was projected to have a big year after 68 tackles and six sacks last season. The double-teams he was expected to command was a key element to the Red Devils’ defensive strategy.
“That’s a huge loss,” Maccarone said. “That’s a big loss to the team morale, too, a kid like that going down. He’s one of the big team leaders.”
The other players who were forced to the sideline moved in and out of the game as their conditions allowed, but it didn’t help whatever consistency the Red Devils hoped to have. They did play without having a turnover, though.
Maccarone had good things to say about the players who did plug the holes.
“I didn’t think we laid down,” he said. “We gave up a couple big plays that led to big touchdowns, but I don’t think we laid down even when the kids got hurt.”
Jameel Horace was determined to overcome it. He picked up the slack at running back and eventually scored the Red Devils’ lone touchdown on a 2-yard run in the final minute of the third quarter.
He got the Red Devils in the red zone with a 32-yard run up the middle one play after Terrell Thomas was carried off by teammates after an apparent leg injury. He rushed for 49 yards on nine carries.
“I was just trying to do what I had to do to get my team going,” he said. “I was trying to do anything to get the intensity up. I was just doing what I had to do.
“It was definitely chaotic, but that’s my job on the team as a senior, as a leader on the team. I’ve got to keep the guys’ heads straight. I’ve got to keep my mind on the prize. The prize when I walk on this field is to get the W and I’ve got to keep my mind on that. If my mind is on anything else it’s not going to work out.”
Malakhai McKenzie threw for two touchdowns and ran for another score and KyAire Harvey ran for 106 yards and two scores to lead Paulsboro.
McKenzie hit 6-of-9 passes for 161 yards. Most of his throws were short- and medium-yardage varieties, but his big throw was an 80-yard touchdown pass to Jamal Robinson that opened the scoring. The quarterback outraced Penns Grove’s heavy pursuit then found Robinson open along the sideline when a defensive back came up to help the rushers. Robinson made a move in front of the Penns Grove bench and then was gone.
“I was just trying to work on the short stuff because it’s usually open,” McKenzie said. “That (big pass) felt good. I already know I can get outside and they can’t keep up with me.”
Penns Grove quarterback Mello Erickson-Hubbard races to the corner in the first half against Paulsboro.
Paulsboro 36, Penns Grove 6
PAULS (36)
PGROVE (6)
13
1st Downs
7
23-138
Rushing
28-90
6-9-1
Passing (C-A-I)
3-11-0
161
Passing yds
15
1-1
Fumbles-lost
0-0
0-0
Punts-avg
3-25.3
7-61
Penalties-yds
7-55
Paulsboro (1-0)
6
14
8
8-
36
Penns Grove (0-1)
0
0
6
0-
6
SCORING SUMMARY PB: Jamal Robinson 80 pass from Malakhai McKenzie (run failed), 1:13 1Q PB: Malakhai McKenzie 8 run (Malakhai McKenzie run), 7:59 2Q PB: KyAire Harvey 6 run (run failed), 5:02 2Q PB: Marques Eli 18 pass from Malakhai McKenzie (Malakhai McKenzie run), 6:13 3Q PG: Jameel Horace 2 run (pass failed), 50.6 3Q PB: KyAire Harvey 4 run (Jay Mears run), 2:31 4Q
Rams’ season gets off to a rousing start, but they couldn’t keep it going and fell to Pleasantville
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
SALEM — The second season of Salem football under Kemp Carr couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. It was what happened next the Rams have to work on.
The Rams scored their first touchdown of the season less than 90 seconds into the game, but they didn’t find the end zone again and Pleasantville dominated the second half to hand the Rams a 20-8 loss.
The opening two minutes of the game gave the Rams hope they’d finally get their first win under Carr. And it was a bunch of newcomers that made the biggest impacts.
Transfer Makhye Murry recovered a fumble on Pleasantville’s first play from scrimmage. New quarterback Desmund Thomas immediately went up top for the end zone, but freshman Ahmed Tucker couldn’t bring in the pass. Undeterred, Thomas went deep two plays later and this time freshman Kyvion Parsons hauled it in for the score.
Thomas then tossed the conversion pass to Antwuan Rogers to make it 8-0.
Kyvion Parsons (11) celebrates with teammate Kaden Robinson after scoring his first career touchdown Saturday against Pleasantville. (Photos by Julliana Love)
“Catching my first touchdown for varsity in my first game, I was hyped,” Parsons said. “We felt we were going to blow them out, but we came out in the second half and just wound down. We can’t wind down on anybody.”
It was similar to their Cinnaminson loss in the second game last season when they scored on one of the first plays of the game, but didn’t have much success thereafter. While it was nice to have a lead, Carr knew it was way too much football to play to celebrate.
“A team’s got to finish, man,” he said. “It’s about finishing. It’s never how you start; you’ve got to finish games. We go three quarters without scoring. We move the ball, then we do something stupid.
“You get a big turnover down there, (then) you throw an interception right after it. Those are things we can’t do. We have to stay even keel, run our concepts, stay true to who we are and play through the clock.”
The Rams held the lead until the last minute of the quarter. The Greyhounds intercepted a softly thrown Thomas pass and brought it all the way back to the 2 with the Rams’ quarterback saving a touchdown. Pleasantville finally scored when Nazir Griffin ran in from the 7 and then caught the conversion pass from Semaj Dozier to tie the game.
It stayed that way until the final 30 seconds of the half when Jamil Hudson caught the first of his two touchdown passes from Dozier to put the Greyhounds ahead for good. The Rams had an interception by Tucker erased by a penalty early in the drive.
Hudson’s second touchdown catch capped a 70-yard drive that took up nearly nine minutes of the third-quarter game clock. It was highlighted by two big conversions – a 16-yard catch by Hudson on third-and-14 and the touchdown on fourth down.
The Greyhounds knew Thomas was the key to their offense and constantly had him on the run. He did complete 12 of 22 passes for 128 yards.
“Up front we had the advantage and just put the pressure on him,” said Pleasantville coach Elijah Glover, a winner in his first game as head coach with the water bucket shower to prove it. “If they wanted to keep the ball in his hands like they wanted to, then you’ve got to find a way to make it come out fast.”
Thomas looked to have beaten the pressure in the fourth quarter, scrambling out of the pocket and hooking up with Kaden Robinson for a 56-yard touchdown pass with 7:27 to play that would’ve gotten the Rams back within striking distance with plenty of time left. But the play came back because of an ineligible man downfield penalty from the other side of the field. The drive ended a few plays later on a dropped fourth-down pass steps from the end zone.
It was just a tough second half for the Rams. They were held to minus-10 yards net rushing and 28 yards total in the half.
“We’ve got some things to clean up,” Carr said. “We’ll get back in and do the right thing. The glass is shattered, but it ain’t broke. We’ll put some glue on it and get it back where we need to.”
PLE (20)
SAL (8)
8
1st Downs
9
30-69
Rushing
21-18
9-11-0
Passing (C-A-I)
12-22-1
130
Passing yds
128
4-1
Fumbles-lost
1-1
4-28.8
Punts-avg
4-29.0
10-75
Penalties-yds
6-55
Pleasantville 20, Salem 8
Pleasantville (1-0)
8
6
6
0-
20
Salem (0-1)
8
0
0
0-
8
SCORING SUMMARY S: Kyvion Parsons 42 pass from Desmund Thomas (Antwuan Rogers pass from Desmund Thomas), 10:36 1Q P: Nazir Griffin 7 run (Nazir Griffin pass from Semaj Dozier), 40.4 1Q P: Jamil Hudson 30 pass from Semaj Dozier (run failed), 23.9 2Q P: Jamil Hudson 26 pass from Semaj Dozier (run failed), 2:00 3Q
Schalick jumps out to early in coach’s debut, but Group 3 visitors’ depth takes over in second half
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
PITTSGROVE – Matt Bloom and a couple of his Somerville assistants took the two-hour ride down the turnpike last Friday to check out Schalick’s final scrimmage of training camp. What they saw in the varsity half they watched didn’t really impact what they did in their game Friday night, but it never hurts to look.
They did pick up a tidbit or two during their visit, but it was more depth than play calls that played the biggest role in the Pioneers’ 34-17 win that spoiled by debut of Schalick head coach Kevin Leamy.
“You never take that for granted; you never know,” Bloom said. “It’s always being sure. New staff, lot of new players, a lot of things. We’ve never played anybody down in this part of the state, so it was one of those things we needed to make sure we got eyes on them from a first-hand experience.
“Plus, on film, they hadn’t played any offenses like our offense. Seeing them in person was crucial. I’m very glad we did (make the trip).”
From what they had seen in that very vanilla scrimmage, the Pioneers couldn’t have anticipated the way Schalick came out against them.
The Cougars were “ready for the moment,” jumped out to a 10-0 first-quarter lead with their first two possessions and led 17-14 at halftime. But it was all Somerville in the second half.
The Group 3 visitors scored three touchdowns with their punishing ground game and kept the Cougars out of the end zone while holding them to only 31 yards of offense. The Pioneers ran up 174 yards of offense in the half before taking three knees to run out the final 1:40 of the game.
“What I said in the locker room (at halftime) was it wasn’t going to be about what plays we called, what defensive fronts that we’re in, it’s all about how hard we play,” Bloom said. “That’s really what we showed in the second half. How bad do you want to win and how bad you want to impose your will on opponents.”
“I don’t think it was anything necessarily momentum,” Leamy said. “We were exposed with not having much depth and their offensive line, a lot of credit to them in the second half, came out and pushed us around a little bit. That offensive line really took over the game in the second half and I give them a lot of credit more than it is a negative to our kids.”
Sophomore Kenny Bartee drew Schalick’s opening-night start at quarterback and showed enough continue in that role. (Top photo) Kevin Leamy addresses the team after his first game as head coach. (Photos by Heather Papiano)
One thing the Somerville coaches were glad to get on their visit was a glimpse of Schalick sophomore Kenny Bartee playing quarterback because the Cougars hadn’t decided between Bartee and Gary Simonini as their starting signal-caller at the time.
Bartee was given the nod Monday morning and he showed his athleticism not only in the regular offense but also on special teams, returning the kickoff after Somerville’s first touchdown 89 yards for a score.
He rushed for 67 yards on 12 carries, completed a pass for 28 yards and comported himself well enough in his first varsity game at the position that Leamy said he is “probably that guy moving forward.”
“That was pretty clear and obvious he was the guy,” Bloom said. “I’m glad we came down here and saw that because you never know. He’s a good football player. They have some good kids, for sure.”
Leamy’s called the start of his first game as the Cougars’ head coach “really exciting … until it wasn’t.”
The Cougars built their 10-0 lead on a 47-yard touchdown run by David Stewart on their first play from scrimmage and a career-best 39-yard field goal by Hunter Dragotta to cap their second possession. Then the Pioneers came to life.
“There were a lot of ups and downs throughout the game, but you’re not defined by one game; no coach is defined by one game win or lose,” Leamy said. “We’re on to next week. The message to the kids is this is one step, this is Week Zero, and our goal is to be playing our best football when it matters in October and November.
“Yes, we lost, but we learned a lot. The kids realized what they’re really good at and what they need to work on. We’re going to be better off having played this team than scheduling a different game.”
David Stewart turns the corner on his 47-yard touchdown run on Schalick’s first play of the season. (Photo by Heather Papiano)
SOM (34)
SCH (17)
15
1st Downs
7
42-220
Rushing
27-124
6-10-1
Passing (C-A-I)
3-12-2
75
Passing yds
42
1-0
Fumbles-lost
1-1
4-34.8
Punts-avg
2-30.0
8-80
Penalties-yds
11-58
Somerville 34, Schalick 17
Somerville (1-0)
0
14
13
7-
34
Schalick (0-1)
10
7
0
0-
17
SCORING SUMMARY SC: David Stewart 47 run (Hunter Dragotta kick), 10:00 1Q SC: Hunter Dragotta 39 FG, 3:29 1Q SO: Aiden Bush 1 run (Austin Rynearson kick), 7:19 2Q SC: Kenny Bartee 89 kickoff return (Hunter Dragotta kick), 7:02 2Q SO: Justin Bowen 1 run (Austin Rynearson kick), 4:55 2Q SO: Justin Bowen 2 run (kick failed), 4:40 3Q SO: Aiden Bush 41 run (Austin Rynearson kick), 1:44 3Q SO: Aiden Bush 1 run (Austin Rynearson kick), 7:08 4Q
Schalick’s Jace Volovar reaches for a pass during the second half of Friday’s game with Somerville. (Photo by Heather Papiano)
Penns Grove has shown signs of progress, now it’s a matter of learning how to win
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
PENNS GROVE – The Penns Grove football team had a lot of learning to do in coach Marc Maccarone’s first season last year. The Red Devils were picking up a new offense, a new defense and some new terminology – the typical stuff that comes with a coaching transition.
But there was one element they’re still trying to grasp and it’s what this season is all about.
PENNS GROVE
Aug. 30: Paulsboro
Sept. 6: Deptford
Sept. 12: at Glassboro
Sept. 20: Schalick
Sept. 26: at Woodstown
Oct. 3: Pennsville
Oct. 10: at Delran
Oct. 18: Woodbury
Oct. 25: at Salem
Learning how to win.
The Red Devils did win two games last year, including their season finale against Salem, but they lost five others they were in or led going into the fourth quarter and couldn’t close the deal. Any one of them would have gotten them to the playoffs.
It started in Game One with Paulsboro, when they were in position for the game-winning score but sacked on fourth down with 13 seconds left, and carried throughout the year.
But none of the “fourth-quarter fall-aparts” as Maccarone called them was as bad as the one at Woodbury when they were still entertaining hopes for the playoffs. They held a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter then were outscored 23-0 in the final nine minutes with all kinds of disasters.
“It felt terrible,” safety Messiah Allah said. “If there’s one game I can narrow down it was definitely the Woodbury game. That was tragic. I was devastated. “
“It was definitely a horrible feeling, for sure,” lineman Ray Brown agreed.
With that in mind, the Red Devils look at the 2025 season as a revenge tour of sorts.
“It just motivated you to want to do better,” Allah said. “(The game’s) close. It’s right there. You can just grasp it. it just motivates you to want to do more, to want to do better. It lights something inside of you that makes you want to do more. You want to do more. It’s right there.”
The Red Devils look to attack it with a lineup that may be short on experience but long on enthusiasm..
Mello Erickson-Hubbard, one of the team’s six seniors, returns for his fourth year as quarterback eager to embrace the role his position and standing commands. His passing skills have improved every year – he threw the first touchdown passes of his career last year – and with the work he’s done over the summer is “very confident behind my arm” coming into this season.
“I have to be a bigger leader than I have any other year and I have to put on a good image for the young guys,” he said. “As a leader I’ve got to make sure everybody doing what they’re supposed to do. I’ve got to make sure I’m doing my job and everybody is working as fluently as possible.”
Defensively, Brown will be hard to handle. He had 68 tackles, six sacks and four fumble recoveries last year, can play every spot across the front and will provide a formidable force with Isaiah Upshur. “I can’t take any plays off,” he said.
“He’s definitely a very difficult kid to block,” Maccarone said. “That’s not my quote, that’s coming from opposing coaches. I got that from a coach the other night after the scrimmage like ‘that kid’s almost unblockable.’”
Among the newcomers, Terrell Thomas gives the powerful runner they need in the backfield. The Red Devils are hoping the dominant form he showed in the youth leagues will translate to this level.
Of course, the key to it all is conditioning and eliminating the “too many” turnovers that plagued them last year. That’s what they’ve been working on since the end of last season. Between the full year with the coaching staff and what they’ve done so far Maccarone says “we’re a month ahead of where we were last year at this time.”
Win a couple games early and get some momentum and all of a sudden circumstances change.
“Improve on last year, that’s the key,” Maccarone said. “We’ve taken small steps and trying to improve every day. As long as we get better today than we were yesterday we’re moving in the right direction.”
Penns Grove quarterback Mello Erickson-Hubbard is looking to improve on a junior season in which he passed for 568 yards and seven touchdowns.
Ceil Smith started the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame and now she is one of its inductees
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
CARNEYS POINT – Ceil Smith knew there were a lot of sports luminaries in the county who deserved recognition for their achievements when she started the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame and over the past 25 years she has helped induct a lot of them. Never once in all that time did she imagine she would be one of them.
So you can probably guess her reaction when the letter arrived announcing her as one of the inductees in the Hall’s Class of 2025.
“I was really surprised; it was such a nice gesture,” she said. “Everybody in my family – grandchildren, everyone — were very active in sports and very good. So when I broke the news that I’m the one going into the Sports Hall of Fame it was very funny.”
And all would agree well deserved. Smith was enshrined Thursday night along with Faleesha Dowe, Linda DuBois, Joe Frassenei, Aisha Morgan and Dennis Thomas during ceremonies in Salem Community College’s Davidow Hall. The Hall also recognized Donald Ayars as its Community Service honoree, Salem CC’s two-time softball Region XIX Player of the Year Ella Hayes and several high school state champions.
Smith might not have played the game like the others going in with her, but it was her unwavering commitment to the project that shaped the Hall into what it is today.
It was at the urging of the late Vic Majors, a longtime Salem County business and sportsman from Woodstown, while she was the publisher of Today’s Sunbeam that moved her to action. Every time Majors saw her, she recalled, he’d say she was the only one who could make it happen. Humbly, Smith credits the Hall’s volunteer board for its success.
They are the ones who process and research the candidates for induction and make the final call.
“All I did was keep it going and keep the meetings moving,” Smith said. “When athletes get together they can talk about the good old times forever.
“I never played sports, I never watched sports, but I knew who to pick that would make this work. I reached out to the schools, because I knew a couple (athletic directors) who were fabulous. I put these local community people together with the educators and from then on we chose a great, great group of people. I was so fortunate that all the people that I chose really made it work.”
Smith continued to lead the charge when she became executive director of the Salem CC Foundation in 2015. She stepped away from the Hall last August when she became Deputy Executive Director of the Delaware River & Bay Authority, a position appointed by the Governor.
Nearly 150 Salem County athletes, coaches, administrators and community leaders have been enshrined in the Hall under her leadership.
She called her experience working with the Hall “wonderful” and said every induction ceremony “blew me away.”
Through the early support of then-Salem CC president Dr. Peter Contini, the Hall established its home in the college’s Davidow Hall. The pictures of the inductees line the walls inside the DuPont Fieldhouse.
At one time Hall officials “looked into” finding a more stand-alone home, but Smith said it’s right where it belongs.
“It’s so wonderful at the college because they’re a hub to the community; they are really community,” she said. “It’s just wonderful that now President (Mike) Gorman has followed through and is keeping it going. It’s a wonderful thing – and it is at the right place.”
Ceil Smith (L) is inducted into the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame she founded.
2025 SALEM COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES & HONOREES
FALEESHA DOWE
In track and field, where every fraction of a second counts, Faleesha Lachelle Dowe emerges as a beacon of determination and talent. At Penns Grove High School, she quickly established herself as a standout athlete, dominating local and regional track meets. Her dedication to training, coupled with natural ability, propelled her to new heights of success.
DOWE
It wasn’t long before college recruiters came knocking, eager to enlist Dowe onto their track and field teams. After careful consideration, she chose Delaware State University, where she continued to excel both academically and athletically. Under the guidance of top-tier coaches, she honed her skills and earned recognition as one of the most promising talents in collegiate athletics.
Throughout her career, Faleesha faced numerous challenges, from injuries to fierce competition. However, each setback only fueled her determination to succeed. The pinnacle of her high school career came during 2011 Group I Sectionals, where she took first place in the 55-meter dash as well as the 400. She then led the 4×400 relay team to the Group I state title. She delivered a series of stellar performances throughout her high school years, earning medals and accolades that solidified her status as a track and field legend.
In the track and field history at Penns Grove, Faleesha stands as a shining example of what can be achieved through perseverance, dedication, and a love for the sport. As she continues to write new chapters, one thing remains certain: her legacy will endure at Penns Grove High School, a testament to the power of the human spirit to transcend boundaries and reach new heights.
LINDA DuBOIS
Linda DuBois graduated from Bridgeton High School, where she participated in basketball and tennis, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education (K-12) from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey).
As the head swim coach at Arthur P. Schalick High School from 1989 until 2008, Linda guided the team to national rankings for eight straight years and an undefeated season in 2000, when she achieved 100 career wins.
Subsequently, she devoted 13 years as a volunteer assistant swim coach for Schalick, while spending two years as head diving coach for both Schalick and Cumberland Regional High School.
In 2022, Linda returned as Schalick’s head swim coach. In 2024, the team advanced to round two of NJSIAA state playoffs. Linda’s lifetime coaching wins are pushing 200, a challenging achievement since there are normally only 10 meets per season.
She has worked as NJSIAA state swim team championship site director for 35 years and NJSIAA state individual swim championship site director for 15 years. Linda has been a NJSIAA certified high school swim official for 10 years and served as secretary of the South Jersey Officials Chapter.
She has earned “Coach of the Year” honors from the National Interscholastic Federation of Coaching Association and South Jersey Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association, and received the NJSIAA Sports Award in Swimming, and South Jersey Coaches Recognition at the Tri-County Classic Division Swim Championship.
Linda played a role in starting girls’ soccer at Schalick, serving as the team’s first head coach for four seasons. She then devoted four years as head coach of girls’ cross country at Schalick, with the team achieving a South Jersey title.
JOE FRASSENEI
In 1986, Joe Frassenei began his high school coaching career in New Jersey. Formerly a varsity wrestler at Drexel and West Chester universities, he coached for five years at Haddonfield and Clayton before coming to Salem County in 1991. This decision was best for his family, and teaching and coaching careers. Joe has coached for the last 44 years, accumulating 509 wins. Of those, 460 have come in Salem County at Woodstown, Penns Grove and Schalick.
FRASSENEI
As a head wrestling coach, Frassenei’s teams have enjoyed 22 winning seasons, 310 dual meet victories and four league titles with 76 regional qualifiers, three state qualifiers and one state place-winner.
Joe’s 21 years as a head track coach were highlighted by 20 winning seasons, 100 dual meet victories, one Salem County Championship, four Tri-County Divisional titles, 48 individual county champs, seven individual South Jersey champions, four individual state place-winners and two Meet of Champions medalists.
His coaching career in cross country was highlighted by 15 winning seasons, 99 dual-meet victories, four Tri-County Divisional titles, four Salem County championships, six individual Salem County champs, three South Jersey Group champs, 43 state qualifiers and two state place-winners.
Coach Fraz still has a passion for coaching. He serves as an assistant football and track coach at Schalick and will enter his fifth year as the Cougars’ head wrestling coach. Last season, his wrestling team finished with a 27-2 record and advanced to the South Jersey Group I final. At last year’s District 30 Championships, he was named District Coach of the Year.
AISHA MORGAN
Aisha Morgan was a multi-sport athlete (field hockey, tennis, indoor track, basketball and outdoor track) at Schalick. She continues to hold the school record in the 100, is tied for the Salem County championship meet record in the 100 and has the fastest 100 time of any Salem County athlete.
She attended the University of Houston where she was coached by Mike Takaha and Leroy Burrell. She was the conference champion in the 100 and advanced to the NCAA track meet in the 100 and 4×100. She had the distinction of qualifying for the USA Track and Field Championship meet where she competed alongside several Olympians.
After graduating from college, Morgan started her teaching career, working with individuals with special needs. She earned her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis from Rowan University and works closely with teachers and students in the special education field.
In 2014, Aisha started her high school coaching career in Houston. Her athletes and teams were district champions, regional qualifiers and state qualifiers.
CEIL SMITH
In 2000, Ceil Smith started the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame while serving as the publisher of Today’s Sunbeam. She continued the annual recognition ceremony when she became the executive director of the SCC Foundation in 2015.
SMITH
During her 25 years as the Hall of Fame chair, Ceil worked closely with a volunteer board comprised of high school athletic directors and community members steeped in Salem County sports history.
As a testament to her unwavering leadership, nearly 150 athletes, coaches, athletic directors and other sports dignitaries have been inducted. In the early days of the Sports Hall of Fame, Ceil worked with then-Salem Community College President Dr. Peter B. Contini to establish the Sports Hall of Fame in the college’s Davidow Hall, where it still resides today. In addition, the Sports Hall of Fame has recognized many other individuals for their community service in fostering growth in Salem County sports.
In August 2024, Ceil stepped away from the Sports Hall of Fame when she became the Deputy Executive Director of the Delaware River & Bay Authority. In this capacity, she focuses on Authority-related economic development initiatives, airport operations and marketing. Previously, Ceil served as a DRBA Commissioner, representing Salem County for more than 18 years.
Before being appointed to direct the SCC Foundation, Ceil served on the SCC Foundation board. During this time, she and Dr. Contini founded the SCC Gala, which has now raised more than $1 million for scholarships in 25 years.
Very active in civic and community activities, Ceil serves as a member of the Salem City Council and on the SCC Foundation Board of Directors. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Memorial Hospital of Salem County, Salem County Chamber of Commerce, Salem County Vocational-Technical School Educational Foundation, Meals on Wheels and Salem Main Street, and as a member of the Salem City Rotary Club and Salem County United Way.
DENNIS THOMAS
Dennis Thomas is a seasoned football coach and educator whose journey spans from elite athletic performance to shaping future generations both on and off the field.
As a standout athlete at Salem High School, Dennis was named a Blue-Chip All-Region player as a junior and a Big Chip All-American as a senior. He also earned All-State honors in track and field for the 100-meter dash and long jump. His athleticism and work ethic earned him a full scholarship to Rutgers University. He was named Special Teams Player of the Year as a sophomore and Team MVP as a junior.
After college, Thomas earned a spot with the Kansas City Chiefs, but his playing career was cut short by injury. He pivoted to education, earning two master’s degrees – one in mathematics from Purdue University and another in special education from Rowan University.
In 2011, he took over a struggling Salem High School football program and led the team from a winless season to the state semifinals in just one year, followed by a state championship appearance the next. His success continued at Millville, where he guided the Bolts to three state titles in seven years.
Dennis transitioned to the college level, returning briefly to his alma mater before joining Syracuse University, where he currently serves as tight ends coach.
During his 12 years in high school coaching and now three years at the collegiate level, Dennis has helped send more than 100 athletes to college and several to the NFL. His impact as a coach, mentor and educator continues to shape the lives of young athletes nationwide.
COMMUNITY SERVICE HONOREE DONALD R. AYARS SR.
Donald Ayars graduated from Woodstown High School, Class of 1975. While there, he played quarterback and ran track (3200), with his team taking many championships in both Salem County and Tri-County meets.
Don holds an associate degree in criminal justice from Brandywine College (now part of Widener University) and a bachelor’s from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University). During his 26 years as a patrolman in Woodstown, he received multiple commendations, introduced safety programs to schools and became very involved with the youth sports programs.
Coaching led him to holding several positions in both Little League and soccer as well as the Woodstown-Pilesgrove Recreation Association. When his children aged-out of youth sports, he stayed involved for another 25 years as an umpire for softball and baseball in the surrounding communities.
After retiring from the Woodstown Police Department, Don taught in the Salem County Vocational-Technical School’s law enforcement program and joined the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office as evidence coordinator. During his 16-year tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, he also volunteered as a firearms and safety instructor for 12 summers with the Leaders Camp, a program offered to Salem County youth, held at Camp Edge.
Don has served as a hunting guide with Game Creek Hunting Farms for 35 years. His favorite pastimes are fishing and hunting, and enjoying his four grandchildren.
SCC ATHLETE RECOGNITION ELLA HAYES, SOFTBALL
In 2024, freshman shortstop Ella Hayes became Salem Community College’s first softball All-American. She also was named National Junior College Athletic Association Region 19 Division II Softball Player of the Year, leading the Mighty Oaks to the post-season that included an opening-round upset of top-seeded Mercer County CC in the region tournament.
In 2025, following another standout season, the sophomore from Kansas City, Mo., repeated as the region’s Player of the Year. She led the region in batting for the second year in a row (.577) – fifth nationally – as well as hits (79) and stolen bases (23 of 24). She was second in the region in extra-base hits (33) and fourth in runs batted in (54).
Over her two seasons with the Mighty Oaks, Ella played in 83 games, collecting 154 hits, scoring 117 runs and knocking in 115. Her two-year batting average was an astounding .586 with an on-base percentage of .644 and a slugging percentage of .973. She also stole 34 bases.
She also was named Garden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2024 and 2025.
In May, Ella graduated with honors with an associate degree in health science. She earned Dean’s List all four semesters. She will continue her softball career at Stony Brook University.
Two-time Region Player of the Year Ella Hayes receives her plaque from Salem CC softball coach Angel Rodriguez after being recognized by the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame.
Freshman quarterback shows he’d run through a wall to help Woodstown win, Wolverines use big second half to turn back Pitman
SALEM COUNTY FOOTBALL Thursday’s Games Gloucester 44, Pennsville 20 Woodstown 34, Pitman 14
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
WOODSTOWN – Frankie Hoerst came to the Woodstown football program with a reputation of a big arm, the kind of arm that gets a player who’s only a freshman noticed by Power 5 organizations.
The big wing may very well be the thing that gets the quarterback to the next level four years from now, but the biggest play he made in his high school debut Thursday night came with his legs and his body.
Hoerst broke off a 51-yard touchdown run in the third quarter to literally send the Wolverines on their way to a 34-14 season-opening victory over Pitman, but it was the way he scored that had people talking.
PIT (14)
WOOD (34)
10
1st Downs
12
22-76
Rushes-yards
32-192
12-16-1
Passing (C-A-I)
6-11-0
191
Passing yards
88
1-1
Fumbles-lost
1-0
3-37.7
Punts-avg.
3-38.3
7-66
Penalties-yards
7-50
With the game tied at 14, Hoerst called his own number on a play from midfield. He rolled out to his right, saw some open field, pulled the ball down and then took off down the sideline.
The first down was a given, but Hoerst wanted more.
The Panthers were converging on him around the 20, but the 6-4 freshman wasn’t stopping. He lowered the boom on defensive back Sam Adams and just kept trucking into the end zone.
The last time a freshman blew up an opponent that demonstratively on his way to the end zone his name was Herschel Walker and they still talk about the way he ran over Tennessee’s Bill Bates 45 years after the fact.
“That’s just a special athlete making a special play, and sometimes that’s all you need,” Wolverines coach Frank Trautz said. “His playmaking ability, you see that. Yeah, he has a big arm but that’s a special play he made there.
“I know he has the ability to do that. I saw him take off running, I was like, all right, good, first down, thinking next play. Then all of a sudden I see he’s still on his feet running and I start running down the sidelines and we’re in the end zone.”
“It felt good, it felt good stiff-arming those two down there,” Hoerst said.
Hoerst won the starting job after a tight battle in camp with sophomore Mason Middlemiss and played the majority of the game. Trautz said he was in “complete command of the offense.”
Thanks to the big run, he wound up with 49 yards rushing. As a passer he completed six of 11 for 88 yards. After misfiring on his first two passes, his first career completion produced his first career touchdown pass, a 28-yard floater over the middle to Bryceton Rooney.
“I wasn’t really nervous,” Hoerst said. “I felt good going into it.”
Trautz may have put the offense in his freshman’s hands, but Middlemiss didn’t miss his chance to make a mark.
He made a big contribution on defense, recovering a muffed punt in the first quarter to keep the Wolverines’ opening possession alive, breaking up a pass in the second quarter and intercepting a pass at the start of the fourth. The Wolverines converted both turnovers into touchdowns by Cole Ware.
“I came into this game with a mentality that I’m going to do whatever I need to help our team win,” Middlemiss said. “If I’ve got to play defense, that’s the way I’ve got to go to help the team.”
Middlemiss did see some action at quarterback and made the most of it. He went in with two minutes left in the third quarter and the Wolverines in the red zone. He covered the final 12 yards on a pair of carries for the touchdown that made it 27-14. He also was under center in the Wolverines’ final series of the game.
“I went in with the mentality that I was just going to help the team and do what I do every day in practice,” he said. “I came into the game knowing if I want to be great I’ve got to get in there and do what I need to do every single day. Getting in there felt amazing, the first varsity touchdown for the Woodstown Wolverines with me, and it just felt great.”
The touchdown runs by Hoerst and Middlemiss were part of a big second half that carried the Wolverines to their fourth straight Opening Night win. They pulled away from a 14-all halftime tie with 155 yards and touchdowns on their first three possessions while shutting out the Panthers on just 85 yards and never letting them cross midfield.
“Coming into this game I just wanted to see us line up and execute,” Trautz said. “I knew we were going to do some things I was happy with (and) I knew that we were going to make some mistakes. I think the two touchdowns we gave up were very uncharacteristic of us, especially on defense to give up things like that, but that’s going to come with a young team. We’re going to get it fixed.
“I thought the way we responded in the second half was that of a mature team. A lot of young teams, not used to being in close games like that, it could go the other way. I was very happy with how they came out and answered the bell.”
Woodstown 34, Pitman 14
Pitman (0-1)
0
14
0
0-
14
Woodstown (1-0)
14
0
13
7-
34
SCORING SUMMARY WO: Cole Ware 6 run (Frankie Hoerst kick), 5:33 1Q WO: Bryceton Rooney 28 pass from Frankie Hoerst (Frankie Hoerst kick), 1:45 1Q P: Aiden Upham 55 pass from Dane Collum (Christian Camiscioli kick), 9:09 2Q P: Jay Craig 49 pass from Dane Collum (Christian Camiscioli kick), 2:52 2Q WO: Frankie Hoerst 51 run (kick blocked), 6:57 3Q WO: Mason Middlemiss 3 run (Frankie Hoerst kick), 1:27 3Q WO: Cole Ware 1 run (Frankie Hoerst kick), 9:58 4Q
Cole Ware dives into the end zone for Woodstown’s first touchdown of the season. (Top photo) Freshman QB Frankie Hoerst takes a snap early in his varsity debut.
Gloucester 44, Pennsville 20
PENNSVILLE – For a team that is looking to take the next step in its progression, this was not the way Pennsville wanted to open the season.
The Eagles had the game tied 6-6 in the second quarter, but the Lions pulled away.
“We didn’t do the little things right today,” Eagles coach Mike Healy said. “Made too many mistakes.”
One of the early miscues led to the Lions’ go-ahead touchdown. The Eagles had just tied the game and appeared to have stopped the Lions on fourth down near midfield, but they were hit with a facemask penalty that gave Gloucester a new set of chains and two plays later they broke off a 34-yard touchdown run to take the lead.
The Lions scored on a 19-yard touchdown pass later in the quarter to take a 20-6 halftime lead.
Adrian Alleyne, Rylan Hardy and Robbie McDade scored Pennsville’s touchdowns.
THURSDAY’S GAMES Gloucester 44, Pennsville 20 Woodstown 34, Pitman 14 Absegami 21, Egg Harbor 0 Brick Twp. 35, Woodbury 22 Burlington City 30, Ewing 25 Cherokee 27, Middletown South 26 Cherry Hill East 26, Eastern 23 Cherry Hill West 27, Haddon Heights 7 Cumberland 26, Clearview 0 Delsea 35, Vineland 0 Deptford 16, Florence 7 Eastside 21, Triton 7 Hammonton 24, Franklin 14 Gateway 29, Middle Township 7 Kingsway 20, Donovan Catholic 7 Lower Cape May 35, Pinelands 14 Northern Burlington 19, Nottingham 14 Overbrook 14, Cinnaminson 0 Paul VI 34, Timber Creek 8 Pennsauken 34, Camden Catholic 0 Pocono Mountain West 34, Lenape 28 Pope John Paul II (Pa.) 20, Shawnee 19 Riverside 40, Palmyra 6 Seneca 23, Williamstown 15 Trenton 27, Allentown 20
Battle at the Beach, Ocean City Northern Highlands 27, Holy Spirit 12 Ocean City 32, Oakcrest 0 Bergen Catholic 22, East St. Louis 21 IMG Academy 35, Winslow 14
Riverview Sports News 