Putting it together

Mighty Oaks still making personnel decisions as they approach Saturday’s historic inaugural football game

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – It was four days before the biggest day in Salem CC athletics history and there was still so much to do the architect of the day didn’t have time to think about how historically significant it is.

“I’ll feel a lot better when Saturday’s over,” Mighty Oaks head coach Jay Accorsi said. “We just still have a lot to do to get to Saturday.

“There’s just still so much to do and so little time. I haven’t really thought about that part of it, to be honest with you. When Saturday’s over, then I can take a look back and reflect on those things, but there’s just still so much to do … in a short period of time.”

Indeed. The Mighty Oaks have done a lot of heavy lifting since college administrators approved starting a football program last fall green-lighting Accorsi’s vision of bringing junior college football to South Jersey, but there remains a lot of details to fall into place and to those doing it there just never seems to be enough time.

The players have been practicing for the team’s inaugural game against Hudson Valley CC at Pennsville High’s Lou D’Angelo Stadium, but on Tuesday at least the Mighty Oaks didn’t have a posted roster or depth chart. First- and second-team groups have been put together, but the pieces change because the coaches learn something new every day. Gameday festivities were still being planned.

It’s truly a work-in-progress, but such is the nature of a program where everything is new.

“I don’t think we know enough about this team and all the positions and all the players; I think it’s something we learn during games,” Accorsi said. “Normally teams don’t do that. I think with a new program it makes everything really difficult. You’re trying to prepare a lot of players. You’re trying to prepare a lot of positions. You’re trying to see what fits and what works. Usually in an established program you don’t have to do that. We do because we’re not an established program.

“It’s the weirdest situation I’ve ever been in my life, and I knew it would be that way. Usually you know your key guys going into games and going into the season. We and I have no idea. We’re starting to find that out, but I don’t know until we see it. This is a humbling experience.”

They caught glimpses of what it can be at the scrimmage last Friday. They scored the first touchdown of the game – their first touchdown in program history – and led 8-7 at halftime before the Red Wolves had too much for them in the second half and won 24-8.

“I felt better about where we were after that because we were competitive,” Accorsi said. “Not where I want us to be but then I’m one of those who’s always driven to be better.

“I thought we were very competitive, that’s what I was excited about. For a first year program to be able to do that, that says a lot about the players and the coaches in your program and you’re heading in the right direction. For a first year (program) to do that, it exceeded all my expectations.”

Accorsi said Malakhai McKenzie and Aidan Hill both would play at quarterback, but a definitive Opening Day starter has not been announced. McKenzie passed for 2,631 yards and 24 touchdowns in his two years as the starter at Paulsboro. Hill played multiple positions at Delaware’s Delcastle and Brandywine highs and was a player of the week multiple times his senior year once he became eligible after his transfer.

Both played significant roles in Friday’s scrimmage. McKenzie threw a long pass that nearly (should have) went for a touchdown. Hill came in down by the goal line and gave the handoff to big Brian Pritchett for the score and then threw the two-point conversion pass to tight end Robert Daly to give the Mighty Oaks an 8-0 lead.

“How many (plays) and where and what we do, we’re still trying to figure that out,” Accorsi said. “Obviously they’re two very different quarterbacks. They’re young, they’re inexperienced. We’re going to go through a lot of growing pains with them. There’s a lot we’ve got to do. I think it’s going to be a combination of those two and my guess is it’s going to be a combination of those two for a while.”

If McKenzie is the starter, he recognizes the enormity of the moment.

“It’s a big deal,” he said. “I want to do the best I can on that day, for sure, to show them what I can do. I’m taking it as an opportunity. It’s a lot of responsibility. I’ve just got to take it on my shoulders.”

Hill’s value is as a multiple threat. He has been a receiver in camp when he’s not calling signals, but he also could be a running back and a kicker.

“I played everything,” he said. “In high school I played quarterback, running back, receiver. Whatever fits me for that play is where they’re going to have me at and I’ve just got to show the best of my ability to make sure I know what I’m doing at that time. I’ve just got to be ready for my time when I come in, show them I can be the athlete I say I am. It’s really a fight (for the position); whoever does the best at the position is going to get the time.”

The Mighty Oaks have been prepping for Hudson Valley largely off what the Vikings did last season. The New Yorkers were 7-3 last season and went 3-2 against teams the Mighty Oaks play this season. They graduated a 2,100-yard passer, but return leading rushing Chanse Bonner (139-570-5).

But like their own team, there’s uncertainty.

“Coaches like schedules and things set and planned and doing all those things and I am definitely like that,” Accorsi said. “This experience has taught me you’ve got to live with what’s going on and try to make the best of it the best you can.

“When you set the bar high and your expectations are high, sometimes it’s hard to keep those. I want the players to be competitive and I want the players and coaches to have fun and enjoy this experience. If you don’t do that, then it’s not worth doing that. I can’t say the coaches and players aren’t enjoying this experience. As new and challenging as it is, 90 some guys are showing up every single day. That’s all you want. It’s a great environment and they want to be here. I think we’ve done that, so that’s a win already in my eyes.”

LOOSE ACORNS: Mighty Oaks hope to do a walk-through in Pennsville’s stadium Friday … Hill and McKenzie wore 1 and 2 red practice jerseys, but will wear 19 and 10 during games. For McKenzie, who wore 2 at Paulsboro, it’s a return to his midget football number. Hill’s number reflects his status as a receiver … Tickets will be available at the gate. General admission is $7. Children under 12 and Salem CC students with ID are free. All ticket sales are cashless … The stadium PA announcer will introduce the Salem CC defense and Hudson Valley offense before the game … The Pennsville High School pep band will play at the game.