Author: almusky

Closer to fruition

Salem CC expected to approve extending Accorsi’s consulting contract as school moves toward adding football in 2026

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – Salem Community College is expected to take another step towards the most significant expansion in the modern era of its athletics program Thursday when policymakers hear a proposal to continue its exploration of bringing football to the campus for the first time in Fall 2026.

GORMAN

Athletics director Bob Hughes is scheduled to make a presentation on the current state of the department’s research at the board of trustee’s monthly meeting and president Mike Gorman is expected to recommend extending the contract of consultant Jay Accorsi in order to bring into focus some unresolved variables that are beyond the school’s control.

Both administrators are in favor of the move, but the ultimate decision rests with the board.

Gorman told the board in August if the school were to move forward with starting football it would need to commit by mid-October. He said Tuesday “things will solidify over the next four weeks” for the Mighty Oaks to move forward with fielding a team in 2026 or not.

“It would be premature (today to say the program is starting), but we’re definitely moving in a direction to bring that to fruition,” Gorman said. “The concept that I anticipate on this (Thursday) is getting the nod from the board to continue the path that we are on with an intent of becoming more deliberate here.

“We still have pieces of this puzzle to assemble, but I need (the board’s) authorization to continue doing that. I’ve got to get these other pieces in place in order to make it happen.”

Accorsi, the retired Rowan University head football coach, has been serving as a consultant researching the feasibility of bringing football to the two-year college for the past two months. He has been interested in the idea of that level of football in New Jersey for several years and brought it to Gorman earlier this spring.

The school considered adding the sport earlier this decade and the idea had support, but it ultimately was decided the time wasn’t quite right to pull the trigger.

The climate appears even more favorable this time. There is only one junior college football program in New Jersey – Sussex County CC – and when Pennsylvania’s Lackawanna CC transitions to NCAA Division II in 2026 there will be no other NJCAA football between Newton and Louisburg, N.C., leaving a wide and fertile ground for attracting players.

It is estimated it would cost $500,000 for the Mighty Oaks to start a football program.

Among the challenges still to be addressed are where the team will play and practice and what schedule will it play. It is believed the team would play its games at the various county high school stadiums against a schedule that likely would include Sussex and teams from New York, North Carolina, nearby trade colleges and four-year junior varsities. Area hotels could be used for the housing needs of the players.

Hughes called the process to date “thorough and exhaustive” and said Accorsi has done “a great job of getting a detailed look of what this investment for the college looks like and I’m happy with the results.” He was looking forward to addressing the board.

“We’ve done a lot of work on this,” Hughes said. “It’ll be great to share it and I’m looking forward to whatever conversation comes from it.

“It’s energized me. It wasn’t something I was expecting to do, but it’s been a great process and I think we’re still just in the infancy, and that’s the fun part – we’re really just getting started.”

This week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Oct. 13-18

MONDAY, OCT. 13
GIRLS TENNIS
Schalick at Woodstown, 4 p.m.

TUESDAY, OCT. 14
FIELD HOCKEY
Clayton at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Deptford, 4 p.m.
Salem at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at St. Joe (Hamm.), 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Salem, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Glassboro at Schalick, 6 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Overbrook at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Salem at Gloucester Catholic, 6 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at Overbrook, 3:45 p.m.
Glassboro at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Cape May Tech, 4 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, OCT. 15
FIELD HOCKEY
Clayton at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Highland, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Schalick at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Wildwood at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Triton at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.

THURSDAY, OCT. 16
FIELD HOCKEY
Woodstown at GCIT, 4 p.m.
Overbrook at Schalick, 6 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Clayton at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Overbrook at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Salem at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Schalick, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Salem at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Wildwood at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Glassboro at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.

FRIDAY, OCT. 17
WJFL FOOTBALL
Camden Catholic at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Lawrence at Pennsville, 6 p.m.
Salem at Woodstown, 7 p.m.
Schalick at Glassboro, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Clayton at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Vineland at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Salem at Haddon Heights, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Paulsboro at Salem, 4 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL
Clearview at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.

SATURDAY, OCT. 18
WJFL FOOTBALL
Overbrook at Audubon, 11 a.m.
West Deptford at Paulsboro, 11 a.m.
Woodbury at Penns Grove, noon
COLLEGE BASEBALL
Salem CC at Wilmington (2), noon
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC Jamboree at Cristo Rey HS, Philadelphia

Wolverines show out

Woodstown, Marino win South Jersey Open division titles, team posts fastest average among all teams at the event

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

LOGAN TOWNSHIP – Woodstown scored one of the most significant victories in the history of its boys cross country program Saturday when it won its division in the South Jersey Open at DREAM Park. But a very real case could be made that the Wolverines won the entire day as well.

Led by Salem County champion Jacob Marino’s photo-finish win in the individual race, the Wolverines placed four of their five counters in the top 10 and all five in the top 15 to edge Haddon Twp. by nine points for the Division I team title.

Additionally, the collective effort of their five counters – Marino, No. 4 Karson Chew, No. 6 David Farrell, No. 9 Pacey Hutton and No. 15 Torsten Duva – produced a team average of 16:44 that was best among all teams in all divisions at the meet.

“I didn’t think we did it to be honest with you from looking at it,” Wolverines coach Steve New said. “I’m horrible when I’m watching racing with numbers and stuff because I get too emotionally invested in it while I watch.

“People are like I think we got them. I had no idea. I didn’t know what place anybody was in, I just knew they looked good. They’re just a tough group of kids who push each other.”

It was the Wolverines’ first win in the event. Their best finish previously was fourth in 2018. Nearly every runner they put in Saturday’s race ran a personal best in perfect weather conditions for good times, some by significant margins.

“We were underrated and we showed out,” Marino said.

“It was really good showing by our entire team,” added Chew. “Everybody did their part. It was a really good race.”

Marino won the race in 16:06.27, just one second off the school record he’s been chasing and nearly three-tenths of a second ahead ofrunner-up Shaun Maloney of Haddon Twp. (16:06.56). He’s the first boys winner from Salem County since Pennsville’s Dan Wyshinski in 2019. Schalick’s Jordan Hadfield won the girls race in 2023.

Marino led most of the race out of the gate. Maloney made a “serious” move late to take the lead with about 800 meters left, but as Chew described it, Marino “really gutted it out to finish first.” The Woodstown senior closed a 60-meter gap over the last 500 to nip the Haddon Twp. senior at the wire.

“It was so exciting coming across that finish line,” Marino said. “He was right ahead me after I led the whole race so I knew I wanted to catch him. It was a photo finish, one I definitely want to replay.

“Usually I’m not one that has that big kick, but I just turned it on today. There was no real lean or anything (at the finish), I just got him with pure speed at the finish. Really picked it up the last five meters just to try to get him. I knew he was on the same team we were trying to beat and I just knew I had to catch him to be able to get our team a big win.”

Marino’s sister Abby, the Salem County girls champion, finished second in the Division I girls race, posting a 19:28.78. Anabel Schaal was eighth overall (20:55.55) and fifth among team counters. Maple Shade’s Juliana Catalani won the race in 19:19.49.

The Wolverines finished fourth as a team.

Schalick finished fifth in the team race. Chase Riley was the Cougars’ fastest runner, placing 20th overall (17:32.46). Collin Bittle was 23rd (17:34.82) and Salvatore Longo was 24th (17:40.24). The Cougars won it in 2023.

The Cougars’ girls team finished sixth. Helen Lillia was 13th overall (21:47.57), ninth among team counters.

South Jersey Open
Division I race

BOYS TEAM: Woodstown 35, Haddon Twp. 44, Camden Catholic 84, Collingswood 151, Schalick 158, Gloucester City 170, Bishop Eustace 192, Pitman 211, Maple Shade 219, West Deptford 266, Kings Christian 270, Buena 297, Lower Cape May 351.
GIRLS TEAM: Haddon Twp. 52, Camden Catholic 62, Maple Shade 73, Woodstown 88, Bishop Eustace 119, Schalick 146, Lower Cape May 163, Gloucester City 189.
BOYS TOP 15GIRLS TOP 15
Jacob Marino, Woodstown16:06.27Juliana Catalni, Maple Shade19:19.49
Shaun Maloney, Haddon Twp.16:06.56Abby Marino, Woodstown19:28.78
James Clauson, Haddon Twp.16:13.00Kayla Romanoski, W. Deptford19:30.57
Karson Chew, Woodstown16:31.23Taylor Sierzega, W. Deptford19:50.49
Vincent Kelly, Gloucester16:33.40Hazel Straight, Collingswood20:27.56
David Farrell, Woodstown16:37.81Tanner Lajoie, Haddon Twp.20:45.47
Landon Forero, Collingswood16:39.12Erin Callinan, Camden Cath.20:54.51
Rhys Blackman, Pitman16:39.44Anabel Schaal, Woodstown20:55.55
Logan Camm, Audubon16:41.16Brynn Deiwert, Camden Cath.21:23.05
Pacey Hutton, Woodstown17:05.47Blake Kamery, Haddon Twp.21:23.50
Jim Rotaeche, Camden Cath.17:10.35Hailee Dicks, Collingswood21:39.33
Luke Wolfram, Haddon Twp.17:13.77Maddy O’Neil, Camden Cath.21:43.83
James Strimel, Haddon Twp.17:14.28Helen Lillia, Schalick21:47.57
Brayden Magee, Camden Cath.17:18.10Isabella Dodd, Haddon Twp.21:49.18
James Barone, Audubon17:18.93Haylee Marakovits, Bishop Eustace21:56.19


Flagged down

Salem has another touchdown brought back by penalty and it was a big moment in Homecoming loss to West Deptford

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

SALEM — Penalties are the bane of every football coach’s existence. Penalties that take points off the board have a special place in … well … let’s just say, the place that would melt the treat West Deptford’s football team stopped for on the way out of town.

Salem had another touchdown called back by a penalty Saturday and it proved a quite significant turn in their 25-7 Homecoming Day loss to West Deptford and returning son John Emel.

The Rams had a 3-yard short-side pass to Torryn Ransome out of the backfield on what would have been the final play of the first half for what would have been a halftime lead. Coach Kemp Carr said he “can’t call a better play” for the situation. But instead of having the lead, they were flagged for holding and the go-ahead points came off the board.

They did get to run a play with no time on the clock and Desmund Thomas’ threw up a jump ball for KaiSiere Muhammad on the left side that was broken up by Cole Paskiewicz. The half ended not with Salem leading perhaps 15-12, but the Eagles leading 12-7.

It was a mind-numbing tenth time this season the Rams (3-4) have had a touchdown called back by a penalty. It happened three times last week at Middle Township, but they still won that game 44-0.

“I don’t know if some of them are penalties,” Carr said. “They’re question marks. After the ball crosses the goal line then we get a penalty. It’s hard to digest that. Why is that happening.

“Some of them are inevitable, but some of them are in the gray. The kid just put the kid in the ground, wasn’t even a hold. We went back and looked at it; he just got in his number and drove him into the ground. The guy called holding, like that was what made the play work.

“We score, the crowd all went crazy and then he throws his flag. They’re momentum killers. They’re drive killers. They mess with you mentally; they mess with your psyche. We’ve got to cut that stuff out.”

The Rams got in the position to score when Kyvion Parsons intercepted a Brady Cobb pass at the 10 and returned it all the way to 3 before being downed with a half-second left in the half.

What made the sequence even more demoralizing for Salem is the Eagles took the second-half kickoff and drove 70 yards in 12 plays over nearly six minutes to extend their lead. Zamir Davis capped it off with a 1-yard touchdown plunge.

Davis rushed for 137 yards and two touchdowns. Paskiewicz rushed for 146 yards and a score.

“If they go into the lead, it’s obviously a lot of juice for them,” Emel said. “I thought it was big (sequence) for their guys, but at the end of the day it came down to that first drive of the second half. 

“Obviously, it was nice to get the stop there and nice to get the drive to start the second half, but we focused on the next play. I think the drive to start the third quarter on top of that (holding penalty) for them was really physically and mentally exhausting because then they’re down two scores and now our defense can play loose and aggressive when they can do that it’s good for us.”

Emel said his team played what he called “championship defense” from the second quarter on as they kept the Rams out of the end zone after Thomas’ 40-yard touchdown pass to Muhammad on the game’s opening drive. 

The holding call on the Ransome’s touchdown wasn’t the only one the Rams found questionable. There a defensive pass interference call on a Salem receiver in front of the Rams’ bench that wasn’t called. There was an offensive pass interference call that went overlooked on a 34-yard West Deptford completion. Carr vehemently protested an apparent fumble into the end zone by Davis that teammate Michael Joseph fell on for West Deptford’s final touchdown.

And in the fourth quarter with the Rams trying to cut into West Deptford’s lead there was a facemask penalty that took them inside the 5, but didn’t give them a new set of downs. They eventually turned it over on downs without scoring.

After questioning the motivations for such backbreaking calls or non-calls happening, Carr eventually gave Saturday’s officiating crew a failing grade for the game.

While the loss spoiled Salem’s Homecoming celebration, it was a happy homecoming for Emel.

He went to Salem, but was playing in the new football stadium there for the first time. He had been in the stands as a fan or scout a number of times before, but as a player and later Penns Grove’s head coach all of his Salem games were on the old Walnut Street field.

He almost got on the new field during his last season at Penns Grove, the year they opened the stadium, but it wasn’t quite ready for occupancy so their rivalry game was at Walnut Street one last time.

Emel said before Saturday’s game and after his team rushed for 306 yards he liked the playing surface. The venue that is now the football stadium was the school’s soccer field when he was a student there.

After the game, after praising his players for the effort they gave in the victory, Emel promised to take them all for ice cream on the way out of town at one of his old haunts  — Hudock’s Custard Stand on the Salem-Quinton road.

“When you get a big road win the players get rewarded,” Emel said. “I used to work there in high school. It’s a place we look forward to every off season. “

He reported half the players opted for food over the frozen treat.

The West Deptford football teams stops off at the Salem ice cream stand Coach John Emel used to work at growing up on their way out of town after beating Emel’s alma mater Saturday afternoon. (Submitted photo)

West Deptford 25, Salem 7

WD (25) SAL (7) 
181st Downs10
50-306Rushing23-69
2-4-1Passing13-22-0
35Passing yds117
1-0Fumbles-lost1-1
2-30.0Punts-avg2-42.0
2-7Penalties7-55
West Deptford (6-1) 66130-25
Salem (3-4)7000-7

SCORING SUMMARY
S-KaiSiere Muhammad 40 pass from Desmund Thomas (John Bower kick), 7:52 1Q
WD-Zamir Davis 2 run (pass failed), 35.8 1Q
WD-Cole Paskiewicz 60 run (run failed), 3:04 2Q
WD-Zamir Davis 1 run (pass failed), 6:22 3Q
WD-Michael Joseph fumble recovery in end zone (Brady Cobb kick), 12.0 3Q

WJFL Standings

DIAMONDALLDIV
Glassboro7-03-0
Salem3-42-1
Schalick2-52-1
Woodbury2-41-2
Woodstown2-51-2
Penns Grove0-70-3
PATRIOTALLDIV
Paulsboro7-05-0
West Deptford6-14-0
Overbrook5-22-2
Pennsville3-42-3
Collingswood4-31-3
Audubon2-41-3
Camden Catholic0-70-4

FRIDAY’S GAMES
Audubon 31, Collingswood 12
Delran 49, Penns Grove 0
Gloucester City 34, Schalick 6
Overbrook 34, Camden Catholic 20
Glassboro 42, Cinnaminson 0

SATURDAY’S GAME
West Deptford 25, Salem 7

MONDAY’S GAME
Woodbury at Willingboro

Breaking through

Penns Grove’s girls soccer gets its first goals of the season and first win; includes scores and highlights from Friday’s Salem County sports action

GIRLS SOCCER
Penns Grove 2, Woodbury 0: Berra Akkaya and Yareliz Pantoja scored Penns Grove’s first two goals of the season to bring the Red Devils (1-10) their first win of the season. Pantoja broke a 1-1 tie in the second half.
Salem Tech 2, Paulsboro 0: Ava Robinson and Peyton Pratt scored second-half goals for the Chargers.
BOYS SOCCER
Penns Grove 1, Woodbury 0: Prince Ledbetter scored the game’s only goal in the second half off an assist from goalie Dwayne Guzman Silva.
FIELD HOCKEY
Overbrook at Salem Tech
GIRLS TENNIS
Pitman 5, Woodstown 0
Salem 4, Penns Grove 1

PITMAN 5, WOODSTOWN 0
Anna Fisicaro (P) def. Nathalie Neron, 6-0, 6-1
Colette Rollins (P) def. Alyssa Berry, 6-2, 6-0
Ava Mullenhauer (P) def. Noelle Neron, 6-0, 6-0
Kendall Bennett-Amanda Bradley (P) def. Madison LaPalomento-Emilee Kehr, 6-0, 6-0
Abigail Heil-Ella Ralph (P) def. Emma West-Angelina Lindenmuth, 6-1, 6-2
Records: Pitman 18-3, Woodstown 12-5.

SALEM 4, PENNS GROVE 1
Angelina Fothergill (S) def. Andrea Restrepo, 6-1, 6-1
Tahirah Davenport-White (S) def. Ada Lopez, 6-1, 6-2
JaNye Hubbard (S) def. Kanta Pulchard, 6-2, 6-3
Heaven Jones-McCullough-Erica Brewer (S) def. Andrea Capone-Natanalie Dominguez, 6-0, 6-1
Gianco Tirado-Cadence Jachos (PG) def. Evangeline Jiminez-Barreto-Aleena Allen, 6-1, 6-3
Records: Salem 3-8, Penns Grove 0-9.

VOLLEYBALL
Highland 2, Salem Tech 1: Brooke Tyler had 14 kills, 11 digs and nine assists to lead Highland. Yoselin Basantes had eight kills and 14 assists. The set scores were 25-22, 20-25, 25-11.

Emotional night

Schalick starts strong, then longest-standing rival Gloucester keeps Cougars at bay to spoil their Homecoming, Senior Walk

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE – Kevin Leamy crouched at the 30-yard line with his face buried in his hands. You know there were tears behind those hands. The Schalick head coach is an emotional coach as it is, but this was a particularly emotional night.

Moments earlier, he watched 13 senior who played through his first year as head coach, a mix of able-bodied like Homecoming King Dylan Sheehan and injured like Exavier Allen, who courageous made the walk both ways on crutches, take the first Senior Walk since 2019 on the field they were playing on barring a home playoff game for the final time.

With Kenny Chesney’s solemn “The Boys of Fall” playing softly through the speakers, the seniors walked the length of the field with their underclassmen teammates lining the hashmarks all the way to their parents in the south end zone. Once they got there, there was enough tears to fill the water bucket.

“It’s a cool tradition,” Leamy said. “These kids put in a lot of blood, sweat and tears. I feel terrible that we just couldn’t get it done, but I’m proud of them. They’re a good football team and I don’t think that scoreboard tells the whole story.”

The Cougars lost to Gloucester, the longest played rivalry in the program’s history, 34-6.

The night couldn’t have started better for them. They scored on their opening drive, a 13-play, 73-yard march that took up a little more than seven minutes and had some on the sidelines calling it the best drive they’ve seen in years.

They had a little help with a fourth-down pass interference penalty that moved the ball into the red zone – one of two fourth-down conversions in the drive – and fell on two of their own fumbles, but culminated in David Stewart’s 4-yard run to open the scoring.

Stewart rushed for 30 yards in the game. Evan Elliott was their workhorse, rushing for 92 bruising yards on 14 carries. He had 20 yards in the opening drive.

“I think we’re starting to get better and it’s finally showing,” Leamy said. “The kids are putting in a lot of work and it’s finally clicking.

“Unfortunately for the seniors it takes time to do things that are new and for it to click. And it’s finally starting to click, but we’re still not there yet. There are still things they’re not executing on and missing here and there. We had a lot of chances that we missed on tonight.”

But they couldn’t maintain it. They did have success moving the ball, but never found the end zone again.

“We could have maintained it,” Leamy continued. “We missed opportunities. We didn’t execute here and there at certain times. It’s hard to be consistent. That’s why good teams are good teams, because they’re consistent more than they are good. We’re not there with the consistency aspect of it, but you can see what it could be if you were consistent.”

The Lions, meanwhile, scored 34 unanswered points. Ibrahim Hudwell rushed for 136 yards over three quarters and scored three touchdowns. He also had a touchdown on the opening kickoff called back for a holding penalty.

Hudwell’s first touchdown and Ashton Wall’s PAT put the Lions ahead for good. It was a 7-6 game until the last two minutes of the first half when Rylan Coffigny got behind the Cougars’ defense and hauled in a 60-yard touchdown pass from Kevin Boulden. Hudwell’s second touchdown late in the third quarter made it 21-6.

Gloucester added two more touchdowns in the fourth quarter without running an offensive play. Neeko Howard returned a batted pass 71 yards for a score and Hudwell had a 64-yard scoop-and-score with 8:04 to play. The Lions ran their first offensive play of the quarter with 4:04 left in the game.

Hudwell celebrated the victory with a pair of back flips before joining his teammates in the post-game huddle.

“If my teammates want me to do it, I’ll do it,” he said. “I’ll do anything for my teammates.”

Top photo: Schalick football seniors embrace their parents after completing the revival of the Senior Walk in the final home game of their careers.

Gloucester 34, Schalick 6

GLOU (34) SCH (6)
121st Downs15
33-304Rushing38-144
3-4-0Passing8-17-1
74Passing yds77
0-0Fumbles-lost5-3
2-42.0Punts-avg3-37.3
11-105Penalties3-35
Gloucester (4-2)014713-34
Schalick (2-5)6000-6

SCORING SUMMARY
S-David Stewart 4 run (kick failed), 1:06 1Q
G-Ibrahim Hudwell 15 run (Ashton Wall kick), 9:37 2Q
G-Rylan Coffigny 60 pass from Kevin Boulden (Ashton Wall kick), 1:11 2Q
G-Ibrahim Hudwell 13 run (Ashton Wall kick), 1:45 3Q
G-Neeko Howard 71 interception return (Ashton Wall kick), 11:47 4Q
G-Ibrahim Hudwell 64 fumble return (kick failed), 8:07 4Q

WJFL Standings

DIAMONDALLDIV
Glassboro7-03-0
Salem3-32-1
Schalick2-52-1
Woodbury2-41-2
Woodstown2-51-2
Penns Grove0-70-3
PATRIOTALLDIV
Paulsboro7-05-0
West Deptford5-14-0
Overbrook5-22-2
Pennsville3-42-3
Collingswood4-31-3
Audubon2-41-3
Camden Catholic0-70-4

FRIDAY’S GAMES
Audubon 31, Collingswood 12
Delran 49, Penns Grove 0
Gloucester City 34, Schalick 6
Overbrook 34, Camden Catholic 20
Glassboro 42, Cinnaminson 0

SATURDAY’S GAME
West Deptford at Salem

MONDAY’S GAME
Woodbury at Willingboro

Being neighborly

Salem CC basketball team holds open scrimmage Saturday, first of several initiatives designed to drum up community support

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – Mike Green has spent the last two seasons getting his Salem CC basketball team just the way he likes, but it’s largely been within the walls of the DuPont Fieldhouse. Now he’d like more of the community to see what he’s been seeing – and to keep coming back.

That chance to see what it’s all about comes Saturday when the Mighty Oaks open the doors for their Green-White Scrimmage. The 11 a.m. exercise is free and open to the public – just like their games are during the season.

It’s the first of what promises to be a number of initiatives to get the word out about the program to the public at large. In the coming days, folks can expect to see the players in public places interacting with community to drum up support.

“We’ve got something good going,” Green said. “We have respectable kids. We’ve got kids who work hard. We’ve got athletes who compete at a high level. We’re the defending champs, which is a really big deal; first time in school history that they won championships.

“We have a lot of stuff for the town to be proud of and we’ve just got to get that product out to them, to get them to us. We’ve got the product. We’ve just got to get them to us. Come and fill up these seats. We’ve got a good product.”

Last year the program enjoyed its winningest year in school history. The Mighty Oaks went 26-8, made their first region tournament appearance since 2022 and won a district title to make their first trip to the nations, where they won three games to finish fifth.

Akeem Taylor was the District MVP and Green was Coach of the Year. Many of the players have moved on to four-year programs even after only one year under Green.

Soon, the community can expect to see the current players out and about in their snazzy warmups going through the neighborhoods passing our schedule cards.

“Just to let them know we’re here,” Green said. “It’s our job to (get) them in and we want to try.

“Guys are playing hard with Salem across their chest. These aren’t Salem kids, but they honor and wear it, representing their town. You want to see who’s out there representing your town and hopefully they’re representing it in a good way, like we did last year.”

The Mighty Oaks return only three players from last year’s championship squad, so while the faces may have changed, with more length and players who can create off the dribble, the expectations never have. Several NCAA Division I coaches already have been in to watch their workouts.

“We expect to compete a championship year in and year out, that’s what we want to be. That’s what the new Salem is going to be, competing for a championship year in and year out.

“We’re not going to be at the bottom hoping we get a win or hoping somebody loses to get in the playoffs. We want to be at the top of the standings every year.”

And they’d like to have a packed gym to see it.

Later this month, the Mighty Oaks host a jamboree with Prince George’s, Union and Bucks CC at Cristo Rey High School in Philadelphia Oct. 18; a jamboree at West Virginia-Potomac Oct. 19 (with CC Baltimore and CCBC-Dundalk among others); and scrimmages at Alvernia (Oct. 23) and Penn State Brandywine (Oct. 29).

They open the regular season Nov. 6 at Atlantic Cape. The home opener is Nov. 13 against Bergen, when they’ll raise the district championship banner.

2025-26 SALEM CC MENS BASKETBALL SCHEDULE
OCTOBER
12: x-Prince George’s CC; 18: x-Jamboree (Salem, PGCC, Bucks, Union), Cristo Rey HS, Philadelphia;; 19: x-Jamboree (vs. West Virginia Potomoc, CC Baltimore, CCBC-Dundalk); 23: x-at Alvernia; 28: x-at Penn State-Brandywine, 6:30 p.m.
NOVEMBER
6: at Atlantic Cape, 7 p.m., 8: at Delaware County; 13: Bergen, 7 p.m.; 15: vs. Bryant & Stratton at Penn Highlands Tournament, 5:30 p.m.; 16: vs. Sandhills or Penn Highlands, 3 p.m.; 18: Ocean, 5:30 p.m.; 20: at Passaic, 7 p.m.; 22: at Essex; 25: at Camden, 7 p.m.
DECEMBER
4: Thaddeus Stevens, 5 p.m.; 6: at Bergen, 2 p.m.; 9: RC-Gloucester, 7 p.m.; 11: at RC-Cumberland, 5 p.m.; 13: Brookdale, 2 p.m.; 18: at Ocean, 5 p.m.; 20: at Sussex, noon.
JANUARY
6: at Union, 6 p.m.; 10: at RC-Gloucester; 13: RC-Cumberland, 5 p.m.; 15: at Northampton; 17: Passaic, 2 p.m.; 22: Atlantic Cape, 5 p.m.; 27: Philadelphia, 7 p.m.; 29: at Brookdale; 31: at Luzerne, noon
FEBRUARY
3: Montgomery, 5 p.m.; 5: Harrisburg Area, 5 p.m.; 10: Union, 5 p.m.; 12: Camden, 6 p.m.; 14: Sussex, 2 p.m.
(x-scrimmage)

WJFL scoreboard

Here is the schedule for Friday night’s West Jersey Football League action, includes Saturday schedule; Salem County games in bold

FRIDAY’S GAMES
Atlantic City 26, Eastern 7
Audubon 31, Collingswood 12
Bishop Eustace 28, Holy Cross 12
Bordentown 47, Riverside 8
Bridgeton 35, Absegami 21
Cumberland 27, Deptford 6
Delran 49, Penns Grove 0
Glassboro 42, Cinnaminson 0
Gloucester 34, Schalick 6
Hightstown 35, WW-Plainsboro South 7
Kingsway 63, Clearview 0
Lindenwold 38, Palmyra 18
Mainland 54, Egg Harbor Twp. 6
Ocean City 48, Middle Twp. 0
Overbrook 34, Camden Catholic 20
Robbinsville 33, Moorestown 25
Seneca 31, Hammonton 15
Shawnee 36, Pennsauken 14
St. Augustine 27, Lenape 0
Sterling 21, Clayton 6
Trenton 28, Northern Burlington 22
Triton 21, Highland 7
Washington Twp.38, Rancocas Valley 17
Williamstown 21, Cherokee 14

SATURDAY’S GAMES
Burlington Twp. at Hopewell Valley, 10:30 a.m.
Gateway at Gloucester Catholic, 11
Nottingham at Princeton, 11
Burlington City at Lawrence, noon
Burlington Twp. at Hopewell Valley, noon
KIPP Cooper Norcross at Wildwood, noon
West Deptford at Salem, noon
Eastside at Winslow, 1 p.m.
St. Joseph at Atlantic Tech, 1 p.m.
Allentown at Ewing, 2 p.m.

MONDAY’S GAME
Woodbury at Willingboro, 5 p.m.

Thursday roundup

Schalick field hockey clinches share of division title, Woodstown falls in girls tennis sectional semis, and more

SJ GROUP I TENNIS TOURNAMENT
Semifinals
Pitman 4, Audubon 1
Haddon Twp. 5, Woodstown 0

HADDON TWP. 5, WOODSTOWN 0
Ellie Smith (HT) def. Nathalie Neron, 6-0, 6-0
Kiersten Callahan (HT) def. Alyssa Berry, 6-2, 3-6, 10-5
Leighton Thoder (HT) def. Noelle Neron, 6-2, 6-2
Sydney Troncone-Tessa Dybus (HT) def. Madison LaPalomento-Emilee Kehr, 6-0, 6-0
Lily Steele-Carly DeCinque (HT) def. Emma West-Angelina Lindenmuth, 6-2, 6-2
Records: Haddon Twp. 14-4, Woodstown 12-4.

FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick 3, Woodstown 0: The Cougars scored goals in each of the first three quarters and goalie Lydia Gilligan made 12 saves for the shutout that got them a series sweep of their rivals and at least a share of the TCC Diamond Division title. Gilligan’s final save was her 200th of the season. Caylen Taylor, Addi Shimp and Ava Scurry scored the Cougars’ goals.

BOYS SOCCER
Camden Academy Charter at Salem Tech

GIRLS SOCCER
Gloucester City 6, Salem 0: Bailey Schoenfeldt scored three goals to lead the Lions (6-6). She has scored multiple goals in all six of their wins.

Kicked to the (on)side

Tough ruling on an onside kick saps Pennsville’s growing momentum in Homecoming loss to Paulsboro; Woodstown falls at home to Haddon Heights

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – Mike Healy isn’t the type to dwell on what-might-have-beens, so he didn’t spend a lot of energy going over what did or didn’t happen on a particular onsides kick early in the fourth quarter Thursday night that didn’t go his Pennsville team’s way.

Still, it was a big play, maybe even the turning point, in the game. The Eagles had just scored to cut their deficit with Paulsboro to 16 points with plenty of time to mount a comeback. They appeared to recover the ensuing onsides kick at midfield, but after spotting it once the officials conferred and it was decided the ball hadn’t traveled the requisite 10 yards before Pennsville touched it.

Possession was awarded to Paulsboro on the Pennsville side of the 50 and instead of the Eagles getting a chance to make it a one-score game, the Red Raiders went down and scored to regain a three-touchdown lead and eventually won 44-32 to spoil Pennsville’s Homecoming and remain undefeated.

“In any game some things are going to go your way and some things are not,” Healy said. “Obviously, the onsides kick we were very frustrated about the outcome of that. Not that we would have won the game, but that definitely changes where the game is at that point.

“Yeah, it’s frustrating, but there were also other chances where we had opportunities to get the ball and get stuff done and didn’t do it. So it’s all across the board.”

Rylan Hardy’s 6-yard touchdown run and the two-point conversion brought the Eagles (3-4) to 38-22 with 9:59 and all of its timeouts left. 

Of course, they were going to attempt an onsides kick. They hit it to their right side and senior receiver Hayden Sherman appeared to recover it in Paulsboro territory.

The Eagles had the momentum and now they were convinced they had the ball, too. Initially, the officials spotted it on the Paulsboro 49 for the Eagles, talked about it some more and then placed it on the Pennsville 49 for the Red Raiders.

Paulsboro covered the distance in eight plays, with McKenzie pushing in from the 1 for the score. So, instead of it possibly being 38-30, the Red Raiders were back on top 44-24 with 6:15 to play.

“I jumped up in the air and I landed five yards after where the ball would’ve been live, so I think I recovered it,” Sherman said. “You can’t argue with the refs; it’s their game, not mine. 

“If we would’ve got the ball I think we could have gone down and scored and maybe even went for another onsides and got it again. It killed our momentum. It killed everything. It made everybody all upset and killed it.”

Paulsboro coach Kevin Harvey said the play was “kind of huge. We didn’t want to give them the ball back right there. That was a close one there.”

Of course, one play didn’t cause the Eagles to lose. They got the ball to open the third quarter, but didn’t score, losing three yards on a fourth-and-1 from the Paulsboro 31. The Red Raiders took over, used two big plays to get to the 1 and scored. They also turned over their next possession on downs (at the Paulsboro 40) and Red Raiders scored again to take a 38-16 lead into the fourth quarter.

The Red Raiders (7-0), meanwhile, were efficient in their offense. Running back KyAire Harvey rushed for 180 yards and three touchdowns. Quarterback Malakah McKenzie passed for 210 yards and two touchdowns and ran for another score. He was 12-of-20 through the air and completed his last seven passes in a row, two for touchdowns.

“We did a good job today, we did a good job,” Coach Harvey said. “The line’s gotta get all the credit. That’s what they’re (Harvey and McKenzie) supposed to do. That’s why they’re out there.”

Harvey the RB scored twice in the first half and Pennsville quarterback Robbie McDade matched it each time. It was a 14-14 game until McKenzie threw a 24-yard touchdown pass to Kahlil Streeter with 28 seconds left in the first half to give the Red Raiders the lead for good.

Hardy rushed for 85 yards and two fourth-quarter touchdowns for Pennsville. McDade rushed for 97 yards and the two first-half scores. Aiden Collazo also gave the Eagles some good yards, especially in the early return game.

Paulsboro 44, Pennsville 32

PBORO (44) PVILLE (32)
221st Downs16
26-248Rushing38-200
13-20-1Passing10-14-1
210Passing yds102
0-0Fumbles-lost1-1
1-23.0Punts-avg0-0
5-55Penalties1-10
Paulsboro814166-44
Pennsville88016-32

SCORING SUMMARY
PB-KyAire Harvey 42 run (Kayden Weber pass from Malakah McKenzie), 8:20 1Q
PV-Robbie McDade 12 run (Rylan Hardy run), 4:52 1Q
PB-KyAire Harvey 28 run (May Mears run), 8:36 2Q
PV-Robbie McDade 1 run (Rylan Hardy run), 2:54 2Q
PB-Khalil Streeter 24 pass from Malakah McKenzie (run failed), 0:28 2Q
PB-KyAire Harvey 1 run (Malakah McKenzie run), 7:07 3Q
PB-Jeremiah Carr 47 pass from Malakah McKenzie), 2:39 3Q
PV-Rylan Hardy 6 run (Aiden Collazo pass from Robbie McDade), 9:59 4Q
PB-Malakah McKenzie 1 run (run failed), 6:15 4Q
PV-Rylan Hardy 9 run (Rylan Hardy run), 3:10 4Q

Haddon Heights 27, Woodstown 6

WOODSTOWN — Kevin Clark ran for one touchdown and threw for another and kicker Jake Dillon booted a pair of field goals as Haddon Heights handed Woodstown a 27-6 loss.

Clark opened the scoring with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Lanont Robinson. Dillon kicked the extra point to make it 7-0.

The Wolverines answered with Frankie Hoerst’s 42-yard touchdown pass to Andrew White, but they missed the game-tying extra point. The Garnets scored the next 20 points to secure the win.

Haddon Heights 27, Woodstown 6

Haddon Heights73710-27
Woodstown6000-6

SCORING SUMMARY
HH-Lamont Robinson 17 pass from Kevin Clark (Jake Dillon kick)
W-Andrew White 42 pass from Frankie Hoerst (kick failed)
HH-Jake Dillon 23 FG
HH-Kevin Clark 1 run (Jake Dillon kick), 7:15 3Q
HH-Jake Dillon 23 FG, 9:24 4Q
HH-Amare Ridley 4 run (Jake Dillon kick)

WJFL Standings

DIAMONDALLDIV
Glassboro6-03-0
Salem3-32-1
Schalick2-42-1
Woodbury2-41-2
Woodstown2-51-2
Penns Grove0-60-3
PATRIOTALLDIV
West Deptford5-14-0
Paulsboro7-05-0
Pennsville3-42-3
Overbrook4-21-2
Collingswood4-21-2
Camden Catholic0-60-3
Audubon1-40-3

THURSDAY’S GAMES
Paulsboro 44, Pennsville 32
Haddon Heights 27, Woodstown 6
OTHER WJFL GAMES
Cedar Creek 42, Lower Cape May 0
Cherry Hill East 49, Cherry Hill West 7
Florence 42, Pemberton 36
Haddon Twp. 28, Mastery Camden 14
Maple Shade 32, Pitman 9
Pleasantville 42, Oakcrest 0

FRIDAY’S GAMES
Penns Grove at Delran
Gloucester City at Schalick
Collingswood at Audubon
Overbrook at Camden Catholic
Cinnaminson at Glassboro
Woodbury at Willingboro

SATURDAY’S GAME
West Deptford at Salem