Game on

NJSIAA identifies 16 Paulsboro player for disqualification and suspension for Saturday’s playoff game with Schalick; game still on as scheduled

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

Schalick’s South Jersey Group I semifinal playoff game Saturday remains on as schedule, but with host Paulsboro playing with a highly limited roster.

The Red Raiders had 16 players, to date, “identified for disqualification,” and by NJSIAA rules subject to a one-game suspension for their involvement in a wild altercation in the fourth quarter of their 38-0 quarterfinals win over Woodbury Saturday. Game officials terminated the game with 4:41 left to play.

The NJSIAA identified four Woodbury players for the same penalties.

The NJSIAA said Monday Paulsboro is scheduled to host the Cougars Saturday in the second round and the game is on without with DQ’d players. Kickoff is set for noon.

“Our kids are excited that they’re actually going to play,” Schalick coach Kevin Leamy said. “All of them wanted to play.”

Here is the NJSIAA’s statement:

“Late Saturday, NJSIAA learned that the Paulsboro–Woodbury football game had been terminated with approximately four minutes remaining and Paulsboro leading 38–0.  An altercation broke out along the Paulsboro sideline which escalated onto the field. Video review confirmed that multiple Paulsboro players engaged in fighting and left the bench area, along with several from Woodbury.

“As required by NJSIAA rules, any player engaged in fighting or leaving the bench area during an altercation is disqualified. Based on the review, 16 Paulsboro players and 4 Woodbury players, to date, have been identified for disqualification and will be subject to a 1-game sit. Both schools have been notified, and disqualifications have been entered into the NJSIAA system.

“The situation is certainly unfortunate, and NJSIAA appreciates the cooperation of both schools as the review process continues.”

Messages have been left for Paulsboro officials for further comment. Schalick athletics director Doug Volovar said he spoke briefly with Paulsboro AD Paul Morina after the NJSIAA’s announcement without much detail.

A Paulsboro senior player responding to a Riverview Sports News post on X said “several” people were ejected for passing the 25-yard-line bench boundary to get away from the melee, the “only” direction they could go he said after they “were instructed” to get away. 

The NJSIAA did not identify the 16 disciplined players in its statement; a roster from a game with Penns Grove earlier this year lists 36 players on the Paulsboro roster. Schalick officials were working to identify who they were going to play against, but the team is preparing as if the Red Raiders would be at full strength. The winner draws the Salem-Glassboro winner in the sectional finals. Several starters are said to be among the sanctioned.

“We’ll see who those players (suspended) are,” Leamy said. “It could be all JV players, could be a handful of varsity players, we have no idea right now.

“We’re still preparing as if they’re full strength. We’re preparing that they’re not losing anyone and they have to sit a bunch of JV kids. That’s the way we’re preparing.”

The teams played earlier this year at Schalick with Paulsboro winning 6-0 in a game basically played between the 30s.

Paulsboro controlled the clock in the first half and scored a touchdown late in the second quarter. The Cougars had the ball with five minutes left and mounted a threat for the winning score, but the drive was gutted by back-to-back penalties.

It was the first of three straight losses (among four in a row) the Cougars sustained with quarterback Kenny Bartee in concussion protocol. Bartee returned for the regular-season finale against Woodbury and the Cougars have won two straight since.

So in the rematch, Paulsboro will be without 16 players who played in that game and the Cougars will be with one big piece who didn’t.

“I’m glad there wasn’t a forfeit; I’m glad we get to play,” Leamy said. “We’ll see what happens, but I’m glad there’s a game.”

This story will be updated.