Author: almusky

On Top in OT

Schalick outlasts Woodstown in 3 OTs to get first win of season, first win in series since 2010

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE – When the fourth down pass fell incomplete in the end zone, Schalick’s players poured off the bench in celebration like they had just won the Super Bowl.

In a rivalry like this that goes beyond football when you haven’t won in such a long time it really felt like that.

The Cougars had a lot of reasons to celebrate Friday night. They outlasted Woodstown 33-27 in a triple overtime classic that will be memorable for a multitude of reasons.

It was their first win of the season. It was coach Kevin Leamy’s first win as a head coach. Above all, it was the Cougars’ first win over the Wolverines since 2010.

They had lost 12 in a row in the series.

“For me, especially the Class of 2027 and a few of our seniors, the last time Schalick beat Woodstown we were all in diapers; we were young,” junior safety Gary Simonini said. “These seniors, their first-ever playoff game they got their teeth kicked in (by Woodstown) 45-8. All those kids who built this program up and grinded with us for the past years, this was for them. This is for all of Schalick. This is for everyone who came out and supported us. It was a great team win.”

Quarterback Kenny Bartee was a workhorse for the Cougars (1-2) after halftime. He rushed for 205 yards and four touchdowns on 23 carries in the game, but had 137 yards and four scores in the fourth quarter and overtime. He scored all three of the Cougars’ OT touchdowns on runs of 12, 16 and 2 yards.

Speedster David Stewart set a tone by bringing back the opening kickoff 94 yards for his first career return touchdown and blocked two potential game-winning kicks late in the game — a 23-yard field goal attempt with 26 seconds left in regulation and an extra point in the first overtime.

“This is one of the greatest experiences I’ve ever felt – ever,” Stewart said. “Going into three overtimes against our rival that we hadn’t beat in like 20 years, it just really felt special.”

David Stewart (0) had a big night for the Cougars. He returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown and blocked two potential game-winning kicks late in the game. (Photo by Heather Papiano)

Bartee gave the Cougars a 33-27 lead with a 2-yard run in the third overtime. His two-point conversion pass fell incomplete.

The Wolverines (1-2) could have won it with a touchdown and conversion. Had they answered and and didn’t get the conversion the game would have ended in a tie.

The Cougars never gave them a chance. They sacked freshman quarterback Frankie Hoerst on the first two snaps for 14 yards in losses. The Wolverines picked up only 2 yards on third down and their fourth-down Hail Mary to the end zone got knocked away by Stewart to end the game and start Schalick’s celebration.

“This has been a crutch on Schalick’s back for a very long time,” assistant coach Henry Papiano said, speaking on behalf of Leamy who was too overwhelmed with emotion to speak after tearfully addressing the team in the end zone. “This is something we could not get over the hurdle.

“Some of the things Coach Leamy talked about in the offseason, in the spring meetings, was Woodstown. How do we get over that hurdle finally? And today’s our first step.”

Later, when reached by phone, Leamy said, “it was a whirlwind. It was a hell of a way to get your first win, that’s for sure.”

Woodstown coach Frank Trautz was tending to a seriously injured player immediately after the game and unavailable on the field. He later said, “it was an incredibly hard fought high school football game. Both teams battled all night. This is good for our young team to be in games like this and we will continue to learn and grow.”

Schalick’s Eric Sulik (51) was in on the first down sack that made Woodstown’s third overtime possession more difficult. (Photo by Heather Papiano)

The Wolverines seemed unfazed by Stewart’s opening burst. The Wolverines answered it with a 70-yard touchdown drive capped by Hoerst’s 7-yard run to tie the game. It stayed that way until the final minute of the half when Hoerst found Bryceton Rooney in the back of the end zone from 21 yards out to make it 14-7.

The Cougars lost a game-tying touchdown pass to Jase Volovar in the third quarter to a penalty, but eventually got the equalizer midway through the fourth at the end of a 14-play, 82-yard drive. Bartee covered the final yard. The sophomore had 42 yards rushing and threw a 21-yard pass in the drive and was just getting started. He had 17 carries in the fourth quarter and overtime.

“I realized I had to step up for my team,” Bartee said. “I had a ter-r-r-r-ible first half. I was in my head. I wasn’t playing with my team. I really had to put my team first. I had to put my body on the line for them. I love them and everything I do is for them.”

“You’ve got to feed the horse,” Papiano said. “He wants to make plays. He’s come to the sideline and he wants to carry the team. We believe in Kenny and we’re going to stand behind him. He doesn’t do anything to tell us not to put him back there.”

The Wolverines came back after Bartee’s tying touchdown and got in position to kick the potential game-winning field goal. Hoerst set up for a 23-yarder, but Stewart scuttled those plans and kept the Cougars alive with his first blocked kick.

He got them again on their first overtime touchdown after Rooney blocked the Cougars’ PAT after their first overtime score.

“Gary runs to the guy and pulls him down kind of to give me enough space to jump through,” Stewart said. “I think my speed and length just helps me really get out there to mess up the kicker.”

“I found a little technique,” Simonini said. “I picked up in our practices that our coaches always tell people block down so I use that to our advantage. I try to make that guy block down and David uses his speed to block the kicks.”

Both quarterbacks scored touchdowns in the second overtime and their teams both hit the extra point to send the game a final, third overtime.

Schalick 33, Woodstown 27

WOOD (27) SCH (33)
151st Downs15
47-189Rushing44-248
6-13-0Passing (C-A-I)2-7-2
64Passing yds34
0-0Fumbles-lost1-1
2-33.5Punts-avg1-34.0
1-10Penalties-yds6-45
Woodstown (1-2)7700670-27
Schalick (1-2)7007676-33

SCORING SUMMARY
S-David Stewart 94 kickoff return (Hunter Dragotta kick), 11:46 1Q
WO-Frankie Hoerst 7 run (Frankie Hoerst kick), 6:51 1Q
WO-Bryceton Rooney 21 pass from Frankie Hoerst (Frankie Hoerst kick), 0:59 2Q
S-Kenny Bartee 1 run (Hunter Dragotta kick), 6:46 4Q
S-Kenny Bartee 1 run (kick blocked), OT1
WO-Brayden Hall 1 run (kick blocked), OT1
WO-Frankie Hoerst 1 run (Frankie Hoerst kick), OT2
S-Kenny Bartee 16 run (Hunter Dragotta kick), OT2
S-Kenny Bartee 2 run (pass failed), OT3

WJFL Standings

DIAMOND DIVISIONALLDIV
Glassboro3-01-0
Schalick1-21-0
Salem0-20-0
Woodbury0-20-0
Woodstown1-20-1
Penns Grove0-30-1
PATRIOT DIVISIONALLDIV
West Deptford3-02-0
Paulsboro3-02-0
Collingswood2-11-1
Overbrook2-11-1
Audubon0-10-1
Camden Catholic0-30-1
Pennsville0-30-2

Thursday’s Games
Glassboro 63, Penns Grove 0
West Deptford 48, Collingswood 0
Friday’s Games
Overbrook 22, Pennsville 21
Schalick 33, Woodstown 37
Paulsboro 38, Camden Catholic 20
Saturday’s Games
Woodbury at Salem
Bordentown at Audubon

Top photo: Quarterback Kenny Bartee (1) leaps with joy as the Schalick celebrate their 3-OT victory over rival Woodstown Friday night. (Photo by Heather Papiano)

Rallying around

Thursday roundup: Schalick field hockey rallies behind injured coach, blanks rival Woodstown; Salem Tech makes it two in a row; Woodstown tennis edges Pennsville

FIELD HOCKEY
Gloucester Catholic 1, Pennsville 0
Deptford 7, Salem 2
Salem Tech 1, Clayton 0
Schalick 3, Woodstown 0
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown 3, Pennsville 2

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – The day didn’t start out great for the Schalick field hockey team, but it sure ended that way.

Cougars coach Heather Cheesman slipped exiting the team bus upon its arrival for Thursday’s game at rival Woodstown and chipped a bone in her right ankle. While she coached her team from a seated position using a field hockey stick as a cane, her players rallied around her to claim a 3-0 win.

“The girls made it easy,” Cheesman said. “Every time we needed to talk they would come in, they’d get around me, we would come in tight and talk low because we couldn’t go to the goal cage like we usually do. When the quarters ended we couldn’t go out in the field like we normally do, so we were kind of closer to the other team than we would have liked, but they made it pretty easy.”

The Cougars (3-1) were charged up to play for their coach. They came out fast and dominated the action. Goalie Lydia Gilligan only had to touch the ball once.

Lena Virga slipped a pass from Ava Scurry into the back of the cage in the first quarter to open the scoring. Scurry scored two goals in the second half on passes from Phoebe Alward and Ella Cheesman.

“The last couple games the girls have been coming out slow,” Cheesman said. “They’re flat, they’re not talking, they don’t look like they’re jelling on the field. It never happened in this game. They came out strong to begin with. Their passes were so good. Everything we’ve been working on just kind of came together.”

And to think it took an injury to their coach to bring it out of them.

She went to the emergency room to have her ankle checked during the JV game and returned home wearing a temporary cast. She’ll follow up with the orthopedist in 3-5 days, but has no plans to stop coaching while she’s on the mend.

“Maybe it’s not as bad as they think and they can put me in a boot or something,” she said. “It’s OK, I’ll survive. It could always be worse.”

SALEM TECH 1, CLAYTON 0: The Chargers followed up the first win in their program’s history with another one-goal win. The Chargers scored the only goal of the match in the second quarter.

GLOUCESTER CATHOLIC 1, PENNSVILLE 0: Alana Belian scored the game’s only goal less than three minutes into the match and teams battled it out the rest of the way.

DEPTFORD 7, SALEM 2: The Spartans scored four goals in the first quarter and maintained control the rest of the match. Julliana Love and Jared Weathers scored goals for the Rams.

GIRLS TENNIS

WOODSTOWN — Senior Noelle Neron took an intense three-set victory over Morgan Holt at No. 3 singles to clinch the Wolverines’ 3-2 victory over Pennsville.

Neron dropped the first set 7-5, but won the second 6-4 to even the match and then took it with a 10-7 win in the tiebreaker. It was her second three-set win of the season.

“The two girls really battled it out,” Woodstown coach Jesse Stemberger said. “In the end, three points playing out differently and there could have been a different result. Both girls gave it everything and we were fortunate to pull it out.

“It’s always competitive when we play them … Noelle dug deep when she needed to. She’s dedicated to the sport and it was great to see her hard work pay off.”

WOODSTOWN 3, PENNSVILLE 2
Lily Edwards (P) def. Nathalie Neron, 6-3, 6-1
Alyssa Berry (WO) def. Izzy Schrenker, 6-1, 6-2
Noelle Neron (WO) def. Morgan Holt, 5-7, 6-4, 10-7
Emma Hankin-Naomi Hess (P) def. Madison LaPalomento-Emilee Kehr, 6-3, 6-0
Emma West-Angelina Lindenmuth (WO) def. Lila Angelo-Graillyn Weber, 6-2, 6-2
Records: Woodstown 3-1, Pennsville 4-3.

A tall order

Glassboro overwhelms Penns Grove 63-0 with touchdowns on all seven offensive possessions and two defensive scores; includes WJFL scoreboard

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

GLASSBORO — Penns Grove had just had it handed to them by the best team it was going to play all season. It was the kind of one-sided loss that could sap the spirit of a young team trying to find its way, but it doesn’t have to end here.

The Red Devils were overwhelmed by Glassboro 63-0 Thursday night. As the players gathered on the far end of the field, coach Marc Maccarone reminded them there was still a lot out there in front of them and if they play like they’re capable they could still make something of the season.

“You’ve got at least five of the next six games winnable,” Maccarone said. “The hardest game we have coming up now is going to be Delran. The rest of the teams we match up well with.”

There wasn’t a whole lot the Red Devils (0-3) could do with the Bulldogs (3-0). They’re already working with limited numbers, have four starters out and in some cases had freshman guarded five-star athletes.

The Bulldogs came at them in waves. The Red Devils’ two best plays were a 14-yard run by Terrell Thomas in the first quarter and a 28-yard burst by Jameel Horace in the second for their only two first downs, but they didn’t get much beyond that.

It was a tough ask of junior quarterback Brayden Lattig in his first varsity start. Lattig moved ahead of senior Mello Erickson-Hubbard on the depth chart and played the whole game. Erickson-Hubbard also played the whole game — both ways — and often was seen coming to the sideline with Lattig when they conferred on offensive play calling.

“It comes with a lot of responsibility to be told you’re going to be thrown into the fire with one of the best teams you’ll ever play, so there was definitely a lot of butterflies in my stomach,” Lattig said. “I think I did all right. I wouldn’t say I did the best I could possibly do because I thought I would come out here and do something that would be good, but I feel like I did well. My teammates got yards so I’m just happy we did what we did.”

In a game his team was heavily favored and could’ve been easily distracted, Glassboro coach Timmy Breaker wanted to see execution and communication from his players from start to finish. He got that.

The Bulldogs scored on all seven of their offensive possessions and got their first two defensive touchdowns of the season on turnovers inside the 10.

“That’s not bad,” Breaker said. “They did a really good job from the start of the game to, honestly, the finish, even the JVs, so that was beautiful to see.”

Glassboro quarterback Jack O’Connell was quite efficient in his two quarters-plus of work against Penns Grove Thursday night.

Quarterback Jack O’Connell completed his first five passes and was 9-of-14 for 189 yards and four touchdowns — all in the first half before retiring after the opening drive of the third quarter. His first incompletion was caught beyond the end line or he would’ve hit on his first seven.

He threw two touchdowns passes to each of Xavier and Amari Sabb. The second one to Amari covered 61 yards on the opening play of the second quarter and was highlighted by the receiver breaking at least four tackles on his way to the end zone.

“He’s a lot more confident,” Breaker said of his quarterback. “He’s still chipping away at it, but he’s able to run the offense and understand it. Last year he was in and out, there was a quarterback battle,. Right now he’s stepping into the light. Now you get to see Jack O’Connell.”

Xavier even got into the act, taking a handoff and hooking up with Mekhi Parker on a 71-yard touchdown play that was Sabb’s first varsity touchdown pass after several years of trying. The country’s top-rated junior player now has a touchdown rushing, passing and receiving.

“It finally worked,” he said. “Freshman year didn’t work, sophomore year didn’t work, but this year we finally got a touchdown.” 

“You remember the one at Schalick? We dropped that one,” Breaker said. “It’s been three years we couldn’t execute that play at all. To see a big play made like that, Xavier throwing to Mehki, two special talents, for the execution to be that good on that after three years we kind of get to take a deep breath.”

The Bulldogs scored 34 points in the second quarter to open a 48-0 halftime lead. They have now won 16 in a row and 22 of their last 23 since a 6-0 loss to the Red Devils in 2023. The only loss in the stretch came in the 2023 state championship game.

Photo: Brayden Lattig prepares to hand off to Terrell Thomas in the first quarter of his start as Penns Grove’s quarterback Thursday night.

Glassboro 63, Penns Grove 0

PG (0) GLASS (63)
21st Downs12
21-32Rushing10-72
1-6-1Passing (C-A-I)10-13-0
0Passing yds260
1-1Fumbles-lost0-0
5-20.6Punts-avg0-0
12-105Penalties-yds7-70
Penns Grove (0-3)0000-0
Glassboro (3-0)143478-63

SCORING SUMMARY
G-Xavier Sabb 32 pass from Jack O’Connell (Amari Sabb run), 7:38 1Q
G-Amari Sabb 5 pass from Jack O’Connell (pass failed), 4:19 1Q
G-Amari Sabb 61 pass from Jack O’Connell (Sal Esgro kick), 11:41 2Q
G-Brandon Simmons fumble recovery in end zone (JoJo DeLecce pass from Jack O’Connell), 10:25 2Q
G-Xavier Sabb 21 pass from Jack O’Connell (pass failed), 6:27 2Q
G-Mekhi Parker 71 pass from Xavier Sabb (kick failed), 3:13 2Q
G-Riley Brown-Dispensa 5 interception return (Sal Esgro kick), 1:55 2Q
G-JoJo DeLecce 15 run (Sal Esgro kick), 5:12 3Q
G-Aveyon Warfield 24 run (Moses Robles run), 11:34 4Q

WJFL Standings

DIAMOND DIVISIONALLDIV
Glassboro3-01-0
Woodstown1-10-0
Salem0-20-0
Schalick0-20-0
Woodbury0-20-0
Penns Grove0-30-1
PATRIOT DIVISIONALLDIV
West Deptford3-02-0
Paulsboro2-01-0
Collingswood2-11-1
Audubon0-10-1
Overbrook1-10-1
Pennsville0-20-1
Camden Catholic0-20-0

Thursday’s Games
Glassboro 63, Penns Grove 0
West Deptford 48, Collingswood 0
Friday’s Games
Overbrook at Pennsville
Woodstown at Schalick
Paulsboro at Camden Catholic
Saturday’s Games
Woodbury at Salem
Bordentown at Audubon

ALL WJFL GAMES
Thursday’s Games
Eastern 8, Vineland 7
Gateway 35, Wildwood 7
Glassboro 63, Penns Grove 0
KIPP Cooper Norcross 52, Buena 22
Pennsauken 22, Highland 16
Riverside 38, Maple Shade 0
St. Joe (Hamm.) 12, Absegami 5
Sterling 37, Mastery Camden 0
West Deptford 48, Collingswood 0

Friday’s Games
Atlantic County Tech at Deptford, 6 p.m.
Bergen Catholic at Winslow, 6
Bridgeton at Egg Harbor Township, 6
Cherry Hill East at Triton, 6
Cherokee at St. Augustine, 6
Cinnaminson at Delran, 6
Clearview at Cherry Hill West, 6
Gloucester Catholic at Pitman, 6
Haddon Heights at Burlington Township, 6
Hammonton at Holy Spirit, 6
Kingsway at Timber Creek, 6
Lawrence at Florence, 6
Lindenwold at Bishop Eustace, 6
Lower Cape May at Middle Township, 6
Millville at Mainland, 6
Notre Dame at Hopewell Valley, 6
Oakcrest at Cumberland, 6
Ocean City at Lenape, 6
Palmyra at Holy Cross, 6
Seneca at Pleasantville, 6
Shawnee at Camden, 6
Woodstown at Schalick, 6
Haddonfield at Willingboro, 7
Haddon Township at Clayton, 7
Northern Burlington at Moorestown, 7
Overbrook at Pennsville, 7
Paulsboro at Camden Catholic, 7
Washington Township at Delsea, 7
WW-Plainsboro South at Robbinsville, 7
Paul VI at Gloucester

Saturday’s Games
Bordentown at Audubon, 11 a.m.
Hightstown at Steinert, 11
Rancocas Valley at Eastside, 11
Allentown at Nottingham, noon
Burlington City at Pemberton, noon
Woodbury at Salem, noon
Atlantic City at Cedar Creek, 1:30 p.m.
Ewing at Princeton, 2 p.m.
Trenton at Hamilton, 2 p.m.

Unforgettable first win

Salem Tech field hockey beats the clock in regulation and overtime, turns back Paulsboro for program’s first win in first official home game; includes Wednesday’s Salem County roundup, Thursday’s schedule

FIELD HOCKEY
Salem Tech 4, Paulsboro 3 (OT)

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN — When superintendent Jack Swain started sports at Salem Tech in a time that wasn’t really that long ago, it was with the vision of giving its students the chance to make lifelong memories beyond the classroom. Chances are no one connected with the school will forget what took place Wednesday.

The Chargers’ fledgling field hockey team played its first official home game in program history and made it a memorable one. They rallied from two-goal deficits in the first and fourth quarters, beat the clock at the end of both regulation and overtime and dramatically turned back Paulsboro 4-3 for their first win in school history.

Sophomore forward Adessa Plum scored two goals on her 15th birthday, the first one in program history in the second quarter and the game-tying goal 10 seconds before the end of regulation on the officials’ watches. Freshman Hazel Eachus slipped the game-winner through right at the whistle to end overtime.

“I’m just so proud of the girls,” Chargers coach Maureen Lewis said. “I feel like they deserve this win because of how hard they have worked and they worked so hard on the field during this game.

“I think I’ll always remember it. I remember these kinds of moments from when I played, so I feel like I’ll remember it. To do it on our home turf for the first, it’s truly special.”

Salem Tech added field hockey to its varsity offerings this year and will have 14 sports when baseball and softball come on line in the spring. They will play as an independent this year because the Tri-County Conference is in the middle of a two-year scheduling cycle, but will be eligible for the Group 2 playoffs.

The field hockey team debuted last Thursday and lost to Sterling 4-0. All four goals came in the first six minutes of the season, then the teams played even the rest of the game.

The Chargers seemed destined for a similar fate Wednesday when the Red Raiders scored in the opening minute and grabbed a 2-0 lead after the first quarter. Lewis gathered the team after the second goal and before the quarter break and encouraged them to keep fighting.

“Our girls just didn’t give up,” she said. “That’s what’s so special about them, they don’t give up and don’t let it get to their head and they just keep working hard. Sometimes we just need to adjust and they need some talking to and that will usually get it done.”

Plum had the honor of scoring the first goal in school history when she knocked in a pass from Eachus on the right side of the cage with 8:50 left in the second quarter. It stayed 2-1 through halftime. 

“Adessa, sometimes she just comes out of nowhere,” Lewis said. “She surprises us often.”

Adessa Plum has the distinction of scoring the first goal in Salem Tech field hockey history. She scored two in the game.

Paulsboro regained a two-goal lead early in the fourth quarter, but the Chargers scored twice in the final five minutes of regulation to force 7v7 overtime. Abigail Beals got them within one and then Plum tied it off a pass from Shelby Drummond.

The Red Raiders questioned whether time had expired prior to Plum’s goal, but the officials said there was a lag between the clock at the scoring table and their official watches and by their count there were enough seconds remaining to score the goal. Plum was unaware of how little time remained and just kept attacking the cage.

“I just kept going,” she said. “I didn’t hear a horn.”

The Chargers had several good chances in overtime but were turned away. Conversely, Salem Tech goalie Caroline Tighe kicked out a serious threat by Paulsboro early in the extra period.

On Tech’s winning rush, Jessilyn Chambers sent the ball across from the right wing and Beals got it to Eachus down by the left post. Paulsboro goalie Amelia Lyons came out to challenge, but Eachus pushed it past her and off the inside of the right post for the game-winner.

“I didn’t realize (how much time was left) at all,” Eachus said. “I was just trying to score a goal and win the game. We push ourselves to the limit no matter what.”

And on this day the Chargers pushed themselves to an historic win.

“It was really memorable,” Eachus said. “I’m glad to be a part of this.”

Paulsboro (0-2)20010-3
Salem Tech (1-1)01021-4
GOALS: 1. Paulsboro, Jayla Barnes (Dasoni Scott), 13:55 1Q; 2. Paulsboro, Dasoni Scott, 0:47 1Q; 3. Salem Tech, Adessa Plum (Hazel Eachus), 8:50 2Q; 4. Paulsboro, Talie Blue-Eli, 12:48 3Q; 5. Salem Tech, Abigail Beals, 5:08 4Q, 6. Salem Tech, Adessa Plum (Shelby Drummond), 0:10 4Q; 7. Hazel Eachus, 0:00 OT.
Salem Tech freshman Hazel Eachus (12) celebrates after scoring an overtime goal to give the Chargers their first-ever win in field hockey.

Wednesday roundup

BOYS SOCCER

PENNS GROVE – Penns Grove and Glassboro have staged some epic battles in recent years and Wednesday was another of them. In a series that seems to go back and forth, this edition went to the Red Devils.

Rooby Dorival was brought up from the midfield to give the Red Devils a little more punch in overtime and the moved worked as he converted Louby Guerrier’s pass about seven minutes into the extra session for the game-winner in a 3-2 victory.

“I made the decision to take him out from the back and put him up with another striker; they both have a lot of speed and it paid off big time,” Penns Grove coach Mano Massari said. “I talked to the guys in overtime and asked do we want to go for it and they all said yeah we want to go for it. We put them up top and it paid off big time.

“They’re from Haiti;. I call them the Haitian Sensations. They really do a nice job together.”

The game went back and forth. The Red Devils took a 1-0 lead on Mario Fuentes’ penalty kick, but Glassboro tied it. The Bulldogs went ahead 2-1, then senior captain Joey Schultz made a ”great shot” off a cross from Guerrier with about 10 minutes left to retie it.

Seven of the last eight games between the teams have been decided by one goal. The other was a tie.

“Every time we play them it’s a battle,” Massari said. “This was pretty big for us. We did not show up against Pitman on Tuesday. We moved some things around last minute and it just didn’t work; the guys were flat. Today was the polar opposite. They fought hard.

“It showed grit, character, things we want and things we need. Definitely taking us in the right direction. We’ve just got to keep it going.”

Woodstown 3, Overbrook 2: The Wolverines fell behind early, then scored three straight goals to take control. Bryce Ayars got the equalizer on a penalty kick, Jake Lewis gave them the lead and Landon Guglielmo added a necessary insurance goal on a left-foot shot from 20 yards.
Schalick 3, Pitman 1: Luke Price broke a 1-1 tie in the 71st minute with his second goal of the game off a rare goalie assist from Evan Sepers and Marco Spinnato put it away three minutes later.
Pennsville 3, Wildwood 0: Danny Bunny Coronel scored in the eighth minute and Lucas Cooksey and Justin Michaca scored two minutes apart in the second half. Coen Rinnier made 11 saves in posting his second straight shutout and had a goalie assist on Coronel’s goal.
Salem Tech 6, Salem 0: Kameron Brown had a hat trick, Logan Pace scored twice and James Welch had the goal of the game off a Daniel Marandola corner kick. Aiden Bobo earned the shutout.

GIRLS SOCCER
Schalick 6, Pennsville 0: Abby Willoughby scored four goals, one in the opening minute and three in the second half, to lead the Cougars. Olivia Vanacker and Karlie Bakley had the other two goals. Cali Fisler picked up the assist on Willoughby’s last two goals and is now two shy of the school’s all-time record.
Woodstown 7, Overbrook 1: Gina Murray scored twice, while Emma Perry, Sophie Wells, Hailey Kucharczuk, Aubree Covely and Evelyn Walker each scored once.
Glassboro 5, Penns Grove 0: Amina Brown had a hat trick for the Bulldogs.

GIRLS TENNIS
Schalick at Pennsville
Woodstown at Penns Grove
Salem at Overbrook

Thursday’s schedule

WJFL FOOTBALL
Penns Grove at Glassboro, 7 p.m.
Eastern at Vineland, 6 p.m.
Gateway at Wildwood, 6 p.m.
Highland at Pennsauken, 6 p.m.
KIPP Cooper Norcross at Buena, 6 p.m.
Riverside at Maple Shade, 6 p.m.
West Deptford at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Haddon Township at Clayton, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Salem at Deptford, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Clayton, 6 p.m.
Schalick at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Palmyra, 4 p.m.

Tuesday roundup

Here are the results of Tuesday’s high school sports action in Salem County; includes Wednesday’s schedule

TUESDAY’S SCORES
FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick 8, Glassboro 0: Ava Scurry scored two goals and assisted on four others. Luci Virga also scored two goals.
Woodstown 7, Deptford 0: Zoe Lipovsky scored twice as the Wolverines won the first game in Gloria Byard’s tenure as coach.
GIRLS TENNIS
WOODSTOWN 5, WEST DEPTFORD 0
Nathalie Neron (WO) def. Gianna Concordia, 6-1, 6-0
Alyssa Berry (WO) def. Alyssa Taylor, 7-5, 6-3
Noelle Neron (WO) def. Jody Wu, 6-3, 3-6, 10-8
Madison LaPalomento-Emilee Kehr (WO) def. Lily Avila-Hayley Dobbins, 6-3
Records: Woodstown 2-1, West Deptford 2-6.
CROSS COUNTRY
TCC Batch Meet at Cumberland
BOYS TOP 20
Dominic Burgio, Williamstown 16:12.59; Logan Pavelik, Williamstown 16:14.25; Trevor Szilier, Washington Twp. 16:15.72; Michael Beaver, Kingsway 16:35.04; Andrew Dopkin, Highland 16:36.39; Jacob Marino, Woodstown 17:00.72; Colin Roznowski, Highland 17:08.61; David Farrell, Woodstown 17:16.87; Wyatt Evans, GCIT 17:20.29; Rhys Blackman, Pitman 17:23.92; Ryan DeVecchis, Washington Twp. 17:27.28; Matthew Littlehales, Delsea 17:37.11; Duke Snyder-Shellito, GCIT 17:37.49; Daniel Gee, Highland 17:38.39; Karson Chew, Woodstown 17:38.66; Oluwanifemi Fadulu, Highland 17:51.16; Tyler Altman, Clearview 17:52.94; Chase Riley, Schalick 17:55.00; Jonathan Delicate, Williamstown 17:55.19; Jayden Denton, Washington Twp. 17:55.95.
GIRLS TOP 20
Sophia Aldridge, Williamstown 18:53.69; Aubrey Bishop, Kingsway 19:24.49; Abby Marino, Woodstown 20:29.48; Julia Burgio, Williamstown 20:59.32; Yazmire Bonhomme, Williamstown 21:18.99; Brooke Mashburn, Delsea 21:36.71; Olivia Mashburn, Delsea 21:37.01; Jordan Muczydlowski, GCIT 21:37.31; Isabella Moran, Delsea 21:40.50; Anabel Schaal, Woodstown 21:43.70; Julia Blanchard, Washington Twp. 21:51.95; Dakota Milou, Washington Twp. 22:08.80; Rhea Remaly, Clearview 22:11.01; Sofia Moran, Delsea 22:25.00; Lyana Gutierrez, Highland 22:31.55; Allison Reinherz, Washington Twp. 22:34.24; Ava Buchanan, Kingsway 22:36.59; Kate Yanek, Clearview 22:42.65; Layla Chain, Washington Twp. 22:48.94; Carli Sciotto, Washington Twp. 22:58.51.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech

WEDNESDAY’S SCHEDULE
FIELD HOCKEY
Paulsboro at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Glassboro at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Overbrook at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Schalick at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 3:45 p.m.
Salem at Overbrook, 4 p.m.

Making memories

Monday roundup: Schalick scores 5 quick goals, gives senior three good chances to close it out; includes soccer, field hockey, tennis

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE – There’s nothing more rewarding for a coach or energizing to a team than to get a well-liked deep reserve into a game and give them a chance to make something memorable happen.

John Egan V, a career JV player up with the varsity as a senior, didn’t score a goal in Schalick’s 5-0 soccer win over Overbrook Monday, but it wasn’t for his or his teammates’ lack of trying to make it happen.

Egan started the second half on the right wing and it was a popular substitution, not one just for appearances. He led the team’s breakdown coming out of halftime and whenever the Cougars got control of the ball while he was in the game somebody on the pitch would say “Get it to John.”

“He hadn’t scored one in the three years I’ve been here and we tried getting him a goal today the best we can,” senior midfielder Anthony Sepers said. “I think I had an open shot but I tried to pass it to him and it just didn’t really work out. I’m sure we’re going to try the rest of the season to get him a goal.”

“For four years he’s been with us doing all the hard work that everybody else is doing; they know how far John has come and how hard he works in practice,” Cougars coach Joe Mannella said. “He’s got a lot of good players in front of him. We saw other kids in his situation go leave to play another sport … but he loves soccer, he loves the team. I know the guys wanted to get him a goal and they got him a couple chances.”

Schalick senior John Egan (18) awaits a pass from teammate Luke Price in the second half of Monday’s game against Overbrook.

Egan had never scored a goal in his high school career, at least not one that stuck. He’s had a couple JV goals called back for offsides and he buried a penalty kick against Penns Grove last year that got waved off because someone breached the box during the kick.

He had three good chances against the Rams. He had a shot off a run about six minutes into the half that went right of the post. Luke Price crossed it over to him moments later and he just missed again. His best chance came when he took a feed from Price on a 2-on-1 and shot it over the crossbar.

“John went in there and really did some nice things,” Mannella said. “Really what I liked is the way everybody supported him. That team sense was important.”

“I was kind of surprised it would be today that he’d put me into a varsity game as a varsity player; I’m very, very happy about that,” Egan said. “It was very amazing (the scoring opportunities he had), but you get nervous when you’re about to shoot the ball into the goal. I got nervous.”

Had any of the shots found the back of the net it would have set the Cougars (1-0-1) up for a mercy-rule win since they already had a 5-0 lead.

The Cougars, who came from behind twice to tie Washington Twp. in their season opener, were forced to play their home opener on their practice field because of poor conditions in the middle of their regular pitch. They didn’t have any problem making the last-minute adjustment.

They literally scored early and often. All five of their goals came over an 11-minute stretch in the first 17 minutes of the match.

Nolan O’Toole opened the scoring in the sixth minute, followed by Anthony Sepers’ first goal a minute later. Sepers notched his second goal in the 14th minute, with Steve Chomo and Mikey Nelson following in rapid fashion. Jaxon Weber had three assists.

“It was all about getting on them,” Sepers said. “We don’t want to take them easy and then they come in here and score a goal on us and then we’re on our toes the entire rest of the game trying to win and score.”

“They did the things that we’re trying to do in games and they executed,” Mannella said. “That was good to see.”

BOYS SOCCER
Pennsville 5, Salem Tech 0: Samuel Hassler had a goal and two assists and five different players scored as the Eagles won their season opener. Coen Rinnier recorded six saves in posting the shutout.
Woodstown 1, Glassboro 0: Bryce Ayars converted a pass from Aaron Flynn in the first five minutes for the game’s only goal.
Pitman 3, Penns Grove 0: Jonas Trum scored three minutes into the match and the Panthers tacked on two goals in the second half to spoil the Red Devils’ season opener.
Clayton 9, Salem 0: The Clippers scored eight goals in the first half.

GIRLS SOCCER
Pennsville 3, Penns Grove 0: Molly Gratz scored two goals and assisted on the other (Taylor Bass) as the Eagles improved to 2-0.
Schalick 7, Overbrook 0: Quinn Berger had a hat trick and Cali Fisler had two assists to move within four of the all-time school record (44).
Woodstown 7, Glassboro 1: Freshman Hailey Kucharczuk came off the bench to score the first two goals of her career and Emma Perry had two goals and an assist as the Wolverines scored their first win of the season. Ellie Wygand made seven saves in the net before giving way to Mazie Mazzoni.
Pitman 7, Salem Tech 0: Carly Razze and Emery Sharpnack each scored twice for Pitman.

FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville 3, Absegami 2: Kendall Hoyt knocked in the game-winner with 5:06 to play as the Eagles improved to 2-0 for the first time since 2018, when they opened the season 3-0. They were 1-0-1 after two games in 2019. Mia Runkiewicz tied the game with 9:44 to play, then Hoyt won it with her second goal of the game.

GIRLS TENNIS
PENNSVILLE 4, WILDWOOD 1
Lily Edwards (P) def. Angela Wilber, 6-1, 6-2
Izzy Schlenker (P) def. Cydnee Kilian, 6-3, 6-4
Morgan Holt (P) def. Estella Robinson, 6-0, 6-0
Emma Hankin-Naomi Hess (P) def. Antoinette Cooper-Selin Ogden, 6-0, 6-0
Charlotte Baetz-Emma Contreras (WI) def. Yerlian Charon-Graillyn Weber, 2-6, 6-0, 10-5
Records: Pennsville 4-2, Wildwood 2-3.

SCHALICK 5, SALEM 0
Miya Watkins (SC) def. Angelina Fothergill, 6-1, 6-1
Annmarie Podehl (SC) def. JaNye Hubbard, 6-1, 6-3
Macy Slow (SC) def. Tahirah Davenport-White, 6-3, 6-0
Olivia Lunemann-Sebrina Bradford (SC) def. Zaniyah Frieson-Erica Brewer, 6-0, 6-0
Sammi Twigg-Jasmine Hunt (SC) def. Evangeline Jimenez Barreto-Aleena Allen, 6-0, 6-0
Records: Schalick 2-1, Salem 1-2.

Mighty Oaks branch out

Salem CC confirms starting women’s volleyball, expecting to begin play in fall of 2026; originally reported Aug. 29, official announcement made Monday

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – While officials at Salem Community College continue to explore the feasibility of bringing a football program to their campus they have committed to launching another new sports program.

Athletics director Bob Hughes confirmed Tuesday the Mighty Oaks will start a women’s volleyball program with play slated to begin in the fall of 2026.

“We’ve been exploring adding another women’s sport for a little while and volleyball really came to the forefront as the sport that makes the most sense for Salem at this time,” Hughes said. “We knew for a while we could grow and we wanted to be at a certain point and figuring out what the right fit was.”
The new sport joins a Salem lineup that includes men’s and women’s basketball, baseball, softball and, new this year, cross country.

(The athletics department made an official announcement on its website Monday. It said it has officially opened its search for the program’s first head coach, a “dynamic leader who can recruit, mentor and inspire student-athletes while establishing a strong foundation for long term success.” For more information about the head coach position or to apply visit http://www.salemcc.edu).

Last Thursday, the college’s board of trustees authorized the hiring of former Rowan head football coach Jay Accorsi as a consultant to look into the possibility of having football for the first time. At that same meeting the board approved an updated job description of an Athletic Coordinator that opened the door for the posting of a head volleyball coach’s position.

It has not been determined if the Mighty Oaks will offer scholarships in the sport as it does in softball and women’s basketball.

“We’re going to take a look at all the sports and take a holistic look at where we are divisionally within the next year,” Hughes said. “We’re not at that point yet, but that’s part of this. We have to make that decision before (the coach) starts though.”

Volleyball is the third most played women’s sport in the NJCAA Region XIX behind basketball and softball. The region has 15 members playing volleyball on the non-scholarship Division III level and four playing on the Division II level.

Locally, only two of the six high schools in Salem County currently play volleyball – Salem Tech and Schalick (JV only) – but because of the popularity of the sport regionally Hughes is confident the fledgling program will attract players.

“It’s a very fast rising sport in New Jersey and in the country as a whole,” Hughes said. “I have to imagine that these conversations are taking place at the high school level. I know at least two athletic directors locally that I’ve spoken to discussed the fact they have considered adding it as well because of the popularity.

This week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Sept. 8-13

MONDAY, SEPT. 8
FIELD HOCKEY
Absegami at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Overbrook at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Salem at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Glassboro at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Salem, 4 p.m.
VOLLEYBALL
Schalick at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPT. 9
FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Deptford, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at West Deptford, 3:45 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
TCC Batch Meet at Cumberland, 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 10
FIELD HOCKEY
Paulsboro at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Glassboro at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Overbrook at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Schalick at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 3:45 p.m.
Salem at Overbrook, 4 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 11
WJFL FOOTBALL
Penns Grove at Glassboro, 7 p.m.
West Deptford at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Salem at Deptford, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Palmyra, 4 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 12
WJFL FOOTBALL
Woodstown at Schalick, 6 p.m.
Overbrook at Pennsville, 7 p.m.
Paulsboro at Camden Catholic, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem at Bridgeton, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Pennsville at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Bridgeton at Salem, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Schalick at Cumberland, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Middle Twp., 4 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
Boys Showcase, White Clay Creek State Park, 2 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 13
WJFL FOOTBALL
Woodbury at Salem, noon
Bordentown at Audubon, 11 a.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
South Jersey Shootout, DREAM Park, 9 a.m.

The lost weekend

Anything that could go wrong did early for the Red Devils and they fall tp Deptford, leaving Salem County football with a rare winless weekend

SATURDAY’S SCORE
Deptford 27, Penns Grove 6

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNS GROVE — Salem County football needed a win to avoid a historic shutout. Penn Grove was its final hope for the week Saturday and playing a team it had handled the year before.

But anything that could go wrong early did for the Red Devils and they never recovered, eventually falling to Deptford on a hot day at Jim Devonshire Field 27-6, bringing an end to an ignominious week for county football fortunes. All five Salem County teams lost this week, giving the county its first winless weekend in more than 20 years.

“It tells you the state of Salem County football,” Red Devils coach Marc Maccarone scoffed.

One has to go past the 2003 season, the last year records are publicly available, to find the last time Penns Grove, Pennsville, Salem, Schalick and Woodstown all lost on the same weekend. (The results of this weekend’s games are listed below.)

“It shows you the quality of the programs over the years, especially recent years; it’s an anomaly (what happened this week),” said John Emel, the longtime Penns Grove coach whose current West Deptford team took down one of those Salem County teams Friday night. Look what it took, a lot of close games that went the other way. It’s more of an aberration; it doesn’t happen often. I think there’s a lot of talent in the county and I think you’ll see teams improve dramatically as the year goes on.”

It was a tough start for the Red Devils. They picked up the opening kickoff late thinking it might roll into the end zone and started deep in their end, then fumbled away their first snap from scrimmage. It took three plays for the Spartans to score.

Their second possession ended in a safety when punter Mello Erickson-Hubbard was tackled in the end zone after a high snap, which Maccarone said in hindsight was a pretty good decision on the senior’s part.

It’s the kind of thing Deptford coach Patrick Landis said used to befall the Spartans. They’re 2-0 for the first time since 2022 after winning only one game each of the last two seasons.

“It’s funny you say that,” Landis said. “We as a staff have talked about it. Over the last couple years we’ve been in a lot of close game where those things have gone against us … and we come out on the losing end. It seems like a little bit of luck always helps.”

The Red Devils finally caught a break on the first play of the ensuing possession when Erickson-Hubbard recovered a fumble, but couldn’t capitalize as Luke Vilary broke up their fourth-down pass in the end zone.

Even when they did something good, they took a step back. Nazeer Painter hooked up with Erickson-Hubbard on a 49-yard pass play, then spiked the ball in the end zone drawing a personal foul that kept the Red Devils from tacking on the tying conversion.

It stayed that way until the closing minute of the first half when David Pearson stepped in front of an Erickson-Hubbard pass and returned it 47 yards for a touchdown that gave Deptford a 15-6 halftime lead.

“We were looking for answers a little bit at the end of the first half,” Landis said. “(Pearson) was able to get back on the field before the end of the half and make a huge play for us going in and that kind of opened things up for us.”

Kaden Roane scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to complete the scoring. The first came on an 18-yard pass from Noce and the second on a 1-run run in the final minute, capping an 80-yard drive against what Maccarone described as a “tired” team. Roane had a 51-yard run in the drive.

Roane finished with 98 yards rushing, but had 75 in the fourth quarter. The Red Devils’ defense held the Spartans to 29 yards rushing and 49 yards total through the first three quarters and had three takeaways in the first half.

“I thought the defense played well,” Maccarone said. “We gave up one defensive touchdown. I’ve got no complaints with the defense.”

Penns Grove will have a new quarterback when they play Glassboro, in a game moved to Thursday night. Maccarone said Brayden Lattig will get the call when the Red Devils face the coach’s former team and defending Group I state champion.

Lattig entered Friday’s game with 2:44 in the third quarter after Erickson-Hubbard took a big loss on a scramble and played the rest of the game.

“It’s not a give, it is (getting the shot); that’s who it is,” Maccarone said. “He came in cold, we were able to move the ball a little bit with him, did a fine job. No complaints.”

Deptford 27, Penns Grove 6

DEPT (27)PG (6)
61st Downs8
24-111Rushing23-87
7-12-1Passing (C-A-I)7-22-1
38Passing yds85
3-2Fumbles-lost1-1
5-40.0Punts-avg6-37.5
6-35Penalties-yds12-113
Deptford (2-0)87012-27
Penns Grove (0-2)0600-6

SCORING SUMMARY
D: David Noce 1 run (kick failed), 10:34 1Q
D: Safety, punter tackled in end zone, 9:13 1Q
PG: Nazeer Paynter 49 pass from Mello Erickson-Hubbard (pass failed), 6:31 2Q
D: David Pearson 47 interception return (Luke Vilary kick), 34.5 2Q
D: Kaden Roane 18 pass from David Noce (pass failed), 10:17 4Q
D: Kaden Roane 8 run (PAT failed), 37.7 4Q

WJFL Standings

DIAMOND DIVISIONALLDIV
Glassboro2-00-0
Woodstown1-10-0
Penns Grove0-20-0
Salem0-20-0
Schalick0-20-0
Woodbury0-20-0
PATRIOT DIVISIONALLDIV
Collingswood2-01-0
West Deptford2-01-0
Paulsboro2-01-0
Camden Catholic0-10-0
Audubon0-10-1
Overbrook1-10-1
Pennsville0-20-1

Thursday’s Games
Cinnaminson 3, Salem 0
Friday’s Games
Cumberland 14, Schalick 7
Delsea 35, Woodstown 7
Glassboro 52, Haddon Heights 0
Haddonfield 41, Woodbury 0
West Deptford 42, Pennsville 7
Collingswood 27, Overbrook 14
Saturday’s Games
Paulsboro 28, Audubon 14
Deptford 27, Penns Grove 6
Newmann Goretti (Pa.) at Camden Catholic