Author: almusky

Hall moves to January

Salem County Sports Hall of Fame moving ceremonies to January, opens meeting to discuss new class later this month

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

The Salem County Sports Hall of Fame induction ceremony traditionally has been a late summer fixture on the county sports calendar, but going forward it will be an event for the first month of the year. The next Hall of Fame class will be enshrined on Jan. 15, 2027.

Last year’s induction ceremony took place in August, while the late Matthew Gaudreau was enshrined on Jan. 17 of this year.

“We did do it in the late summer last year, but we also had an additional event in January,” said Melissa Daly, the executive director of the Salem Community College Foundation and point person for the Hall of Fame. “So, we had just done it already this year and with all the football activities we have in late summer, it just felt like maybe we should stick with that January date.

“That actually worked out pretty well for us and gives us more time towards the end of the summer to deal with some other things that are happening at the college. It’s a busy time of year so it would give us more time for planning.”

Daly assumed directorship of the Foundation in December 2024 from Ceil Smith, who was enshrined in last year’s class as one of the founders of the Hall and her and service to it.

“It’s been a great opportunity,” Daly said. “I get to meet a lot of people in the community who made a mark on Salem County. I feel honored to be able to recognize their achievements.”

The Hall of Fame committee will meet for the first time on this year’s class later this month. More than 100 local sports luminaries are currently enshrined in the Hall, which is housed in Salem CC’s Dupont Field House and can now be accessed online. The induction ceremony, which is free and open to the public, is held in the college’s Davidow Theater.

Blast from the past

Penns Grove historical society to feature year-long exhibit on community’s strong football legacy; exhibit opens Sept. 13

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNS GROVE – Karen Dingley leaned over the display case and looked over the parcel that was folded neatly on the counter. Delicately, she peeled back each fold, careful not to disturb the item or the tissue paper that was protecting it. Finally, all the folds were opened and the tissue paper separated revealing maybe not the oldest item in the collection but the one that might be the crown jewel of the whole show – a 1938 game-worn jersey of the semi-pro football Penns Grove Eagles.

“I think most people, if they’re under a certain age, didn’t even know there was a semi-pro team in Penns Grove,” Dingley said.

That’s all about to change.

Football has been big in Penns Grove for a long time. Weekends in the fall were filled with the sounds of the game and championship dreams. It may have fallen on some lean times in recent years, but the passion for the game has always been strong and the history is a rich one.

The Historical Society of Penns Grove, Carneys Point and Oldmans is putting the community’s football legacy on display with a year-long free exhibit called “Gridiron Glory.” It premiers Sept. 13 during the museum’s Open House at 48 West Main Street in Penns Grove.

“Penns Grove is a big football town, it always has been,” board member Mary Beth McDermott said. “We thought people would really enjoy it.”

The exhibit will feature items that date back to the 1920s and follow the community’s football history through its youth, high school and semi-pro teams. There are helmets from the early Penns Grove and St. James high school teams. There are commemorative footballs from the first four St. James’ Parochial C championship teams and a huge mural detailing all of the former school’s gridiron accomplishments. There are jackets from the youth and high school teams and the aforementioned Eagles’ jersey as well as an assortment of photos, trophies and other memorabilia from every era and every level.

During a recent visit to the museum, a group of volunteers was busy putting together pieces for the exhibit. Janet Bowe was developing a list of coaches for all the local football teams.

The oldest item in the exhibit appears to be a 1928 program from a game between the Penns Grove A.A. and the Haddon All Stars. The local team appeared to be coached by former New Jersey state senator and one-time acting governor John M. Summerill Jr.

Karen Dingley inspects a jersey from the 1938 Penns Grove Eagles semi-pro football team that will be on display at the Historical Society of Penns Grove, Carneys Point & Oldmans starting next month.

The society has curated exhibits on athletics before, but this will be the first featured in the main room that in a previous life served as the lobby for the First Savings & Loan Association. The display will stay up until July, while the exhibits in the smaller rooms are changed out regularly.

“I did know football is very big in this community, but I didn’t know how far back it went,” said Dingley, the historical society’s treasurer and chairman of the museum committee. “I didn’t know how many people basically went on to do major things in football outside of this area, not so much major-league football but college football and stuff like that or became coaches in different areas. Football and baseball, I think they’re the two major things in our area. We’ll probably do an exhibition on (baseball) at some point, too.”

The historical society is staffed completely by volunteers and is supported through donations and various fundraisers. All of the items on display have been either donated or are on loan. The museum is open on Sundays from 1-3 p.m., but off-hours tours can be arranged by calling 856-299-1556 in advance. The same number can be used for inquiries about donating items for the football exhibit.

Historical society volunteers arrange a series of Penns Grove High School patches for a display during a recent work session.

The society will have the special Saturday opening Sept. 19. That’s the day after the Penns Grove High School Homecoming game where the school will recognize the 1963-64 state championship team that was recently voted into the school’s Athletics Hall of Fame. The museum hopes to encourage members of that team to visit that day to share stories and memories and perhaps add some memorabilia to the exhibit.

“We’re just trying to show the community where our towns have been in the past,” Dingley said. “Right now they’re starting the midgets back up – they been out for a few years – so I think we’re trying to … let the younger people know if you look at the town and you don’t think anything important ever happened here or there wasn’t stuff for kids and young adults, there actually was. By showing some of the people who played in sports, OK, you may not go on and play for the New England Patriots or the Dallas Cowboys, but if you’re a really good football player it can help you get into college and stuff like that.

“I think in all of our exhibits that’s kind of what we are trying to do, whether it’s football or anything else, let people know the history of the town, different things they may not realize; they may have heard a story about one portion or another. I don’t know how many of the kids in high school today know how big football was and how good the teams were.”

The former St. James High School football team will be prominently displayed in the exhibit. (Below) A program and poster from the archives.

Top photo: Historical society board members Karen Dingley (L) and Mary Beth McDermott (R) and volunteer Nancy Counsellor discuss the group’s upcoming Gridiron Glory exhibit that premiers Sept. 13.

The adventure begins

About 90 players take the field for the first full squad on-field practice of Salem CC’s inaugural football season; Accorsi: first day “exceeded my expectations”

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – The last time we saw the Salem CC football team on this practice field there were eight players running drills and four coaches making sure they were doing them right. That’s a nice ratio for some individual workouts, but it’s not what you really want to conduct a traditional full-blown football practice.

Fast forward to a sweltering Thursday afternoon four months later and there were players and coaches in every corner of the facility where not even the bell of a passing ice cream truck making the rounds could challenge their focus. The Mighty Oaks were going through their first on-the-field practice in program history with a full complement of coaches and players and it was all a football practice was supposed to be.

“It was awesome,” head coach Jay Accorsi said. “It was kind of what I envisioned when I reached out to Dr. (Mike) Gorman about this. It’s what I thought it would be. It’s pretty cool.”

More than 90 players took part in the 2-hour, 15-minute practice conducted in 90-degree heat. 

Anthony Hicks, a defensive back from Philadelphia, tries to cool off during a break in Salem CC’s first on-field practice of training camp.

Practice was schedule for 3:00, but the players started arriving well before that. The early arrivals gathered under the shade on the perimeter of the Twins Field. And then, much of Accorsi’s delight, even before the last busload of players arrived those already on site moved out onto the field and began drills before the practice was even supposed to start.

“We’ve just got to be careful; we can’t burn them out too fast,” Accorsi said. “We’ve got to slow it down a little bit because they were so excited. But I think that’s the fun part. Players who are really excited to be here, who want to be here, are cherishing this opportunity. That’s why I really wanted to do something like this, to provide an opportunity for those who don’t have it. I think all the players here, in their each special story, fit that mold.”

Defensive back Ben Secouler (Cherry Hill West) and running back Brian Pritchett (Bridgeton) were among those intrepid eight who went through spring practice. It was definitely different.

“Multiplied by more than 10 this time,” Secouler said. “It’s like surreal, honestly. When we were here in the spring, it kind of felt hard to believe or even like trust (it was going to happen). I was trying to get them to buy in then for this opportunity then and, look, it’s here, and that was how many months ago and there was nothing. Honestly, it’s crazy, but it’s all coming together.”

“It felt fun, it felt good, it felt intense,” Pritchett said. “It’s felt good to be around some good vibes, to be around football again. It felt good.”

Charlie Shute, a decorated freshman linebacker from Delaware, was taking it in for the first time. The heat, the drills, none of it fazed him. Heading back to his position group from one of the water breaks, he told teammates he had been waiting for this opportunity a long time.

“I really didn’t get a lot of recruiting opportunities in high school (despite being a two-time first-team all-stater) so this is a perfect opportunity, a perfect chance, for me to really show my ability, show my leadership,” he said. “Obviously we’re here and then we’re going to try to go somewhere else after this. That was the memo when we first got here, so I just wanted to come here, fresh start, become a leader. Really, I’ve been waiting for this my whole life. This is exactly where I wanted to be, around the people I want to be around.”

Nobody won a position on this day, but Accorsi said the Mighty Oaks may have come closer to identifying their punter and kicker. There’s still a lot of work to be done – and a lot of players to evaluate – before the Aug. 21 scrimmage at Montclair and definitely the Aug. 29 inaugural game against Hudson Valley at Pennsville High School, but he found a lot to like on the first day of practice.

Just from watching film and seeing the players during three days of meetings Accorsi had a sense his first team would have the right stuff to be competitive right out of the gate, but seeing them move around on the field for the first time convinced him even more.

“I think we’re going to be a very quick team, I think we’re going to be a very athletic team,” the former Rowan head coach said. “I think up front on the offensive line we’ve got  some good size; there’s some inexperience there. On the back end defensively in the secondary and at the wide receiver spot we’re going to have some really good skill players. That’s kind of different for me. At the Division III level that’s kind of the areas that maybe you don’t. I knew here It was; I think we’re very athletic. In the team period, I was really impressed how the running backs ran, how the linebackers ran.

“It’s a long way to go. It’s only Day One. You’ve got to be cautiously optimistic and careful. It exceeded my expectations for the first day, it did; overall, the whole thing did exceed my expectations. The excitement for them to be here and how quickly they want to do things was great, but we had to temper down because we had to make sure they could through a whole practice.”

Of course, it’s only the beginning. The Mighty Oaks will continue to work out in guardian helmets and shorts the next two days. They’ll go in uppers for three days starting Sunday, then go in full pads for the first time Aug. 13. Then it’ll get interesting.

“I think it’s going to be even better,” Shute said. “I think the intensity is going to rise, the competitive level is going to rise. Everybody is going to be loud, everybody’s going to be aggressive, everybody’s going to be competitive, but at the end of the day we’re a team, so we’re going to do what’s best for the team. But it’s going to be absolutely awesome out here, so explosive. It’s going to be double the energy we had today.”

Ben Secouler, one of the players who participated in Salem CC’s spring practice in April, encourages his teammates during a water break in Thursday’s first day of preseason camp.


Coaching staff assembled

Accorsi ‘super excited’ with the coaching staff that’s come together for his first Salem CC’s football season

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – Jay Accorsi is “super excited and pleased” with the group of assistants he’s been able to put together for his first coaching staff as Salem CC’s head football coach.

The Mighty Oaks took the field for the first time Thursday with their full complement of coaches in the fold.

They had three assistants to get them through the spring, but the confirmation Thursday of offensive assistants Nick Santosuosso (offensive line), Ojay Harris (tackles/tight ends), Sharif Glaud (receivers) and Lonnie Rice (running backs), and defensive coaches Earl Simmons (corners) and Dimir Leftwich (defensive line) gives them nine to man all position groups going through their inaugural season.

Defensive coordinator Joe Dougherty (linebackers), offensive coordinator Chris Crowley (quarterbacks) and Damon Troy (secondary) helped Accorsi take the Mighty Oaks through the spring.

“I think we really lucked out,” Accorsi said. “Chris Crowley was able to get two really good coaches, especially (on the) offensive line, because we had some at one point – it was going to be me. That was OK, but I think we lucked out with him getting Nick and Sharif, and then once Dimir gets here Sunday … I’m super excited and pleased. I’m really kind of surprised how quickly and late we put this together.”

South Jersey football observers might be familiar with some of the newer assistants. Harris and Simmons played for Accorsi at Rowan. Glaud was a high school standout at Winslow.

Accorsi said he knew he was attracting the right type coaches for his startup program after one of their first conversations.

“Just seeing them in meetings, I’m super excited,” he said. “Because it’s just not about football.

“All of those I don’t know, before we even had a conversation they were like, coach, why are you doing this? I said, what do you mean? They were like, I looked you up, you had a great career at Rowan, why are you doing this? And as soon as I said I want to help young men, they were like, sign me up, I want to do this. I don’t care how much you pay me, I don’t care what I do, I want to be involved in that.

“That’s the part I’m most excited about it. Not the greatness on the field for them, but it’s all the life lessons and everything off the field. I’m super excited about that.”

Top photo: Offensive line coach Nick Santosuosso (R) and tight ends coach Ojay Harris direct their charges through a drill during Salem CC’s first day of on-field practice Thursday.

‘We’ve got some players’

Salem CC coach Accorsi welcomes nearly 100 players – with more expected – to the first day of the Mighty Oaks’ first preseason camp

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – Jay Accorsi stood in front of the room eagerly awaiting his chance to address his players for the first time and as he watched them file in and take their seats he couldn’t help but crack a smile.

He had spoken to them individually over the last 10 months as he put together Salem CC’s first football team in school history, but this was the first time he had them together as a group. The head coach and his staff checked in 95 players Monday on the first day of the Mighty Oaks’ first preseason camp.

“It was an athletic looking group,” Accorsi said. “You meet them and you talk to them and you watch film and you do an open house and all that, but when they were in the room walking around in between meetings just my impression is we’re going to be pretty athletic. I was looking around, like, man, we’ve got some players.

“We’ve got a lot of impressive young men, I’m very excited. We had some people in and they came over and said the guys are nice, they’re polite, they’re very well spoken. Those things matter to me. Those were kind of the foundation of what we want to build with this team, not just football players, but good young men who want to work hard in a lot of different things. I’m looking around like I think we’ll be competitive.”

The Mighty Oaks had anticipated an initial group of 118 players. Experience has taught Accorsi not everybody was going to make it that first day for various reasons. Some who didn’t show Monday are expected to arrive Tuesday. And there were even some surprises among those who did.

“Pretty much what I thought it would be,” Accorsi said. “But the nice part is a couple guys showed up that I didn’t know, and there were a couple other guys we were in contact with today that we’re working on that will be pleasant additions. I told you it’s going to be a very fluid situation, but we had like 94 or 95, which I’m ecstatic about.

“I know when (president) Mike Gorman talked to the team this morning he was really excited to see that many in there ready to go. It was a great day, it really was.”

Monday was the first of three administration days to open camp and Accorsi said they accomplished everything they planned to do on Day One. In addition to checking in, the players went through an orientation that included presentations from Gorman, athletics director Bob Hughes and other administrators, a nutritionist and the coaches. They broke out in meetings with their position coaches and got in a little more football than the head coach anticipated.

“It was good to start to do football things for a change instead of all the necessary things that have to be done,” Accorsi said.

The Mighty Oaks are expected to hit the field for the first time Thursday and go in full pads for the first time the following Thursday. They have a scrimmage scheduled for Aug. 21 at Montclair and open their inaugural season Aug. 29 against Hudson Valley at Pennsville High School. The ticketing process went live through Pennsville’s electronic ticketing app earlier today.

“You want to try to do all the team building things, which are really important, and it was really cool to see them meet other players and sit and have lunch and laugh, all the socialization things you just don’t think about that you plan for,” Accorsi said of the first day. “That was just really cool today.

“That’s probably the thing I missed the most when I decided to retire and wanted to come back and do this, just being around young men and having them talk about football but then laugh and joke and have a good time. It was a lot of fun and it was great to see. I’m going to imagine if you asked any of them they had a great day. That’s all I really want out of today. They had a great experience and that they want to come back and be here tomorrow, which I think will be the case.”

Full speed ahead

Accorsi, staff prepare to welcome nearly 120 players to Salem CC’s first football training camp; players report Monday, hit the field Thursday; ‘it’s pretty incredible what we’ve done’

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – After 30 years in coaching Jay Accorsi knows what the first day of football practice feels like. He remembers what it felt like his first day as a head coach. This one feels a lot like that, but with a different level of anticipation.

Every first day has a special feeling, but this is the first time the Salem Community College head coach is going into a season with a team, a program, that’s starting – he started — from scratch.

After a little more than a year of researching, planning and putting it all together, the former Rowan head coach will open the doors for the first time to the full complement of players for the Mighty Oaks’ first football team.

Accorsi and his staff will welcome nearly 120 players when they report Monday for the school’s first ever training camp. They’ll have 18 days before their first live scrimmage at Montclair and 26 days before the first game in program history Aug. 29 against Hudson Valley CC at Pennsville High School.

“Even all my years at Rowan when I was an assistant and a head coach and even my years at Nichols when I was an assistant, it always feels like the first day of school,” the 62-year-old Accorsi said. “There’s just a newness about it. It’s a beginning. It’s a start of another season. New players. It always felt like it was the first day of school. This one’s different though.

“I’m probably more nervous than I’ve ever been because this is something started from scratch. Really, last August, I was just a consultant sitting in a room figuring out could we do this and now, a year later, we’re actually doing this and I’m nervous. It feels different. I’m really nervous. It kind of feels like my first year at Rowan. I think K.C. (Keeler) prepared me really well to take over, but, again, when you’re the person in charge … I was really nervous at the beginning at Rowan and I feel the same way, but even more so. Everything was kind of created and done, so it’s a similar feeling, but much more different.”

Accorsi brought the idea of playing football at Salem to college president Mike Gorman last May. He was armed with extensive research on why it would flourish in a region known for good high school football and loaded with players who either had to go out of state to play or simply abandoned the idea of going to college and playing because there were no other options available to them.

Gorman brought it to the board in October, it passed in November with consultant Accorsi installed as acting head coach and the program officially launched in January, making it only the second junior college in New Jersey to offer the sport. There have been some growing pains, of course, and there will continue to be as the Mighty Oaks move forward, but they’ve made steady progress and, ready or not, the season is upon them.

“Sometimes when I get frustrated or whatever I have to kind of step back and think, listen, this was an idea you proposed to President Gorman last June and all of a sudden now you’re doing it,” Accorsi said. “I need to step back sometimes and understand the challenges and understand the start of it, but you know as a competitor you want it to all be perfect.

“I need to make sure I step back at times, and I did that yesterday when we had most of the coaching staff there and they were in meetings and they were talking and I was just sitting there looking around thinking, ‘wow this is pretty awesome; all this collection of individuals last year at this time were doing something completely different.’ I need to make sure I check myself at the door and maybe not get too frustrated or too quick to judge because it’s pretty incredible what we’ve done.”

Salem CC head coach Jay Accorsi explains a drill to some of his players during spring practice in April. (Top photo) Accorsi, flanked by president Mike Gorman (R) and AD Bob Hughes, talks about the vision for the Mighty Oaks’ new football program during an introductory press conference in January.

The Mighty Oaks’ first three days together will be administrative days. The players report Monday at 9 a.m. and then meet with administrators and coaches. Tuesday is a day for academics and getting fitted for their gear and Wednesday it’s physicals and more meetings.

It’s the hope to hit the practice field adjacent to the Carney Point Rec Complex Thursday, but there’s still a lot to do there to have it ready. As much as coaches don’t like disruptions, if it doesn’t happen that day, it won’t necessarily set them back

“I wanted three admin days because I knew these things were going to happen and I wanted to take our time before we rushed into practice to have everything cleared,” Accorsi said. “I think we’ve put a lot of things in place to do it the right way; take our time, go really slow, but make sure everybody is safe and sound, is protected. That’s the part I’ve been very, very excited about, it’s all been done the right way and the safe way, too.

“Those first three days it’s 9-to-5 and it’s just a lot of stuff, but it’s probably, and I don’t want to take away from the football part, but it’s probably the most important things we will do in the program for the whole year. I’m hoping Thursday is the first day. I think we’ll be all right to start that day, but I built it into the schedule that Thursday ends up being a catch-up day or a walk-through with some other things. The coaches are going to hate me for saying this, but it’s not the end of the world if we don’t have a full practice that day. I’m hoping we will, but I’ve got to go slow to make sure everybody’s cleared to go.”

The Mighty Oaks do have their full complement of coaches on board, but won’t announce them until top administrators return to campus at the start of the week and officially sign off on them. The program has been going through its beginnings and a limited spring practice with assistants Joe Dougherty, Chris Crowley and Damon Troy.

Once they get on the field, the first three days will be in helmets and shorts. The next three days they’ll be in shells. Aug. 12 is a scheduled off day with the 13th being their first day in full pads.

With all the things they had to worry about to get the program off the ground, one element Accorsi never doubted was the program’s ability to attract players. They are expecting 118 players from at least seven states to report Monday. Some ultimately will be grey-shirted, some will be redshirted and some, Accorsi said, are “really dynamic players” who have the potential to play at the highest levels of the college game.

When the program announced their signees on social media, most were listed as “ATH” to avoid being pigeonholed into specific positions before they are seen, but the coaching staff does have a preliminary depth chart. There are 29 defensive backs, 21 wide receivers, 12 running backs and “four and maybe five” quarterbacks.

“I knew junior college football would be different, I just didn’t realize how different it would be,” Accorsi said. “Coming from Division III, we had some players, don’t get me wrong, but not like the players we’re going to have here.

“The defense was talking about all the DBs and the defensive coordinator (Dougherty) was talking about we may be able to play man a lot. You usually can’t say that at a lot of places, but I think the athleticism and the talent is even higher than what I thought it would be and I thought it would be pretty high. We’ve got some guys.”

ANNOUNCED SALEM CC FOOTBALL SIGNEES
PLAYERHOMETOWN/SCHOOL
Aiden AlexanderKingsway/Kutztown
Rabiou AlidouPhiladelphia/Audenried
Jayden Ali-WardLawnside/Sterling 
Maxwell BattenWilmington, Del./St. Marks HS
DJ BinckNational Park/Gateway
Jerrell BurksBridgeton
Quyan CadePleasantville
Zahir CobbinsJersey City/Delran
Jadon CowanBaltimore/North County
Travon CrappsFt. Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas
Robert DalyPittsbrove/Schalick
Sam DaSilvaDelran
Jayir DavisCamden/Eastside
Jeremiah DaysMount Laurel/Lenape
Jordan Dozier-PinkettWildwood
Josiah EvansCollingswood
Sean FerebeeWest Deptford/Williamstown
Sean GreshamFairfax, Va/Falls Church 
Ryan GoodmondNewark, Del./Newark
M.J. HallWoodstown
Jacob HandPennsville
Aidan HillWilmington, Del./Brandywine
Kaden HoodSwedesboro/Kingsway
Xavier LeeNewark/William Penn HS
Jermar JonesWest Deptford/Chestnut Hill
Eric JordanWildwood
Darion JoynerBlackwood/Washington Twp.
Kahmaj KearneySmyrna, Del.
Stephen LittleBridgeton
Ke-Marley MasonMarlton/Cherokee
Lamar McCoyMillsboro, Del./Cape Henlopen
Zaahir McNairWilmington, Del./Brandywine
Jamere MettsPhiladelphia/Clearview HS
Hayden MillerGlendora/Triton
Andrew MosleyBridgeton/Cumberland
Jahfarri PayneWilmington, Del./John Dickinson
John PettigrewBellmawr/Triton
Brian PritchettBridgeton/Sussex CC
Jovanni RiosSalem
Jack RobinsonMaple Shade
Kaleb RossElkton, Md./St. Elizabeth HS
Sam RowleyPenns Grove/Haddon Heights
Jeremiah RussellBridgeton
Jayden SanchezSewell/Washington Twp.
Ben SecoulerCherry Hill
Brody SelfridgeSewell/Clearview
Noah ShieldsBlackwood/Highland
Charlie ShuteNewark, Del./Conrad HS
Jamar SmithGlasgow
Moses TassyCherry Hill West
Raheem TomoneyPhiladelphia/Hudson Valley CC
Deven TompkinsBridgeton/Cumberland Reg.
William TorresWillingboro
Tyler WalkerManalapan/New Haven
Quaddi WallsClayton
Jamaad WashingtonPleasantville
Demere WhiteMillville
Demetris WilliamsClayton
Kielle WoodardBridgeton/Cumberland Reg.
Erik WorleySicklerville/Winslow HS


Mighty Oaks in ‘good spot’

Other in-state program says emerging Salem CC program good for conference, region and JUCO football, days before opening of camp, AD who provided guidance says Mighty Oaks have ‘done everything they need to get this thing moving’

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

When Todd Pottersdorf heard there was another junior college on the other end of the state exploring the possibility of starting a football program he got genuinely excited.

The idea that Salem Community College was going to bring a program online this year was an opportunity not only to find a reasonably close opponent to fill another spot on Sussex CC’s schedule but provide a competitive partner to help fill the 500-mile void that was JUCO football between New York and North Carolina.

It’s not just an idea anymore. The Mighty Oaks are just days away from opening their first preseason football training camp with their inaugural game in an eight-game Year One schedule set for Lou D’Angelo Stadium in Pennsville the end of August.

The response has been overly favorable locally and beyond.

“I think it’s great for the region and the conference; it gives us another opponent to play,” said Pottersdorf, the Skylanders’ head coach when they launched and now the school’s athletics director. “In junior college football you’re either D1 or D3. Since 2019 we were a Division 1 program. That included Lackawanna, Monroe – those schools were relatively on the East Coast – but now that Lackawanna went four-year school, Monroe went four-year school, we decided to go down to Division 3 status, where now Hudson, Nassau, Erie, they have to play us. They can’t dodge us.

“Adding Salem really has helped us. It’s been kind of nice to have somebody else in the mix, to be honest with you. From our perspective it’s been great to have. It’s great for the Garden State Athletic Conference, it’s great for Region 19 and it’s great for NJCAA football.”

Jay Accorsi, the long-time Rowan head coach who would become the Mighty Oaks’ first head coach, called on Pottersdorf several times during Salem’s exploratory phase to pick his brain about all that was in store for starting a program from scratch.

Accorsi often wondered why there wasn’t a local junior college option available to players in a region that was filled with players who had the ability and desire to play but either went out of state to play or fell through the recruiting cracks without a place to land. He knew Pottersdorf from the days his Rowan teams scrimmaged Sussex in camp and acknowledged his insights many times in earlier interviews.

The Skylanders were the first junior college in the state to have football when they launched in 2019 with the big-picture aim of increasing student enrollment. They were ready to hit the field with a 90-man roster in the fall of 2020, but then COVID hit and disrupted the world. They played a five-game schedule when normalcy returned and have been on the field every year since. (Salem’s plan will have taken 10 months from the time they first brought the proposal before the board to Opening Day).

“It wasn’t hard for us to get it up and running; it was a pretty smooth process, as far as finding kids to play,” Pottersdorf said. 

The biggest questions Accorsi had were the ability to secure a practice facility and playing venues. During the process, the Mighty Oaks acquired a piece of property adjacent to the Carneys Point Rec Complex for their practice facility and will play games this first season at three of five Salem County high school stadiums. They are still trying to finalize the coaching staff.

Since their initial conversations, Pottersdorf has watched with interest as Salem has navigated the same issues Sussex did when it started and he’s been impressed with what he’s observed from afar.

“We haven’t talked in a while, but I understand things are going pretty good,” he said. “(Accorsi’s) got good numbers and is just going through the internal stuff now.

“I think they’re in a good spot. They’re ready to roll. I think they’ve done everything they need to do to get this thing moving. it’s a lot work behind the scenes and not a lot of people realize how much of that there is, but everything we see it seems like they’re going to be in a really good spot.”

The addition of Salem to the landscape opens a world of possibilities for JUCO football in the region. The Mighty Oaks will play their first season as a Division 3 independent, but Pottersdorf, who recently was voted onto the D-3 football board, is about to introduce a proposal for a conference that would include the two New Jersey schools, Hudson Valley, Nassau and Erie.

In a perfect world, they would play home-and-home within the conference so they wouldn’t have to hunt for games and have eight guaranteed JUCO games that would qualify them for the playoffs. The Mighty Oaks play the other four teams in its inaugural schedule – Sussex twice — plus have games with the service academy prep schools and a technical college. 

“My goal this year is to create a Division 3 junior college football conference where we each play each other twice,” Pottersdorf said. “I want to try to get some credibility so we can be in the national polling so we can compete for a national title, somebody from our conference.”

2026 Fall Schedule

Here is the master schedule for the 2026 fall high school and college season in Salem County; weekday events start at 4 p.m. unless noted; football games listed for WJFL; x-scrimmage

MONDAY, AUG. 17
FOOTBALL
x-Clearview at Woodstown, 9 a.m.
x-Haddon Twp. at Penns Grove, 9 a.m.
x-Salem at Absegami, 10 a.m.
x-Triton at Pennsville, 10 a.m.

TUESDAY, AUG. 18
FOOTBALL
x-Delsea at Schalick, 10 a.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
x-Pennsville at Middle Twp., 10 a.m.

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 19
GIRLS TENNIS
x-Clearview at Schalick, 10 a.m.
Woodstown at Sterling, 10 a.m.

THURSDAY, AUG. 20
FOOTBALL
x-Wildwood at Penns Grove, 10 a.m.
x-Audubon at Woodstown, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, AUG. 21
FOOTBALL
x-Salem at Camden, 10 a.m.
x-Schalick at Buena, 9 a.m.
x-Poly Tech (Del.) at Pennsville, 6 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
x-Schalick at Cumberland, 9:30 a.m.
x-Millville at Pennsville, 10 a.m.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
x-Salem CC at Montclair, 5 p.m.

MONDAY, AUG. 24
BOYS SOCCER
x-Penns Grove at Deptford, 10 a.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Deptford at Penns Grove, 10 a.m.
Woodstown at Lower Cape May, 10 a.m.

TUESDAY, AUG. 25
FIELD HOCKEY
x-Audubon at Schalick, 10 a.m.
x-Highland at Salem Tech, 10 a.m.
x-Salem at West Deptford, 10 a.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-Vineland at Schalick, 9:30 a.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Salem at Cumberland, 10 a.m.
x-Schalick at Vineland, 10 a.m.
VOLLEYBALL
Schalick at Buena

WEDNESDAY, AUG. 26
BOYS SOCCER
x-Medford Tech at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
x-Camden Academy Charter at Salem Tech
GIRLS SOCCER
Woodstown at Haddon Twp., 9 a.m.
x-Bridgeton at Salem, 10 a.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
x-Williamstown at Pennsville, 10 a.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
x-Pennsville at Vineland, 10 a.m.
Woodstown at Ocean City, 11 a.m.
Schalick at Middle Twp.
VOLLEYBALL
x-Lindenwold at Salem Tech, 10:30 a.m.

THURSDAY, AUG. 27
FOOTBALL
Pitman at Wildwood, 11 a.m.
Woodstown at Pennsville, 6 p.m.
Riverside at Clayton, 6 p.m.
Overbrook at Haddonfield, 7 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-KIPP at Pennsville, 10 a.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Millville at Schalick, 10 a.m.
x-Pennsville at Palmyra, 10 a.m.
x-Penns Grove at Highland, 10 a.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
x-Friends Central at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
x-Salem, Bridgeton, Nottingham at Cumberland, 10 a.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
x-Bridgeton at Salem, 10 a.m.

FRIDAY, AUG. 28
FOOTBALL
Maple Shade at Schalick, 6 p.m.
New Egypt at Buena, 6 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-Salem at Camden Academy Charter, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Pennsville at Gloucester, 9 a.m.
x-Woodstown at Deptford, 9 a.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Cedar Creek at Schalick, 10 a.m.
Woodstown at Audubon, 10 a.m.

SATURDAY, AUG. 29
FOOTBALL
Salem at Ironton (Ohio), 1 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-Woodstown at Williamstown, 9 a.m.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Hudson Valley CC vs. Salem CC, Pennsville H.S., 1 p.m.

MONDAY, AUG. 31
BOYS SOCCER
Absegami at Woodstown, 9 a.m.
x-Pennsville at Penn Tech
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Penn Tech at Pennsville
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at West Deptford, 3:45 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 1
FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick at Gateway, 9 a.m.
x-Woodstown at Gloucester, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Salem Tech at Paulsboro
Woodstown at Vineland

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 2
BOYS SOCCER
Cape May Tech at Salem Tech (NJTAC Tournament)
FIELD HOCKEY
x-Woodstown at Washington Twp.
VOLLEYBALL
Buena at Salem Tech, 5:30 p.m.
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Salem CC at Middlesex, 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 3
FOOTBALL
Overbrook at Pennsville, 6 p.m.
Woodstown at Clayton, 6 p.m.
Paul VI at Delran, 6 p.m.
Wildwood at Lindenwold, 6 p.m.
Egg Harbor at Lower Cape May, 6 p.m.
Hunterdone Central at Hillsborough, 6 p.m.
Cherry Hill East at Eastern, 6 p.m.
Camden Eastside at Gloucester, 6 p.m.
Moorestown at Cinnaminson, 6 p.m.
Hopewell Valley at Trenton, 6 p.m.
Bishop Eustace at Gateway, 6 p.m.
Haddon Twp. at Palmyra, 6 p.m.
Timber Creek at Vineland, 6 p.m.
Williamstown at Pennsauken, 6 p.m.
Cedar Creek at Ocean City, 6 p.m.
Pleasantville at Shawnee, 6 p.m.
Seneca at Haddonfield, 7 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Penns Grove at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Overbrook at Schalick
Pennsville at Pitman
Salem at Glassboro
BOYS SOCCER
Woodstown at Pennsville
GIRLS SOCCER
Pennsville at Woodstown

FRIDAY, SEPT. 4
FOOTBALL
Burlington City at Schalick, 6 p.m.
Penns Grove at Buena, 6 p.m.
Woodbury at Pitman, 7 p.m.
Cherokee at Burlington Twp., 5 p.m.
Ewing at Hightstown, 6 p.m.
Glassboro at Mainland, 6 p.m.
Millville at Washington Twp., 6 p.m.
Florence at Bordentown, 6 p.m.
Belmont Charter (Pa.) at Southern, 6 p.m.
Northern Burlington at Lenape, 6 p.m.
Princeton at Allentown, 6 p.m.
Audubon at Sterling, 6 p.m.
Delsea at Rancocas Valley, 6 p.m.
Holy Spirit at Camden, 6 p.m.
St. Joe (Hamm.) at Cumberland, 6 p.m.
Bridgeton at Highland, 6 p.m.
Atlantic Tech at Hammonton, 6 p.m.
Absegami at Oakcrest, 6 p.m.
Nottingham at Notre Dame, 6 p.m.
Clearview at WW-Plainsboro, 6 p.m.
Hamilton West at Lawrence, 6 p.m.
Triton at Cherry Hill West, 6 p.m.
Kingsway at Winslow, 6 p.m.
Steinert at Robbinsville, 6 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Middle Twp., 6 p.m.
Willingboro at West Deptford, 7 p.m.
Riverside at Camden Catholic, 7 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Paulsboro at Salem
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem at Paulsboro
Schalick at Delran
COLLEGE CROSS COUNTRY
Salem CC in West Chester Open
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Salem CC at Harcum, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 5
FOOTBALL
Paulsboro at Salem, noon
Collingswood at Haddon Heights, 11:30 a.m.
Maple Shade at KIPP, noon
Holy Cross at Pemberton, noon
St. Augustine vs. Atlantic City, 4 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 8
BOYS SOCCER
Schalick at Delran
Woodstown at Gateway
GIRLS SOCCER
Deptford at Schalick
GCIT at Woodstown
FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville at Audubon
St. Joe (Hamm.) at Woodstown
GIRLS TENNIS
Glassboro at Schalick
Woodstown at Timber Creek
CROSS COUNTRY
TCC Batch Meet at Kingsway, 3:30 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 9
VOLLEYBALL
Triton at Salem Tech, 5:15 p.m.
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Delaware Tech at Salem CC, 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 10
FOOTBALL
Clayton at Haddon Twp., 6 p.m.
Atlantic City at Eastern, 6 p.m.
Williamstown at Washington Twp., 6 p.m.
Vineland at Pennsauken, 6 p.m.
Hopewell Valley at Burlington City, 6 p.m.
Lenape at Cherokee, 6 p.m.
Trenton at Northern Burlington, 6 p.m.
Delran at Cinnaminson, 6 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at WW-Plainsboro, 6 p.m.
Woodbury at Gateway, 6 p.m.
Hightstown at Moorestown, 6 p.m.
Shawnee at Cherry Hill East, 6:30 p.m.
Egge Harbor at Clearview, 7 p.m.
Princeton at Robbinville, 7 p.m.
Mainland at Seneca, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech
Salem at Pennsville
Woodstown at Schalick
BOYS SOCCER
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Clayton
Salem at Salem Tech
Schalick at Penns Grove
GIRLS SOCCER
Clayton at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Schalick
Salem Tech at Salem
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Salem

FRIDAY, SEPT. 11
FOOTBALL
Schalick at Woodstown, 6 p.m.
Pennsville at Pitman, 7 p.m.
Buena at Mastery Camden, 6 p.m.
Paulsboro at West Deptford, 7 p.m.
Highland at Overbrook, 7 p.m.
Bordentown at Steinert, 3:45 p.m.
Timber Creek at Triton, 6 p.m.
Deptford at Oakcrest, 6 p.m.
Burlington Twp. at Willingboro, 6 p.m.
Lower Cape May Cumberland, 6 p.m.
Cherry Hill West at Lawrence, 6 p..
Allentown at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Palmyra at Florence, 6 p.m.
Riverside at Holy Cross, 6 p.m.
Notre Dame at Ewing, 6 p.m.
Cedar Creek at Pleasantville, 6 p.m.
Rancocas Valley at Kingsway, 6 p.m.
Atlantic Tech at Middle Twp., 6 p.m.
Haddon Heights at Maple Shade, 6 p.m.
Hammonton at Bridgeton, 6 p.m.
Holy Spirit at St. Augustine, 6 p.m.
Winslow at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Camden Catholic at Bishop Eustace, 6:30 p.m.
Sterling at Gloucester, 7 p.m.
St. Joe (Hamm.) at Paul VI, 7 p.m.
Haddonfield at Delsea, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Bridgeton at Salem
BOYS SOCCER
Gloucester at Salem
Salem Tech at Camden Academy Charter
GIRLS TENNIS
Haddon Heights at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL
Highland at Salem Tech, 5:15 p.m.
COLLEGE CROSS COUNTRY
Salem CC in Bill Fritz Open, Dream Park

SATURDAY, SEPT. 12
FOOTBALL
Audubon at Salem, noon
Lindenwold at Penns Grove, noon
KIPP at Wildwood, noon
Pemberton at Nottingham, noon
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Nassau CC vs. Salem CC, Schalick H.S., noon

MONDAY, SEPT. 14
FIELD HOCKEY
Clayton at Pennsville
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Schalick at Salem Tech
BOYS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville
Overbrook at Schalick
Penns Grove at Pitman
Salem Tech at Clayton
GIRLS SOCCER
Clayton at Salem Tech
Glassboro at Woodstown
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic
Pitman at Salem
Schalick at Overbrook
Woodbury at Penns Grove, 6 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Schalick at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Salem at Bridgeton
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Salem CC at Atlantic Cape, 6 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 15
VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at GCIT, 3:45 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 16
FIELD HOCKEY
Gateway at Woodstown
Pennsville at Schalick
Salem Tech at Overbrook
BOYS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Woodstown
Pennsville at Glassboro
Salem Tech at Penns Grove
Schalick at Cumberland
GIRLS SOCCER
Glassboro at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Salem Tech
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Glassboro, 3:45 p.m.
Pitman at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Schalick

THURSDAY, SEPT. 17
FOOTBALL
Buena at Clayton, 6 p.m.
Pleasantville at Cherokee, 6 p.m.
Cumberland at Vineland, 6 p.m.
Gateway at Sterling, 6 p.m.
Bridgeton at St. Joe (Hamm.), 6:30 p.m.
Lindenwold at Haddon Twp., 7 p.m.
West Deptford at Paul VI, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick at Delsea
GIRLS SOCCER
Cumberland at Salem
Penns Grove at Gloucester Catholic
Schalick at Cherry Hill West
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Millville
VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic, 5:15 p.m.
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Salem CC at Morris, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 18
FOOTBALL
Salem at Schalick, 6 p.m.
Pitman at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
Burlington City at Overbrook, 7 p.m.
Shawnee at Rancocas Valley, 6 p.m.
Eastern at Northern Burlington, 6 p.m.
Allentown at Trenton, 6 p.m.
Atlantic Tech at Lower Cape May, 6 p.m.
Absegami at Hammonton, 6 p.m.
Gloucester at Triton, 6 p.m.
Lenape at Williamstown, 6 p.m.
Mainland at Holy Spirit, 6 p.m.
Millville at Kingsway, 6 p.m.
Washington Twp. at Atlantic City, 6 p.m.
Pennsauken at Cherry Hill East, 6 p.m.
Lawrence at Notre Dame, 6 p.m.
Highland at Timber Creek, 6 p.m.
Maple Shade at Bordentown, 6 p.m.
Seneca at Willingboro, 6 p.m.
Camden at Ocean City, 6 p.m.
Oakcrest at Egg Harbor, 6 p.m.
Clearview at Deptford, 6 p.m.
Cinnaminson at Cherry Hill West, 6 p.m.
Middle Twp. at Wildwood, 6 p.m.
Collingswood at Bishop Eustace, 6:30 p.m.
Ewing at Hopewell Valley, 7 p.m.
Florence at Camden Catholic, 7 p.m.
Camden Eastside at Moorestown, 7 p.m.
Delran at Haddonfield, 7 p.m.
Burlington Twp. at Delsea, 7 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Salem at Woodstown
GIRLS SOCCER
Bridgeton at Pennsville
FIELD HOCKEY
Absegami at Salem Tech
Pennsville at Bridgeton
Salem at Winslow
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Penns Grove
Pitman at Salem
Schalick at Timber Creek
Woodstown at Overbrook

SATURDAY, SEPT. 19
FOOTBALL
Woodstown at Woodbury, 11 a.m.
Pennsville at Paulsboro, 11 a.m.
Hightstown at Princeton, 11 a.m.
Mastern Camden at Holy Cross, 11 a.m.
Palmyra at Gloucester Catholic, 11 a.m.
Haddon Heights at Audubon, 11 a.m.
Nottingham at Steinert, 11 a.m.
Riverside at KIPP, noon
WW-Plainsboro at Pemberton, noon
Glassboro at Cedar Creek, 1:30 p.m.
Robbinsville at Hamilton West, 2 p.m.
Buena at Clayton, 3 p.m.
Winslow at St. Augustine, 6 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Haddon Twp. at Schalick
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Thaddeus Stevens vs. Salem CC, Penns Grove H.S., noon

MONDAY, SEPT. 21
BOYS SOCCER
Woodstown at Audubon
GIRLS SOCCER
Audubon at Woodstown
Millville at Pennsville
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem at Clayton
GIRLS TENNIS
Schalick at Kingsway
VOLLEYBALL
Timber Creek at Salem Tech, 5:15 p.m.
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Atlantic Cape at Salem CC, 6 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 22
(Power points cutoff for girls tennis)
FIELD HOCKEY
Glassboro at Schalick
Gloucester Catholic at Woodstown
Pennsville at Salem Tech
BOYS SOCCER
Glassboro at Schalick
Pennsville at Salem
Penns Grove at Overbrook
Pitman at Woodstown
GIRLS SOCCER
Overbrook at Penns Grove
Salem at Pennsville
Salem Tech at Pitman
GIRLS TENNIS
Mainland at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Pitman at Schalick
Salem at Timber Creek
CROSS COUNTRY
TCC Batch Meet at Salem Tech, 3:30 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 24
FOOTBALL
Camden Catholic at Maple Shade, 6 p.m.
Haddon Twp. at Middle Twp., 6 p.m.
Hopewell Valley at Allentown, 6 p.m.
Riverside at Florence, 6 p.m.
Gloucester at Cinnaminson, 6 p.m.
Williamstown at Cherry Hill East, 6:30 p.m.
Delran at Seneca, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Glassboro at Pennsville
Overbrook at Woodstown
Salem at Salem Tech
Schalick at Deptford
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton at Salem
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Penns Grove
GIRLS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Pitman at Pennsville
Salem at Clayton
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 3:45 p.m.
Glassboro at Salem
Pitman at Pennville
Schalick at Overbrook
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Anne Arundel at Salem CC, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 25
FOOTBALL
Buena at Woodstown, 6 p.m.
Burlington City at Pennsville, 7 p.m.
Cedar Creek at Camden, 6 p.m.
Mastery Camden at WW-Plainsboro, 6 p.m.
Pleasantville at Burlington Twp., 6 p.m.
Lower Cape May at Absegami, 6 p.m.
Vineland at Bridgeton, 6 p.m.
Atlantic City at Winslow, 6 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Wildwood, 6 p.m.
Glassboro at Holy Spirit, 6 p.m.
Delsea at Shawnee, 6 p.m.
Lindenwold at Palmyra, 6 p.m.
Rancocas Valley at Cherokee, 6 p.m.
St. Joe (Hamm.) at Highland, 6 p.m.
Sterling at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Washington Twp. at Kingsway, 6 p.m.
Ocean City at Mainland, 6 p.m.
Paul VI at Willingboro, 6 p.m.
Hammonton at Oakcrest, 6 p.m.
St. Augustine at Millville, 6 p.m.
Eastern at Lenape, 6 p.m.
Northern Burlington at Pennsauken, 6 p.m.
Trenton at Hightstown, 6 p.m.
Pemberton at Clearview, 7 p.m.
Atlantic Tech at Egg Harbor, 7 p.m.
Notre Dame at Robbinsville, 7 p.m.
Haddonfield at West Deptford, 7 p.m.
Cherry Hill West at Moorestown, 7 p.m.
Audubon at Gateway, 7 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Camden Catholic at Schalick
FIELD HOCKEY
Oakcrest at Pennsville
GIRLS TENNIS
Salem at St. Joe (Hamm.)
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Salem CC at Army Prep, 6:30 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 26
FOOTBALL
Penns Grove at Woodbury, 11 a.m.
Schalick at Paulsboro, 11 a.m.
Overbrook at Salem, noon
Bishop Eustace at Haddon Heights, 11:30 a.m.
Bordentown at KIPP, noon
Lawrence at Nottingham, noon
Ewing at Princeton, noon
BOYS SOCCER
Schalick at Shore, 10 a.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Chestnut Hill, noon

SUNDAY, SEPT. 27
COLLEGE CROSS COUNTRY
Salem CC at Brookdale

MONDAY, SEPT. 28
BOYS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Glassboro
Salem at Gloucester Catholic 
Salem Tech at Pennsville
GIRLS SOCCER
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Pennsville at Salem Tech
Schalick at Woodstown
FIELD HOCKEY
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville
Salem Tech at Clayton
Salem at Deptford, 6 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Salem at Pennsville
Timber Creek at Woodstown

TUESDAY, SEPT. 29
BOYS SOCCER
Woodstown at Schalick
GIRLS TENNIS
Delsea at Schalick
First-round Group I playoffs
CROSS COUNTRY
TCC Batch Meet at Cumberland
VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Williamstown, 5:15 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 30
BOYS SOCCER
Glassboro at Salem Tech
Penns Grove at Salem
Pitman at Pennsville
GIRLS SOCCER
Pitman at Woodstown
Salem at Penns Grove
Salem Tech at Glassboro
FIELD HOCKEY
Cumberland at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Pennsville
Schalick at Salem
Woodstown at Hammonton
GIRLS TENNIS
West Deptford at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 1
FOOTBALL
Princeton at Northern Burlington, 6 p.m.
Clearview at Highland, 6 p.m.
Collingswood at Deptford, 6 p.m.
Palmyra at Burlington City, 6 p.m.
Oakcrest at Ocean City, 6 p.m.
Cherry Hill East at Washington Twp., 6 p.m.
Egg Harbor at St. Joe (Hamm.), 6:30 p.m.
Camden at Permian (Tex.), 7 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Clearview at Schalick
GIRLS TENNIS
Second-round Group I playoffs
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Salem CC at Chesapeake, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCT. 2
FOOTBALL
Schalick at Cumberland, 6 p.m.
Penns Grove at Pennsville, 7 p.m.
Wildwood at Buena, 6 p.m.
West Deptford at Overbrook, 7 p.m.
Gateway at Clayton, 7 p.m.
WW-Plainsboro at Lindenwold, 6 p.m.
Paul VI at Eastern, 6 p.m.
KIPP at Lawrence, 6 p.m.
Holy Cross at Florence, 6 p.m.
Seneca at Hopewell Valley, 6 p.m.
Nottingham at Delran, 6 p.m.
Kingsway at Williamstown, 6 p.m.
Delsea at Triton, 6 p.m.
Notre Dame at Allentown, 6 p.m.
Shawnee at Lenape, 6 p.m.
Timber Creek at Absegami, 6 p.m.
Rancocas Valley at Millville, 6 p.m.
Maple Shade at Sterling, 6 p.m.
Lower Cape May at Middle Twp., 6 p.m.
Burlington Twp. at St. Augustine, 6 p.m.
Atlantic City at Mainland, 6 p.m.
Holy Spirit at Pleasantville, 6 p.m.
Willingboro at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Cherokee at Cedar Creek, 6 p.m.
Hightstown at Bordentown, 6 p.m.
Cinnaminson at Camden Catholic, 6 p.m.
Riverside at Gloucester, 7 p.m.
Bishop Eustace at Haddon Twp., 7 p.m.
Moorestown at Robbinsville, 7 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Salem Tech at Buena
Woodstown at Highland
GIRLS SOCCER
Buena at Salem Tech
Cherry Hill East at Schalick
Cumberland at Woodstown
FIELD HOCKEY
Delran at Woodstown, 4:15 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at Kingsway

SATURDAY, OCT. 3
FOOTBALL
Paulsboro at Woodbury, 11 a.m.
Pitman at Gloucester Catholic, 11 a.m.
Woodstown at Salem, noon
Mastern Camden at Audubon, 11 a.m.
Bridgeton at Atlantic Tech, noon
Pennsauken at Trenton, 1 p.m.
Cherry Hill West at Ewing, 2 p.m.
Pemberton at Hamilton West, 2 p.m.
Hammonton at Steinert, 2 p.m.
Winslow at Red Bank Catholic, 6 p.m.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Salem CC at Sussex CC, noon
COLLEGE CROSS COUNTRY
Salem CC at Cairn Highlander Invitational
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Morris at Salem CC, noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC in Delaware Tournament
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Stockton Tri-Scrimmage

MONDAY, OCT. 5
GIRLS TENNIS
Moorestown Friends at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Salem at Cumberland
Schalick at Vineland
VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Triton, 5:15 p.m.
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Salem CC at Cecil, 6 p.m.
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Bucks County at Salem CC, 3:30 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCT. 6
FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville at Salem
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic
Schalick at Woodstown
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Schalick
Salem Tech at Salem
GIRLS SOCCER
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Clayton
Salem at Salem Tech
Schalick at Penns Grove
GIRLS TENNIS
Salem at Triton

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 7
BOYS SOCCER
Camden Academy Charter at Salem
GIRLS TENNIS
Third-round Group I playoffs
VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Highland, 5:15 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
Salem County Championship, Schalick
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
RCSJ-Gloucester at Salem CC, 7 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 8
FOOTBALL
Robbinsville at Bordentown, 6 p.m.
Mainland at Millville, 6 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Burlington City at Salem Tech
Deptford at Woodstown
Pennsville at Clayton
Salem at Gloucester Catholic
Schalick at Haddon Heights
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton at Salem Tech
Glassboro at Woodstown
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic
Pitman at Penns Grove
Schalick at Overbrook
GIRLS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville
Salem at Pitman
Salem Tech at Clayton
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at Schalick

FRIDAY, OCT. 9
FOOTBALL
Overbrook at Woodstown, 6 p.m.
Salem at Clayton, 6 p.m.
Penns Grove at Schalick, 6 p.m.
Pitman at KIPP, 6 p.m.
Lindenwold at Buena, 6 p.m.
Woodbury at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Burlington City at Riverside, 5:30 p.m.
Paulsboro at Haddonfield
Cherry Hill East vs. Cherry Hill West, 6 p.m.
Ewing at Delran, 6 p.m.
Washington Twp. at Cherokee, 6 p.m.
Pleasantville at Lower Cape May, 6 p.m.
Eastern at Rancocas Valley, 6 p.m.
Triton at Highland, 6 p.m.
Allentown at Sterling, 6 p.m.
Gateway at Deptford, 6 p.m.
Mastern Camden at Wildwood, 6 p.m.
Vineland at Oakcrest, 6 p.m.
Lenape at Trenton, 6 p.m.
Camden Eastside at Cedar Creek, 6 p.m.
Seneca at Hammonton, 6 p.m.
Kingsway at Camden, 6 p.m.
Steinert at Hopewell Valley, 6 p.m.
Maple Shade at Palmyra, 6 p.m.
St. Augustine at Shawnee, 6 p.m.
Northern Burlington at Notre Dame, 6 p.m.
Middle Twp. at Ocean City, 6 p.m.
Nottingham at Timber Creek, 6 p.m.
Cumberland at Egg Harbor, 6 p.m.
Lawrence at Hightstown, 6 p.m.
Bishop Eustace at Holy Cross, 7 p.m.
Williamstown at Delsea, 7 p.m.
Moorestown at Clearview, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem at Absegami
Salem Tech at Maple Shade
GIRLS TENNIS
Schalick at Pitman

SATURDAY, OCT. 10
FOOTBALL
Pennsville at St. Joseph (Hamm.), noon
Haddonfield at Paulsboro, 11 a.m.
Princeton at Hamilton West, 11 a.m.
Gloucester at Haddon Heights, 11:30 a.m.
Absegami at Pemberton noon
Cinnaminson at Willingboro, noon
Florence at Gloucester Catholic, 1 p.m.
Bridgeton at Pennsauken, 1 p.m.
Glassboro at Burlington Twp., 1:30 p.m.
West Deptford at West. Nassau (Fla.), 6 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Mainland at Schalick, 10 a.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville at Nottingham, 11 a.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
South Jersey Open, Dream Park
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC Jamboree, 10 a.m.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Felician

MONDAY, OCT. 12
FIELD HOCKEY
Maple Shade at Schalick
BOYS SOCCER
Glassboro at Salem
Overbrook at Pennsville
Pitman at Salem Tech
Penns Grove at Gloucester Catholic
Schalick at Bordentown
GIRLS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Overbrook
Salem at Glassboro
Woodstown at Clayton
GIRLS TENNIS
Schalick at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Glassboro, 3:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Salem 
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Salem CC at Delaware Tech, 6 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCT. 13
FIELD HOCKEY
Paulsboro at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Millville
Salem at Bridgeton, 6 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Sectional finals
VOLLEYBALL
Clearview at Salem Tech, 5:15 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 14
BOYS SOCCER
Overbrook at Penns Grove
Salem at Pennsville
GIRLS SOCCER
Pennsville at Salem
Penns Grove at Overbrook
Pitman at Salem Tech
FIELD HOCKEY
Deptford at Pennsville
Glassboro at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Salem
GIRLS TENNIS
Glassboro at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Schalick at Penns Grove
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Middlesex at Salem CC, 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 15
FOOTBALL
Millville at Atlantic City, 6 p.m.
Florence at Maple Shade, 6 p.m.
Allentown at Ewing, 6 p.m.
Timber Creek at Bridgeton, 6 p.m.
Hopewell Valley at Hightstown, 6 p.m.
Mastern Camden at Clearview, 7 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Gloucester at Salem Tech
Salem at Cape May Tech
Schalick at Sterling
West Deptford at Penns Grove
GIRLS SOCCER
Paulsboro at Penns Grove
GIRLS TENNIS
State finals, Mercer County Park

FRIDAY, OCT. 16
FOOTBALL
Pennsville at Schalick, 6 p.m.
Salem at Burlington City, 6 p.m.
Buena at Pitman, 7 p.m.
Northern Burlington at Williamstown, 6 p.m.
Camden Eastside at Cinnaminson, 6 p.m.
Vineland at St. Joe (Hamm.), 6 p.m.
Ocean City at Holy Spirit, 6 p.m.
Pennsauken at Eastern, 6 p.m.
Burlington Twp. at Shawnee, 6 p.m.
St. Augustine at Kingsway, 6 p.m.
Camden at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Rancocas Valley at Pleasantville, 6 p.m.
Lenape at Cherry Hill East, 6 p.m.
Camden Catholic at KIPP, 6 p.m.
Cedar Creek at Mainland, 6 p.m.
Steinert at Notre Dame, 6 p.m.
Collingswood at Audubon, 6 p.m.
Gloucester at Cherry Hill West, 6 p.m.
Winslow at Washington Twp., 6 p.m.
Middle Twp. at Lindenwold, 6 p.m.
Highland at Cumberland, 6 p.m.
Sterling at Bishop Eustace, 6:30 p.m.
Willingboro at Haddonfield, 7 p.m.
Lawrence at Robbinsville, 7 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Haddon Twp., 7 p.m.
WW-Plainsboro at Holy Cross, 7 p.m.
Paul VI at Seneca, 7 p.m.
Haddon Heights at Gateway, 7 p.m.
Delran at West Deptford, 7 p.m.
Cherokee at Delsea, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Clayton at Salem
Salem Tech at Pennsville
BOYS SOCCER
Salem Tech at Overbrook
GIRLS SOCCER
Schalick at Clearview
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Timber Creek
Salem at Woodstown

SATURDAY, OCT. 17
FOOTBALL
Clayton at Woodbury, 11 a.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 11 a.m.
Overbrook at Paulsboro, 12:30 p.m.
Wildwood at Palmyra, 11 a.m.
Trenton at Princeton, 11 a.m.
Hamilton West at Nottingham, noon
Oakcrest at Atlantic Tech, noon
Lower Cape May at Hammonton, noon
Egg Harbor at Absegami, noon
Triton at Moorestown, 1 p.m.
Bordentown at Riverside, 1:30 p.m.
Deptford at Pemberton, 2 p.m.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Sussex CC vs. Salem CC, Pennsville H.S., 1 p.m.
COLLEGE CROSS COUNTRY
Salem CC in Border Battle, Dream Park

MONDAY, OCT. 19
GIRLS SOCCER
West Deptford at Schalick
FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville at Absegami, 4:30 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Timber Creek, 5:15 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
NJTAC Championships, Salem Tech
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Union at Salem CC, 6 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCT. 20
BOYS SOCCER
Pennsville at Audubon
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Pitman at Schalick
Salem at Clayton
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic
GIRLS SOCCER
Clayton at Salem
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech
Pennsville at Pitman
Woodstown at Penns Grove
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem Tech at Salem
GIRLS TENNIS
Overbrook at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Salem at Pitman
Timber Creek at Schalick

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 21
VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Buena, 5:30 p.m.
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Harcum at Salem CC, 6 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 22
FOOTBALL
Schalick at Overbrook, 7 p.m.
Ocean City at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Willingboro at Delran, 6 p.m.
St. Joe (Hamm.) at Timber Creek, 6 p.m.
Cherokee at Shawnee, 6 p.m.
Eastern at Williamstown, 6 p.m.
KIPP at Florence, 6 p.m.
Gateway at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Delsea at Pleasantville, 6 p.m.
Highland at Vineland, 7 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Pennsville at Salem Tech
Schalick at Woodstown
GIRLS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Glassboro
Salem at Gloucester Catholic
Salem Tech at Pennsville
Woodstown at Schalick
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem at Glassboro
Salem Tech at Deptford
CROSS COUNTRY
TCC Showcase, Dream Park, 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Washington Twp. at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Delsea at Schalick
Deptford at Salem
Pennsville at Kingsway

FRIDAY, OCT. 23
FOOTBALL
Salem at Pennsville, 6 p.m.
Pitman at Woodstown, 6:30 p.m.
Paulsboro at Burlington City, 6 p.m.
Cherry Hill East at Northern Burlington, 6 p.m.
Palmyra at Middle Twp., 6 p.m.
Hightstown at Allentown, 6 p.m.
Hammongton at Egg Harbor, 6 p.m.
Washington Twp. at St. Augustine, 6 p.m.
Kingsway at Atlantic City, 6 p.m.
Princeton at Hopewell Valley, 6 p.m.
WW-Plainsboro at Deptford, 6 p.m.
Cinnaminson at Triton, 6 p.m.
Mainland at Camden, 6 p.m.
Pennsauken at Lenape, 6 p.m.
Agsegami at Atlantic Tech, 6 p.m.
Cumberland at Bridgeton, 6 p.m.
Steinert at Lawrence, 6 p.m.
Holy Spirit at Cedar Creek, 6 p.m.
Winslow at Millville, 6 p.m.
Wildwood at Haddon Twp., 7 p.m.
West Deptford at Seneca, 7 p.m.
Bordentown at Camden Catholic, 7 p.m.
Haddonfield at Paul VI, 7 p.m.
Moorestown at Gloucester, 7 p.m.
Holy Cross at Clearview, 7 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Paulsboro
GIRLS SOCCER
Salem Tech at Woodbury
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Salem CC vs. Navy Prep, Annapolis, 11 a.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 24
(Power points cutoff for football, field hockey, soccer)
FOOTBALL
Clayton at Penns Grove, noon
Woodbury at Buena, 6 p.m.
Lindenwold at Gloucester Catholic, 11 a.m.
Audubon at Bishop Eustace, 11 a.m.
Notre Dame at Hamilton West, 11 a.m.
Riverside at Maple Shade, 11 a.m.
Trenton at Ewing, 11 a.m.
Oakcrest at Lower Cape May, 11 a.m.
Sterling at Haddon Heights, 11:30 a.m.
Robbinsville at Nottingham, noon
Burlington Twp. at Rancocas Valley, noon
Cherry Hill West at Camden Eastside, 1 p.m.
COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL
Raritan Valley at Salem CC, noon
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Jefferson University, noon
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Chestnut Hill

SUNDAY, OCT. 25
COLLEGE SOFTBALL
Salem CC at Lincoln University, noon

MONDAY, OCT. 26
FIELD HOCKEY
Williamston at Schalick
GIRLS SOCCER
Salem Tech at Gloucester
VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Cape May Tech, 5:15 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCT. 27
FIELD HOCKEY
Clayton at Salem Tech
Glassboro at Woodstown
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 28
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Schalick
Salem at Overbrook
Salem Tech at Woodstown
GIRLS SOCCER
Overbrook at Salem
Penns Grove at Clayton
Schalick at Pennsville
Woodstown at Salem Tech

FRIDAY, OCT. 30
FOOTBALL
First-round playoffs
BOYS SOCCER
Salem at Paulsboro
Schalick at Audubon
FIELD HOCKEY
Paul VI at Woodstown

SATURDAY, OCT. 31
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Salem CC at Erie CC, noon
FIELD HOCKEY
Woodstown at Bishop Eustace, 11 a.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
NJSIAA Sectionals
COLLEGE CROSS COUNTRY
Salem CC in Region XIX Meet, Lancaster, Pa.
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC in RCSJ-Cumberland Showcase

MONDAY, NOV. 2
FIELD HOCKEY
Group I first round playoffs

TUESDAY, NOV. 3
FIELD HOCKEY
Group 2 first-round playoffs
GIRLS SOCCER
First-round playoffs

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 4
FIELD HOCKEY
Group 1 second-round playoffs
BOYS SOCCER
First-round playoffs

THURSDAY, NOV. 5
FIELD HOCKEY
Group 2 second-round playoffs

FRIDAY, NOV. 6
FOOTBALL
Second-round playoffs
GIRLS SOCCER
Second-round playoffs

SATURDAY, NOV. 7
BOYS SOCCER
Second-round playoffs
CROSS COUNTRY
State Championship Meet

MONDAY, NOV. 9
FIELD HOCKEY
Third-round playoffs

TUESDAY, NOV. 10
GIRLS SOCCER
Third-round playoffs

WEDNESDAY, NOV. 11
FIELD HOCKEY
Sectional finals
BOYS SOCCER
Third-round playoffs

FRIDAY, NOV. 13
FOOTBALL
Sectional finals
GIRLS SOCCER
Sectional finals

SATURDAY, NOV. 14
FIELD HOCKEY
State finals, Bordentown H.S.
BOYS SOCCER
Sectional finals

MONDAY, NOV. 16
BOYS SOCCER
State semifinals

TUESDAY, NOV. 17
GIRLS SOCCER
State semifinals

SATURDAY, NOV. 21
GIRLS SOCCER
State finals, Franklin H.S.

SUNDAY, NOV. 22
BOYS SOCCER
State finals, Franklin H.S.

THURS., NOV. 26
FOOTBALL
Clayton at Pitman, 10:30 a.m.

Salem CC notebook

Single-game football ticket prices set, softball coach nearing milestone, Mighty Oaks hire full-time strength coach

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – It’ll cost you a little something to follow the Salem Community College football team on its tour around the county during its inaugural season this fall.

The athletics department has set single-game ticket prices for the Mighty Oaks’ four home games at $7. Children under 12 and SCC students with valid ID are free. 

“It’s a little bit higher than the high school one, (but) not too high that it’s a crazy amount,” SCC assistant athletics director Angel Rodriguez said Wednesday. “Our goal (in setting the price) was just to kind of find something that was like a happy medium and just to kind of get started.”

Their four home games are the historic inaugural game Aug. 29 at Pennsville (vs. Hudson Valley CC), Sept. 12 at Schalick (vs. Nassau CC), Sept. 19 at Penns Grove (vs. Thaddeus Stevens) and the Homecoming game Oct. 17 at Pennsville (vs. Sussex CC). 

There is no season-ticket package since the Mighty Oaks will play at multiple venues. All of their ticket transactions will be conducted electronically and will be available at the gate. The school is hoping to start marketing its ticketing procedures “within the next few days.”

“We’re going to use some of the high school processes right now just to make it an easy transition,” Rodriguez said. “Maybe something in the future, when we kind of move maybe to our own ticketing system, we’ll probably have that option, but right now it’s just the smooth option to kind of get going.”

Administrators at three of the Mighty Oaks’ road opponents – Erie CC, Sussex CC and Navy Prep (game at the U.S. Naval Academy) – said they do not charge for home football games with one saying they “wouldn’t recommend “ doing so. Their other road game is against Army Prep at West Point.

By comparison, the two four-year football-playing colleges closest to Salem CC – NCAA Division III Rowan University and Division I Delaware – sell single-game general admission tickets for $10 and $15-$30 (depending on opponent), respectively. The high schools are $5 for adults.

Head coach Jay Accorsi opens training camp Aug. 3 with practice getting underway Aug. 6. In addition to getting their new practice facility ready, the Mighty Oaks recently unveiled their game-day uniform combinations (top photo). They also recently ran their list of players to 100.

“We’re definitely excited to get football going,” Rodriguez said. “Having an actual game and that we’re going to have a season is first and foremost the most exciting part of what we have going on … We’re pretty confident that we’re ready from a game-day perspective, so now it’s just the countdown.”

Salem CC softball coach Angel Rodriguez oversees game-day operations as part of his duties as the Mighty Oaks’ assistant athletics director.

NEARING A MILESTONE: Rodriguez enters his fifth season as the Mighty Oaks’ softball coach on the cusp of a milestone. He’s six wins shy of 100 for his career.

YEARW-L
202628-20
202519-25
202431-14
202316-18
TOTAL94-77

The 29-year-old coach is 94-77 with four straight region playoff appearances since coming aboard in 2022 to restart the program. The milestone could come as early as March 16 at Delaware Tech if the Mighty Oaks can find an earlier season opener, but likely will happen on their Southern swing.

“When you think of where we were five years ago and coming into a program and starting it from scratch after 13 years or whatever it was, I think it’s very meaningful,” Rodriguez said of the milestone. “Who would’ve thought we would’ve gotten here?

“Hats off to, No. 1, the first group that started here to make this happen – and there were only two of us (coaches), we probably zoomed with 5-600 players in a six-month span. It was such a fun time to talk to so many people and get it started and then to look back and think, holy cow, five years later were about to hit 100 wins.

“I’m excited, but I did the minimum work. The players do all the work, so really the 100 wins are really for them. I hope they take it meaning something, too. It’s definitely not just mine alone, I can tell you that.”

BULKING UP: The Mighty Oaks have hired former Kingsway baseball standout Justin Szestowicki as their full-time strength and conditioning coach. After starring at Kingsway, Szestowicki played collegiately at North Carolina, Elon and finished up this spring as LaSalle’s starting shortstop. He starts working with the Mighty Oaks’ athletes Monday.

The World (Cup) view

Salem County soccer coaches weigh in on Sunday’s World Cup final. Is it Spain or Argentina? It’s a split decision

All the world’s a stage and the biggest stage in the futbol world is set. The FIFA World Cup final.

Spain v. Argentina. Euro champs v defending World Cup champs. Yamal v Messi. Prodigy v Legend.

One can argue whether it’s the best matchup for this year’s final, but after 39 days and 103 matches it’s the one they’ve got. The game already has been dissected and analyzed from every angle in every corner of the globe, and no doubt will be in the weeks that follow.

Riverview Sports News reached out to some of Salem County’s high school soccer coaches to bring some local flavor to the international analysis and provide their pick to raise the golden trophy Sunday night in MetLife Stadium. The consensus is as close as the game is expected to be. Here are their insights, and picks, as told to Al Muskewitz.

Mano Massari, Penns Grove: Passing the torch


THE PICK: Spain.

THE REASON: Spain is going to win the game because of their dominance in their possession and build up play. They are patient with their attack and really do a nice job with their positional rotations. Their midfielders control the pace and tempo of the game. Rodri, Dani Olmo and Fabian Ruiz, they are great at overloading and work around compact defenses. I also think Lamine Yamal is going to really control the right side of the pitch on the attacking side.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP MOMENT: It’ll be the passing of the torch from Messi to Lamine Yamal. I think Lamine Yamal is going to take over the game. I think he’s going to put a goal in the back of the net and have an assist as well. I think he’s going to take over. He looked really good in their semifinal game against France. This is going to be like closing the door on Messi and now it’s Lamine Yamal’s turn. I think he’s going to solidify himself in this tournament with this game. I think it’s just going to be like a passing of the torch moment.

As for the best moment of the World Cup it’s got to be the Cape Verde story, with them being the smallest island ever to get to the World Cup, making it out of the knockout round and then going toe-to-toe with Argentina. That goal that kid scored against Argentina to tie the game was absolutely electric. Cape Verde, to me, is the story of the entire World Cup. I just love it. It’s such a good message to send. I look at it like my guys are small-town players and that’s what happens when you’re believing in a goal. You guys can go toe-to-toe with the defending champs if you all believe and you all put the work in. I just think it’s a great message and why the World Cup is so great.

Will Kemp, Schalick: Always my pick


THE PICK: Spain

THE REASON: They were actually inside my original pick. I said it was either going to be Spain or France that could actually be able to win this, just because France is such a powerhouse. But it’s Spain. Their midfield is unbelievable. The same exact thing for their backline. I’m definitely nodding towards Spain.

When you have a team that has only let up two open-play goals inside the entire tournament, especially with one of the best goalkeepers in the world in Unai Simon, you have Rodri, who is probably one of the best midfielders without a doubt pulling the strings, and then you have Lamine Yamal, there are so many different variables that go into this Spanish team. It seems like they’re finally clicking, especially with the way they played against France; that was the best match that they had, they controlled it completely, shut down the best attack inside the world on the international stage and prevented them from even getting any type of hope.

Now they’re going against Argentina and arguably one of the best players ever inside this same format, a struggling Argentina that really only scores goals inside the last 15-20 minutes of a match. I think if Spain gets up early and controls the game they’re going to have a really good shot at winning this thing.

So my bet’s on Spain, just from their forward attack. You’ve got Lamine Yamal, who’s finally starting to really get back into a groove after his hamstring injury. Then you have one of the best, if this were basketball you’d say sixth man, but inside this the 12th man (Mikel Merino), with him coming off the bench and scoring vital goals; plus he’s an Arsenal player, so, of course, I’m going to root for them.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP MOMENT: I don’t think the championship moment inside this match is going to be a goal; I think it’s going to be a save. I think it’s actually going to come from the goalkeeper to actually save them and win the match. Unai Simon has been actually amazing this whole entire tournament. There’s been a debate between him and David Raya, once again an Arsenal player. I’m not showing any bias right now, but I should, but Unai Simon’s clearly better than David Raya. I think the moment of the match is actually come from a goalkeeper save – in open play. It’s definitely not going to go to PKs.

Derek Foglein, Pennsville: One more magical day


THE PICK: Argentina.

THE REASON: I honestly think it’s going to be a very close game, and it could go either way. I will definitely be watching the match up between the explosive offense of Argentina and Spain’s defense that has already set the record for most shutouts in a single World Cup. It does seem like Messi and Argentina have that something special that has helped them pull out games (maybe even when they weren’t the better team), so I’m going to take them to have one more magical day and Messi can secure his place atop soccer history.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP MOMENT: I think it’s going to be a close game, will likely go to PKs, so I’ll say the defining moment will be Lamine Yamal missing his PK and that secures the win for Argentina.

Joe Mannella, Schalick: More Messi magic


THE PICK: Argentina.

THE REASON: I think it’s really hard to pick. It can go either way. I’m going to go with Argentina just because they seem to be playing that style that gets you through this type of situation. They remind me of Haddon Twp. They play a lot of those physical mind games that you see and then they have the quality on top of it. They don’t care how they win, they just win. They just seem to get it done and I think they’ll get it done.

I don’t know if technically they’re better than Spain. They’re kind of a complete team in that they all know their roles and are crazy resilient and they just kind of wait for their opportunity. Obviously they’ve got the best player in the world. If Spain can figure out a way to neutralize him, which no one has ever really been able to do, then certainly it’ll be tough for Argentina to score.

Spain’s probably going to have the ball most of the time and it’s not like Argentina is a fast, counter-attacking team, they just kind of wear you down and punish you when you make a mistake. If I’m going to put my money on somebody, I’m going to put it on the team that’s done it and has done it the whole tournament.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP MOMENT: If you’re going to put money on anything it’s on Messi doing something outrageous. That’s the easy money on Messi scoring some amazing goal or having a ridiculous pass to set up a goal. Not on the conspiracy side, but I’ve seen VAR have too much to say in some of these games and I’d hate the thing to remember about this World Cup final is that VAR pulled a goal back that shouldn’t have been or allowed a goal that shouldn’t have been.

Argentina plays on such of an edge there could be a red card. I could see them going down to 10 men and winning anyway. Just your backs are against the wall – again – red card, a guy getting his second yellow in the second half and them just holding on, holding on and then Messi putting the ball in the box and somebody getting a head on it. Game over.

Darren Huck, Woodstown: Spain is too solid


THE PICK: Spain

THE REASON: I think Spain overall plays very well defensively and I think they’re going to be a little bit better than some of the teams so far that Messi has gone up against. I think they’re going to contain him pretty well. I think they’re going to keep him in front and I think they’re going to not let him all of a sudden break free. Defensively, they stay very tight, very organized, they don’t give up a whole lot of shots let alone goals, so I think with their defense and the way they work together as a team defensively is what’s going to do it. I think Yamal is going to score the game-winner. I think they’re going to win 2-1.

Spain plays a very simplistic game. They keep it very simple and they’re very disciplined. They’ve been through this before, they know the game is not going to be won in the first 10 minutes. It’s not going to be won in the first 20 minutes. It’s not going to be won in the first half. So, they’ve got stay organized, which they will, and they’ll stay compact and they’ll have good possession. This game is not going to be a bunch of risks. It’s not going to be like that England-France game. It’s going to be a very close game. They’re going to stay behind the ball and they’re not going to give any big transition type goals or breakaways. They’re just too good, they’re too solid. Argentina might want to open it up a little bit, but I don’t think they’re going to be able to.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP MOMENT: One of Yamal’s gifts, and he’s so young which is so impressive that he can do this, is he’s really good on set pieces. If Argentina gets a little chippy and they play a little too aggressive – it’ll be very interesting to see how the referee calls the game in the beginning – Spain’s going to be looking to take a foul 20-22 yards out and I think the game winner is going to come from something like that. I think he’s going to have a direct kick and he’s going to put it in a spot the Argentinian goalkeeper is not going to be able to get.