Salem CC takes early lead, but falls in its first-ever football scrimmage, Accorsi ‘pleasantly surprised’ at what he observed

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

MONTCLAIR – For the first time sending his team against somebody in a different colored uniform, Salem CC football coach Jay Accorsi was impressed. And so was the opposing coach.

The Mighty Oaks didn’t win the first scrimmage in program history, falling at NCAA Division III Montclair State 24-8 Friday night, but they did “much better” than the coach’s expectation and even scored their first touchdown to take an early lead in the game.

“I was pleasantly surprised,” Accorsi said. “At the end of the first quarter it’s 8-0 so I’m like ‘wow, we’re competing.’ We had our first Mighty Oaks touchdown, went for the two-point play and got it, and we’re up 8-0.

“You take it for what it’s worth, but I was pleasantly surprised. We competed all the way through, three quarters. The fourth quarter was a running clock. We were able to get everybody in. We had our first Mighty Oaks turnover, first Mighty Oaks tackle, first Mighty Oaks everything. It was fun and I was pleasantly surprised, I really was. We did much better than my expectation.”

Of course, all the official “firsts” take place next Saturday in their inaugural game against Hudson Valley CC at Pennsville High School, but, still, everything that took place Sprague Field was memorable.

Montclair coach Mike Palazzo spoke to the Mighty Oaks at the end of the exercise to pitch what his four-year program had to offer and even he was very impressed how well the first-year program competed.

The Mighty Oaks hit the Red Hawks early. Malakhai McKenzie connected with Darion Joyner on a long pass play that got knocked out near the goal line. Brian Pritchett scored the program’s first touchdown on a short run and Robert Daly caught the two-point conversion pass to make it 8-0. Later in the game, Stephen Little got their first takeaway with an interception.

“It was good to see the first Mighty Oaks touchdown,” Accorsi said.

All three quarterbacks played and did “pretty well” while the coaches mixed and matched a lot of linemen, running backs and receivers.

“I wanted to make sure we got lot of players on film so we could evaluate them and see where we’re at and then start to make some depth chart decisions,” Accorsi said. “It’s still going to be a work-in-progress for us. I think it’s going to be more which players play in which situation and how many reps.

“With a new program and an eight-game season and for everyone doing it for the first time I think we need to really play a lot of players and look at the long run and long haul of the program. I just think that’s going to be the nature of who we are. We’re going to have rely on a lot of players in a lot of different spots.”

Top photo: Screenshot of Brian Pritchett bursting into the end zone for Salem CC’s first ever touchdown and the early lead in its scrimmage at Montclair State.

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.”

Salem CC players get their football jerseys, numbers Monday

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – The line into the storage room in the fieldhouse stretched all the way back to the lobby. One by one, the players on the Salem Community College football team emerged with a crisp white jersey with their number for the Mighty Oaks’ inaugural season ahead.

And then the games began.

The basketball court looked like the floor of the New York Stock Exchange as players who didn’t get a desired number sought to make a deal. There was more wheeling and dealing going on than at an NFL general managers meeting.

“I think we’re up to four and I think there’s still negotiating going on,” defensive coordinator Joe Dougherty said. “I don’t think we’re in a situation where a star tailback comes over and gives somebody a Mercedes for his number.”

There were at least two trades confirmed by Riverview Sports News. A couple three-way deals were said to be proposed, but were likely to be shot down by management.

Sam Rowley swapped the 54 he was assigned for the 99 defensive linemate Kaden Hood of Kingsway got. And Winslow cornerback Erik Worley traded his 4 for the 3 that went to Woodstown receiver M.J. Hall. Both were amicable trades, made without incentives.

“I wanted something different,” said Rowley, who played at Salem and Haddon Heights. “I wore 54 in high school, but I wanted 99 because I saw that jersey in my high school but I couldn’t wear it because my coach wouldn’t allow it, so I just wanted to wear it now because it was available.”

“I originally wanted 59, but I couldn’t get that,” Hood said. “I had 99 in Little League, but the jersey (here) was a little too big for me, so we agreed to a trade. This one fits me better; that one was a 3X. It’s a good number for me right now.”

That’s not to say there wasn’t another trade coming. He still hoped to lock down the 59.

Worley had a more permanent reason for seeking the 3. It was his number in high school and he wanted it to match the number he’s had tattooed on his wrist the last two years.

“That’s my lucky number,” he said.

The jersey swapping was part of the football program’s first media day, an occasion to take the official inaugural team photo and individual shots more than anything. The players submitted their three preferences for numbers. The original six players that went through the spring were locks to get their choice and given green jerseys for the photo to distinguish their position as trailblazers and the rest were accommodated as much as possible.

“With a full roster of guys the numbers are limited,” offensive coordinator Chris Crowley said. “Everybody wants to wear single digits, it’s just not reality when you come to a big program. We have no single digit numbers of like 5-star guys coming in promised No. 9. We don’t have that right now.”

Numbers 0 and 1 are most coveted by players but a lot of programs won’t give them out. The Mighty Oaks assigned both numbers.

The 1 went to running back Brian Pritchett of Bridgeton. He looked too big to fit into a jersey that typically goes to a small player, but he maintained it would be no problem pulling it over his broad shoulders. A couple players approached him about a straight-up trade, but he wasn’t budging.

“I wore No. 1 in high school my senior year,” the 5-10, 230-pound Pritchett said. “I thought it was going to be 5 (his practice jersey) or 7 or something. I can fit in it. I know I can fit in it.”

Vinnie Ringo, a transfer from Lamar University, sought out the 0 because of what it represents.

“I feel like zero comes with a huge responsibility and I feel like I’m the man for it,” he said. “I believe everybody understands I’m in here for the responsibility.”

Regardless what number the players sought or eventually received, head coach Jay Accorsi said they wore them well.

“I like how they look in them,” he said. “It’s hard because you don’t have pads on and stuff, so all the guys are like, ‘Coach, too big; it’s too big.’ Well, wait ‘til you put it on and then see how it is. I thought they looked nice.”