Hall of Fame induction

Salem County Sports Hall of Fame to enshrine seven remaining members of this year’s induction class Thursday at Salem CC; Salem NFL running back Jonathan Taylor was enshrined earlier this summer

From Salem Community College

CARNEYS POINT – The seven remaining members of this year’s Salem County Sports Hall of Fame induction class will go marching into the Hall Thursday night in ceremonies at Salem Community College’s Davidow Theatre.

The Salem County SHOF Board has selected these individuals for induction in the latest ceremony. Former Salem High School current NFL running back Jonathan Taylor was inducted in a separate ceremony earlier in the summer.

Lex Bleckley (professional baseball)
Jaymes Dennison (track)
James Dickerson (track)
Nick Elmer (football)
Steve Merritt (coach)
Donna O’Leary (coach)
Latika Ross (basketball)

In addition, the Hall board will recognize Vince Gioia and Steve Lopes for their decades of service to Salem County sports as well as the following high school state champions:

Penns Grove’s three-time NJSIAA Group I state champion Boys Track Team (2013-15);

Penns Grove’s two-time NJSIAA Group I state champion Girls Track Team (2013-14);

Pennsville’s Megan Morris (2024 Pole Vault); Salem’s DaviYonn Jackson (2023-24 Triple Jump); Salem’s 2024 girls 4×100 Relay (Sairis Jimenez, Karima Davenport-White, Morgan Van Dover, Rhi’Onna Timmons); Salem’s 2024 girls shot put relay (Dominique Lewis and Ryann Mulhorn); Schalick’s Jordan Hadfield (2023 cross country 2024 1600); and Woodstown 2024 boys 4×800 Relay (Karson Chew, Joshua Crawford, Jacob Martino, Cole Lucas).

Admission is free and no tickets are required. The ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m.

Here is a thumbnail look at the Hall of Fame inductees

LEX BLECKLEY was a product of the Pennsville sports system, playing football and baseball. He is most proud of the baseball championships from an early age through his decorated career at Pennsville Memorial High School. The championships include district titles in Little League, State and Mid-Atlantic Champions in Babe Ruth and a state championship his senior year with a 25-0 record and the No. 1 ranked team in the state. The undefeated season has not been duplicated.

His personal accomplishments include three-time All-Salem County, two-time Tri-County, two-time South Jersey Group II, two-time All-South Jersey, Group II All State, All-State First Team and Today’s Sunbeam Player of the Year. He finished his career at Pennsville with a .503 batting average and a team win-loss record of 66-6. He was taken in the major league draft twice.

The Kansas City Royals drafted Bleckley after his high school career, but he elected to attend the University of Delaware, where he was a three-year starter at shortstop. During his UD career, the Blue Hens were East Coast Conference champions twice and missed making it to the College World Series by one game, losing in the finals. Lex came in second for the Division I batting title with a .455 average his junior year and was named ECC Player of the Year. He was drafted and signed by the Montreal Expos. After his playing career ended, he was head coach at Salem Community College for two years. Currently, he resides in Florida with his wife and son.

JAYMES DENNISON excelled in track at Penns Grove High School. A member of the Class of 2013, Jaymes was a two-time state champion. He won the 800 in his junior year and the 400 in his senior year. He helped lead the team to a Group 1 team state championship in 2013, and holds school records in the 800.

He was a three-time South Jersey champion in the 800 meters. As a senior, he finished seventh in the Meet of Champions in one of the most competitive 800-meter races in its history.

His post-high school accomplishments may be more impressive. In two years at Iowa State, he was a two-time NCAA All-American in 2018, Second Team All-American in the 4×400 meter relay and Honorable Mention All-American in the 800 meters. He was the Big 12 indoor champion in the 600 meters. Before enrolling at Iowa State, he was a two-time junior college indoor national champion in the 600 meters.

JAMES (JIMMY) DICKERSON graduated from Salem High School in 1964. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for eight years and traveled extensively throughout Europe. While serving in the military, Jimmy was a medic.

In addition to his medic responsibilities, he played in the European Conference, on the track and field team, where he placed first in high jump at 6-10 and excelled in the triple jump. He also made the All-Europe Football Team as a running back and kick returner. After his tour of duty, Jimmy was an OSHA inspector at BF Goodrich in Pedricktown until his retirement.

In 1976, Jimmy was invited to attend Philadelphia Eagles head coach Dick Vermeil’s tryout camp. Although not selected, he considered meeting fellow tryout attendee Vince Papale, who went on to make the Eagles’ roster, an experience of a lifetime.

At 34, Jimmy enrolled at Gloucester County College and competed in the track and field high/triple jump. He never lost a match during his two seasons. Community focused, Jimmy is involved in coaching youth basketball and mentoring. In addition, he is an active member of his church and sings in the senior choir.

NICK ELMER was a multi-sport athlete (football, wrestling, track and field) at Penns Grove High School.

In football, he set school records for passing yards (4,580) and passing touchdowns (61). He also helped lead PGHS to a record-breaking 2012 season and a South Jersey Group 1 championship in which he rushed for a record 308 yards in the title game. The 2012 team still holds the record for most points scored in a season in South Jersey history. He earned All-State First Team honors in 2012 and was the Philadelphia Inquirer South Jersey Player of the Year.

As a wrestler, Nick amassed a school-record 137 victories and qualified for the state tournament on twice, ultimately earning a seventh-place finish in 2013. He continued his academic and athletic career in wrestling at Drexel University, where he was a varsity starter for two years, accumulating 31 wins and a spot on the podium in the 2016 Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Conference Tournament and earned an EIWA Academic Achievement Award in the same year.

He went on to medical school at Thomas Jefferson University, where he graduated cum laude and as a member of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honors society. He is currently a plastic surgery resident at NYU Langone Hospital in New York City.

DONNA O’LEARY graduated from Paulsboro High School and was a two-sport varsity athlete (field hockey and tennis) there. She also swam competitively year-round at the Woodbury YMCA.

She earned a degree from Glassboro State College as a health/physical education major. Playing field hockey and swimming in college were important milestones in her path to becoming a coach. After graduation, she became the head women’s swim coach at Glassboro State. During those six years, she produced six All-Americans.

In 1988, Salem City hired her as a full-time health/physical education teacher in the elementary school and as the field hockey head coach at Salem High School. After taking the reins from Liz Pappas, she put her heart into making the field hockey program successful and she accumulated 315 wins and seven Tri-County championships. She was a two-time Coach of the Year.

LATIKA ROSS, a 2001 Salem High School graduate, excelled in both basketball and track and field. In track, she broke the 800-meter record as a sophomore. In basketball, she became the third Lady Ram to join SHS’s 1000-point club and pulled down over 1,000 rebounds as a four-year varsity player. Latika earned numerous accolades, including All-Tournament Team and First Team for All South Jersey Group 1 and Tri-County Conference Classic Divisions for two consecutive years. Today’s Sunbeam named her Player of the Year in 2001.

Moving on to Salem Community College, Latika amassed 1,130 points and 1,028 rebounds over two years, earning National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Second Team honors. She holds the NJCAA Division II Women’s Basketball regular-season record for rebound average (23.2 per game in 2002-03).

After attending Drexel University for one year on a full athletic scholarship, Latika transferred to Saint Augustine’s University (SAU), where she made the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association All-Tournament Team and averaged a double-double her senior year (10 points, 10 rebounds per game). Graduating from SAU with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and 3.9 grade point average, Latika embarked on a successful 15-year career in accounting.

Today, she channels her talents into entertainment as an actress, producer and stand-up comedian, performing under the name Latika Sye (a family surname).

STEVE MERRITT was never the last to be picked for any of the seasonal schoolyard games, until he turned 12 and lost a game of “chicken” with the front end of a Buick or Pontiac. It’s not clear to this day. A significant injury cost him any speed he might have had or would have. Nonetheless, it is difficult to temper a Type A personality and there was always some kind of competition at home with three brothers.

A single junior varsity season of baseball and senior year “cup of coffee” as a wrestler sums up his high school athletic career. Intramural softball and volleyball were competitive outlets at Glassboro State College.

After college, long-distance running became his outlet for competition. His omnipresent opponent became the stopwatch. No longer did he have to finish first to win. He ran the New York City Marathon twice, the Marine Corps Marathon twice and the Boston Marathon in 1992.

A combined 50 varsity seasons (tennis, soccer, basketball and softball) as a head coach at Salem High School yielded over 500 victories, four South Jersey Championships, three Tri-County Classic titles and helped to satisfy his yen for competition. Earlier this summer he was named the girls basketball coach at Pennsville High School.

Community Service

VINCENT GIOLA JR. graduated from Penns Grove High School in 1968 and began working for DuPont Chambers Works in 1969, retiring in 2010. To say his life revolved around sports would be an understatement.

Vince first coached in 1969 and over the next 50 years spent countless hours coaching, managing and maintaining the fields at the Carneys Point Recreation Complex for the Carneys Point-Penns Grove-Pedricktown Little League and Penns Grove Soccer Club.

Vince played and coached in both the Salem County Men’s Baseball League (1969-1976) and the PG-CP Men’s Softball League (1975-2015) while also serving as a league officer and a liaison with Salem County. He coached for the PG mini-wrestling organization (1979-1986), managed for the PG-CP Women’s Softball (1978-1982), and for the PG Babe Ruth (1985-1987). Vince also coached PG Twins 130 lb. football team (1985-1991) and was head coach of the SCC’s softball team (1991-1995, 2011-2013).

Vince has been a member of the South Jersey Officials Association (football) since 1999 and Unified Umpire Association of Southern New Jersey since 2007. He served on the Carneys Point Recreation Commission (1999-2023) and was chairman (2004-2023). Vince managed the CP Recreation Complex (2004-2023) and was president of the Servicemen’s Memorial Home (2015-2023). Today, Vince can be found on a field or in a gym in South Jersey officiating, umpiring or just watching his grandchildrens’ games or any game, for that matter.

STEVE LOPES graduated from Penns Grove High School in 1964, after playing three years of varsity basketball with coach Rudy Baric.

For 45 years, Steve has officiated over 800 high school football games. He had the honor of officiating over 50 state playoff games, including several state championship games at Rutgers, Giants and MetLife Stadiums. Steve has served as the president of New Jersey Football Officials Association – South, the organization representing football officials in South Jersey. Additionally, he is an official for the NFL’s Girls Flag Football program and officiated the Big 33 tournament sponsored by several NFL teams. In addition, Steve has umpired high school, college and semi-pro baseball for 17 years.

For 16 years, Steve managed in the Penns Grove-Carneys Point-Pedricktown Little League and Babe Ruth League, where his teams won several league and district titles. He has played and managed a senior (ages 50, 60, 70) baseball team in Carneys Point. For over 20 years, Steve has played in men’s senior baseball national tournaments in Florida and Arizona.

A hidden gem

Growing Bridgeton museum overflows with memorabilia linked to South Jersey’s rich sporting past; Morganti to enter HOF Saturday

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

BRIDGETON — If you’re not quite sure where you’re going you just might miss it, just like Todd Frazier did – twice – with humorous results when he was inducted into the Hall of Fame, but once you get there you’ll be amazed at what’s inside.

From the outside, Building 7 that houses the All Sports Museum (and Hall of Fame) of Southern New Jersey appears to be just another unassuming building in the city’s athletic complex, but within its walls contains a veritable treasure trove of memorabilia commemorating the region’s rich sporting past.

The quaint five-room, 1,500-square foot white bungalow that serves a variety of purposes for the city houses more than 15,000 artifacts, photos and films from across the sporting spectrum with some connection to the state’s eight southern-most counties – only about half of which is currently on display.

“A hidden gem, you said the exact words,” museum and Hall chairman Dom Valella said during a recent tour for a first-time visitor. “When we have an athlete down here who’s not familiar with this area and they see it, they say this is a hidden gem you have here.

“We’re very proud of that. We’re all volunteers; we’re all guys who just love the sport, love doing this. We just enjoy having the athletes come down (and) meeting them on a personal level.”

It certainly gave pause to Frazier, the former Shore-area baseball great who gained early fame as the hero of Toms River East’s 1998 Little League World Series title team and went on to become a two-time major-league All-Star and Home Run Derby champion over 11 big-league seasons. Once he found the museum, he was, of course, blown away by its offerings.

The story goes that Frazier was driving around town looking for the building and twice was stopped by local police as a suspicious vehicle. Once it was determined who they had detained and what his purpose was for being in the area, they gave him a full police escort to the facility.

It is easy to see how one could get waylaid. The official address is 8 Richie Kates Way, a street just off the main drag renamed in honor of the local boxer and Hall of Fame inductee who twice fought for the light-heavyweight championship and had WBA champ Victor Galindez beat in their 15-rounder in South Africa. (There’s a life-sized cutout of a ring-ready Kates right outside the case displaying his memorabilia as well as homages to Joe Frazier (who trained for a time in Vineland and sparred with Kates in Philadelphia) and Jersey Joe Wolcott).

But to have the GPS get you there you have to punch in 8 Burt Street.

It’s two turns off Hwy. 49 as you get into town, just past the high school football stadium and right across the street from Alden Field, home of the annual Bridgeton Invitational semi-pro baseball tournament that introduced MLB to the concept of pitch clocks and designated hitters long before those innovations became fashionable. They still talk about the night two of tournament teams brought in a couple ringers named Dickie Noles and Tug McGraw to pitch against each other.

The museum has items from every sport imaginable. There’s an early vaulting pole, a French foil from the 70s, the original four-pound green sneakers of the Phillie Phanatic (a popular item with the kids), local trophies that date back to 1904, photos that go back to 1896, several game-used equipment and jerseys and more than 200 autographed baseballs. There’s a bat from Jackie Robinson and even the partial uniform of baseball’s first professional female umpire, Bernice Gera, which landed in their cases after swapping the complete uniform they had with Cooperstown.

“People are surprised at how big it is,” said Ed Forman, in his 19th year as the fourth-ever curator of the museum that was founded by Ed Alden as a Bridgeton-centric repository. “Looking at it from the outside it looks like we just have one room or something like that, so when they come in and find out we have this room and this room and this room … (they’re amazed).

“I love the fact they’re amazed. Mostly everything here was donated. The only things that weren’t donated were the two (Little League World Series) trophies in the first room. It is impressive. I’m impressed with some of the things.”

Dom Valella, chairman of the All-Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey, points to the plaque of Flayers great Rick MacLeish, one of the nearly 150 inductees into the museum’s Hall of Fame. The next Hall induction ceremony is Saturday.

There’s a heavy presence of Phillies, Eagles and Flyers – many of whom lived in the South Jersey suburbs – but there is just as much emphasis on the accomplishments of athletes with natural roots in the area.

Coming through the door you’re welcomed by a display cases honoring locally high school and Little League championship teams. There are rooms dedicated to baseball, football, basketball and hockey. There are dedicated displays for Baseball Hall of Famer Goose Goslin; football’s George Jamison, Lydell Mitchell and Dave Robinson; track’s John Borican and auto racing pioneer Bunky Higbee. The exhibit for Millville native son Mike Trout takes up an entire wall.

There’s even a “writers wing,” a section dedicated to prominent local media, whose ranks will increase by one with Saturday’s Hall of Fame induction of Al Morganti, a Massachusetts kid who earned his chops as a Philadelphia hockey writer and network analyst. His induction brings to 135 the coaches, athletes, contributors, pioneers and teams enshrined in the Hall with many more luminaries holding a place in the museum.

There’s a distinction between the Hall of Fame and the museum – not all museum benefactors are inducted into the Hall, but inductees are asked if they’d like to donate an item to the Hall – but If there’s a connection to South Jersey, no matter how small, it’s in there.

‘Our mission statement is to preserve, protect and display all sports memorabilia connected from Philly on down, South Jersey and Philly,” Valella said. “It is surprising (the number of accomplished sportsmen hail from the area). We should be proud of it.”

Everyone who comes through the museum, which is open with free admission from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday through Saturday or by appointment, has a favorite piece, but the star of the show is the 1960 National League Gold Glove of Willie Mays, whose connection to South Jersey runs from his days as a minor leaguer in Trenton to his somewhat controversial (at the time) connection to promoting the casinos in Atlantic City.

Mays, who passed away earlier this summer, came to Bridgeton as a guest of the Invitational. Between games tournament officials were known to give away baskets of local peaches and plums as door prizes. A son of the south, Mays wasn’t interested in peaches, but did want to know what it’d take to get some of those plums.

Tournament organizers said if he made a donation to the museum they’d provide him as many plums as he could stand. Mays told them to come see him at Resorts and he’d have something for them. When they arrived, he presented them the Gold Glove (he won 12 of them) with the caveat not to sell it, trade it or give it away. The award is displayed on the first shelf of a case in the middle of the back wall in the main room.

“That’s the No. 1 item that’s here,” Valella said. “I think the Gold Glove is one of the nicest things we’ve got here – and the story.”

There’s no telling how much all the memorabilia housed in the museum is worth, but rest assured it’s all insured. Former Phillies reliever, current studio host and future Hall inductee Ricky Bottalico toured the museum during broadcast partner Michael Barkann’s induction and asked what they thought the Mays Gold Glove was worth. Museum officials estimated conservatively $150,000. Bottalico said they should double it, in a tone that that suggested even his assessment was low.

After all, you can’t put a price on memories.

**Curator Ed Forman (L) and chairman Dom Valella flank the most prized possession of the All-Sports Museum of Southern New Jersey — Willie Mays’ 1960 National League Gold Glove.**

Welcome home

Salem All-Pro Jonathan Taylor has never forgotten his roots, talks about it passionately while being inducted into Salem County Sports Hall of Fame

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – The banners recognizing Jonathan Taylor’s greatness are strategically located throughout Salem High School, but they’re soon going to need a rewrite. They’ll need to include the line “Salem County Sports Hall of Famer.”

Taylor, the Rams’ record-breaking running back, University of Wisconsin All-American and NFL All-Pro, headlines this year’s Hall of Fame class and was inducted individually Saturday night at Salem Community College.

The date coincides with Taylor’s appearance at his local football camp for youth and allowed him to physically participate in the induction ceremony before heading to Indianapolis Colts training camp. The remainder of the Hall of the Fame class and honorees will be recognized Aug. 22, the night the Colts play an exhibition game in Cincinnati.

One of the recurring themes from those who spoke about Taylor during the ceremony was the way the player hasn’t forgotten his roots. A time doesn’t go by, they all said, whether it’s coming off the field immediately after one of the best games of his pro career or giving back to his community, he doesn’t give a shout out his hometown.

“There’s really no speech I have to give tonight,” Taylor said. “I think (retiring Salem City Schools superintendent) Dr. (Amiot Patrick) Michel said it best: Tonight’s a Salem night.

“It’s not about me, although I’m very thankful, very grateful, to be inducted, there’s been a long lineage of – I don’t even want to say athletes – great people who have come through Salem County. To be honored among them is an honor and privilege. But tonight’s a Salem night. It’s not about me.”nd

In keeping with that theme, he shared a story about the “079” medallion he wears on a chain around his neck. It’s not just a superficial piece of bling to flash before the cameras. It represents the last three digits of the Salem zip code that he calls home.

“I know it’s stereotypical of the athlete; he’s going to go and grab a piece of jewelry,” Taylor said. “I went and grabbed this because this stands for ‘08079’. This is Salem, New Jersey. This is where I’m from.

“I’m going to always be from Salem, New Jersey, and I’m always going to represent Salem, New Jersey, I’m always going to try to shed light on Salem, New Jersey, because they don’t understand the people down here.

“Funny story. They mention all these accolades and things that I’ve done. Some people may say one of my best games in my NFL career I go for five touchdowns, 185 yards (in Buffalo) and the first question they ask me when I come off the field is ‘How do you feel? The only thing I could think about was, ‘Shout out Salem City,’ because that’s the only thing that was on my mind.”

And the community has his back we well. During the ceremonies county commissioners announced a 39-foot mural in Taylor’s image would be commissioned for one of the office’s walls. Taylor also received a proclamation from the State Legislature.

His numbers as a player have been off the charts. At Salem, Taylor rushed for 4,642 yards and 51 touchdowns that included the state’s single-season record with 2,510 yards and 35 TDs and helped lay the foundation for a program that would later win a state championship. He rushed for 1,383 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior. He also was an outstanding track athlete and won back-to-back New Jersey Meet of Champions titles in 100 meters in 2016 and 2017.

In college he appeared in 41 games at Wisconsin (40 starts from 2017-19) and totaled 926 carries for 6,174 yards and 50 touchdowns. He added 42 receptions for 407 yards and five touchdowns. He won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back in 2018 and 2019 and was a unanimous All-American.

He is the seventh player in FBS history to rush for 6,000 yards and the first to accomplish the feat in just three seasons. His 6,174 career rushing yards rank sixth all-time among FBS players and second all-time in the Big Ten. He is the third player in FBS history with multiple 2,000-yard rushing seasons and the only player in FBS history to rush for at least 1,900 yards in three consecutive seasons.

Following his junior season at Camp Randall, the Colts selected Taylor in the second round (41st overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Pro Football Writers of America named Taylor to its All-Rookie Team after he rushed for 1,169 yards in 232 attempts and caught 36 passes for 299 yards. Then in 2021, he led the NFL in rushing with 1,811 yards in 332 attempts and rushing touchdowns with 18. He also caught 40 passes for 360 yards. He was named first-time All Pro and received the Bert Bell Award, presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club to the best player in the NFL.

In some ways his career followed a similar path to that of another former Salem great, Lydell Mitchell.

Mitchell starred at Salem in the late 60s, then went on to become an All-American at Penn State and star as a groundbreaking running back in the NFL. Similarly to Taylor, he was drafted in the second round by the Baltimore Colts and went on to become a three-time Pro Bowl pick.

Mitchell was part of the inaugural Salem County Sports Hall of Fame class in 2000. He wasn’t able to attend his induction ceremony so Saturday night was his first chance to thank the committee in person before sharing his recollections of Taylor.

“I had a phone call from Tommy McCarthy,” Mitchell recalled. “He said they have a young guy up here in Salem; you’ve got to see him play. I think it was Thanksgiving I came up to a game and had an opportunity to talk with Jonathan after the game.

“When I got home that following Monday I called (Penn State head coach) James Franklin and said you’ve got to get this guy, you’ve got to get him in here. He (Taylor) made the right choice. The only thing he could have done is he could’ve followed me because he could have been blue and white in high school, blue and white in college and blue and white in professional football.

“I’ve seen him from afar quite a bit and every time he does speak about Salem passionately, about the high school, about the town. This guy promotes it . Every single time he gets an opportunity to talk in front of the camera he talks about where he’s from.”

The ceremony also recognized Salem High School’s 2021 football team. That team won the Rams’ first New Jersey South-Central Group 1 championship and was praised for its resiliency through a gauntlet of adversity.

The remainder of the Hall of Fame class that will inducted later this summer includes pro athlete Lex Bleckley; athletes James Dickerson, Nick Elmer, James Dennison and Latika Ross; coaches Donna O’Leary and Steve Merritt; and community service honorees Vince Gioia and Steve Lopes. The Hall also will recognize the 2013-15 boys and girls track teams from Penns Grove.

Taylor will be part of that night in spirit, but this night belonged to him.

“This night will stick with me forever,” he said.

Former Salem football coach Montrey Wright is surrounded by members of the Rams’ 2021 state championship team recognized by the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame Saturday night. On the cover, former Rams great and current NFL star Jonathan Taylor addresses the crowd during his Hall of Fame induction as Wright (left) and Lydell Mitchell listen.

Taylor joins Hall

Jonathan Taylor, Salem’s record-setting running back and All-Pro, will be inducted into the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame July 20

By Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – The banners recognizing Jonathan Taylor’s greatness are strategically located throughout Salem High School, but they’re soon going to need a rewrite. They’ll need to include the line “Salem County Sports Hall of Famer.”

Taylor, the Rams’ record-breaking running back, All-American and NFL All-Pro, headlines this year’s Hall of Fame class and will be inducted individually in ceremonies at Salem Community College’s Davidow Hall July 20.

The date coincides with Taylor’s appearance at his local football camp for youth. The remainder of the class and Hall honorees will be recognized Aug. 22.

The ceremony also will recognize Salem High School’s 2021 football championship team. That team won the Rams’ first New Jersey South-Central Group 1 championship.

At Salem, Taylor rushed for 4,642 yards and 51 touchdowns that included the state’s single-season record with 2,510 yards and 35 TDs. He rushed for 1,383 yards and 15 touchdowns as a junior. On the track, he won back-to-back New Jersey Meet of Champions titles in 100 meters in 2016 and 2017.

Moving on to the college ranks, he appeared in 41 games at Wisconsin (40 starts from 2017-19) and totaled 926 carries for 6,174 yards and 50 touchdowns. He added 42 receptions for 407 yards and five touchdowns. He won the Doak Walker Award as the nation’s top running back in 2018 and 2019 and was a unanimous All-American.

He is the seventh player in FBS history to rush for 6,000 yards and the first to accomplish the feat in just three seasons. His 6,174 career rushing yards rank sixth all-time among FBS players and second all-time in the Big Ten. He is the third player in FBS history with multiple 2,000-yard rushing seasons and the only player in FBS history to rush for at least 1,900 yards in three consecutive seasons.

Following his junior season at Wisconsin, the Colts selected Taylor in the second round (41st overall) of the 2020 NFL Draft.

The Pro Football Writers of America named Taylor to its All-Rookie Team after he rushed for 1,169 yards in 232 attempts and caught 36 passes for 299 yards. Then in 2021, he led the NFL in rushing with 1,811 yards in 332 attempts and rushing touchdowns with 18. He also caught 40 passes for 360 yards. He was named first-time All Pro and received the Bert Bell Award, presented annually by the Maxwell Football Club to the best player in the NFL.

The remainder of the class that will inducted Aug. 22 includes pro athlete Lex Bleckley (baseball); athletes James Dickerson, Nick Elmer, James Dennison and Latika Ross; coaches Donna O’Leary and Steve Merritt; and community service honorees Vince Gioia and Steve Lopes. The Hall also will recognize the 2013-15 boys and girls track teams from Penns Grove.

The ceremony honoring Taylor will begin at 6:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:30. The event is free. Due to limited seating in the theatre, the Field House will be open for overflow seating, where guests will watch the ceremony via livestream on the college’s website.Due to contractual obligations, Taylor will not sign autographs.

Summer showdown

Pennsville gets the nod in head-to-head matchup with Woodstown in their final pool game of the ATF Ginsburg 7×7 Classic

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITMAN – In the grand scheme of things, a 20-minute 7-on-7 football game in late June won’t mean much when both teams are fighting for a playoff spot in late October, but it meant plenty to Pennsville receiver Malik Rehmer.

Pennsville and Woodstown haven’t played in the regular season since 2020 despite being Group I programs in the same county less than 15 miles apart, so when they get put together in the final game of pool play in the Adam Taliaferro Foundation Ginsburg 7×7 Classic at Total Turf it’s a special occasion even if it is only half football.

This one went to the Eagles and was all for bragging rights as Eastern clinched their bracket’s spot in the semifinals even before the teams took the field. Robbie McDade threw third-down touchdown passes to Rehmer and Cole Campbell and the defense turned away a reserve Woodstown offense four times in a 22-3 win that left them 2-1 i(and Woodstown 0-3) in the pool.

“It meant way more,” Rehmer said. “The whole time being here we haven’t beaten Woodstown in any sport, so that was a good emphasis win. Played good all around, the whole team. It was a really good win. I don’t think people will forget this.”

The Eagles hadn’t beaten Woodstown in football since their 2017 season opener. Their boys basketball hasn’t beaten the Wolverines since 2019 (7 in a row) and girls basketball hasn’t since 2020 (8 in a row).

“It’ll really mean something to put on the pads and we actually play a real game, but it’s still good to get a win over Woodstown,” McDade said.

Of course, 7x7s are more about performance between quarterbacks, receivers and secondaries than results, but they still keep score. For the record, Pennsville was shutout by bracket winner and eventual runner-up Eastern in its first game, then swamped Bridgeton and beat the Wolverines. Woodstown lost a close one to Bridgeton, then fell to Eastern and the Eagles.

“Overall I was happy,” Pennsville coach Mike Healy said. “We weren’t great in our first game and then we really improved a lot the second and third; we were real sharp the second game. We finished with a winning record (and) obviously when you play Woodstown you always want to get a win. It would’ve been nice to be sharp all three games, but overall (it was) a good day.”

McDade thought he was “a little rusty” in the first game against Eastern despite completing 10 of 17 passes in two possessions, but felt “good” in the ensuing two victories. He was 23-of- 40 with four touchdowns and three interceptions in the three games.

“He threw better than he threw last year at this point, which is what we wanted to see,” Healy said. “We obviously had a good day overall, but we know what we have to work on.”

In the game against Woodstown, he gave the Eagles a two-score edge when he hit Rehmer with a long touchdown pass against tight coverage by Wolverines’ Max Csaszar.

“Just a great ball from the best quarterback in South Jersey,” Rehmer said.

For Woodstown, it was the first time new head coach Frank Trautz got the chance to see his team against outside competition, which meant the first time seeing quarterback Jack Holladay running the offense as the starter.

Holladay has been dreaming of being the starter since his freshman year. He takes the reins from his cousin, Max Webb. A year ago in spot quarterback duty he didn’t throw a pass and had two rushes.

His first pass of the day was intercepted, but he responded by going 7-for-7 on the next series, culminating in the first of three touchdown passes to Anthony Bokolas, and ultimately completed eight in a row. He was 11-of-15 with two touchdowns against Bridgeton and 18-of-28 with three touchdowns to Bokolas and three interceptions. He played the first series against Pennsville before giving way to the younger set.

“I’m really excited to see what Jack’s gonna do this year,” Trautz said. “He’s a great athlete. He’s got all the tools you want in a quarterback. He can make every throw. He’s a really good athlete, so he’s going to be able to help us out as well in the run game a little bit and he’s ready for this.

“He got a ton of reps last year in practice and already what I’ve seen from him early on in the summer is a lot of good stuff. This is a great opportunity for him today to get some live reps. I think the sky’s the limit for him. He could have a real special year.”

Pennsville and Woodstown aren’t scheduled to play during the regular season. so Saturday’s meeting will be the only time they play this season — unless, of course, they get matched up in the playoffs.

Cherokee won the tournament. The Chiefs’ Evan Bryfogle was the most valuable player.

Woodstown quarterback Jack Holladay looks for a receiver during Saturday’s 7×7 tournament at Total Turf. On the cover, Pennsville receiver Malik Rehmer goes is motion as quarterback Robbie McDade awaits the snap.

Salem football +

Here is the 2024 West Jersey Football League schedule for the divisions involving Salem County’s teams

2024 WEST JERSEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE
(Divisions involving Salem County teams; all games 7 p.m. unless noted, x-scrimmage)

AUG. 19
x-Mainland, Cape May, West Deptford at Schalick, 10 a.m.
x-Pennsville at Salem, 10 a.m.
x-Woodstown at St. Joseph’s Academy

AUG. 23
x-Schalick at Buena, 10 a.m.
x-Salem at Absegami, 6 p.m.

AUG. 29
Collingswood at Clayton, TBA
West Deptford vs. Manchester Twp., 10 a.m. (at Ocean City)
Pennsville at Gloucester City

AUG. 30
Schalick vs. Cedar Grove, 9:30 a.m. (at Egg Harbor Twp.)

AUG. 31
Willingboro at Salem, noon

SEPT. 6
Overbrook at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Penns Grove at Deptford, 6 p.m.
KIPP Cooper Norcross at Camden Catholic, TBA
Cumberland at Schalick
Delsea at Woodstown
West Deptford at PennsvilleSEPT. 7
Paulsboro at Audubon, TBA
Haddonfield at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Glassboro at Haddon Heights, 11 a.m.
Cinnaminson at Salem, noon

SEPT. 13
Audubon at Bordentown, 6 p.m.
Collingswood at West Deptford
Pennsville at Overbrook
Schalick at Woodstown

SEPT. 14
Camden Catholic at Paulsboro, TBA
Salem at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Glassboro at Penns Grove, noon

SEPT. 20
Overbrook at Florence, 6 p.m.
Paulsboro at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Salem at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Audubon at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Schalick
West Deptford at Camden Catholic
Woodbury at Woodstown

SEPT. 27
Woodbury at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
Pennsville at Camden Catholic

SEPT. 28
Collingswood at Haddon Twp., 10:30 a.m.
Overbrook at Paulsboro, 11 a.m.
West Deptford at Audubon, 11 a.m.
Schalick at Salem, noon

OCT. 4
Haddon Heights at Camden Catholic, TBA
Deptford at Glassboro
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Pleasantville at Woodstown
Sterling at Collingswood
West Deptford at Haddonfield
Woodbury at Gateway

OCT. 5
Schalick at Paulsboro, 10:30 a.m.
Clayton at Overbrook, 11 a.m.
Middle Twp. at Salem, noon

OCT. 11
Audubon at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Glassboro at Cinnaminson, 6 p.m.
Schalick at Gloucester City, 6 p.m.
Salem at West Deptford

OCT. 12
Pennsville at Paulsboro, 10:30 a.m.
Willingboro at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Camden Catholic at Overbrook, 11 a.m.
Woodstown at Haddon Heights, 11 a.m.
Delran at Penns Grove, noon

OCT. 18
Pennsville at Lawrence, 6 p.m.
Collingswood at Camden Catholic
Glassboro at Schalick
Paulsboro at West Deptford

OCT. 19
Penns Grove at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Audubon at Overbrook, 11 a.m.
Woodstown at Salem, noon

OCT. 25
Woodstown at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Audubon at Camden Catholic, TBA
Paulsboro at Clayton, TBA
Collingswood at Pennsville
Overbrook at West Deptford
Woodbury at Schalick

OCT. 26
Salem at Penns Grove, noon

NOV. 27
Camden Catholic at Paul VI, TBA

NOV. 28
Haddon Twp. at Audubon, TBA

Getting to know …

Woodstown’s Bryce Belinfanti

By Brian Tortella
For Riverview Sports News

When Bryce Belinfanti walked onto the field for his first game last season, he knew he had huge shoes to fill.

Woodstown star running back James Hill Jr,, coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons while setting the program’s single-season rushing yardage mark (1,636) in the process, suffered a couple ACL injuries in the offseason that delayed and ultimately ended his senior campaign.

Belinfanti was going to be a big factor in the Wolverines’ offense as it was, but now he was thrust into the main role.

Woodstown had to rely on Belinfanti, a junior, who had just 421 yards and four touchdowns to his name in his two prior seasons playing second fiddle to Hill.

He was ready. Belinfanti ended the season with 1,740 yards and 21 scores on 214 attempts while helping the Wolverines win the South Jersey group 1 title. That’s good for just over eight yards a carry.

“Bryce is a phenomenal athlete,” said former Woodstown head coach John Adams, who retired following the season after 14 years at the helm. “His sophomore year he played in the slot for us and we started to rotate him in the backfield because of his abilities. Heading into last year we were planning on doing a lot with him and James Hill both in the backfield together but then when James got hurt we knew Bryce would be able to carry the load. He didn’t miss a day of workouts and got his body right to carry the ball over and over again.

“His ability speaks for itself. We tweaked a few things for him in the run game allowing him to use his patience and vision more and the rest is history. He probably would have had a lot more yards and TDs than he did if we didn’t take him out by halftime in a few games. I recall him having five TDs by the half in the first round of the playoffs (Dunellen). I really think he could have eclipsed 2,000 yards and I am excited to cheer him on this year cause I know he has that ability to do it.”

Get to know Bryce Belinfanti as he aims to improve on his fantastic junior season and potentially reach that 2,000-yard mark. He’ll be in action Saturday when the Wolverines play in the Coach Ginzburg 7×7 Tournament at Total Turf in Pitman.

Riverview Sports News: Reflecting on last season, what was that special year like for you?

Bryce Belinfanti: Last season will always be my favorite of all. Starting the season not knowing what to expect was definitely nerve wracking, but once we played week by week I realized we were the best in South Jersey. It was an unreal feeling winning the first sectional in Adams’ final season.

RSN: What do you like most about playing football compared to other sports?

BB: I like playing football outside of all sports because of the hype and energy the game brings, but my favorite part is the character it makes you. Having to fight week by week with no excuses.

RSN: Were you at all surprised that you were able to break the single-season yardage record? What does that mean to you?

BB: Breaking the rushing record was not on my mind getting through the season, but once I hit 1,000 in the regular season I was on a roll. The sectional game I didn’t think I broke the record until I found out I rushed for 182. It means everything to me since I come from and played for Woodstown my whole life. I always believed I was the best and finally showed Woodstown and the county.

RSN: Looking ahead at your schedule, is there any one game that you have circled on the calendar? You open up with an always tough Delsea and rematch Woodbury down the road. Not to mention Penns Grove and Salem, I’m sure there’s no love lost there.

BB: Headed into the season I try not to get ahead of myself. I try to play week by week. I am excited to play Delsea since they have one of the best rushers in the state as well (senior Dan Russo). I think it’ll make a good South Jersey matchup between two good teams.

RSN: What’s your expectation for this upcoming season, and what have you and the team been doing in preparation?

BB: My expectations for this season are high. I think our senior class can lead the team to new heights and we know how to win. At the moment we are doing summer workouts and field workouts to get everyone ready. I’m excited to see where we go.

RSN: What did you like most about Coach Adams, and how were you feeling when he decided to step away?

BB: My favorite thing about Coach Adams was him keeping us disciplined no matter who we were playing. He always had trust in us and was flexible to the type of player I am. I’m forever grateful for that.

RSN: How about new coach Frank Trautz? He seems like he has some good experience coming from a distinguished program like Haddonfield.

BB: Coach Trautz is the man with the plan. He has concepts from simple to advanced and is definitely an offensive mind. Just like Adams, he trusts us and bases formations and plays off of who is in and how they play. He makes it a comfortable coaching change and I’m excited to see what else he throws at us coming from Haddonfield.

RSN: Who’s someone you’ve looked up to growing up?

BB: Growing up I’ve always looked up to my big brothers. My oldest brother played for Adams at Woodstown and was a hell of a running back just like me. He also ran for 1000. Being the youngest I’ve always wanted to be like them.

RSN: What do you do away from the field? What do you do for fun in your down time? Any extracurricular activities?

BB: When I’m away from the field I do like to play basketball here and there. But mostly (being from the country) I love cars, trucks, and dirtbikes and it’s something I wouldn’t mind getting into in the future. I always fish also.

RSN: Now to the fun stuff, what’s your favorite pre-game hype song?

BB: My go to pregame hype songs get to thumping. I love to listen to drill music or Philly rap songs like Meek Mill and YoungBagChasers. It’s only right when you’re in the game time mode.

RSN: What about your go-to snack?

BB: My go to snack is always a Reese’s Fast Break bar. They’re the best and always hit. Plus it brings quick energy.

RSN: Tell me a little bit about your future. Do you see yourself playing football at the next level and what school is your realistic “dream” college?

BB: In my future I see money in many ways. I do skilled trades like hardscaping, remodeling and campground maintenance. So I see a future in a connecting business. But I do want to continue playing football at a high level also. A realistic school I want to go to is LIU, since they show me some good interest and it seems like a fun place to be. I just have to keep working to get there because I never thought I’d be wanting to go to college until last year.

RSN: How would you like to be remembered in Woodstown athletics history?

BB: In Woodstown I want not just me, but the team I’ve played with my whole life to get the respect we deserve. We had Woodstown more packed than ever to come watch us. We had zero transfers, zero recruiting players from out of town and still got things done. I want to be remembered as an electric player and one of the greatest.

Pitted in Pitman

Woodstown, Pennsville paired in the final round of pool play in Saturday’s Coach Ginsburg 7×7 at Total Turf

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITMAN – Woodstown plays three of the other four football-playing Salem County teams this upcoming season and organizers of Saturday’s Coach Larry Ginsburg 7×7 Classic have given the Wolverines the chance to complete the set.

The event schedule-makers have placed the Wolverines and Pennsville in the same bracket for the 7×7 tournament that moves this year to the Total Turf Experience. They will meet in the final game of Bracket II pool play at 1 p.m.

The winners of each of the four brackets advance to the semifinals at 2 p.m. with those winners playing for the championship at 2:45. Woodbury defeated Penns Grove in last year’s championship game.

Woodstown, under the direction of new head coach Frank Trautz, plays the other three county teams – Penns Grove, Salem and Schalick – in division play during the regular season. The Wolverines and Eagles last played in the regular season in 2020 with Woodstown winning 6-0.

Woodstown is coming off a 9-3 season in which it won the South Jersey Group I title and lost to Glassboro in the last minute of the state semifinals. Pennsville is coming off its first winning season since 2016. The Eagles went 6-4, won both of their regional consolation games and returns most of that team.

The Classic benefits the Adam Taliaferro Foundation.

COACH LARRY GINSBURG 7×7
(Saturday, Total Turf Experience, Pitman)

Bracket I (Field 1A): Cherokee, Atlantic City, Gloucester City, West Deptford
Bracket II (Field 1B): Eastern, Bridgeton, Pennsville, Woodstown
Bracket III (Field 2A): Timber Creek, St. Joseph’s, Kipps, Nottingham
Bracket IV (Field 2B): Vineland, Kingsway, Tri-County, Woodbury

SCHEDULE OF GAMES
9:30 a.m.: Cherokee-Gloucester City, Eastern-Pennsville, Timber Creek-Kipps, Vineland-Woodbury.

10:00: Atlantic City-West Deptford, Bridgeton-Woodstown, St. Joseph-Nottingham, Kingsway-Tri-County

10:30: Break

11:00: Cherokee-West Deptford, Eastern-Woodstown, Timber Creek-Nottingham, Vineland-Tri-County

11:30: Atlantic City-Gloucester City, Bridgeton-Pennsville, St. Joseph-Kipps, Kingsway-Woodbury

Noon: Break

12:30 p.m.: Cherokee-Atlantic City, Eastern-Bridgeton, Timber Creek-St. Joseph, Vineland-Kingsway

1:00: West Depford-Gloucester City, Pennsville-Woodstown, Kipps-Nottingham, Woodbury-Tri-County

2:00: Semifinals (Bracket winners), Fields 1A & 1B

2:45: Championship Game, Field 1A

Cover photo: Woodbury won last year’s Ginsburg 7×7 Classic with a come-from-behind win over Penns Grove.

Getting to know …

Pennsville’s Robbie McDade

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the latest in a recurring series of in depth interviews with athletes in Salem County. Coaches, if there is a player in your program with an interesting background or backstory the community would be interested in “Getting to Know …,” forward details in an email to Riverview Sports News at al.muskewitz@gmail.com.

By Brian Tortella
For Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE — Robbie McDade played a major role in turning around the Pennsville football program last season. As only a sophomore, he led the Eagles to a 6-4 record as the Eagles’ starting quarterback. Not only did he lead Salem County in passing yards (1,282), the six victories matched the program’s win-total from the previous three seasons combined.

“Robbie is one of the hardest workers on the team, but more importantly, he is always trying to get others together to work with him,” Eagles head coach Mike Healy said. “He never misses a workout, is always getting kids together to work on routes, and has been working with a QB coach this offseason. I couldn’t be happier with his dedication and the fact that having success last year has made him work even harder.”

Not only is McDade a hard worker on the football field, but the 5-foot-10 gunslinger also performs on the mat, notching 20 individual wins wrestling this winter. He played baseball his freshman year, but decided to step aside to put a full focus on elevating his football game.

The McDade name is well-known throughout Pennsville Township. His grandfather, Robert E. McDade was the mayor of Pennsville up until last year. Get to know Robbie as he continues to live up to his last name, making Pennsville proud while preparing for the upcoming season on the gridiron.

RIVERVIEW SPORTS NEWS: Did you always want to play quarterback growing up or did you just have a knack for throwing the football?

ROBBIE McDADE: I actually played running back my whole life but naturally had an arm. My eighth grade year we didn’t have a quarterback so I decided to try it out and we went to the championship. After that I loved it ever since.

RSN: What do you like most about playing football compared to other sports?

RN: The thing I like the most is the team bonding and chemistry you can build. It also teaches you to work together. It’s different from wrestling because wrestling it’s just you out there and no one can help you. There’s just nothing like football and the friends you make from it.

RSN: What do you like most about Coach Healy?

RM: I like how he doesn’t care how old you are; if you’re good enough you will play. He makes you earn everything you get, nothing is given to you when he is your coach and that’s what I like the most. He motivates you to get better and doesn’t take lazy people. You have to give full effort at all times.

RSN: How have you been practicing to prepare for the season, and what is your expectation for your team this upcoming campaign?

RM: I have been putting in the most work I ever have. I have been lifting five days a week and going to my trainer every week. I throw with my receivers so much to get the chemistry down and to be the best I can be. This offseason has been a grind and it’s going to pay off. This team is going to shock people this year and make a big playoff run.

RSN: What do you do away from the field? What do you do for fun in your down time? Any extracurricular activities?

RM: I like to go boating and being out in the water. It is time for me to relax and not think about anything. Also family is a big part of my life, my family BBQ’s a lot and it’s a good time.

RSN: Do you fish then? If so, have you caught anything recently?

RM: No, I don’t go fishing a whole lot, I like to go crabbing. I caught a couple dozen crabs recently.

RSN: Who is someone you looked up to or continued to growing up?

RM: I really look up to Tom Brady; he just has that mindset to be the best you can be. His story is great: He was never the best and he never had the best arm but he just kept working and he overcame a lot of adversity and eventually got the starting job. It just tells me to never stop working.

RSN: So, to settle the debate, is Brady the GOAT?

RM: Yes, I do think he is the GOAT. I mean, he has the most rings.

RSN: What’s your favorite hype song?

RM: Dreams and Nightmares by Meek Mill is my favorite pre-game song. It gets me fired up and ready for the game.

RSN: Tell me a little bit about your future. Do you see yourself playing football at the next level and what school is your realistic “dream” college?

RM: Yes, I do see myself playing at the next level. I am grinding to get to where I need to be to play at the next level. One of my dream colleges would be the University of Delaware.

RSN: You guys were put in a lighter division when they reshuffled the West Jersey Football League, but appealed to move up to a harder one to have a better chance at making the playoffs this season. What are your thoughts on that?

RM: I love that we did that. It gives us an opportunity to go to the playoffs. Now, it is our job to win games so we can accomplish the goals that we want.

RSN: Looking into the future, how would you like to be remembered in Pennsville athletics history?

RM: I would like to be remembered as a hard-working person, and I want people to remember me as one of the best QBs to go through Pennsville.

One last hurrah

With priorities shifting going forward, Schalick’s Siedlecki looking to have some fun in his final high school football game

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE – The toughest day for any competitive athlete is the day they take the field for the last time. Jake Siedlecki wasn’t sure when that day might come while he was playing except to know it was going to come someday.

SUNDAY, 5 P.M.
KEAN UNIVERSITY

Now that it’s upon him, instead of wallowing in sadness and nostalgia, he intends to embrace the experience and have fun with it.

The Schalick senior will play the final game of his four-year high school football career Sunday when he takes part in the Phil Simms NJ North-South All-Star Classic at Kean University. But instead of feeling down about reaching the end of the competitive line, he plans to have as much fun as the day allows.

“In terms of it being my last football game ever, I haven’t really thought about it in that way,” Siedlecki said. “I feel like my ‘last football’ football game, one that meant something I would remember on the field, would be the (Central Jersey Group I) championship game (against Glassboro).

“This I feel like is going to be a fun experience. I’m playing against some major competition and I get one last hurrah. It’s not like I’ll be playing the whole game. Whatever time I get out there it’s like one last hurrah that I get to have fun all weekend. Yeah, it’s my last football game, but it’s not really like a football game, it’s more of just an experience, the last experience on the field. This is kind of something that I earned and I’m able to just go out there and have fun.”

During his high school career Siedlecki has evolved from one of the few freshmen on coach Mike Wilson’s first Schalick team – the freshman with the broken arm – to one of the mainstays in the Cougars’ resurgence.

This past season he made 32 tackles and a team-leading five interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown against Gloucester Catholic. He also was their leading receiver with 321 yards and four TDs.

He’ll be one of three Salem County players in the game. Woodstown defensive end Damien Eichler and Penns Grove tight end Willie Slocum are also on the South roster. The players check in Friday for two days of workouts and other activities then play 5 p.m. Sunday.

Just like all the players in the game, Siedlecki is heading off to college later this summer. Unlike those guys, however, he doesn’t plan to play football there. He’s going to Villanova to pursue a business degree, and unless he gets a walk-on opportunity (which he hasn’t completely ruled out) the next snap he takes will be in an intramural game with his fraternity buddies.

“Part of me thinks he really means that,” Wilson said. “The other part of me is going after he hits somebody for the first time he might change his mind, like, ah, I kind of miss this.”

He’ll have plenty of chances to make a play. According to the rules of the game everybody has to play the same amount, so with four safeties on the team each will play half the game.

It’s not like Siedlecki didn’t look into playing football in college. He considered two local options, Rowan and Ursinus, and had the promise of roster spots at two elite Division III colleges in New England. He also was accepted to numerous Power 5 universities for academics, but when he looked at the big picture, Villanova even without sports was better in the long run for his future.

“I’m sure one of the biggest questions that’s going to be passed around is where you guys going to commit,” he said. “They’re probably all going to say their college and I’m going to be like I’m going to Villanova but not for football. It might be a little weird, but at the same time I’m sure once I say I’m one of the top in my class and I got a good deal at Villanova they’ll understand.”

Adding to the emotion of the weekend is player and coach will get one more go-round together. Wilson is the South’s defensive coordinator.

“It’s bittersweet that we get to do one more game together, because usually you don’t get that opportunity,” Wilson said. “I’m biased because I think he can play another four or five years, but he gets the opportunity (this weekend), he deserves the opportunity. Either way, we’re going to take it for what it’s worth, enjoy the weekend, have fun and hopefully the South wins.”

That would be historical. The series is tied 20-20-2. The South hasn’t won the game since 2018.

While Siedlecki is preparing to have fun this weekend, there’s going to come a time Sunday when the clock runs out and it’ll all be over. He’s prepared.

“There’s definitely going to be sadness,” he said. “The closest thing to that was the championship game. When that clock hit 0:00 there was a moment of realization when I thought this is the last time I’ll be on this field, the last time I’ll be doing these things.

“Your mind just goes through all the experiences you’ve had over and over again because football is life and now it’s not anymore. I’m assuming it’ll be the same experience on Sunday. I’ll probably take a few minutes on the field to take it all in.”