Category: FOOTBALL

On Top in OT

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

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

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

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

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

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

They had lost 12 in a row in the series.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Schalick 33, Woodstown 27

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

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

WJFL Standings

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

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

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

A tall order

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

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Glassboro 63, Penns Grove 0

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

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

WJFL Standings

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

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

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

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

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

This week’s schedule

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The lost weekend

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

SATURDAY’S SCORE
Deptford 27, Penns Grove 6

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Deptford 27, Penns Grove 6

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

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

WJFL Standings

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

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

Tough night on road

All three Salem County football teams in action Friday night were on the road and lost; includes WJFL Diamond, Patriot division standings

FRIDAY’S SCORES
Cumberland 14, Schalick 7
Delsea 35, Woodstown 7
West Deptford 42, Pennsville 7

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WEST DEPTFORD — The circumstances producing it may be different, but when you look at where they stand today, the Pennsville football team is in the same spot it was this time last year and things turned out all right. So they have that to consider as they look to bounce back from another 0-2 start.

The Eagles dropped their second straight game to open the season Friday night, 42-7 at West Deptford. They started last season 0-2, too, then rebounded to get into the South Jersey Group 1 playoffs and played two rounds.

Of course, those were two close games against Gloucester and West Deptford last year. The ones this season against the same opponents were not and that’s the worrisome part.

“Record-wise, we’re in the same position, but we’ve got to figure it out as a whole unit,” Pennsville coach Mike Healy said after explaining it to his team in a 20-minute post-mortem in the far end zone. “(Have to) better understand why are we out here, why are we doing what we’re doing.

“It’s very frustrating for all of us. We know deep down we are not putting out what we are right now and we’ve got to figure out how to find that within the kids, how to get the best of us on the field because right now we’re just not doing it.

“It’s a long season. We still have time to pull it together and accomplish our goals, but we’ve got to get it done. We can’t let it keep going like this. We have got to get it figured out and get started going. We don’t want to let the opportunity slip and then it be too late and we don’t have the opportunity any more.”

West Deptford, meanwhile, came into the game wanting to play better against Pennsville than it did in last year’s game when it needed a Sports Center highlight touchdown in the final minute from a backup quarterback pressed into action two minutes earlier to win.

The homestanding Eagles dominated this one for their second win of the season. They rushed for 366 yards (234 in the first half), racked up 22 first downs and held Pennsville to four first downs and less than 85 yards of net offense.

They scored touchdowns on four of their first five possessions and six of nine in the game. Zamir Davis rushed for 185 yards and three touchdowns. Cole Paskiewicz scored the first two touchdown of the game.

The seized the momentum from the very start. Pennsville fumbled the first snap of the game. West Deptford recovered and turned it into Paskiewicz’ first touchdown of the game.

“We looked for improvement from a year ago,” said West Deptford coach John Emel, who personally beat Pennsville for the ninth straight time. “A year ago they outplayed us.

“I told them before the game this year I want to play better than we did last year against them. I know we’re a better team, but our goal every day is to play better and I want to play better today.”

The highlight of Pennsville’s night was Perry’s Pic-Six, an 85-yard interception return for a third-quarter touchdown by senior defensive lineman Perry Meranti.

“That was nice,” he said. “That’s my first ever career touchdown, so that was a big moment for me. I definitely would have dreamed I was going to get (the first one) on offense more than defense.”

He certainly was in the right place at the right time, taking advantage of the coaches call to turn players loose in the second half for a chance to show what they can do.

West Deptford was on the verge of opening the second half with another touchdown, taking the kickoff and driving to the Pennsville 11. Quarterback Brady Cobb rolled right with the snap and for a moment looked like he was going to run it. Then all of a sudden he pulled up as he got closer to the line of scrimmage, tossed it and Meranti was there to pick it. 

“Sometimes the only wrong decision is indecision,” Emel said. “He kind of looked like he wanted to run and at the last second tried to make a mountain out of a molehill and it cost us six points. He’s a smart kid, but that was not a smart play.”

The way the play flowed it didn’t take long for Meranti to clear traffic and once he got into the open field nobody was going to catch him.

“The wing, he rolled out trying to reach me, so I was just doing my job like we practice all week,” the senior said. “I’m trying to stretch the play out and I saw the QB cut up, so I tried to cut in and take him for a sack and he tried to dump it over the top and I kind of just caught it. It was just there.

“I was just trying to stay ready as much as I could. The second he pulled the pin I kind of broke for it.”

Meranti knows what has to happen for his team to get back on track.

“We have a really good team this year within us,” he said, “but us seniors, even me, we need to step up and take a role of leadership. I’ll say what our coaches said: Our leadership graduated last year and we need to take a big step forward and step up. Last year it was an internal change. We had people step up.”

Top photo: Pennsville’s Perry Meranti snags the interception he returned 85 yards for the Eagles’ only touchdown against West Deptford. (Photo by Amory Alleyne)

West Deptford 42, Pennsville 7

PMHS (7)WDEPT (42)
41st Downs22
27-53Rushing40-366
3-8-0Passing (C-A-I)5-9-1
29Passing yds60
1-1Fumbles-lost1-1
4-33.8Punts-avg0-0
7-58Penalties-yds2-15
Pennsville (0-2)0070-7
West Deptford (2-0)141468-42

SCORING SUMMARY
WD: Colę Paskiewicz 4 run (Brady Cobb kick), 8:41 1Q
WD: Cole Paskiewicz 8 pass from Brady Cobb (Brady Cobb kick), 1:15 1Q
WD: Zamir Davis 48 run (kick failed), 10:12 2Q
WD: Zamir Davis 6 run (Colę Paskiewicz pass from Brady Cobb), 25.3 2Q
P: Perry Meranti 85 interception return (Danny Knight kick), 9:33 3Q
WD: Zamir Davis 2 run (kick failed), 2:20 3Q
WD: Kameron Simpkins 5 run (Bryce Wynn run), 9:05 4Q

Delsea 35, Woodstown 7

FRANKLINVILLE — Delsea did what Delsea does and what it didn’t do when the teams played a year ago.

The Crusaders rushed for a whopping 465 yards as a team, with three backs each going for more than 100, to avenge their low-scoring, one-point overtime loss to the Wolverines in last year’s season opener.

Milo Gebhard led the crush with 143 yards on nine carries. He scored the first two touchdowns of the game as Delsea opened a 21-0 halftime lead. Nasir Hart had 122 yards and two TDs on five attempts, while Imair Chester had 120 yards on seven carries and the game’s final touchdown.

Freshman quarterback Frankie Hoerst scored Woodstown’s only touchdown, a 6-yard run in the third quarter that answered the coaches’ challenge at halftime. Hoerst had 25 yards rushing and completed six passes for 71 yards.

Cole Ware had an interception for the Wolverines.

“I was happy with the way our kids fought tonight,” Woodstown coach Frank Trautz said. “They (Delsea) were very physical and for our young team to get a taste of that tonight it was good for us. We can take a lot of good things away from it. I do think this will be a positive for us moving forward.”

Delsea 35, Woodstown 7

WOOD (7)DEL (35)
101st Downs17
26-62Rushing32-465
6-17-1Passing (C-A-I)1-2-1
71Passing yds23
2-0Fumbles-lost1-0
2-40.0Punts-avg0-0
8-51Penalties-yds10-100
Woodstown (1-1)0070-7
Delsea (2-0)71477-35

SCORING SUMMARY
D: Milo Gebhard 1 run (Logan Cordero kick)
D: Milo Gebhard 59 run (Logan Cordero kick)
D: Nashi Hart 8 run (Logan Cordero kick)
WO: Frank Hoerst 6 run (Frank Hoerst kick)
D: Nasir Hart 46 run (Logan Cordero kick)
D: Imair Chester 37 run (Logan Cordero kick)

WJFL Standings

DIAMOND DIVISIONALLDIV
Glassboro2-00-0
Woodstown1-10-0
Penns Grove0-10-0
Salem0-20-0
Schalick0-20-0
Woodbury0-20-0
PATRIOT DIVISIONALLDIV
Collingswood2-01-0
West Deptford2-01-0
Paulsboro1-00-0
Audubon0-00-0
Camden Catholic0-10-0
Overbrook1-10-1
Pennsville0-20-1

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

WJFL scoreboard

Here are Friday night’s scores in the West Jersey Football League

FRIDAY WJFL SCORES
Cumberland 14, Schalick 7
Delsea 35, Woodstown 7
West Deptford 42, Pennsville 7
Atlantic City 26, Millville 21
Atlantic Tech 20, Vineland 19
Burlington Township 40, Nottingham 7
Camden 26, Kingsway 21
Cedar Creek 42, Absegami 0
Collingswood 27, Overbrook 14
Glassboro 52, Haddon Heights 0
Gloucester 28, Lower Cape May 7
Haddonfield 41, Woodbury 0
Holy Cross 25, Wildwood 6
Holy Spirit 34, Oakcrest 13
Hopewell Valley 59, Robbinsville 21
Lawrence 26, Maple Shade 6
Mainland 42, Hammonton 7
Rancocas Valley 20, Pleasantville 8
St. Augustine 26, Paul VI 0
St. Joe (Hamm.) 27, Egg Harbor Township 13
Seneca 35, Moorestown 0
Shawnee 24, Williamstown 21
Sterling 48, Pitman 13
Timber Creek 37, Notre Dame 8
Triton 43, Middle Township 14

Why Salem? Why now?

Stars seem to be aligned for Salem CC to start football, but decision after consultant’s report rests with board

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – The secret to taking a concept and turning into reality, whether it’s on the football field or in the board room, is striking when the iron is hot.

Why else do you think football teams almost immediately go up top after coming up with a momentum-swinging turnover?

ACCORSI

As Salem Community College explores the feasibility of bringing a football to its lineup of sports offerings, the landscape seems inexorably right. Maybe even the perfect storm.

Even college president Mike Gorman acknowledged when bringing the concept to the board for consideration at its most recent meeting “if we’re going to do it, this is our window of opportunity.”

The same elements – and questions – exist that were around when the school looked into it before. This time, there might be a more receptive ear on the inside.

Two weeks ago the board took a big step towards making it happen, giving the go-ahead to bring on Jay Accorsi as a consultant on a two-month contract to do a deep dive on the feasibility of football on Hollywood Avenue.

It is not Accorsi’s place to tell the board what decision to make, just provide them with as much detail as possible to make an informed decision on whether football fits. The internal vibe seems positive, but it was the last time Salem looked at the issue, too.

“Having the need for it is one thing, being able to do it is a whole different situation,” Accorsi said. “The need for it is certainly there, it’s just piecing everything together. There are a lot of things that will take care of itself, there’s a lot of other little things that need to be worked out to make sure it fits.”

Accorsi has long been intrigued by the absence of junior college football in New Jersey, given the quality of the high school game in the state. He just needed an opportunity to tell someone. That window opened last April when he retired after 30 years at Rowan, the last 22 as its head football coach.

He became even more convinced it could work after looking at what Sussex County CC was doing in the sport while his own Profs program was shut down by the COVID pandemic.

If it could work there, he wondered, why weren’t more New Jersey JUCOs following suit. If it could work at Sussex, he thought, surely it could work elsewhere under the right conditions.

The conditions seem right for Salem. The Mighty Oaks would basically be the only game in the region and have a deep pool of potential players to recruit from.

Sussex is still the only NJCAA member school in New Jersey playing the sport. When Lackawanna transitions to NCAA Division II, Pennsylvania will have none. Delaware has none. There are trade schools in Pennsylvania and Delaware that sponsor the sport and could become a potential opponent, but those are specialized institutions outside the NJCAA umbrella. That means there is only one JUCO program in the East between Central New York and Louisburg, N.C.

As it was, Sussex, which offers scholarships and dorms, drew players from Philadelphia, Baltimore and Washington in addition to more homegrown talent.

“There’s a huge void there,” Accorsi said. “I had always thought in my mind and heart that there should be junior college football in New Jersey. I moved here in the early 90s. I was shocked that there wasn’t because of how great New Jersey high school football was and … there were a lot more junior college football programs back then than there are now.

“Then you would see all these Jersey kids have to leave the state to go to all these other places to play. It always kind of was in the back of my mind. I saw there were pay-for-play (prep) schools and I saw they were charging like $22,000 a year and they (players) got no academic benefit by going to those schools.

“When I looked at the rosters, they had 40, 50, 60 players and most of them were New Jersey kids. And when I looked at most of the rosters of the junior colleges, most of them were New Jersey kids. I said it’s crazy.”

Accorsi continued to investigate the JUCO game, privately keeping a file on his research that was the basis of the pitch he would take to Salem. He enhanced it with what he already knew of what it was taking to play the game at Rowan.

He considered making the pitch to other junior colleges in South Jersey, but he was familiar with Gorman and his athletics background and one day emailed to see if Salem might be interested in what he had to say. They had about a half-hour face-to-face meeting where Accorsi presented some “extensive” and “very detailed” research and it got the ball rolling.

Accorsi didn’t make his research available for media and didn’t address Salem’s situation specifically, but much of the information related to finances, expenses, coaching salaries and player participation are available in the comparative school’s Equity in Athletics report that is available to the public. Gorman estimated Salem’s start-up outlay would be about $500,000.

Salem looked into bringing football to campus when it was reviving the athletics program in the twenty-teens, and although the sense then was it could work, the school decided not to launch at that time.

“I thought this might be a fit because of what Sussex did being a small college I think it really fit a need for a lot of things they wanted to do,” Accorsi said. “I think if you go to a bigger college it may not have the same effect, and I wasn’t interested in that. I was interested in making it something that was going to be hopefully really important.

“I told (Gorman) I’m just interested in serving New Jersey. I think it’s a shame all these New Jersey high school students leave the state to go to all these other places to play and pay a lot of money and in some instances don’t get any academic benefit. They’re just going to play, to get film, and spend a lot of money. That’s just, to me, bad.”

If the Mighty Oaks are going to pull the trigger in time to start in 2026, Gorman told the board a decision should be made by mid-October. The clock is ticking.

“There is a lot you need to do, a lot of groundwork, and a lot of things to take an idea from concept to reality,” Accorsi said. “You want to make sure it fits and is the best thing for the student athletes, the best thing for the student, the best thing for the institution, which I think make it very unique.

“I happen to be at the right place at the right time with the right institution and the right president and athletic director and people. So, things have kind of fit a little bit early, but there’s a lot of things you’ve got to cover and go through that we will in the next few months to make sure that whatever decision it is it’s the right one whether it is to proceed or not to proceed. I think that’s important.”

This week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Sept. 2-6; x-scrimmage

TUESDAY, SEPT. 2
FIELD HOCKEY
Haddon Heights at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Bridgeton, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Glassboro at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Overbrook at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Salem at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 3
FIELD HOCKEY
x-Gloucester City at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
x-Salem at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-Camden Academy Charter at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
x-Salem at Gloucester City, 4 p.m.
x-KIPP at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Salem Tech at Pennsville, 3:30 p.m.
x-Cumberland at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Bridgeton, 3:45 p.m.

THURSDAY, SEPT. 4
WJFL FOOTBALL
Salem at Cinnaminson, 6 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem Tech at Sterling, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Washington Twp. at Schalick, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Gloucester Catholic at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Salem, 4 p.m.

FRIDAY, SEPT. 5
WJFL FOOTBALL
Schalick at Cumberland, 6 p.m.
Pennsville at West Deptford, 7 p.m.
Collingswood at Overbrook, 7 p.m.
Woodstown at Delsea, 7 p.m.
Haddon Heights at Glassboro
Woodbury at Haddonfield
FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick at Washington Twp., 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-Penns Grove at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Washington Twp., 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Bridgeton at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Paulsboro at Salem, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Audubon, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Kingsway at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Clearview, 3:45 p.m.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 6
WJFL FOOTBALL
Audubon at Paulsboro, 11 a.m.
Deptford at Penns Grove, noon
KIPP at Camden Catholic

Photo credit: Julliana Love

Trying to make do

Penns Grove sees five starters go down in second quarter alone, then spends rest of the game shuffling personnel to get through the opener

SATURDAY’S SCORE
Paulsboro 36, Penns Grove 6

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNS GROVE – When a team doesn’t have a lot of players to begin with, the last thing anyone in the organization wants to see is somebody get hurt.

One injury at an important position (or to a key player) is disruptive enough. Now, have multiple players go down across a varsity of positions and it’s a recipe for disaster. It’s particularly concerning in Group I where most of the players are two-way guys.

That’s what the Penns Grove football team faced in its season opener Saturday.

The Red Devils lost five starters to cramping or worse in the second quarter alone of their 36-6 loss to Paulsboro. It forced them to put players in unfamiliar positions and throw younger players into key roles sooner than anticipated and hope for the best.

“You’ve got guys who now have to step up and play,” head coach Marc Maccarone said. “We had guys who were not offensive linemen get thrown into playing spots on the offensive line. We got guys who were down on defense, guys who were cramping for no reason.

“When you’re Group I and you have a small Group I squad everyone’s got to play the utility spot. We had to go to the well with that a lot today.”

Of all the injuries, the most impactful is the one to Ray Brown. The two-way lineman left with an ankle injury and didn’t return to the game. He was said to be on the way to a local hospital for tests.

Brown was projected to have a big year after 68 tackles and six sacks last season. The double-teams he was expected to command was a key element to the Red Devils’ defensive strategy.

“That’s a huge loss,” Maccarone said. “That’s a big loss to the team morale, too, a kid like that going down. He’s one of the big team leaders.”

The other players who were forced to the sideline moved in and out of the game as their conditions allowed, but it didn’t help whatever consistency the Red Devils hoped to have. They did play without having a turnover, though.

Maccarone had good things to say about the players who did plug the holes.

“I didn’t think we laid down,” he said. “We gave up a couple big plays that led to big touchdowns, but I don’t think we laid down even when the kids got hurt.”

Jameel Horace was determined to overcome it. He picked up the slack at running back and eventually scored the Red Devils’ lone touchdown on a 2-yard run in the final minute of the third quarter.

He got the Red Devils in the red zone with a 32-yard run up the middle one play after Terrell Thomas was carried off by teammates after an apparent leg injury. He rushed for 49 yards on nine carries.

“I was just trying to do what I had to do to get my team going,” he said. “I was trying to do anything to get the intensity up. I was just doing what I had to do.

“It was definitely chaotic, but that’s my job on the team as a senior, as a leader on the team. I’ve got to keep the guys’ heads straight. I’ve got to keep my mind on the prize. The prize when I walk on this field is to get the W and I’ve got to keep my mind on that. If my mind is on anything else it’s not going to work out.”

Malakhai McKenzie threw for two touchdowns and ran for another score and KyAire Harvey ran for 106 yards and two scores to lead Paulsboro.

McKenzie hit 6-of-9 passes for 161 yards. Most of his throws were short- and medium-yardage varieties, but his big throw was an 80-yard touchdown pass to Jamal Robinson that opened the scoring. The quarterback outraced Penns Grove’s heavy pursuit then found Robinson open along the sideline when a defensive back came up to help the rushers. Robinson made a move in front of the Penns Grove bench and then was gone.

“I was just trying to work on the short stuff because it’s usually open,” McKenzie said. “That (big pass) felt good. I already know I can get outside and they can’t keep up with me.”

Penns Grove quarterback Mello Erickson-Hubbard races to the corner in the first half against Paulsboro.

Paulsboro 36, Penns Grove 6

PAULS (36)PGROVE (6)
131st Downs7
23-138Rushing28-90
6-9-1Passing (C-A-I)3-11-0
161Passing yds15
1-1Fumbles-lost0-0
0-0Punts-avg3-25.3
7-61Penalties-yds7-55
Paulsboro (1-0)61488-36
Penns Grove (0-1)0060-6

SCORING SUMMARY
PB: Jamal Robinson 80 pass from Malakhai McKenzie (run failed), 1:13 1Q
PB: Malakhai McKenzie 8 run (Malakhai McKenzie run), 7:59 2Q
PB: KyAire Harvey 6 run (run failed), 5:02 2Q
PB: Marques Eli 18 pass from Malakhai McKenzie (Malakhai McKenzie run), 6:13 3Q
PG: Jameel Horace 2 run (pass failed), 50.6 3Q
PB: KyAire Harvey 4 run (Jay Mears run), 2:31 4Q