Making progress

McDade accounts for 300 yards, 3 TDs, Leino kicks 2 FGs as Pennsville matches most wins in a season since 2021

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

BRIDGETON — Pennsville took another step towards becoming the football team coach Mike Healy knows it can be, jumping out front early and then doing the things necessary to stay ahead when their opponent made it close.

Sophomore quarterback Robbie McDade accounted for 300 yards of offense and three touchdowns as the Eagles beat Cumberland in a key Royal Division game 25-12 for their third win of the season.

The Eagles entered the game No. 17 in the South Jersey Group I UPR ratings, one spot out of a playoff spot, and the win moved them into sole possession of second place in the Royal Division At 3-2, they have matched the most wins in a season since 2021 and haven’t had a winning record this late in the season since starting 4-1 in 2016.

“It was obviously an important game with power points and playoff position and all that, We still made a lot of mistakes, but we definitely stepped up when we needed to and made the plays, but we’ve still got a lot of room to fix and be more consistent.

“We still think we have a lot of room for improvement because we know we’regood enough to do it, but there was a lot of really good stuff today.”

McDade had a big game. He threw for 205 yards on 16-of-29 passing — all career highs — and rushed for 102 yards. Malik Rehmer caught nine balls for 144 yards and a touchdown and Jackson Leino kicked a pair of field goals.

“We needed him to step up and he did a good job throwing and running the ball,” Healy said. “He definitely threw the ball better today and he ran real tough today. We ran him a little more than usual and we got some big first downs for us and big plays. It was real good to see.

“He’s still growing every day and learning, but its definitely a step for him in the right direction.”

The other element that gave him encouragement was after the Colts made it a one-score game early in the third quarter, the Eagles didn’t back down. Instead, they drove back down the field behind their line and got a field goal to extend their lead.

McDade’s 15-yard touchdown run in the closing seconds of the quarter gave the Eagles some breathing room and then they handled their business defensively in the fourth quarter to stay out front.

“We did a lot of good stuff today,” Healy said. “Consistency’s still kind of our thing, but I’m proud of the kids how they stepped up. In the past we might have folded in that situation, but instead we didn’t. We did a great job of stepping up when we needed to and refocusing and getting the job done. To step up and meet what was needed was huge.”

Pennsville 25, Cumberland 12

Pennsville (3-2)	7	9	9	0 –	25
Cumberland (2-4)	0	6	6	0 –	12

Scoring plays:
P – Robbie McDade 16 run (Jackson Leino kick), 11:11 1Q
P – Jackson Leino 24 FG, 11:12 2Q
P – Malik Rehmer 8 pass from Robbie McDade (kick failed), 6:35 2Q
C – 30 blocked punt return (run failed), 3:05 2Q
C – 48 run (kick failed), 10:47 3Q
P – Jackson Leino 33 FG, 6:49 3Q
P – Robbie McDade 15 run (kick failed), 0:16 3Q

Cover photo of Pennsville quarterback Robbie McDade by Lorraine Jenkins

Back in black

Inspired by new black-on-black uniforms just for the occasion, Woodstown’s Belinfanti scores 3 TD, defense blanks Salem at Homecoming

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – The worst thing Salem could have done to Woodstown’s Bryce Belinfanti Friday night was stop him on the goal line on the first drive of the game.

The Rams may have stopped the junior once, but he was determined they weren’t going to do it again if he had anything to say about it. And he had plenty to say about it.

WOODSTOWN 27,
SALEM 0
NEXT: Woodbury at Woodstown, Fri., 7 p.m.
Paulsboro at Salem,
Oct. 7, noon

The Wolverines’ lead back didn’t get in the first time, but he did get in the next time and then twice in the second half to lead his team to a 27-0 victory over their longest-standing rivals in front a Homecoming crowd of 1,400 at Clint Ware Field.

Salem stymied Belinfanti at the goal line on a fourth-and-goal from the 1 at the end of a 70-yard drive that consumed the first seven and a half minutes of the game. The next two times he touched the ball he went for 29 and 17 yards. The 17-yarder went for a touchdown and he later scored on runs of 48 and 16 yards in the second half.

“I was just ready to run it up from there,” he said. “They were hyped that they stopped us and honestly I thought I scored there, but we had to come correct it the next time. I was sitting on the sideline thinking about it and it really got to me. I ran it hard. I needed my touchdown.”

It was an emotional night in a lot of ways for the Wolverines (4-1). Besides the Homecoming festivities, they held a pre-game moment of silence for a beloved teacher and coach Dave Lewis who passed away earlier in the week.

On a lighter note, Wolverines coach John Adams surprised the team with new black jerseys he’s been secreting away in his classroom closet since June. He broke them out during the pep rally earlier in the day and when junior lineman Bump Carter came out wearing the ensemble for the big reveal the players went nuts.

“We’ve been waiting on them for a couple years now and tonight we came out with the black jerseys and showed Salem what’s up,” running back/linebacker Bobby Donahue said. “We had no idea the black jerseys were coming. Homecoming Night in black jerseys was real special. A shutout against Salem under the lights on a Friday night is very special, especially without a Thanksgiving game.”

The game for the longest time had been played on Thanksgiving Day. It was only moved two years ago to accommodate the new conference scheduling and playoff formula. This was the 114th time the teams have played. Salem leads the series 64-40-10, but Woodstown has now won four of the last five.

If the Wolverines play their cards right they might get to wear these special uniforms again this year. Adams said if they get a home playoff game they might bring them out, but the intention is to only wear them once a year.

“We’re only allowed to wear these like once a year, so we knew we had to come play good in them instead of come lose,” Belinfanti said.

**Woodstown’s Bryce Belinfanti (3) sweeps right to get around the Salem defense Friday night. (Photo by Ellen Sickler)**

The play Belinfanti was stopped on the opening drive wasn’t the first the Wolverines had denied from the 1. A few plays earlier they didn’t execute the Eagles’ “Brotherly Shove/Tush Push” properly and instead of quarterback Max Webb burrowing in from the 1 for the game’s first score, the Wolverines were penalized back to the 6 for aiding the ballcarrier.

“It’s on me for not coaching them up on it, but at the high school level you can’t do what they do to (Eagles quarterback Jalen) Hurts,” Adams said. “You can move the pile, you can’t actually push the runner. That’s what we got flagged on there and it was disheartening because I think our quarterback probably got in on it on his own.”

Webb got the Wolverines back to the 1 and Belinfanti was stopped with Salem linebacker Jared Pew leading the charge.

But that didn’t stop Belinfanti. Besides scoring on the next series and twice in the second half, he finished the game with 164 yards rushing on 17 carries.

“He runs the ball hard and I knew when they stopped him there that he was going to get his the next time,” Adams said. “That’s just how Bryce is. He feeds off it. He’s a good player.”

NOTES: Pop Jackson provided much of Salem’s offense for the second game in a row. He rushed for 123 yards on 23 carries … It was the first shutout in the series since Salem’s 49-0 win in 2018 and Woodstown’s first shutout in the series since a 19-0 victory in 2013 … Taylor Sparks was named Woodstown’s Homecoming Queen. Earlier in the day injured running back James Hill was introduced as the Homecoming King … Woodstown hosts Woodbury next week in the Diamond Division game of the year. Salem (0-6), meanwhile, has a Saturday home date with Paulsboro in the projected first game of its new on-campus stadium, but crews are racing the clock to have the facility ready so the game likely will be played at historic Walnut Street Field.

Woodstown 27, Salem 0

SAL		WOOD
8	1st Downs	12
39-216	Rushing	32-249
0-4-1	Passes	3-5-0
0	Passing	16
1-1	Fum-lost	0-0
4-30.0	Punts-avg	3-33.0
10-60	Penalties	4-40

Salem (0-6)	0	0	0	0 –	0
Woodstown (4-1)	7	0	7	13 –	27

Scoring plays:
W – Bryce Belinfanti 17 run (Jake Ware kick), 0:48 1Q
W – Bryce Belinfanti 48 run (Jake Ware kick), 1:40 3Q
W – Bryce Belinfanti 16 run (Jake Ware kick), 7:37 4Q
W – Bobby Donahue 1 run (kick failed), 0:51 4Q

On the cover: Woodstown’s football team stretches prior to the start of the second half in brand new black uniforms they expressly broke out for Homecoming.

**Woodstown quarterback Max Webb (12) throws an out pass to Zach Bevis on the Wolverines’ opening drive against Salem. (Photo by Ellen Sickler)**

**Woodstown’s Bobby Donahue (5) chases down Salem quarterback Ramaji Bundy. The Wolverines’ linebacker had a pair of sacks in the game. (Photo by Ellen Sickler)**

Pittsgrove votes for progress

School District’s $14-million Promise of Progress referendum passes convincingly, bringing necessary upgrades to facilities

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE – Schalick High School football coach Mike Wilson is a big-picture kind of guy. He always has an eye towards the future, a vision of what the sports facilities at his school could be like if it had the means to upgrade. But it was always a wish list.

Now that list can become a reality.

Voters in Pittsgrove Twp. Tuesday night voted convincingly to support a $14 million bond referendum that will shape the future of facilities, athletics and otherwise, throughout the township.

In a special election, The Promise of Progress Referendum passed 551-336. It not only will benefit the athletics facilities at the high school, but also fund essential upgrades throughout the district. All seven of the township’s precincts voted in favor of the referendum.

“This referendum will drastically upgrade our sports programs and facilities,” Pittsgrove Twp. school superintendent Dr. Courtney McNeely said. “…This was our opportunity to elevate our athletes’ experience and strengthen our community spirit.

“Our community made this possible. We are so proud to promise our student athletes the progress and facilities they deserve.”

Specifically for the high school athletics facilities, plans call for building a field house, concession stand, community restrooms and bleachers for the football field, upgrading sound and lighting, and updating the boys and girls locker rooms. The playing surface on the football field will not be affected.

“First thing, it’s great for the district because it’s necessary repairs and upgrades,” Wilson said. “The high school is turning 50 years soon, the district’s buildings are on the older side, so it’s great for the Township of Pittsgrove and it’s a great way where the taxpayer is going to see minimal increase if any at all for repairs that have to be done anyway.”

Wilson just read news reports where a community in football-mad Texas is about to build a $94 million football stadium. Another Texas program recently built a $35-million home. The Pittsgrove upgrades won’t be quite as extreme, but it will enhance what the Cougars have to offer.

“These are necessary facility upgrades for the athletics program,” Wilson said. “Right now our varsity athletes don’t have a varsity locker room. They’re going to have space to call their own – for all sports, not just football. Just necessary stuff to bring us to the 21st Century. I just think it’s nice that these kids work so hard in all our sports that they’re going to have facilities they can be proud of.

“I always think big picture, I always think grand, I want things now. Since we got here me and my staff have said we’d love to have X, Y and Z, and with this referendum we’re going to get X, Y, Z. Again, it’s not extravagant, it’s not unnecessary, these are the necessary things that these student-athletes deserve. We have good athletics at Schalick and it’s nice to see our facilities are going to reflect the success we’ve bene having on the field for so many years before I was there.”

The New Jersey Dept. of Education has pledged nearly $6.5 million for eligible projects under the State Share program, while the school district is responsible for the remaining $8,217,744. The bond issue will increase the tax bill for the average assessed home in Pittsgrove by less than $1 per month (approximately $11 per month in Elmer) over the next 20 years compared to existing debt service payment for the 2023-24 school year.

It was not immediately known what the athletics portion of the upgrades would cost or when construction would begin.

This week’s schedule

Here is the high school sports schedule for Salem County schools for the week of Sept. 25-30

Sept. 25
FIELD HOCKEY
Timber Creek at Schalick, 4 p.m.

BOYS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Salem at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Overbrook, 4 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER
Overbrook at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Pennsville, 4 p.m.

GIRLS TENNIS
Glassboro at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Salem, 4 p.m.

Sept. 26
FIELD HOCKEY
Overbrook at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Glassboro, 4 p.m.

CROSS COUNTRY
Tri-County Batch Meet, Kingsway

GIRLS TENNIS
Pitman at Salem, 4 p.m.
Vineland at Schalick, 4 p.m.

Sept. 27
BOYS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Salem at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Schalick, 4 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.

GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Salem, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.

Sept. 28
FIELD HOCKEY
Deptford Twp. at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Salem, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER
Highland Regional at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Clayton 4 p.m.

GIRLS TENNIS
Our Lady of Mercy at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.

Sept. 29
FOOTBALL
Pennsville at Cumberland Regional, 6 p.m.
Lindenwold at Schalick, forfeit
Salem at Woodstown, 7 p.m.

BOYS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Haddon Twp., 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Paulsboro, 4 p.m.
Salem at Haddon Heights, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Palmyra, 4 p.m.

GIRLS SOCCER
Salem at Pennsauken Tech, 3:45 p.m.

GIRLS TENNIS
Penns Grove at Overbook, 4 p.m.
Salem at Pennsville, 4 p.m.

Sept. 30
FOOTBALL
Paulsboro at Penns Grove, noon

CROSS COUNTRY
Shore Coaches Invitational, Holmdel Park

Cover photo by Heather Papiano

Jackson pops for Salem

Rams come to life offensively in second half behind Daveon Jackson, but fall short in Rumble on the Raritan

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PISCATAWAY — Salem’s offense was stuck in the mud in the first half, if you can really be stuck in the mud on a stormy day on artificial turf, but the Rams turned to Daveon Jackson in the second half and almost got their first win of the season.

CEDAR CREEK 20,
SALEM 14
Next: at Woodstown, Friday, 7 p.m.

Jackson was involved in all but three of the Rams’ plays in the second half. He was driving them towards a go-ahead touchdown when he was intercepted at the 30 with 28 seconds left to dash the comeback bid, preserving Cedar Creek’s 20-14 win in the Rumble on the Raritan at Rutgers’ SHI Stadium.

“Pop Jackson is the heart and soul of our team,” Salem coach Danny Mendoza said. “If you want to talk about the next great back to come out of here, I think he needs to be mentioned in that right now.

“He said he wanted it and he wanted it again. When you’ve got guys who want it and want it and want it, give it to them because those guys are special players. There aren’t many ballplayers who have that mentality. You look for inspiration as a coach and what that kid did today, even with the loss, is inspirational.”

Jackson was thrust into the spotlight because quarterback Ramaji Bundy didn’t make the trip. Mendoza declined to comment on the situation except to say it’s “to be continued” this week in the run-up to the Rams’ WJFL Diamond Division game at Woodstown.

The Rams (0-5) were held to just 16 yards net offense in the first half by the deep Group III Pirates (4-1). They made adjustments at halftime that were favorable for their offense line, turned it over to Jackson and he took over.

Of Salem’s 26 plays in the second half, Jackson was in on 23 of them. He had 19 rushes and threw all four of the Rams’ fourth-quarter passes. Jarred Pew had the other three rushes and took a pass Jackson salvaged from a broken play 30 yards to keep the final possession alive.

Jackson rushed for 154 yards in the game (on 30 carries), 126 in the second half and 78 in the fourth quarter. He got the Rams on the board with a 1-yard run in the third quarter and scored their second touchdown on a 26-yard run two plays into the fourth quarter.

He also had a 68-yard touchdown run in the second quarter called back for a hold the Rams are still trying to find on the film and was the subject of a questionable spot midway through the fourth quarter that forced the Rams to turn it over on downs at the Pirates’ 15.

Cedar Creek took advantage of the short field in the first half to open a 20-0 halftime lead. The Pirates ran only three plays on their side of the 50 in the half.

But the Rams shut them out in the second half and held them to 56 net yards to give themselves a chance.

“We finally played four quarters of effort football,” Mendoza said. “You’re talking about Cedar Creek, one of the top teams in Group III and a two-platoon team and we’re a team with a ton of guys going both ways and we stood toe-to-toe with them. You’re never happy with a loss, but if you’re going to lose, lose the right way.

“If you looked at the effort from our team and how we rallied around and the type of defense we played against a high-powered offense, this was the team we were waiting to see. We fought our tails off. The sky’s the limit for what we do when we play that way.”

Cedar Creek 20, Salem 14

CC (20)		SAL (14)
14	1st Downs	11
37-143	Rushing	41-142
7-14-0	Passes	1-6-1
74	Passing	30
5-1	Fum-lost	3-1
4-26.7	Punts-avg	4-15.3
5-50	Penalties-yds	5-25

Cedar Creek (4-1)	6	14	0	0 –	20
Salem (0-5)	0	0	8	6 –	14

Scoring plays
C – Jahmir Campfield 17 run (run failed), 5:59 1Q
C – Alim Parks 10 pass from Billy Smith (PAT kick), 8:32 2Q
C – Aamir Dunbar 2 run (PAT kick), 3:37 2Q
S – Daveon Jackson 1 run (Daveon Jackson run), 3:55 3Q
S – Daveon Jackson 26 run (run failed), 11:33 4Q

Muddy mess

Turnovers, missed opportunities hurt Penns Grove in a 14-0 loss at Haddon Heights in the rain, mud

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

HADDON HEIGHTS — Bryce Wright’s uniform was a mess, wet and dirty. It was a reflection of how much he was involved and how messy were the conditions.

HADDON HEIGHTS 14,
PENNS GROVE 0
Next: vs. Paulsboro,
Saturday, noon

In the days leading up to Saturday’s game Penns Grove’s lead running back kept an eye on the weather forecast and each update reminded him how fun it used to be to play in the wind and cold rain that were blown in by Tropical Storm Ophelia.

“I was on TikTok talking about a rain game; I couldn’t wait to get out here and play in the rain,” Wright said. “I love this. Ever since midgets. I love this.”

What’s not so fun is losing in such miserable conditions. When you’re behind, the rain just seems colder and the mud more messy

It was messy for the Red Devils Saturday. Turnovers and missed opportunities haunted them again in a 14-0 loss at Haddon Heights.

The Garnets (3-1), meanwhile, didn’t mind the mess. When the game ended, right before the skies opened one more time, their players were giddily sliding head first on the muddy field, caking the front of their jerseys in prime Camden County real estate.

“We knew all week we were going to play in this and we took on the challenge and were excited to play in it,” Heights quarterback Drew Harris said. “Obviously you couldn’t really throw the ball, so we ran it and our O-line blocked very well and we took it to them.”

Harris scored both touchdowns in the game, the second one capping a 92-yard drive that was n almost miraculous under the conditions after his offense was backed up to its own end zone.

The Red Devils (1-4) had chances, they just didn’t execute well enough to bring them home.

They put together their best drive of the first half late in the second quarter, but the threat died when Harris intercepted a pass in the end zone.

Turnovers have plagued the Red Devils all season. They had four more Saturday, not counting turning it over on downs twice. Their three possessions in the second half ended with two interceptions and a turnover on downs.

“It was exactly like I thought it was,” Penns Grove coach John Emel said. “I said we would either win or lose 14-0; that’s how it was. I don’t think they turned the ball over and we did, and it’s been the story of our season so far. I bet my life we broke the school record for turnovers.

“If we’re going to win low-scoring games we’re going to have to protect the ball better. I think we have our players and we have our identity. We have to get better executing.”

The Red Devils got it going in the second half and drove it into the red zone to open the third quarter, but a third-down fumble at the 16 increased the pressure to execute and Wright was stopped on fourth down before the line to gain creating a change in possession.

But that wasn’t the end of it. The Garnets were hit with a dead ball personal foul at the end of the play backing them up inside the 10 before starting on their long touchdown drive.

Harris took them 92 yards in 16 plays spanning eight minutes over the third and fourth quarters, ultimately slipping through the rush to score on a 10-yard run.

Conventional wisdom is the longer a drive goes, the better the chances are to mess up. The Garnets didn’t mess up. The Red Devils had a chance to cut the drive off before it could really get started, but Harris completed a third-and-12 pass from the 5 to move the chains.

“You can’t really cut on this,” Harris said. “You’re just slipping and sliding trying to get as many yards as you can.”

The Garnets dominated the first half. They ran their first 19 plays and 35 of their 37 plays in the half from inside the 50, but the combination of Penns Grove’s defense and the conditions afforded them only one touchdown.

Haddon Heights 14, Penns Grove 0

PG (0)		HH (14)
8	1st Downs	13
31-112	Rushing	31-102
3-9-3	Passes	10-20-0
8	Passing	96
3-1	Fum-lost	2-0
3-29.7	Punts-avg	2-25.0
8-60	Penalties	6-55

Penns Grove (1-4)	0	0	0	0 –	0
Haddon Heights (3-1)	0	6	0	8 –	14

Scoring plays
HH – Drew Harris 7 run (pass failed), 6:47 2Q
HH – Drew Harris 10 run (Josh Freeman pass from Drew Harris), 11:05 4Q

Bitten in OT

Woodstown goes to OT with Glassboro for second year in a row, this time come up short

By Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – John Adams sounded a lot like a former NFL coach Dennis Green saying “They are who we thought they were” without raising his voice.

The Woodstown coach knew his Wolverines were in for a tough game even before the teams took the field.

Just looking at Glassboro on film told him the Wolverines were in for the most physical game they’d play this season. Knowing the teams went into overtime last year didn’t make the task any easier.

Glassboro 13,
Woodstown 7
NEXT: vs. Salem,
Friday, 6 p.m.

The teams went to overtime again Friday night, but this time Glassboro got the best of it, upsetting the top-ranked team in the South Jersey Group I power ratings, 13-7.

Amari Sabb broke through on a 5-yard run on the hammer side of the first overtime to give Glassboro the win. The Bulldogs turned back Woodstown’s possession that opened the OT with an end zone interception.

“They’re exactly what I said, the most physical team we’ve played to date,” Adams said. “They lined up in the I formation and pretty much had a defensive lineman in there at fullback and ran right at us.

“In overtime they got a first down and then busted one to the 5. The next play they ran the ball and their kid found a seam and found the end zone.”

The teams played to a scoreless first half. Glassboro broke through first on a 25-yard pass to Xavier Sabb in the third quarter that Gerrett Leyman nearly intercepted in the end zone. The Wolverines tied it on Max Webb’s 1-yard run in the fourth quarter.

The Wolverines ground out 119 yards on the ground with Bryce Belinfanti going for 85. Webb was 9-of-13 passing for 104 yards. Zach Bevis caught three balls for 52 yards.

“I liked the way our kids fought all game,” Adams said. “We told the kids we haven’t played a full 48 minutes with the varsity because we’ve been subbing the younger guys in. I told them all I ask is I get your maximum effort for 48 minutes and you gave me your maximum effort for more than that.

“This stings right now, but this is going to be something that helps us in the long run.”

Glassboro 13, Woodstown 7 (OT)

Glassboro (2-2)	0	0	7	0	6 –	13
Woodstown (3-1)	0	0	0	7	0 –	7

Scoring plays
G – Xavier Sabb 25 pass from Kristopher Foster (PAT kick)
W – Max Webb 1 run (Jake Ware kick)
G – Amari Sabb 5 run (no PAT attempt)

Cover photo of Woodstown QB Max Webb looking for an open receiver by Ellen Sickler.

Stepping up

Schalick quarterback Simmons dedicates his play to his injured running back, accounts for 5 TDs in a 38-20 win over Pennsville

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE — Schalick was missing the backbone of its football team Friday night, but quarterback Kenai Simmons stepped up to play chiropractor.

With running back Reggie Allen Jr. on the sideline in concussion protocol, the Cougars needed someone to be the emotional and physical leader of the offense.

Schalick 38,
Pennsville 20
FRIDAY: Schalick vs. Lindenwold, 7 p.m.
Pennsville at Cumberland, 6 p.m.

Simmons answered the call, accounting nearly 300 yards of offense and five touchdowns in a 38-20 win over Pennsville.

The quarterback is the natural choice to assume the mantle, but Simmons took it to another level. The junior rushed for 140 yards and two touchdowns and had what he called his “best throwing game” since moving to quarterback in the summer, completing six of 11 passes for 152 yards and three touchdowns.

“I really wanted to make Reggie Allen proud,” Simmons said. “Today I did everything for Reggie Allen.

“I told the line before the game Reggie was crying last night, so everything we did tonight was for Reggie Allen, my brother.”

Schalick head coach Mike Wilson called Allen the unsung backbone of the Cougars’ team between back-to-back three-touchdown games against Wildwood and Riverside, but the junior also took a big hit in the Riverside game that put him on the shelf.

Simmons put the offense on his shoulders and ran for touchdowns of 9 and 8 yards. He threw touchdown passes to Jake Siedlecki (on fourth down), Levi Feeney-Childers and Dylan Sheehan.

“I believe Reggie Allen is the heart and soul of this team, but it’s also Kenai’s team and you saw that tonight,” Wilson said. “Kenai and Reggie are boys. They’ve been playing football together since they were little. They look at each other as brothers and Kenai stepped up for his brother tonight.”

Simmons ran for the Cougars’ first touchdown and threw for their second as they went up 17-0 in the first half. The touchdown pass came on fourth-and-19 as the Cougars were trying to recover from a holding penalty and fumble that lost yardage and knocked them out of the red zone.

“After we got that penalty coach was very eager to get in the end zone,” Simmons said. “I told the line we need at least two seconds, that’s all I needed to get the ball out there, and I delivered a dot to Jake Siedlecki.”

The Eagles didn’t back down. Using a no-huddle offense that harkened back to the glory days of former head coach and current OC Ryan Wood, they drew as close as 17-14 midway through the third quarter.

Robbie McDade threw a 23-yard touchdown pass to Malik Rehmer in the final minute of the second quarter and Sky Eppes capped the opening drive of the second half with a 5-yard scoring run. But Simmons responded with his 65-yard touchdown pass to Feeney-Childers and the Cougars pulled away for their fifth straight win.

“We’re still taking step in the right direction, (but) they outexecuted us,” Pennsville coach Mike Healy said. “We played a good football team, we made all the mistakes, they didn’t make mistakes and that’s what happens when you play a good football team. We’re able to match up with teams. We’ve just got to be more consistent.”

Schalick came into the game ranked second in the South Jersey Group I power ratings, and with No. 1 Woodstown’s overtime loss to Glassboro has the chance to move into the top spot this week.

“I’m proud what we have done and it’s nice for the players to have the recognition they deserve,” Wilson said.

Wherever the Cougars land in the ratings next week, they’ll get the week off and a free win as Lindenwold intends to forfeit the game.

Schalick 38, Pennsville 20

SCHAL (38)		PVILLE (20)
17	1st Downs	16
35-237	Rushing	28-131
6-11-0	Passes	9-19-0
152	Passing	111
1-0	Fumbles-lost	1-1
0-0	Punts-avg	1-43.0
4-30	Penalties-yds	3-40

Schalick (5-0)	10	7	7	14 –	38
Pennsville (2-2)	0	7	7	6 –	20

Scoring plays
S – Kenai Simmons 9 run (Hunter Dragotta kick), 6:11 1Q
S – Hunter Dragotta 21 FG, 0:00 1Q
S – Jake Siedlecki 24 pass from Kenai Simmons (Hunter Dragotta kick), 3:22 2Q
P – Malik Rehmer 23 pass from Robbie McDade (Jackson Leino kick), 0:53 2Q
P – Sky Eppes 5 run (Jackson Leino kick), 7:16 3Q
S – Levi Feeney-Childers 65 pass from Kenai Simmons (Hunter Dragotta kick), 5:15 3Q
S – Dylan Sheehan 18 pass from Kenai Simmons (Hunter Dragotta kick), 10:07 4Q
S – Kenai Simmons 8 run (Hunter Dragotta kick), 6:38 4Q
P – Tyree Young 20 pass from Robbie McDade (pass failed), 3:23 4Q

Schalick’s Alec Bramell (9) indicates it’s the Cougars’ ball after Riley Papiano recovered a fumble on Pennsville’s first possession. On the cover, Schalick quarterback Kenai Simmons had a big game, accounting for five touchdowns. (Photos by Heather Papiano)

Salem County showdown

Schalick visits Pennsville Friday in its only scheduled game with Salem County foe this season; where once everybody played each other, only five such matchups are scheduled this season

SALEM COUNTY FOOTBALL
Friday’s games
Glassboro at Woodstown, 7 p.m.
Schalick at Pennsville, 7 p.m.
Saturday’s games
Penns Grove at Haddon Heights, 11 a.m.
Salem vs. Cedar Creek at SHI Stadium (Rutgers), 3 p.m.

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE – There are certain games on everybody’s football schedule that bring a little more anticipation than others; the ones that draw that big, bold circle as soon as its announced.

Maybe it’s a game that got away the year before. Maybe it’s a key game with a division rival and playoff implications. Or one with all the pageantry, like Homecoming or Senior Night.

Schalick and Pennsville play one of those games Friday night that carries even more importance and intensity.

It’s a game between county rivals and when there are only five teams in the county those games mean just a little bit more.

“These kids know each other playing sports against each other their whole lives,” Pennsville coach Mike Healy said. “You usually feel like it’s a little more competitive in terms of the environment and atmosphere.

“It is really for bragging rights because they play each other in everything, especially with social media now, how connected some of these kids are. It’s really important to us. We want respect in general, but having the bragging rights in the county is always something you want to have. You want to be the best of the bunch, for sure.”

Sadly, while there are enough teams and enough slots on the schedule to play an annual county series, they don’t all play each other anymore. Used to, but not anymore.

Everybody has at least one in-county game this season. Penns Grove plays the most – three, the first of which was last week at Salem. Penns Grove, Salem and Woodstown all get at least two because they’re all in the West Jersey Football League Diamond Division.

The traditionalist in Schalick coach Mike Wilson, a self-proclaimed history nerd, would like to see all five county teams play each other, but the realist in him understands with the WJFL’s desire for competitive balance in scheduling it’s not possible.

Woodstown was the last team to schedule all four of the other county teams and made it a point to play all four every year but one from 2004 to 2020. All five programs did it in 2018 and 2019, with Penns Grove going 10-0 over that stretch (including playoffs), Woodstown 6-5 and Salem 6-4.

“County games are always bigger than other games because these kids grow up playing each,” Wilson said. “It’s just a county thing. It’s county bragging rights. I think it’s huge that way.

“And the kids know each other. When kids really know each other it’s different. When we play at Riverside, they don’t know who Riverside is. When we play Wildwood, they don’t know Wildwood kids. We play Cape May, they don’t know Cape May kids. But these kids they know, so anytime you know the kids it’s a bigger game to them. A lot of these kids have probably been playing football against each other since they were 8 years old.”

There’s a lot on the line for both teams, too.

Schalick, No. 2 behind Woodstown in the South Jersey Group I power rankings, is looking to keep the train rolling and its undefeated record intact on the road against a team that’s improved from the one it beat by five touchdowns a year ago.

But they’re likely to be doing it without leading rusher Reggie Allen Jr., who took a big hit in last week’s win over Riverside. Wilson declined to comment on the status or availability of the player who called just last week the backbone of his team.

Pennsville, meanwhile, is looking to take another step forward after bouncing back from a flat second game to get its second win last week, doubling its win total of a year ago.

“Last year we didn’t put forth what we wanted to so there’s a little extra to this because we’re trying to get back to where we want to be and expect to be,” Healy said. “To be able to do it against a county team would just be that much better. Not only that, the kids are aware this is a 4-0 team we’re playing and No. 2 in the UPR rankings, so getting this win would be huge for us for what our goals are at the end of the season.”

Wilson knows that makes the Eagles a dangerous team.

“We are truly the hunted and we have to learn how to take that now,” he said. “We’re no longer the underdog in a lot of these games. The kids have to understand how to handle success and how to take care of business. It’s a huge game for us.”

Salem County Head-to-Head

TEAMS	PGRV	PVILLE	SALEM	SCHAL	WOODS
PENNS GROVE	—	10-4 (36-27-4)	9-8 (56-45-6)	9-0 (27-7)	8-6
PENNSVILLE	4-10 (27-36-4)	—	5-7	4-2 (16-8)	6-7
SALEM	8-9 (45-56-6)	7-5	—	3-4 (24-13-1)	9-5 (64-39-10)
SCHALICK	0-9 (7-27)	2-4 (8-16)	4-3 (13-24-1)	—	1-11 (9-24)
WOODSTOWN	6-8	7-6	5-9 (39-64-10)	11-1 (24-9)	—

Since 2010, includes playoffs; all-time series in parenthesis

GLASSBORO (1-2) at WOODSTOWN (3-0): The Wolverines, the No. 1 team in the South Jersey Group I power rankings, face their most physical opponent to date without their most dynamic player. Senior running back James Hill, a 3,000-yard career rusher, underwent surgery Thursday for a non-contact, non-football knee injury and will miss the rest of the season just when he was set to return from surgery on the other knee.

The Wolverines’ approach really doesn’t change much with the news. They went into the season with Bryce Belinfanti and Alex Torres the Nos. 1 and 2 running backs until Hill’s return and have elevated their games in the meantime. The only difference now is they’ll remain in those top tier spots the rest of the year.

Belinfanti has rushed for 413 yards and six touchdowns in the Wolverines’ first three games. Torres went for a career-high 120 yards and two touchdowns last week at Deptford.

“I don’t think it changes much because we had to prepare for not having (Hill) starting the season,” Adams said. “Bryce came into the season knowing he was the first running back and Torres knew he was the second running back and that’s been their mindset all along, so I don’t think anything really changes in that aspect.

“We said going into the season we needed to be able to execute the passing game better and last week we really showed that. We just need to keep that going and doing what we’re doing.”

As for being the early No. 1 in the SJ-I power rankings, the potential No. 1 seed in the sectional playoffs, Adams said the Wolverines don’t get caught up in all that, but admits it does change the way future opponents look at them.

“We don’t get wrapped up into it too much,” Adams said. “What it does for us is we know our opponents are looking at that going if we beat Woodstown we can get a lot of power points.

“We kind of talk to it from that aspect. We’ve got a bulls eye on our back and people are looking to beat us to jump up in their rankings … It’s a long season. We use it as everybody’s going to give you their best because they know it’s worth a lot to them if they can get a W over us.”

SATURDAY’S GAMES
PENNS GROVE (1-3) at HADDON HEIGHTS (2-1): The Red Devils go into another game with playoff implications experiencing life the week after playing a longtime rival and coming off a win.

it’s the first time this year they go into a game after a win and they did that only twice last year. They haven’t won back-to-back games since Oct. 30-Nov. 6, 2021.

And every game they’ve played this year seems to carry some kind of playoff implication. The opener against Burlington City has tiebreaker potential because the winner last year eventually was in and the loser was out. It was suggested the winner of last week’s game with rival Salem was in a good spot to make the playoffs. It’ll be more of the same this week.

The Red Devils are currently No. 18 in the South Jersey Group I power ratings, right behind Pennsville and currently on the outside of the playoff cutline. Haddon Heights is No. 20 in SJ-II.

“It’s a huge game, both teams need the game,” Penns Grove coach John Emel said. “I’m telling our kids with our schedule we win this game we’re clinching a playoff spot. We got in last year with two (wins) and to get two this early in the season and having a heads-up win over Salem and over Haddon Heights with three wins we can start working toward getting a home playoff or some of the goals we set throughout the year.

“I know our kids are excited to be coming off a win. It’s been a while since we came off a win, so I’m excited with how hungry our kids show up to be Saturday.”

The Garnets have a dynamic passer in Drew Harris who three for three touchdowns last week and is expected to provide a big test for the Red Devils’ young secondary of freshmen Karon Ceaser and Jayden Days, Knowledge Young and Kylee Goodson.

“We’re better than we’ve been the last couple years on the back end, but we’re young,” Emel said. “Those guys have gotta play big for us to have a chance to win.”

A late-developing intangible impacting the game is the weather. Haddon Heights officials have been considering an alternate site or moving the date if it looks like the expected weekend storms will make it too difficult to play the game as scheduled. A decision is likely to come sometime Friday.

(UPDATE: At 10:20 a.m. Friday, Haddon Heights officials told Riverview Sports News the game will be played as scheduled.)

SALEM (0-4) vs. CEDAR CREEK (3-1): The Rams will be seeking their first victory of the season against the No. 7 team in the South Jersey Group III power rankings in the Rumble on the Raritan at Rutgers’ SHI Stadium. It’ll be their second game in a college facility this season, having opened the year against Executive Education Academy at Lafayette College.

2023 SALEM COUNTY SHOWDOWNS
Penns Grove 21, Salem 6
Schalick at Pennsville, Friday
Salem at Woodstown, Sept. 29
Pennsville at Penns Grove, Oct. 13
Woodstown at Penns Grove, Oct. 21

Cover photo by Lorraine Jenkins

Hill suffers setback

Just when Woodstown senior running back appeared set for a courageous return from knee surgery, he faces injury to other knee

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – Just when it looked like Woodstown running back James Hill was all set for a courageous return from off-season knee surgery, an injury to his other knee has surfaced to threaten his senior season.

The 3,000-yard career rusher was set to make his 2023 debut Friday night at Deptford, but he watched from the sidelines in street clothes as the coaches held him out for precautionary reasons after feeling something uncomfortable in his left knee jumping over a ball in a mid-week gym class.

The rumor making the rounds is a torn anterior cruciate ligament, but Wolverines’ coach John Adams urges caution and await the results of additional tests that could come as early as Monday.

“He jumped up in phys-ed and just felt like some grinding and it freaked him out because of what he just went through with his other knee,” Adams said. “We’re playing it cautious. We’re playing it very, very cautious. One doctor saw him and then referred him to go get evaluated again; let’s go get it double checked.

“There are some rumors flying around school. Guys, just pump the breaks. Let’s make the doctors make decision … but it’s up in the air right now is it good or bad news.”

Hill suffered a torn ligament in his right knee jumping in the wrestling room last winter, then spent the last six months aggressively rehabbing after surgery and beat the traditional timeline for such an injury by nearly three months. His teammates were amazed with the regimen he put himself through to be there for his team.

If a similar surgery is required for this latest injury, provided he’s up for a similarly aggressive rehab program, he would miss all of the football season and most of the wrestling season. The typical timeline for such an injury is six to nine months.

The impact any of that would have on his college recruitment is uncertain.

The running back was excited about the prospects of returning to the field earlier in the week, but Adams described him as “in the dumps a little bit” Thursday when he was held out of practice. By Friday night he was on the sideline excitedly supporting his team in a 49-7 victory, a game he likely would have been out by halftime given the nature of the game.

“I just feel bad; it’s a setback for him again,” Adams said. “We were really, really excited to get him back and now we don’t have him right now. You feel more for him as a player. He was itching to get back. Even last year it was always get back for the Glassboro game and then when we saw he could get back earlier it was (exciting), and then to have something come up again you feel bad. How many setbacks can a kid handle?”

While Hill’s presence is a big piece of the Wolverines’ offense, softening the blow of his now extended absence is the productivity of the backs who have kept them moving while they awaited his return.

Bryce Belinfanti has rushed for 413 yards and six touchdowns on 46 carries in the Wolverines’ first three games. He only had six carries Friday because they had gotten so far ahead so early. Back Alex Torres had a career-high 120 yards and two touchdowns on 12 carries against Deptford.

“I even said that to the team,” Adams said. “It’s different when you won several games and then you lose a guy and then you have that will the players be able to understand they can win without that guy in there? For us to start the season off without him and win, not having him last night, it wasn’t a foreign thing for them. They already prepared coming into the season knowing they weren’t going to have him. It was like let’s go to work – and obviously we did last night.

“I’ve been through seasons where midway through or towards the end of the season you lose a guy and it mentally can take a whole toll on the team and take the wind out of your sails. But for us, we’ve had to step it up without James, we had no other choice. Our team had time mentally to prepare to be playing without him and I think they’ve done a good job since.”