Show your stuff

Salem CC football heads to Montclair for first live scrimmage since birth of the program


By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – In more established programs, a scrimmage at the end of training camp might be part of the routine, but for the startup Salem Community College football team it’s the most important exercise in the history of the program.

For the first time since the school agreed to launch the program the Mighty Oaks will face a team in a different colored uniform as they scrimmage at Montclair State Friday at 5 p.m. You bet head coach Jay Accorsi thinks it‘s a pretty important.

“It’s the first outside competition ever, so it is a big deal,” he said. “I mentioned that (Sunday) to the team and I’ll mention it leading up. They’re gonna get an opportunity to show what they can do, but it’s got to be in the framework of what we’re trying to do as a team offensively and defensively, too. That’s going to be the challenge: Letting them get an opportunity to show what they can do, but it just can’t be about them, too; it’s gotta be what we need to do as a team.”

That’s the reason he chose Montclair. He’s familiar with the program and its traditions, having faced the Red Hawks many times during his days as Rowan’s head coach, so he knows what he’s going to get. And it’s on the road, so they can teach the players the mechanics of game operations.

Above all, Accorsi wants it to see the Mighty Oaks organized, cohesive and competitive on both sides of the ball.

“We need to find out what players can do in live situations,” he said. “You can simulate it in practice, you can do mini sessions with more hitting, but you don’t know until you put a full 11 out there. So I want it to be organized, I want it to be competitive and I want the players to really compete. I think that’s what we’re really looking for.”

Jobs may not be won, but the coaches will get the strongest indication yet of who’s on track to start in the inaugural game against Hudson Valley CC Aug. 29 at Pennsville High School.

Both coordinators have an idea of who’s rising to the fore, but it’s a lot difference between the big bumps in practice and what happens when the lights come on.

“We’ve thrown a lot at the kids, but they’ve adapted pretty well; we’re pleasantly surprised with where we’re at at this point,” offensive coordinator Chris Crowley said. “I kind of have an idea of what we have but you really don’t know until you get in a game situation. When you get on the field you’ve got to do something with it. Some guys have taken advantage of that and have created a situation where they’re going to get some opportunities. It’s going to be a good test to see where we’re at.”

All three quarterbacks – Malakhai McKenzie, Cam Wright and Aidan Hill – are expected to play as well as multiple running backs and receivers. Receivers Jahfarri Payne and Darion Joyner have been impressive in practice as has big running back Brian Pritchett.

“We have guys who can do different things; there could be a world where we play multiple guys,” Crowley said of the quarterbacks. “It’s great to have one take it, give him the keys and let ‘im go, but we’re probably not in that situation right now, but guys are gonna get chances in situations.”

Likewise, defensive coordinator Joe Dougherty has an idea of the 25 to 30 who ultimately will play in his defense; now, it’s just a matter of determining a rotation. Charlie Shute, Mark Moore, Ben Secouler, Jamar Jones and Hayden Alexander have all shown well in camp.

“I think we have in what we need, what we need to be successful, and then well put in specifics,” Dougherty said. “Our base stuff should be ready to roll and we’ll see what they can do. I just want to see kind of their reactions. It’s different when you’ve got to go make a tackle.”