Opening Day notebook

There was a dream, there was a plan, and Saturday’s inaugural game is the fruition of Salem CC;s work, includes a list of firsts, inaugural starters

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – Mike Gorman was in his customary seat on the top row of the bleachers as he is for every Salem Community College athletics event he attends. As an old lineman he’d rather be in the end zone because he says it gives the best perspective on the game, but where he positioned himself Saturday provided a better chance to mingle with the all the people who came to share this important day in the college’s history.

As the college president looked out on the field at Lou D’Angelo Stadium as he greeted both the well-wishers and the curious, the first Salem CC football team was going through its pre-game warmup. A little over a year ago, the idea of the school having a junior college football team was the vision of only a few. But Saturday afternoon that vision became a reality for all as the Mighty Oaks took on Hudson Valley Community College in the first game in the Carneys Point school’s history.

The Mighty Oaks lost the game 26-18, but they sent the crowd of about 850 home buzzing after Aidan Hill, their third quarterback of the game, threw a 44-yard touchdown pass to Jahfarri Payne on the final play of the game to tighten the margin.

“It’s been a dream for a long time, it’s been a plan for the last two years, and today is the fruition of all those labors,” Gorman said before the game. “Once the kickoff occurs it’s another game and everything else just kind of leans to the side and we focus on the field and the athletes on the field.

“I was walking the dog early this morning and there was that flavor in the air that tells you football season’s here and guess what – it is.”

Bringing a junior college football program to South Jersey was a vision of former Rowan head coach Jay Accorsi, who would ultimately become the Mighty Oaks’ head coach. Accorsi brought his vision to Gorman, and the proposal went to the college’s board last fall. Their shared vision was one of not just having a football team but changing lives of prospective students who would be attracted to to the college who might not have had the opportunity to attend college otherwise.

The board unanimously approved the project, the school officially launched the program in January and the athletics department spent the next seven month bringing everything together culminating in Saturday’s inaugural game.

“I told the team, last year at this time these guys were all over the place,” Accorsi said. “All the coaches were all over the place. I was trying to convince the school to start football. So, to think in less than a year we’re eight points from a team that went 9-1, that’s crazy. You couldn’t draw up a script, and I couldn’t be more pleased.”

Gorman; SCC board chairman Jason Supernavage; Pennsville Schools Superintendent Dr. Kyle Baker-Plale; Marc Ray, the college’s new CFO; Billy Mays, an associate professor of mathematics representing the SCC faculty; and Maura Cavanagh Dick, SCC’s associate dean of academic affairs, served as honorary captains for the inaugural game. They stood behind the team’s game captains – Ben Secouler, Jermar Jones, Brian Pritchett and Aidan Alexander – at midfield for the traditional coin toss.

The school also recognized Matt O’Brien and Beth Blohm at halftime. They are two Pennsville Middle School teams who are Pennsville High School and Salem CC alumni.

Honorary captains also will be named for the team’s three other home games later in the season. The honorary captains for the Homecoming Game Oct. 17 will be former alumni association presidents.

**The Salem CC defense comes out of the tunnel to take the field for the first ever regular-season game in program history.**

A DAY OF FIRSTS

An inaugural game brings a plethora of firsts for the new program. Here are a few for the Mighty Oaks:

Play: Kahmaj Keamey off left tackle for 8 yards, 1Q (Several Riverview Sports News readers suggested a first-play run)
Pass completion: Cam Wright 12 yards to Darion Joyner, 1Q
Touchdown: Jerrell Burns 85-yard interception return, 2:13 2Q
Offensive TD: Malakhai McKenzie 2 run, 6:17 3Q
First Down: by penalty, 1Q
Tackle: Jermar Jones on Jayden Hines for 7-yard loss, 1Q
Sack: Still up for grabs
Turnover: Brian Pritchett fumble, 1Q
Takeaway: Ezzy Poutre fumble recovery, 2Q

SALEM’S INAUGURAL STARTERS

KICKOFF RETURN: Gio Parente, John Pettigrew, Charlie Shute, Terrin Walker, Jermar Jones, Tre McCloud, DJ Binck, Darion Joyner, Stephen Little, Aidan Hill, Jeremiah Russell

OFFENSE: Lamar McCoy, Bryson Cox-Patterson, Kahmaj Kearney, Darion Joyner, Marcus Williams, Brody Selfridge, Hayden Miller, Robert Daly, Jacob Hand, Terrin Walker, Cam Wright

DEFENSE: Raheem Tomoney, Jermar Jones, Charlie Shute, Lee Xavier, Ben Secouler, Sam DaSilva, Mark Moore, Sam Rowley, Ezzy Poutre, Aidan Alexander

SCARY MOMENT

The game was delayed for several minutes with 6:15 left in the fourth quarter as medical personnel attended to Raheem Tomoney, who appeared to have suffered a neck injury in an apparent collision with a teammate. Tomoney, a cornerback who played at Hudson Valley earlier in his career, was transported from the field to a local hospital for evaluation. He had movement in all his extremities when he left the field.

“I think that just precautionary,” head coach Jay Accorsi said. “They wanted to make sure he got looked at. They couldn’t get the face mask off because the face mask was twisted, so we couldn’t get the screws off, so that’s what made it challenging. “

ON FAMILIAR GROUND

Salem CC lineman Jacob Hand was back in his old stomping grounds for his first college game and just walking through the gates at Pennsville’s Lou D’Angelo Stadium being back a flood of happy memories.

“Playing here was nice,” he said. “Going back in the locker room and seeing our JV quarterback from last year (now varsity starter Jake Layfield) having my locker kind of fired me up a little bit. See that, it was nice. It brought back some memories.”

Rams on the road

Salem makes trip to Ohio more than a football game; Carr: ‘it’s way bigger than football, things they’ll never forget for the rest of their life’

By Paul Boggs
Ironton Tribune

IRONTON, Ohio — The Salem Rams made an eight-hour football business trip to the Tri-State, but as the Ironton Fighting Tigers often do, they simply took care of business.

That’s because Ironton opened by scoring the game’s first 28 points, quickly reached the threshold for the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s running-clock rule, made freshman Owen McDonald’s debut to high school football a difficult one, and simply smoked the Rams 55-14 on a sun-soaked Saturday afternoon inside Ironton’s historic Tanks Memorial Stadium.

In fact, this season is the 100th year of football for “The Tank” — as Ironton is, after all, even known nationwide for its gridiron success, history and tradition. The original tenants of the stadium went on to become the NFL Chicago Bears.

The Fighting Tigers (2-0) put on a display of what Ironton football is all about. They took care of what needed to be — starting with defense, then eventually offense, and also some special teams to reach the running clock for almost all of the second half.

“Any time you bring a team in from out-of-state, you see on them on film and film normally tells a lot, but it doesn’t tell the whole story,” said Ironton acting head coach Todd Knipp. “You’re gauging speed, gauging some of these kids’ athletic ability. They have a bunch of guys that are aggressive to the ball and can run and can move. We were able to weather the storm, then we got rolling offensively.”

Five of those guys – Tony Merendino, Kamal Chatum, KyVion Parsons, Quimere Bergen and Ahmad Tucker — were all extended offers by nearby Shawnee University, which is starting a football program in 2028 (top photo). The college exposure was a big part of the Rams’ trip. They had hoped to show the players West Virginia University and Marshall University during the trip, but the NCAA recruiting calendar prevented those visits from happening.

“This trip is huge for us; it’s a lot bigger than wins and losses,” Rams coach Kemp Carr said. “These kids got an opportunity to travel. You’re doing almost what colleges do. We came down the day before (Friday), stayed in a hotel, get ready and go play a game, the bonding that happens and the brotherhood that occurs.

“This ride made us closer. This is what we want to be. So you go find that. We don’t run from anything. We accept all challenges and experiences that come our way. These guys are bonding from this. We want to bring three teams back here from New Jersey. Football is the greatest sport in the world, but it’s also one of the greatest networks outside of golf. This was a beautiful thing and it’s bigger than wins and losses for us.”

As Ironton opens yet another season 2-0, as it has done so every year now since 2019, the Fighting Tiger defense held another opponent to minus yards in rushing — minus-20 on 22 attempts for the young Rams to be exact.

From the get-go, the Orange and Black attack overwhelmed McDonald — a freshman quarterback in his very first varsity game. Ironton’s blitzkrieg defense sweltered McDonald and the Rams’ rushing game, stymying Salem to minus-42 first-half yards on 16 carries. McDonald only completed three first-half passes on six attempts, resulting in minus-two yards for a minus-44 first-half total.

“We never got moving until late and we gave up short fields all day,” Carr said. “Early on, we made some stops, but you can’t keep stopping a good team and giving them the ball inside the 40-yard-line. You just can’t start the game that slow against a very good team. Getting out of the mud against that type of team is very hard.”

The Rams picked up the game’s first first down on an Ironton pass interference penalty, but they punted four first-half times in the first half. They never got beyond their own 42 until their final possession, which featured four first downs, seven plays and 75 yards — mainly against the Fighting Tigers reserves, as McDonald completed a 34-yard pass prior to the 14-yard touchdown toss to Bergen.

“I couldn’t be more proud of him,” Carr said. “He got tested and took a hell of a shot and got back up. Checked back in and kept fighting. That showed me more than anything as a freshman. He’s learning what this level is all about. Tough lessons against a really good football team but he never quit.

“I know days like this are what makes and builds good football players and he will be one.”

Ironton opened the scoring late in the first quarter on Tyson Harvey’s 6-yard touchdown run, then scored 21 second-stanza points as Salem punted twice and turned the ball over on downs at its own 34.

Wyatt Wolfe capped scoring drives of eight plays and 25 yards and three minutes and 46 seconds, and seven plays and 58 yards and a minute and 32 seconds, with scoring sneaks of two and three yards. The sophomore quarterback was 10-of-13 for 115 yards, throwing two incomplete passes in the second-half after 11 total attempts in the first.

The goal of the second half was to reach the running clock, and Easton Caudill’s carries to open the third quarter quickly accomplished that. He took the first snap for a 56-yard scamper, then ran in the touchdown from 10 yards out to get the running clock started.

The Rams averted the shutout following the Fighting Tigers’ sixth score as Adrian Alleyne returned the ensuing kickoff 84 yards to the house.

SAL (14)		IRON (55)
5	First Downs	17
22-(-20)	Rushing	26-158
6-12-1	Passes (C-A-I)	10-13-0
45	Passing	115
2-1	Fumbles-lost	1-0
5-32.0	Punts-avg.	2-41.0
10-53	Penalties	4-17

Salem (0-1)	0	0	6	8-	14
Ironton (2-0)	7	21	14	13-	55

SCORING SUMMARY
I-Tyson Harvey 6 run (Beckham Waginger kick), 0:17 1Q
I-Wyatt Wolfe 2 run (Beckham Waginger kick), 7:20 2Q
I-Kayden Edwards 30 pass from Wyatt Wolfe (pass failed), 4:49 2Q
I-Wyatt Wolfe 3 run (Kayden Edwards run), 0:37 2Q
I-Easton Caudill 10 run (Beckham Waginger), 10:39 3Q
I-Brycen Mullins 32 run (Beckham Waginger kick), 6:12 3Q
S-Adrian Alleyne 84 kickoff return (kick failed), 5:01 3Q
I-Ayden Justice 3 run (Barrett Waginger kick), 6:15 4Q
S-Quimere Bergen 14 pass from Owen McDonald (Sincere Cook-Reese pass from Owen McDonald), 1:10 4Q
I-Easton Caudill 83 kickoff return (no attempt), 0:00 4Q

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING — Salem: Adrian Alleyne 4-22, Izaiah Santiago 6-(-9), Owen McDonald 8-(-14), Cashmir Parsley 1-(-3), Quimere Bergen 1-1, Kevin Parsons 1-(-16), Team 1-(-1); Ironton: Easton Caudill 10-85-1, Tyson Harvey 6-26-1, Brycen Mullins 2-56-1, Kayden Edwards 2-5, Wyatt Wolfe 4-(-1)-2, Ayden Justice 1-3-1, Team 1-(-16).
PASSING — Salem: Owen McDonald 6-12-1-45-1; Ironton: Wyatt Wolfe 10-13-0-115-1.
RECEIVING — Salem: KaiSiere Muhammad 1-34, Quimere Bergen 1-14-1, Izaiah Santiago 2-1, Adrian Alleyne (1-(-1), Kevin Parsons 1-(-3); Tyson Harvey 3-37, Kayden Edwards 3-36-1, Bryson Kerns 2017, Easton Caudill 1-18, Bryce Mullins 1-7.

WJFL scoreboard

Here is the weekend schedule for the West Jersey Football League, Diamond and Independence Divisions games listed first; scores will be updated throughout the day

SATURDAY’S GAMES
Ironton (Ohio) 55, Salem 14
Clayton 28, Riverside 6
Paulsboro 40, KIPP 17
Steinert 47, Burlington City 12
Lenape 26, Seneca 20
Southern 34, Bridgeton 14
Atlantic Tech47, Lakewood 6
Morris Knolls 49, Hamilton West 7
Simon Gratz (Pa.) 37, Camden Eastside 28
Cedar Grove 35, Gloucester 14
Pinelands 40, Collingswood 6
Monsignor Farrell (NY) 28, Holy Spirit 14
Camden at Imhotep Charter (Pa.)
Erasmus Hall (NY) vs. Millville
Winslow vs. Neptune

THURSDAY’S GAMES
Woodstown at Pennsville, ppd.
Haddonfield 34, Overbrook 12
Pitman 28, Wildwood 0
Brick 34, Allentown 7
Cherry Hill West 20, Pemberton 0
Delsea 12, Vineland 6
Donovan Catholic 51, Kingsway 7
Eastern at Hunterdon Central, ppd.
Gateway 34, Middle Twp. 7
Gloucester Catholic at Paul VI, ppd.
J.P. Stevens 21, WW-Plaiinsboro 6
Lacey 12, Lawrence 0
Lower Cape May 28, Cinnaminson 7
Mainland 7, Pleasantville 6
Ocean City 39, Princeton 0
Pt. Pleasant Boro 24, Sterling 10
Rahway 30, Willingboro 28
St. John Vianney 29, Cedar Creek 28
Seneca at Lenape, ppd.
Shabazz 32, Atlantic City 19
Washington Twp. 14, Pope John 6

FRIDAY’S GAMES
Pennsville 28, Woodstown 21 (OT)
Schalick 63, Maple Shade 6
New Egypt 23, Buena 22
Deptford 30, Woodbury 6
Barnegat 26, Absegami 7
Cherokee 42, Middletown South 28
Clearview 27, Cumberland 8
Conwell-Egan (Pa.) 39, St. Joe (Hamm.) 7
Delran 24, Cherry Hill East 17
Eastern 17, Hunterdon Central 14
Egg Harbor 35, Robbinsville 0
Ewing 33, Franklin 21
Glassboro 40, Immaculata 20
Haddon Heights 40, Mastery Camden 6
Hammonton 47, Long Branch 0
Holmdel 45, Hightstown 14
Hopewell Valley 34, Montgomery 0
Moorestown 40, Bishop Eustace 0
Northern Burlington 51, Nottingham 0
Notre Dame 23, St. Mary (Ruth.) 0
Oakcrest 18, Highland 0
Passaic Tech 49, Burlington Twp. 36
Pennsauken 55, Camden Catholic 0
Pennsbury (Pa.) 14, Trenton 0
Rancocas Valle 23, Wayne Valley 0
St. Augustine 24, Bonner Predergast (Pa.) 20
Shawnee 43, Old Bridge 35
Simon Gratz (Pa.) 37, Camden Eastside 28
West Deptford 49, Kinnelon 3
Williamstown 20, Timber Creek 14

A debut to remember

Mighty Oaks lose the inaugural game in their football program’s history, but they send their fans home with something to cheer about

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE — After three hours of watching the first-year college football team trying to find its way in its first-ever game, upstart Salem CC sent the crowd home with a game-ending play that laid the claim to their head coach’s desire of being a legitimate college football program.

The Mighty Oaks were going to lose their inaugural game as a program to Hudson Valley regardless what happened when they lined up for a final play from the Vikings’ 44 with eight seconds left on the clock. Aidan Hill, the third quarterback they used, rolled out to his left and with the clock just about to zero found Jahfarri Payne in the end zone to make it a 26-18 final instead of the 14-point deficit it was headed to before the play.

No, it wasn’t a game-winning play, but it may have won something bigger.

HV (26)		SCC (18)
19	First Downs	14
29-149	Rushes-yards	46
18-34-2	Passes (C-A-I)	8-17-0
239	Passing	117
1-1	Fumbles-lost	3-2
4-26.3	Punts-avg	7-27.4
15-155	Penalties	10-68
5-16	Third downs	4-13
28:51	Possession	31:09

“I think it just shows the team understands we’re just going to have to play every game to the bitter end,” Mighty Oaks head coach Jay Accorsi said. “I think we easily could have packed it in when they got a pretty good lead, when we gave up the score down there and it was looking bleak, but the coaches didn’t, the players didn’t. We went right down to the end, fought for every last second.

“I think it makes us a legitimate junior college football program, and we did that within less than a year. That one play (did that). But I think it gets when they got up on us. we could’ve easily folded, we could’ve given up, we could’ve stopped. We’re playing (three) different quarterbacks, we’re playing different backs, we’re all trying to figure it out. I think it makes the program legitimate and we’re competitive and the future is really bright. My goal was for this program to be competitive early and I think today we were competitive.”

It was a winnable first game but the Mighty Oaks simply made too many mistakes, first game or otherwise, to keep it from happening.

The offense and special teams fumbled the Mighty Oaks into some tough spots early in the game, but luckily the defense kept them it in by holding the Vikings to only one field goal in three possessions inside the 17. The first produced the field goal after three straight plays from the 6 netted nothing and the Oaks created a turnover at the 4 to end the second. On the next one the Vikings took themselves out of easy field goal range with a delay penalty on fourth down from the 26.

“It says a lot about our heart up front and as a defensive unit in general,” cornerback Jerrell Burks said. “We’re there to help the offense. We have their back when they slip up and make mistakes just like they’re there for us when we make mistakes. It just showed our heart, man, our heart and how mentally strong we have been, bend but don’t break.”

“We talked all camp that we were going to be the backbone of the team,” linebacker Ben Secouler said. “It confirmed with me that we knew what our identity was as a team and as a defense we knew this unit was going to be big for us.”

Burks scored the Mighty Oaks’ first official touchdown in program history when he returned an interception 85 yards to get his team within 12-6. He had a second pick in the end zone late in the third quarter to keep the Vikings from extending their lead.

“It meant a lot to contribute to the team in general, but it gives you a little bit more to toot your own horn to score the first program touchdown ever,” he said. “I was on a blitz and I saw the QB step back and pop it up. It was in the air for a little bit, so I was waiting for it, caught it and the rest is a done deal.

“I ain’t gonna lie, I’m tired. Once I hit the end zone I was tired. When I came to sideline, it was like being in a room full of little kids yelling. I’m definitely excited about it. I will say I called those shots this whole week, and I called it before the game even started. I told coach I was getting a pick-six today.”

He was reminded that most people don’t believe it when players make those type of predictions. Burks scoffed.

“I know they do now,” he said.

Secouler believed.

“Right before I walked out I told Eric Worley we’re going to get one of them for us and – boom – he picks it off, takes it all the way to the house,” he said.

Jerrell Burks (6) races into the end zone with his pick-six for the first touchdown in Salem CC’s football history. Burks later ended another Hudson Valley threat with an interception in the end zone. (Photo by Zachary Ahl)

The offense, meanwhile, struggled. It had only 48 yards rushing in the first half and surrendered a safety in the second quarter that made it 5-0.

Despite all it did to keep the Mighty Oaks in it, the defense had its problems, too. The Mighty Oaks scored their first two touchdowns of the season, but each time the Vikings answered within two minutes as blown assignments led to big plays.

“I felt, as players, we were better than them, but the mistakes we made were just so major it changed the game,” Secouler said. “We’ve just got to fix that this week.”

The Mighty Oaks used all three quarterbacks. Cam Wright was the surprise inaugural game starter, getting the call about 20 minutes before kickoff. He played the first quarter and put together a drive that ran between the 30s, but that was the extent of his appearance.

“Honestly, it was pretty cool,” he said. “They were very closed off about who was going to be the guy because I’m sure they wanted us all to try our best to compete for that spot. I ended up getting it, so that was very cool to be able to start. I went out there and tried to do my best. I obviously need to do a little better; there’s always room for improvement.”

**Cam Wright (7) got the word that he was going to be the Mighty Oaks’ inaugural game starting quarterback about 20 minutes before kickoff. (Photo by Zachary Ahl)**

Malakhai McKenzie followed him and played the second, third and most of the fourth quarters. He wasn’t all that effective – his first series ended with the safety – but he did score their first offensive touchdown on a quarterback sneak in the third quarter. He was 5-of-11 for 41 yards passing and netted minus-15 yards rushing on 10 carries.

“It means something to me to be the first person (on offense) to score from Salem,” McKenzie said. “I was looking to get one. I told them to get me that.”

On the offense’s struggles he said, “there’s definitely room for improvement. We’re going to get it together, though.”

Hill got his shot to run the offense when the Mighty Oaks took over at their own 30 with 1:31 to play. He got them across midfield with a 17-yard run and an 18-yard pass to Jeremiah Russell. He then took a 9-yard loss that set the Mighty Oaks on the 44 with only a few seconds left.

They sent everybody out hoping to find just one to make a play. Payne and HV’s Christopher Festa were hand-fighting all the way down the sideline, but Payne wrestled the ball away in the back corner of the end zone for the score that changed everybody’s mood.

“I was just ready for my opportunity,” Hill said. “I knew I wasn’t playing, they told me I wasn’t playing because I had mistakes in the scrimmage. Once my time came, I had to do what I’ve been asked, had do my job. I knew I had to throw a touchdown. That play, it was literally everybody go deep, whoever I see.”

“It was just get it in the end zone, do what you can to be a playmaker,” Payne said. “I just wanted to get down the field as fast as possible. I know he was a little physical, but I just used all my speed and I just made a play. Be a playmaker. It was like don’t drop it, ice in my veins, finish it off strong and make everybody leave excited.”

And he means everybody.

“I was ready to run to the end zone myself it was a great catch,” Burks said.

All in all, the inaugural game “exceeded my expectations,” Accorsi said. “They’re a really good program, established program, it’s one of the better junior college football teams you’ll play against and, shoot, we lost by eight, so in the grand scheme of things, after Montclair (scrimmage), after this, I’m extremely pleased.

“I asked the team, did they beat us or did we beat ourselves. All of them said we beat ourselves. Too many mistakes, too many penalties, too many miscues, too many assignments blown, too many missed calls. Those things are just going to catch up to you when you play a really good team.”

Hudson Valley (1-0)	3	16	7	0-	26
Salem CC (0-1)	0	6	6	6-	18

SCORING SUMMARY
HV-Samuel Locarno 24 FG, 11:18 1Q
HV-Safety, Malakhai McKenzie tackled in end zone, 13:50 2Q
HV-Jayden Hines 29 pass from MaKao Taylor (Connor Jackson kick), 7:08 2Q
SCC-Jerrell Burks 85 interception return (run failed), 2:13 2Q
HV-Julian Colon 12 pass from MaKao Taylor (Connor Jackson kick), 0:20 2Q
SCC-Malakhai McKenzie 2 run (run failed), 6:17 3Q
HV-Tevonte Williams 53 pass from MaKao Taylor (Samuel Locarno kick), 4:23 3Q
SCC-Jahfarri Payne 44 pass from Aidan Hill (no attempt), 0:00 4Q

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Hudson Valley: Tyquan Rush-Esdale 13-103, MaKao Taylor 3-34, Aaron Barnes 3-15, Dylan Maye 2-5, Daniel Olmstead 3-4, Cartier Joshua 1-0, Alex Lenoir 2(-1), Jayden Hines 2-(1-11); Salem CC: Tre McCloud 6-35, Kahmaj Kearney 7-30, Demetris Williams 5-9, Aidan Hill 2-8, Brian Pritchett 1-0, Jamar Smith 4-(-5), Malahkai McKenzie 10-(-15), Team 1-(-16).
PASSING — Hudson Valley: MaKao Taylor 14-28-2, 181 yards, 3 TDs; Daniel Olmstead 4-6-0, 58 yards. Salem CC: Aidan Hill 2-3-0, 44 yards, 1 TD; Malakhai McKenzie 5-11-0, 41 yards; Cam Wright 1-3-0, 14 yards.
RECEIVING — Hudson Valley: Trevonte Williams 1-53-1, Cartier Joshua 5-51, Jayden Hines 3-39-1, Dylan Maye 2-35, Julian Colon 3-30-1, Cameron Margeson 2-15, Raymere Mahadeo 1-15, Myquan Rush-Edsaile 1-1; Salem CC: Jahfarri Payne 1-44-1, Darion Joyner 2-21, Jeremiah Russell 1-18, Lamar McCoy 1-16, Kahmaj Kearney 2-12, Jon Pettigrew 1-6.

**The Hudson Valley defense made life difficult for Salem CC quarterback Malakhai McKenzie (10). (Photo by Zachary Ahl)**

Schalick, Stewart start strong

Cougars score 63 straight points after having opening-play TD called back and falling behind, Stewart scores 4 TDs in first 18 minutes

FRIDAY’S WJFL SCORES
(Diamond, Independence Divisions)
Schalick 63, Maple Shade 6
Pennsville 28, Woodstown 21 (OT)
New Egypt 23, Buena 22
Deptford 30, Woodbury 6

WHAT TO KNOW

Schalick wins first season opener since 2023, when it started the season 11-0

David Stewart scores the Cougars’ first four touchdowns and had another called back

After first play TD called back by a penalty and falling behind, Cougars score 63 straight points, most in more than 20 years

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE — When Schalick’s David Stewart talked about his goals for the season ahead, he let it be known deep down he really wanted to be first team all-state on defense.

If he keeps doing what he did in the Cougars’ season opener Friday night, he just might end up as a two-way honoree, if there is such a thing.

The speedy senior scored four touchdowns in 18 minutes of gametime in the Cougars’ 63-6 pasting of Maple Shade. He would have had a fifth, too — all in the first half — had a 64-yard catch from Kenny Bartee on the first snap of the season not been called back by an odd pass interference penalty.

He scored on runs of 18, 6 and 58 yards and had a 38-yard punt return helping the Cougars open a 42-6 halftime lead.

“The offense tonight, everything came together,” Stewart said. “All of our guys were blocking, everything just really came together and started working. Even though we had some mess-ups in the beginning, which happens, we just came together as a team and I just started running the ball, started getting the yards, started scoring.

“That’s just the way it ended up working out tonight and it definitely changed my perspective on a lot of things, because now I know I can go out, score a lot, get yards when the team needs, so it does change my perspective. Now, I really want to go for first team on offense and maybe defense, too. I don’t know if you can only get one, but go for both.”

Stewart finished with 114 yards rushing on seven carries. The Cougars rushed for 309 yards as a team. Head coach Kevin Leamy joked the line blocked so well against the Wildcats even his 40-year-old body could have gotten through the holes, but Stewart is dangerous anytime he gets the ball in his hands.

He runs from in the backfield, he runs from the outside. He catches passes and runs. He picks off passes and returns kicks. Doesn’t matter. He gets in the clear, he’s gone.

“We have a lot of kids who can carry the football,” Leamy said. “Obviously he looked phenomenal (tonight). All he needs is a step. He’s that special kid where he can accelerate to 100 before anyone else. He gets a step he’s just different.”

Bartee, meanwhile, watched the Cougars’ two preseason scrimmages from the sidelines while a nasty gash on his left big toe was healing. All the while he couldn’t wait to get back on the field and do something big when he finally did.

It didn’t take long. The Wildcats won the toss and deferred putting Schalick’s offense on the field to start the game.

The Cougars had been itching to run the play they called to open the game since Monday. Stewart got behind the defense and Bartee laid a long throw into his arms in the open field for a season-opening score. The play was called back when the officials said Stewart wasn’t lined up properly and it turned into pass interference when he caught the ball.

“The first play tonight was about sending a statement to tell everybody we’re here,” Bartee said. “Last year we folded a little bit, but we’re here to make a statement. Our initial goal was to make a big play and then run the ball down their throat. It was definitely a mood killer (to be called back) because we practiced this play so much to perfect it, came here and perfected it and then it got called back. We just had to get back on the field and just play.”

“I’m happy that it worked because now know we can come out with a big play if we need to,” Stewart said. “It not working hurts your soul a little bit because it was a big play.”

They eventually lost the possession on a fumble and the Wildcats responded with a 39-yard touchdown pass. It was their longest play of the game.

Stewart answered with his first touchdown and it was all Schalick the rest of the way. They scored 63 straight points. They set up the running clock for the entire second half on cornerback Gio Alicea’s 54-yard pick-six on the final play of the second quarter.

“When I caught it I was like, get to the end zone, don’t let anybody tackle me,” he said.

Bartee ran 31 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter and the Cougars turned it over to the JVs for a little fun in the fourth.

Freddie Allen broke off a 26-yard touchdown run on the JV’s first snap to open the quarter and later senior Shawn Kelly, who had been kicking extra points all game, scored his first touchdown since eighth grade when he hauled in a 32-yard pass from Gabe McFarland.

Leamy told him if the Cougars didn’t the get the first down when they put him in the game they would let him test his ample leg for a long field goal. He thwarted those plans when he caught McFarland’s pass along the far sideline and raced into the end zone.

“I loved it,” Kelly said. “I love playing receiver. It’s so much fun. I do it at practice all the time. It’s like practice. I’m just going out there, catching the ball – touchdown. I liked the touchdown way more (than the field goal option). I wanted the touchdown 100 percent.”

MS (6)		SCH (63)
6	First downs	15
18-(-4)	Rushing-yards	27-309
8-14-2	Passing (C-A-I)	2-2-0
92	Passing yards	28
3-0	Fumbles-lost	2-1
3-35.3	Punts-average	0-0
3-25	Penalties-yards	8-80

Maple Shade (0-1)	6	0	0	0-	6
Schalick (1-0)	6	36	7	14-	63

SCORING SUMMARY
MS-Brayden Howard 39 pass from Donovan Overby-Washington (kick blocked), 9:24 1Q
S-David Stewart 18 run (kick blocked), 5:50 1Q
S-David Stewart 6 run (Shawn Kelly kick), 11:00 2Q
S-David Stewart 38 punt return (Shawn Kelly kick), 8:52 2Q
S-David Stewart 58 run (Shawn Kelly kick), 5:55 2Q
S-Kenny Bartee 22 run (Evan Elliott pass from Ayden Jenkins), 4:29 2Q
S-Gio Alicea 54 interception return (Shawn Kelly kick), 0:00 2Q
S-Kenny Bartee 31 run (Shawn Kelly kick), 3Q
S-Freddie Allen 21 run (Shawn Kelly kick), 11:32 4Q
S-Shawn Kelly 32 pass from Gabe McFarland (Shawn Kelly kick), 4Q

Pennsville wins a thriller

Eagles beat Woodstown in overtime, Layfield passes for 300 yards in first career start at quarterback

FRIDAY’S WJFL SCORES
(Diamond, Independence Divisions)
Pennsville 28, Woodstown 21 (OT)
Schalick 63, Maple Shade 6
New Egypt 23, Buena 22
Deptford 30, Woodbury 6

WHAT TO KNOW

Pennsville’s Tristan Horner scores go-ahead TD in OT, defense holds on through Woodstown’s attempt to match

Pennsville QB Jake Layfield passes for 320 yards and 3 touchdowns (0 INTs) in first start

Woodstown had won last 4 openers, had 5-game win streak in series, Healy beats them for first time since his first game as Eagles head coach

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE — Tristan Horner blasted in from the 2 at the start of overtime and Pennsville’s defense knocked away a fourth-down pass in the end zone to deny Woodstown’s bid to tie and outlasted the Wolverines 28-21 in a weather-delayed season-opener for both teams.

It was Pennsville coach Mike Healy’s first win over the Wolverines since his first game as the Eagles’ head coach in 2017.

“This was a monumental win,” Eagles defensive back Lucas Thomas said.

Indeed. The Wolverines had won the last five games in the series and seemingly had their way in everything in the rivalry the last couple years. This game originally was scheduled for Thursday night, but was postponed to Friday in the fallout of the day’s storms. It gave a handful of Pennsville players a chance to rewatch the 2023 playoff game between the teams together, firing them up even more for a game they’ve had circled on their calendars for a while.

“There’s no other game I wanted to win this year,” quarterback Jake Layfield said. “If we win one, I want it to be Woodstown. Between this and Homecoming. I don’t even care about Senior Night. It was just Woodstown. If anybody I wanted to beat it was Woodstown and we came out here and did it. There’s just no better feeling than beating a county rival.”

Both teams had chances to win the game that Healy said held “the highest of highs and lowest of lows.”.

Woodstown led 14-0 a minute into the second quarter and then 21-14 early in the fourth on Mason Middlemiss’ 33-yard run during which at least two officials’ whistles were heard when the Wolverines quarterback ran into traffic. Layfield brought the Eagles right back with three straight completions, highlighted by a 52-yard throw to C.J. Johnson and capped by a 15-yard scoring pass to Jacob Kimani.

The Eagles had the ball at the end of regulation, but Layfield’s pass to Johnson in the back of the end zone on the final play was incomplete.

Layfield completed 23 of 37 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns with no interceptions in his first career start at quarterback. That would translate to a 161.6 NCAA passer rating. Johnson caught 11 balls for 196 yards and a touchdown in what he called “my wakeup game,” his indication of how the season is going to go..Kimani caught four for 68 and a score. Dante Cummings caught the other touchdown pass

“We have 72 plays on the wrist band and all three of those plays (on the tying drive) are plays we don’t normally run,” Layfield said. “Coach (Ryan) Wood says it in the headset and we’ll run it on to the field. I feel like sometimes you kind of just know when things are going to go well.

“Kimani was telling me, we watched film on them and someone caught a 10-yard in, and he said if I ever catch a ball over the middle in the end zone I’m going to dunk it on the goalpost. I think he forgot to dunk it on the goalpost and got hit pretty hard.

“Sometimes you just know when you’ve got two guys who know they can go up and get the ball the confidence is there. The line was giving me time. CJ, dawg on the outside, he was there for me all game, and then Kimani just finishing in the end zone. I knew he would win the route.”

**Pennsville quarterback Jake Layfield (15) passed for more than 300 yards and threw three touchdowns.**

Pennsville got the ball first in overtime and needed just two plays to score and take their first lead of the game. Layfield hit Kimani for 23 yards and then Horner punched it in.

“We were pretty efficient in the passing game today so that’s what we wanted to start it with,” Healy said. “We felt those fourth down stops early in the game we actually had the opportunity for the first down but one or two little things (got in the way), so we felt good going with that play. Tristan ran hard, ran into contact. Coach Wood always tells the kids ‘run through the smoke.’ He did it and got in the end zone .”

Woodstown’s bid to tie got off to a balky start with a holding penalty on its first snap. The Wolverines fumbled but recovered the next play. Thomas stopped Cole Ware for a 2-yard gain on the next play and then Middlemiss threw incomplete on third down.

On the final play of the game, Middlemiss rolled right and found Ware in the end zone, but Thomas, Danny Knight and David Biddle converged on the receiver to knock the ball free and seal the victory

“Honestly, the best thing about it was how we all swarmed to it,” Thomas said. “The QB was rolling out, we already knew it was a pass play –they had to get in the end zone — and we just put our best players in the right positions and broke down the pass. It was the best feeling in the world. I honestly just wanted to lay down there on the ground for a second, that was the best feeling, but I wanted to celebrate with my boys so I was running around the field.”

In the early going it was Pennsville that struggled on fourth down. The Wolverines denied them three times on the make-or-break down in consecutive possessions in the first half and scored their second touchdown of the game on a fourth-down Middlemiss pass to Andrew White to take a 14-0 lead. They also had four sacks between Rax Hannah and Xavier Csazar in the second quarter to disrupt the Eagles even more.

“I was happy with how we played in the first half; we’ve just got to be able to put a full game together,” Woodstown coach Frank Trautz said. “I know it’s an old saying, but it is what it is. You can’t just win on a half of football. We had too many busted coverages and missed assignments and things like that that came back to bite us.”

WHS		PMHS
9	First downs	11
27-137	Rushing-yards	21-13
6-11-2	Passing (C-A-I)	23-37-0
54	Passing yards	320
3-0	Fumbles-lost	2-1
3-26.0	Punts-average	1-36.0
5-55	Penalties-yards	4-30

Woodstown (0-1)	7	7	0	7	0-	21
Pennsville (1-0)	0	6	8	7	7-	28

SCORING SUMMARY
WO-Mason Middlemiss 14 run (Jack Bucksar kick), 4:44 1Q
WO-Andrew White 28 pass from Mason Middlemiss (Jack Bucksar kick), 11:01 2Q
P-CJ Johnson 33 pass from Jake Layfield (kick failed), 1:01 2Q
P-Dante Cummings 3 pass from Jake Layfield (Lucas Thomas run), 6:45 3Q
WO-Mason Middlemiss 33 run (Jack Bucksar kick), 10:41 4Q
P-Jake Kimani 15 pass from Jake Layfield (Dante Cummings kick), 8:56 4Q
P-Tristan Horner 2 run (Dante Cummings kick), OT

**Woodstown quarterback Mason Middlemiss (3), shown here trying to elude Pennsville’s Danny Knight (2), accounted for all three of the Wolverines’ touchdowns. (Photos by Lucky Shots)**

Putting it together

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

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

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

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

**SALEM CC vs.**
**HUDSON VALLEY CC**
at Lou D’Angelo Stadium, Pennsville, Saturday, 1 p.m.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Malakhai McKenzie (2) passed for more than 2,600 yards in two seasons as a starter at Paulsboro. He and Aidan Hill (second red jersey in top photo) are expected to see action at quarterback in Salem CC’s inaugural game Saturday.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

But like their own team, there’s uncertainty.

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

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

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

**Elijah White (33) takes a handoff from quarterback Gavin Hawkins during Hudson Valley’s scrimmage Monday. (Photo courtesy HVCC)**

Penns Grove: ‘Different year’ ahead

Red Devils putting rough two years behind them, ‘thinking big’ with new coach, mindset

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – When you’re coming off an 0-9 season and have a new head coach on the sidelines, the only way to go is up and everything is wide open. That was the message Damian Ware conveyed when he became the Red Devils’ head coach over the winter.

The Red Devils struggled the last two seasons, winning just two games and going winless for the first time in modern memory last year, but seem to have embraced the idea of building something from scratch.

“We’re starting from the ground up, honestly,” Ware said. “We’re starting from scratch. Half the team probably hadn’t played football since they were 8.”

PENNS GROVE RED DEVILS

Sept. 4 – at Buena, 6 p.m.

Sept. 12 – Lindenwold, noon

Sept. 18 – Pitman, 6:30 p.m.

Sept. 26 – at Woodbury, 11 a.m.

Oct. 2 – at Pennsville, 7 p.m.

Oct. 9 – at Schalick, 6 p.m.

Oct. 17 – Woodstown, 11 a.m.

Oct. 24 – Clayton, noon

That’s because the feeder program has been on the shelf the last couple years until it was revived this year.

It is a young team with 16 freshmen, 15 sophomores and only three seniors – quarterback Brayden Lattig, running back Terrell Thomas and receiver Nehemiah Armstead.

But because they’re young, they’re moldable. There’s going to be a whole lot of teaching going on.

“The challenge is getting kids to understand how hard you have to work to be successful,” said Ware, who had been as assistant to each of the previous three Penns Grove head coaches. “That’s the main thing we try to preach, it’s the work. When you put the work ethic into it your results are going to come from it. We’ve been trying to get these kids back and get them more structure, more organization. The last couple years they’ve been all over the place, not putting the work in, not putting the effort in; that’s the main thing we’re doing, teaching them how to work.

“It’s not so much what we’re doing, it’s how you do it. It’s the how in everything and the why in everything. You can tell a kid what to do until you’re blue in the face but if they don’t understand why and how to do it … it doesn’t matter. It’s more about teaching. I tell them all the time you’ve gotta be a sponge and you’ve gotta soak things in the long term memory. We’re trying to get them to be sponges, take in all the information, get them an understanding of how to play the game more than just yelling and screaming at them and telling them what to do.”

The players have accepted the new approach and have embraced the expectations of being better.

“It’s been good,” defensive back Savior Allah said. “Last year everybody was trying to be separate players, not team players. I feel like we are together this season. It’s going to be a much different year. It’s a new year, we’re going to leave all that (from last year) in the past. We’re worrying about what’s in front of us.”

“We’re thinking big this year,” added JaKai Ingram, a returning first-team Diamond Division lineman and linebacker.

Defense was the Red Devils’ strong suit the last two years and is expected to be again this year with the likes of Ingram and Terrell Thomas at linebacker, Omari Robinson at defense end and Jerry Wooten and Allah in the secondary.

The trouble was an offense that couldn’t get going. The Red Devils scored only five touchdowns in nine games last year and came within a minute of losing a game 2-0. Ware expects more success this year with Thomas and freshman Jaivon Thomas in the backfield and a solid set of receivers and line. Ware calls Jaivon Thomas a “future phenom.”

“I feel we’re going to put more points on the board,” Allah said.

The key, of course, is finding a quarterback to run it all. They have three vying for the spot – returning senior Lattig, first-time junior Damion Robinson and freshman Avery Batts. Luckily, the Red Devils don’t have a Week Zero game so they have a little more time to figure it out before the games start counting on the record.

“Right now we’re working to get the quarterbacks up to speed,” Ware said. “They’re getting better. They’ll be rotating until somebody locks it down and takes it.”

The Red Devils already have gotten a taste of victory, having beaten Wildwood 31-6 in their game scrimmage last week. The real success will come when they win a real game.

When that happens, Ware said, “it will feel like relief, like, finally, they did it.” The players are looking forward to it and believe it’ll come sooner rather than later. Allah said they might even break out a song and get Ware to bust some of his salsa moves.

“We’re really looking forward to the first game, get that first win out the way and then go from there,” Ingram said.

This week’s schedule

The start of regular-season high school football and Salem CC’s inaugural game highlights the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Aug. 24-29; football games from WJFL, x-scrimmage

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

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

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

THURSDAY, AUG. 27
FOOTBALL
Pitman at Wildwood, 11 a.m.
Woodstown at Pennsville, 6 p.m.
Riverside at Clayton, 6 p.m.
Overbrook at Haddonfield, 7 p.m.
Pope John vs. Washington Twp, 1 p.m.
Princeton vs. Ocean City, 4 p.m.
Donovan Catholic vs. Kingsway, 5:30 p.m.
Nottingham at Northern Burlington, 6 p.m.
Seneca at Lenape, 6 p.m.
WW-Plaiinsboro at J.P. Stevens, 6 p.m.
Cinnaminson at Lower Cape May, 6 p.m.
Middle Twp. at Gateway, 6 p.m.
Pemberton at Cherry Hill West, 6 p.m.
Eastern at Hunterdon Central, 6 p.m.
Rahway at Willingboro, 6 p.m.
Middletown South at Cherokee, 6 p.m.
Lawrence at Lacey, 6 p.m.
Pleasantville at Mainland, 6 p.m.
Vineland at Delsea, 6 p.m.
Burlington Twp. vs. Passaic Tech, 6:15 p.m.
Hightstown at Holmdel, 6:30 p.m.
Sterling at Pt. Pleasant Boro, 6:30 p.m.
Shabazz vs. Atlantic City, 7 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-KIPP at Pennsville, 10 a.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Millville at Schalick, 10 a.m.
x-Pennsville at Palmyra, 10 a.m.
x-Penns Grove at Highland, 10 a.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
x-Friends Central at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
x-Salem, Bridgeton, Nottingham at Cumberland, 10 a.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
x-Bridgeton at Salem, 10 a.m.

FRIDAY, AUG. 28
FOOTBALL
Maple Shade at Schalick, 6 p.m.
New Egypt at Buena, 6 p.m.
Woodbury at Deptford, 6 p.m.
Kinnelon vs. West Deptford, 10 a.m.
Camden Catholic vs. Pennsauken, noon
Wayne Valley vs. Rancocas Valley, 1 p.m.
Delran vs. Cherry Hill East, 2:30 p.m.
Shawnee vs. Old Bridge, 4 p.m.
Ewing vs. Franklin, 4 p.m.
Mastery Camden at Haddon Heights, 4:30 p.m.
Barnegat at Absegami, 5 p.m.
Williamstown vs. Timber Creek, 5 p.m.
Highland vs. Oakcrest, 6 p.m.
Conwell-Egan (Pa.) at St. Joe (Hamm.), 6 p.m.
Moorestown at Bishop Eustace, 6 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Paul VI, 6 p.m.
Bonner Predergast (Pa.) at St. Augustine, 6 p.m.
Clearview at Cumberland, 6 p.m.
Long Branch at Hammonton, 6 p.m.
Hopewell Valley at Montgomery, 6 p.m.
St. Mary (Ruth.) at Notre Dame, 6 p.m.
Trenton at Pennsbury (Pa.), 7 p.m.
Warren Hills at Voorheen, 7 p.m.
New Hope-Solebury (Pa.) at South Hunterdon, 7 p.m.
Egg Harbor at Robbinsville, 7 p.m.
Glassboro vs. Immaculate, 8 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-Salem at Camden Academy Charter, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Pennsville at Gloucester, 9 a.m.
x-Woodstown at Deptford, 9 a.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Cedar Creek at Schalick, 10 a.m.
Woodstown at Audubon, 10 a.m.

SATURDAY, AUG. 29
FOOTBALL
Salem at Ironton (Ohio), 1 p.m.
Paulsboro at KIPP, noon
Burlington City vs. Steinert, 5 p.m.
Southern vs. Bridgeton, 10 a.m.
Skyridge (Utah) at Hun, 11 a.m.
Atlantic Tech at Lakewood, noon
Hamilton West vs. Morris Knolls, noon
Simon Gratz (Pa.) at Camden Eastside, 1 p.m.
Cedar Grove vs. Gloucester, 1 p.m.
Collingswood vs. Pinelands, 2:30 p.m.
Monsignor Farrell (NY) vs. Holy Spirit, 4 p.m.
Camden at Imhotep Charter (Pa.), 6 p.m.
Erasmus Hall (NY) vs. Millville, 7 p.m.
Winslow vs. Neptune, 8 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-Woodstown at Williamstown, 9 a.m.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL
Hudson Valley CC vs. Salem CC, Pennsville H.S., 1 p.m.

Pennsville: Keep it moving

Eagles expect some growing pains, but still have plenty of players who know what it takes to make the playoffs

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – A couple years back during one of the WJFL realignment cycles Pennsville sought a move into a stronger division because with the team it had been developing there was a feeling the Eagles could win their assigned division and still not make the Group 1 playoffs. It had been known to happen.

PENNSVILLE EAGLES

Aug. 27 – Woodstown, 6 p.m.

Sept. 3 – Overbrook, 7 p.m.

Sept. 11 – at Pitman, 7 p.m.

Sept. 19 – at Paulsboro, 11 a.m.

Sept. 25 – Burlington City, 7 p.m.

Oct. 2 – Penns Grove, 7 p.m.

Oct. 10 – at St. Joe (Hamm.), noon

Oct. 16 – at Schalick, 6 p.m.

Oct. 23 – Salem, 6 p.m.

Their appeal was granted, they proved worthy of the promotion and made the playoffs each of the last two years. Fast forward to now. The group that got them there has cycled out but the team has stayed in the stronger division to restart the cycle again. But they’re not as short-handed as one might think.

“We’re young, we’re inexperienced, we’re going to have some growing pains here and there, but we believe there’s enough talent there where over the next two years we’re going to be competing,” Eagles coach Mike Healy said. “It’s not bare at all.

“That was a different situation (back then). We were coming off a couple bad years where now I think we have that success as part of our team now. We have a good foundation of what we’ve done the last couple years. The seniors have been part of three straight successful years. They’re bringing back experience and know what it takes to make the playoffs.”

And it’s with that foundation they expect the train to keep moving forward.

“I think it’s only like a half a rebuild,” quarterback Jake Layfield said. “If you look at our skill guys, we have players all around the board.”

“I thought we were going to be in a major rebuild,” linebacker Dante Cummings said. “And then that first day of practice the freshmen showed up and they didn’t show an ounce of fear from midgets to high school. They came ready to work and I was excited from Day One how much they were eager to learn, how much they wanted to fight and how much they wanted to keep the program where it’s at and make us a better team instead of a rebuild team.”

The Eagles’ offense will look a little different than it has in the past with more experience in the skill positions than on the line, where Hunter Coulbourn is the only returnee and possibly three freshmen will start in the interior. Layfield and Grady Sanders battled for the quarterback spot all camp, just as they have since eighth grade, but Layfield worked with the first unit in their last scrimmage apparently giving him a leg up for Thursday’s season opener against Woodstown. Regardless how it ultimately shakes out, the one not playing quarterback will be involved in the offense in some capacity.

**Jake Layfield (L) has been battling with Grady Sanders for the starting quarterback spot and was efficient working with the first offense in the Eagles’ second scrimmage.**

Layfield was the backup last year. He usually got in games late, but courageously kept the Eagles in their quarterfinal playoff game with Schalick after starter Robbie McDade got hurt early in the game.

“I’m happy to come out (of the battle), but I’ve also got to watch out because if I mess up a couple times there’s a guy right there ready to take it,” Layfield said.

The Eagles had been run-heavy in their return to the playoffs even with McDade’s strong arm, producing a 1,000-yard rusher each of the last two years (Rylan Hardy), and will still have that as the foundation, but with a smaller, quicker makeup up front they expect to pass “a little more” this season.

They have weapons — Danny Knight, Jake Kimani and C.J. Johnson on the outside, Lucas Thomas, Aidan Collazo and Cummings on the inside, and rushing threats Tristan Horner and Vic Mosher out of the backfield. Cummings caught a touchdown pass in the scrimmage against Delaware’s PolyTech.

“Last year our offense was a lot of smash-mouth, down-the-middle football with deep play-action taking a shot to one of our fast guys,” Layfield said. “If you think back to my sophomore year, Robbie’s junior year, we threw a lot. I think the only reason we didn’t throw last year was because in wrestling season Robbie hurt his shoulder, so we didn’t have the ability to throw whenever because he wasn’t always 100 percent . This year, now that we have fresh arms I think we’ll be back to it. It will just be a bigger part of our offense.”
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Without the size up front to fill up the run, the Eagles defense will turn to a more aggressive, attacking style to create negative plays.

“I like it a lot better,” Cummings said. “Obviously, I’m going to miss (Jacob) Hand, Gurney (Jayden Gurnovich), T-Wad (Trevor Waddington), but I like our style a lot better, especially as a linebacker. I can read and attack as much as I want. And these boys up front, just because they aren’t (those guys) doesn’t mean they aren’t willing to attack, which I love as well. They want to get in the backfield and attack.”

Healy, who enters his 10th season as the longest tenured head football coach in Salem County, is looking forward to see how it all comes together.

“It’s going to be exciting to see some of these kids kind of get the opportunity to be the guy,” he said. “I’m excited to see them step up and kind of lead this team in the direction we want to go.”