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)
6
1st Downs
8
24-111
Rushing
23-87
7-12-1
Passing (C-A-I)
7-22-1
38
Passing yds
85
3-2
Fumbles-lost
1-1
5-40.0
Punts-avg
6-37.5
6-35
Penalties-yds
12-113
Deptford (2-0)
8
7
0
12-
27
Penns Grove (0-2)
0
6
0
0-
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 DIVISION
ALL
DIV
Glassboro
2-0
0-0
Woodstown
1-1
0-0
Penns Grove
0-2
0-0
Salem
0-2
0-0
Schalick
0-2
0-0
Woodbury
0-2
0-0
PATRIOT DIVISION
ALL
DIV
Collingswood
2-0
1-0
West Deptford
2-0
1-0
Paulsboro
2-0
1-0
Camden Catholic
0-1
0-0
Audubon
0-1
0-1
Overbrook
1-1
0-1
Pennsville
0-2
0-1
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
Salem Tech falls to Sterling in its first field hockey game in school history; also includes girls soccer, girls tennis
THURSDAY’S SCORES FIELD HOCKEY Sterling 4, Salem Tech 0 GIRLS SOCCER Washington Twp. 5, Schalick 0 GIRLS TENNIS Overbrook 5, Penns Grove 0 Vineland 3, Schalick 2 Wildwood at Salem
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
SOMERDALE — It was the first day of school for the students at Salem County Vo-Tech and a new day in the world of athletics at the school.
The Chargers have expanded their varsity sports offerings this academic year with the additions of field hockey, baseball and softball, and Thursday they played their first official field hockey match in school history.
It was a spirited debut despite losing to Sterling 4-0.
“I think we were all really excited for the game,” Chargers coach Maureen Lewis said. “The score honestly wasn’t a good reflection of how the game was actually played. If someone missed the first 10 minutes they would have thought at the end of the fourth it was 0-0.”
The game came at the Chargers fast, with the Silver Knights scoring all four of their goals in the first 10 minutes of the match. Alexis Johnston, Amelia Champion, Rilynn Eddis and McKenzie Ferrari all scored for the Silver Knights.
After that, Caroline Tighe stoned them in the cage. She was credited with five saves.
“I think we needed to get out our first official game jitters,” Lewis said. “Once we called a time out after the fourth goal was scored, we regrouped and they kicked it into gear.”
The Chargers will classify as Group 2 for NJSIAA playoff purposes and play in the Tri-County Conference Classic Division. They will compete as an independent this school year because the conference is in the second year of a two-year schedule cycle, but will be eligible for the state playoffs.
Their roster is a mix of players who may not have had an opportunity to play the sport before and, because the school now has a team to call its own, Vo-Tech students who had been playing at other programs because it had no team.
The plan is to play a schedule that gives the fledgling program every chance at early success. Most of their matches this season are against opponents that did not make the playoffs last year.
“We have some really talented players and I am really excited to see what they are going to do this season,” Lewis said. “Our new players are also doing great and getting better every day. Sometimes I forget some players are brand new to the sport. It’s been really cool to see their progress.
“This team is just really special and I’m lucky to be a part of it. It wasn’t easy for some of them to leave their teams they’ve played on for the last two or three years and I really respect how they have handled that. On the flip side, starting this team has given other players who may not have played for their home district an opportunity to play or try something new.”
The Chargers put their product in front of the home folks Wednesday against Paulsboro in their first-ever home opener.
GIRLS SOCCER WASHINGTON TWP. 5, SCHALICK 0: Corrine Myers scored two goals in the first half and Taylor Stuart scored a pair in the second half as Washington Twp. spoiled Schalick’s season opener.
Scurry, Virga each score twice as Schalick field hockey opens season of high expectations with a win; will be updated
TUESDAY FIELD HOCKEY Schalick 5, Haddon Heights 2 Pennsville 3, Bridgeton 2
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
PITTSGROVE — Ava Scurry scored a school-record 40 goals on a field hockey team that set a lot of records last season and she wasted little time setting out to break that mark this year.
The Schalick senior scored two goals in the first 100 seconds of the season Tuesday and assisted on another goal, sending the Cougars to a 5-2 win over Haddon Heights.
“We were hyping this game up a lot because we had a target on our backs from last season so we wanted to come out and show everyone we still have it,” Scurry said. “We have our whole team from last year. It was a good way to start the season and a great way to start the game.”
Her goals came on the Cougars’ first two attacks of the season. The first came 20 seconds into the game when Luci Virga lifted a ball into the circle and Scurry knocked in a pass from Phoebe Alward. The second goal came 78 seconds later when she converted a 30-yard flick from Caylen Taylor.
The first goal came so quick Scurry worried that her mother might not have gotten to the game yet to see it.
“That was really quick,” Cougars coach Heather Cheesman said. “The girls made a commitment to themselves, they’re going full force every single time, never giving up. They don’t care how far they’re behind in a game, how far they’re ahead of a game, that was one of their goals. They’re going full force, 100 percent every single time.”
Virga, a 22-goal scorer last year, lit the lamp twice in the second quarter to give the Cougars a 4-0 halftime lead. Addi Shimp scored their final goal in the third off another assist from Alward.
“That forward line (Virga, Alward, Scurry), all three of them are a force to be dealt with,” Cheesman said. “All three of them together have their own strength and just together they get it done.”
NOTES: Lydia Gilligan made 10 saves in the cage on her 17th birthday for the keeper win … The Cougars have been invited to play in the new 16-team South Jersey Field Hockey Coaches Tournament of Championship Oct. 4 at Camden Catholic and Oct. 5 at Clearview.
PENNSVILLE 3, BRIDGETON 2: Izzie Saulin scored twice and Laura Tamburella once as the Eagles won a back-and-forth affair for their first season-opening win since 2020. Kelsey Cook posted her 100th career save during the game while preserving the victory.
Getting to know … Ava Scurry
Schalick senior talks about her love for field hockey, becoming a goal-scoring machine, the expectations for her senior season and playing with his sister.
RIVERVIEW SPORTS NEWS: You play a lot of sports at Schalick, but you’re a field hockey player first. Why did it rise to the top of your sports menu?
AVA SCURRY: I just enjoy it so much. I’ve been playing with all these people, my teammates, since I started in fourth grade. I played softball since I was like 4. (Field hockey) is just so much more fun to me.
RSN: What was the first success you enjoyed in it that told you this was the sport for you?
AS: Probably winning when we were in fourth and fifth grades, winning big games or big tournaments with all of our team, just celebrating. We made so many fond memories and had so many big moments.
My mom told me when I was like 12 I thought softball was going to be it for you and then field hockey just like kind of sucked it away.
RSN: I remember you early on as a big assist person, but last year you turned into a big goal scorer. Was that a conscious effort on your part or did it just happen?
AS: I think it just happened like that because I’m always trying to assist my teammates. I still try, but now being on the right side helps a lot and I think my teammates do great at sending balls (my way), that’s what changed.
I played on the left when I was a freshman and sophomore and I think that helped a lot with me getting a lot of assists. I moved to right last year and I think that made a huge change.
RSN: You guys had a really big year last year and everybody is back from that team, so what are your expectations for this year?
AS: Very high. I think our goal is to win state championship. It’s our last time as a group being together.
RSN: How much better is it now?
AS: I think we’ve progressed all season. We’ve been working in the offseason. We’ve been with each other all summer. We do camps together.
RSN: You’re playing with your sister Renee this year, a year delayed because of her injury, what will that be like?
AS: When we were little I didn’t really like it that much, but now I think it’s so much fun playing with her. We come to school together every day, we come to practice together, it really strengthens our bond. It’s just so much fun doing something that you love with your best friend.
RSN: What’s recruiting like for you?
AS: I’m committed to Montclair State. I’ve been committed since April. I knew I wanted to stay close to home, but not too close. I thought Rowan was way too close. Montclair is a bigger D-III. I liked the size. And the coaches and team atmosphere were really nice.
Tennis
Tuesday’s matches Pennsville 5, Penns Grove 0 Salem at Gloucester Catholic Schalick 5, Overbrook 0 Woodstown 5, Glassboro 0
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
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)
13
1st Downs
7
23-138
Rushing
28-90
6-9-1
Passing (C-A-I)
3-11-0
161
Passing yds
15
1-1
Fumbles-lost
0-0
0-0
Punts-avg
3-25.3
7-61
Penalties-yds
7-55
Paulsboro (1-0)
6
14
8
8-
36
Penns Grove (0-1)
0
0
6
0-
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
Penns Grove has shown signs of progress, now it’s a matter of learning how to win
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
PENNS GROVE – The Penns Grove football team had a lot of learning to do in coach Marc Maccarone’s first season last year. The Red Devils were picking up a new offense, a new defense and some new terminology – the typical stuff that comes with a coaching transition.
But there was one element they’re still trying to grasp and it’s what this season is all about.
PENNS GROVE
Aug. 30: Paulsboro
Sept. 6: Deptford
Sept. 12: at Glassboro
Sept. 20: Schalick
Sept. 26: at Woodstown
Oct. 3: Pennsville
Oct. 10: at Delran
Oct. 18: Woodbury
Oct. 25: at Salem
Learning how to win.
The Red Devils did win two games last year, including their season finale against Salem, but they lost five others they were in or led going into the fourth quarter and couldn’t close the deal. Any one of them would have gotten them to the playoffs.
It started in Game One with Paulsboro, when they were in position for the game-winning score but sacked on fourth down with 13 seconds left, and carried throughout the year.
But none of the “fourth-quarter fall-aparts” as Maccarone called them was as bad as the one at Woodbury when they were still entertaining hopes for the playoffs. They held a nine-point lead in the fourth quarter then were outscored 23-0 in the final nine minutes with all kinds of disasters.
“It felt terrible,” safety Messiah Allah said. “If there’s one game I can narrow down it was definitely the Woodbury game. That was tragic. I was devastated. “
“It was definitely a horrible feeling, for sure,” lineman Ray Brown agreed.
With that in mind, the Red Devils look at the 2025 season as a revenge tour of sorts.
“It just motivated you to want to do better,” Allah said. “(The game’s) close. It’s right there. You can just grasp it. it just motivates you to want to do more, to want to do better. It lights something inside of you that makes you want to do more. You want to do more. It’s right there.”
The Red Devils look to attack it with a lineup that may be short on experience but long on enthusiasm..
Mello Erickson-Hubbard, one of the team’s six seniors, returns for his fourth year as quarterback eager to embrace the role his position and standing commands. His passing skills have improved every year – he threw the first touchdown passes of his career last year – and with the work he’s done over the summer is “very confident behind my arm” coming into this season.
“I have to be a bigger leader than I have any other year and I have to put on a good image for the young guys,” he said. “As a leader I’ve got to make sure everybody doing what they’re supposed to do. I’ve got to make sure I’m doing my job and everybody is working as fluently as possible.”
Defensively, Brown will be hard to handle. He had 68 tackles, six sacks and four fumble recoveries last year, can play every spot across the front and will provide a formidable force with Isaiah Upshur. “I can’t take any plays off,” he said.
“He’s definitely a very difficult kid to block,” Maccarone said. “That’s not my quote, that’s coming from opposing coaches. I got that from a coach the other night after the scrimmage like ‘that kid’s almost unblockable.’”
Among the newcomers, Terrell Thomas gives the powerful runner they need in the backfield. The Red Devils are hoping the dominant form he showed in the youth leagues will translate to this level.
Of course, the key to it all is conditioning and eliminating the “too many” turnovers that plagued them last year. That’s what they’ve been working on since the end of last season. Between the full year with the coaching staff and what they’ve done so far Maccarone says “we’re a month ahead of where we were last year at this time.”
Win a couple games early and get some momentum and all of a sudden circumstances change.
“Improve on last year, that’s the key,” Maccarone said. “We’ve taken small steps and trying to improve every day. As long as we get better today than we were yesterday we’re moving in the right direction.”
Penns Grove quarterback Mello Erickson-Hubbard is looking to improve on a junior season in which he passed for 568 yards and seven touchdowns.
Ceil Smith started the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame and now she is one of its inductees
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
CARNEYS POINT – Ceil Smith knew there were a lot of sports luminaries in the county who deserved recognition for their achievements when she started the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame and over the past 25 years she has helped induct a lot of them. Never once in all that time did she imagine she would be one of them.
So you can probably guess her reaction when the letter arrived announcing her as one of the inductees in the Hall’s Class of 2025.
“I was really surprised; it was such a nice gesture,” she said. “Everybody in my family – grandchildren, everyone — were very active in sports and very good. So when I broke the news that I’m the one going into the Sports Hall of Fame it was very funny.”
And all would agree well deserved. Smith was enshrined Thursday night along with Faleesha Dowe, Linda DuBois, Joe Frassenei, Aisha Morgan and Dennis Thomas during ceremonies in Salem Community College’s Davidow Hall. The Hall also recognized Donald Ayars as its Community Service honoree, Salem CC’s two-time softball Region XIX Player of the Year Ella Hayes and several high school state champions.
Smith might not have played the game like the others going in with her, but it was her unwavering commitment to the project that shaped the Hall into what it is today.
It was at the urging of the late Vic Majors, a longtime Salem County business and sportsman from Woodstown, while she was the publisher of Today’s Sunbeam that moved her to action. Every time Majors saw her, she recalled, he’d say she was the only one who could make it happen. Humbly, Smith credits the Hall’s volunteer board for its success.
They are the ones who process and research the candidates for induction and make the final call.
“All I did was keep it going and keep the meetings moving,” Smith said. “When athletes get together they can talk about the good old times forever.
“I never played sports, I never watched sports, but I knew who to pick that would make this work. I reached out to the schools, because I knew a couple (athletic directors) who were fabulous. I put these local community people together with the educators and from then on we chose a great, great group of people. I was so fortunate that all the people that I chose really made it work.”
Smith continued to lead the charge when she became executive director of the Salem CC Foundation in 2015. She stepped away from the Hall last August when she became Deputy Executive Director of the Delaware River & Bay Authority, a position appointed by the Governor.
Nearly 150 Salem County athletes, coaches, administrators and community leaders have been enshrined in the Hall under her leadership.
She called her experience working with the Hall “wonderful” and said every induction ceremony “blew me away.”
Through the early support of then-Salem CC president Dr. Peter Contini, the Hall established its home in the college’s Davidow Hall. The pictures of the inductees line the walls inside the DuPont Fieldhouse.
At one time Hall officials “looked into” finding a more stand-alone home, but Smith said it’s right where it belongs.
“It’s so wonderful at the college because they’re a hub to the community; they are really community,” she said. “It’s just wonderful that now President (Mike) Gorman has followed through and is keeping it going. It’s a wonderful thing – and it is at the right place.”
Ceil Smith (L) is inducted into the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame she founded.
2025 SALEM COUNTY SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES & HONOREES
FALEESHA DOWE
In track and field, where every fraction of a second counts, Faleesha Lachelle Dowe emerges as a beacon of determination and talent. At Penns Grove High School, she quickly established herself as a standout athlete, dominating local and regional track meets. Her dedication to training, coupled with natural ability, propelled her to new heights of success.
DOWE
It wasn’t long before college recruiters came knocking, eager to enlist Dowe onto their track and field teams. After careful consideration, she chose Delaware State University, where she continued to excel both academically and athletically. Under the guidance of top-tier coaches, she honed her skills and earned recognition as one of the most promising talents in collegiate athletics.
Throughout her career, Faleesha faced numerous challenges, from injuries to fierce competition. However, each setback only fueled her determination to succeed. The pinnacle of her high school career came during 2011 Group I Sectionals, where she took first place in the 55-meter dash as well as the 400. She then led the 4×400 relay team to the Group I state title. She delivered a series of stellar performances throughout her high school years, earning medals and accolades that solidified her status as a track and field legend.
In the track and field history at Penns Grove, Faleesha stands as a shining example of what can be achieved through perseverance, dedication, and a love for the sport. As she continues to write new chapters, one thing remains certain: her legacy will endure at Penns Grove High School, a testament to the power of the human spirit to transcend boundaries and reach new heights.
LINDA DuBOIS
Linda DuBois graduated from Bridgeton High School, where she participated in basketball and tennis, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in health and physical education (K-12) from Trenton State College (now The College of New Jersey).
As the head swim coach at Arthur P. Schalick High School from 1989 until 2008, Linda guided the team to national rankings for eight straight years and an undefeated season in 2000, when she achieved 100 career wins.
Subsequently, she devoted 13 years as a volunteer assistant swim coach for Schalick, while spending two years as head diving coach for both Schalick and Cumberland Regional High School.
In 2022, Linda returned as Schalick’s head swim coach. In 2024, the team advanced to round two of NJSIAA state playoffs. Linda’s lifetime coaching wins are pushing 200, a challenging achievement since there are normally only 10 meets per season.
She has worked as NJSIAA state swim team championship site director for 35 years and NJSIAA state individual swim championship site director for 15 years. Linda has been a NJSIAA certified high school swim official for 10 years and served as secretary of the South Jersey Officials Chapter.
She has earned “Coach of the Year” honors from the National Interscholastic Federation of Coaching Association and South Jersey Interscholastic Swim Coaches Association, and received the NJSIAA Sports Award in Swimming, and South Jersey Coaches Recognition at the Tri-County Classic Division Swim Championship.
Linda played a role in starting girls’ soccer at Schalick, serving as the team’s first head coach for four seasons. She then devoted four years as head coach of girls’ cross country at Schalick, with the team achieving a South Jersey title.
JOE FRASSENEI
In 1986, Joe Frassenei began his high school coaching career in New Jersey. Formerly a varsity wrestler at Drexel and West Chester universities, he coached for five years at Haddonfield and Clayton before coming to Salem County in 1991. This decision was best for his family, and teaching and coaching careers. Joe has coached for the last 44 years, accumulating 509 wins. Of those, 460 have come in Salem County at Woodstown, Penns Grove and Schalick.
FRASSENEI
As a head wrestling coach, Frassenei’s teams have enjoyed 22 winning seasons, 310 dual meet victories and four league titles with 76 regional qualifiers, three state qualifiers and one state place-winner.
Joe’s 21 years as a head track coach were highlighted by 20 winning seasons, 100 dual meet victories, one Salem County Championship, four Tri-County Divisional titles, 48 individual county champs, seven individual South Jersey champions, four individual state place-winners and two Meet of Champions medalists.
His coaching career in cross country was highlighted by 15 winning seasons, 99 dual-meet victories, four Tri-County Divisional titles, four Salem County championships, six individual Salem County champs, three South Jersey Group champs, 43 state qualifiers and two state place-winners.
Coach Fraz still has a passion for coaching. He serves as an assistant football and track coach at Schalick and will enter his fifth year as the Cougars’ head wrestling coach. Last season, his wrestling team finished with a 27-2 record and advanced to the South Jersey Group I final. At last year’s District 30 Championships, he was named District Coach of the Year.
AISHA MORGAN
Aisha Morgan was a multi-sport athlete (field hockey, tennis, indoor track, basketball and outdoor track) at Schalick. She continues to hold the school record in the 100, is tied for the Salem County championship meet record in the 100 and has the fastest 100 time of any Salem County athlete.
She attended the University of Houston where she was coached by Mike Takaha and Leroy Burrell. She was the conference champion in the 100 and advanced to the NCAA track meet in the 100 and 4×100. She had the distinction of qualifying for the USA Track and Field Championship meet where she competed alongside several Olympians.
After graduating from college, Morgan started her teaching career, working with individuals with special needs. She earned her master’s degree in applied behavior analysis from Rowan University and works closely with teachers and students in the special education field.
In 2014, Aisha started her high school coaching career in Houston. Her athletes and teams were district champions, regional qualifiers and state qualifiers.
CEIL SMITH
In 2000, Ceil Smith started the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame while serving as the publisher of Today’s Sunbeam. She continued the annual recognition ceremony when she became the executive director of the SCC Foundation in 2015.
SMITH
During her 25 years as the Hall of Fame chair, Ceil worked closely with a volunteer board comprised of high school athletic directors and community members steeped in Salem County sports history.
As a testament to her unwavering leadership, nearly 150 athletes, coaches, athletic directors and other sports dignitaries have been inducted. In the early days of the Sports Hall of Fame, Ceil worked with then-Salem Community College President Dr. Peter B. Contini to establish the Sports Hall of Fame in the college’s Davidow Hall, where it still resides today. In addition, the Sports Hall of Fame has recognized many other individuals for their community service in fostering growth in Salem County sports.
In August 2024, Ceil stepped away from the Sports Hall of Fame when she became the Deputy Executive Director of the Delaware River & Bay Authority. In this capacity, she focuses on Authority-related economic development initiatives, airport operations and marketing. Previously, Ceil served as a DRBA Commissioner, representing Salem County for more than 18 years.
Before being appointed to direct the SCC Foundation, Ceil served on the SCC Foundation board. During this time, she and Dr. Contini founded the SCC Gala, which has now raised more than $1 million for scholarships in 25 years.
Very active in civic and community activities, Ceil serves as a member of the Salem City Council and on the SCC Foundation Board of Directors. She also served on the Board of Directors of the Memorial Hospital of Salem County, Salem County Chamber of Commerce, Salem County Vocational-Technical School Educational Foundation, Meals on Wheels and Salem Main Street, and as a member of the Salem City Rotary Club and Salem County United Way.
DENNIS THOMAS
Dennis Thomas is a seasoned football coach and educator whose journey spans from elite athletic performance to shaping future generations both on and off the field.
As a standout athlete at Salem High School, Dennis was named a Blue-Chip All-Region player as a junior and a Big Chip All-American as a senior. He also earned All-State honors in track and field for the 100-meter dash and long jump. His athleticism and work ethic earned him a full scholarship to Rutgers University. He was named Special Teams Player of the Year as a sophomore and Team MVP as a junior.
After college, Thomas earned a spot with the Kansas City Chiefs, but his playing career was cut short by injury. He pivoted to education, earning two master’s degrees – one in mathematics from Purdue University and another in special education from Rowan University.
In 2011, he took over a struggling Salem High School football program and led the team from a winless season to the state semifinals in just one year, followed by a state championship appearance the next. His success continued at Millville, where he guided the Bolts to three state titles in seven years.
Dennis transitioned to the college level, returning briefly to his alma mater before joining Syracuse University, where he currently serves as tight ends coach.
During his 12 years in high school coaching and now three years at the collegiate level, Dennis has helped send more than 100 athletes to college and several to the NFL. His impact as a coach, mentor and educator continues to shape the lives of young athletes nationwide.
COMMUNITY SERVICE HONOREE DONALD R. AYARS SR.
Donald Ayars graduated from Woodstown High School, Class of 1975. While there, he played quarterback and ran track (3200), with his team taking many championships in both Salem County and Tri-County meets.
Don holds an associate degree in criminal justice from Brandywine College (now part of Widener University) and a bachelor’s from Glassboro State College (now Rowan University). During his 26 years as a patrolman in Woodstown, he received multiple commendations, introduced safety programs to schools and became very involved with the youth sports programs.
Coaching led him to holding several positions in both Little League and soccer as well as the Woodstown-Pilesgrove Recreation Association. When his children aged-out of youth sports, he stayed involved for another 25 years as an umpire for softball and baseball in the surrounding communities.
After retiring from the Woodstown Police Department, Don taught in the Salem County Vocational-Technical School’s law enforcement program and joined the Salem County Prosecutor’s Office as evidence coordinator. During his 16-year tenure with the Prosecutor’s Office, he also volunteered as a firearms and safety instructor for 12 summers with the Leaders Camp, a program offered to Salem County youth, held at Camp Edge.
Don has served as a hunting guide with Game Creek Hunting Farms for 35 years. His favorite pastimes are fishing and hunting, and enjoying his four grandchildren.
SCC ATHLETE RECOGNITION ELLA HAYES, SOFTBALL
In 2024, freshman shortstop Ella Hayes became Salem Community College’s first softball All-American. She also was named National Junior College Athletic Association Region 19 Division II Softball Player of the Year, leading the Mighty Oaks to the post-season that included an opening-round upset of top-seeded Mercer County CC in the region tournament.
In 2025, following another standout season, the sophomore from Kansas City, Mo., repeated as the region’s Player of the Year. She led the region in batting for the second year in a row (.577) – fifth nationally – as well as hits (79) and stolen bases (23 of 24). She was second in the region in extra-base hits (33) and fourth in runs batted in (54).
Over her two seasons with the Mighty Oaks, Ella played in 83 games, collecting 154 hits, scoring 117 runs and knocking in 115. Her two-year batting average was an astounding .586 with an on-base percentage of .644 and a slugging percentage of .973. She also stole 34 bases.
She also was named Garden State Athletic Conference Player of the Year in 2024 and 2025.
In May, Ella graduated with honors with an associate degree in health science. She earned Dean’s List all four semesters. She will continue her softball career at Stony Brook University.
Two-time Region Player of the Year Ella Hayes receives her plaque from Salem CC softball coach Angel Rodriguez after being recognized by the Salem County Sports Hall of Fame.
The first week of the football regular season and a slew of scrimmages in the other fall sports highlight the Salem County schedule for the week of Aug. 25-30; x-scrimmage
MONDAY, AUG. 25 FIELD HOCKEY x-Highland at Salem Tech, 10 a.m. BOYS SOCCER x-Woodstown at Maple Shade, 9:30 a.m. x-Penns Grove at Clayton, 10 a.m. GIRLS SOCCER x-Deptford at Woodstown, 9 a.m. x-Clayton at Penns Grove, 10 a.m. GIRLS TENNIS x-Pennsville vs. GCIT at RC-Gloucester, 9 a.m. x-Schalick at Clearview, 9:30 a.m.
TUESDAY, AUG. 26 BOYS SOCCER x-Cumberland at Schalick, 10 a.m. GIRLS SOCCER x-Penns Grove at Palmyra, 10 a.m. x-Schalick at Cumberland, 10 a.m. FIELD HOCKEY x-Woodstown at Cherry Hill West, 9 a.m. x-Collingswood at Schalick, 10 a.m. GIRLS TENNIS x-Woodstown at Gateway, 9 a.m. x-Penns Grove at Cumberland, 10 a.m. x-Salem at Bridgeton, 10 a.m. x-West Deptford at Pennsville, 10 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 27 FIELD HOCKEY x-Pennsville at Williamstown, 10 a.m. x-Salem Tech at Pemberton, 4 p.m. x-Woodstown at Washington Twp., 6 p.m. BOYS SOCCER x-Buena at Salem Tech, 10 a.m. GIRLS TENNIS x-Palmyra at Penns Grove, 10 a.m. Vineland at Pennsville, 10 a.m. VOLLEYBALL x-Clearview vs. Salem Tech, 10 a.m.
THURSDAY, AUG. 28 WJFL FOOTBALL Gloucester City at Pennsville, 6 p.m. Pitman at Woodstown, 7 p.m. Bishop Eustace at Audubon Cinnaminson at Overbrook Pennsauken at Camden Catholic FIELD HOCKEY x-Salem, Schalick, Bridgeton at Cumberland, 9 a.m. BOYS SOCCER x-Cumberland at Woodstown, 10 a.m. x-Penns Grove at Woodbury, 10 a.m. x-Gloucester City at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m. GIRLS SOCCER x-Penns Grove at Woodbury, 10 a.m. x-Schalick at Gloucester City, 10 a.m. x-Woodstown at Cumberland, 10 a.m. x-Pennsville at Gloucester City, 3:45 p.m. x-Salem Tech at Medford Tech, 4 p.m. GIRLS TENNIS x-Collingswood at Schalick, 10 a.m. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL x-Buena at Schalick, 10 a.m. MISCELLANEOUS Salem County Sports Hall of Fame Induction, Salem CC, 6:30 p.m.
FRIDAY, AUG. 29 WJFL FOOTBALL West Deptford vs. KIPP at Rowan, 9 a.m. Clayton at Collingswood, 10:30 a.m. Pleasantville at Salem, 3:30 p.m. Somerville at Schalick, 6 p.m. FIELD HOCKEY x-Pennsville at Vineland, 10 a.m. BOYS SOCCER x-Schalick at Vineland, 10 a.m. GIRLS SOCCER x-Haddon Twp. at Woodstown, 9 a.m. GIRLS VOLLEYBALL x-Salem Tech at Camden County Tech, 11 a.m. GIRLS TENNIS x-Salem at Delran, 10 a.m.
SATURDAY, AUG. 30 WJFL FOOTBALL Paulsboro at Penns Grove, noon Glassboro vs. Haddonfield at Rowan BOYS SOCCER x-Williamstown at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
Among the many questions Salem CC faces in its exploration of bringing a football program to campus is where to play its games; two local sites come to mind
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
Salem Community College officials already have a lot of positive data as they explore the possibility of starting a football program, but as president Mike Gorman has said, “there are a number of questions that have to be addressed.”
Among them is where would the Mighty Oaks play their home games if the team becomes a reality. There is no permanent stadium on campus – all of the school’s current outdoor teams play at off-campus venues – so in the beginning at least the football team would be a band of barnstormers.
There are options, among them playing at one or several high school stadiums in the county until more permanent digs can be secured.
The two closest possibilities are Penns Grove and Pennsville high schools. The Mighty Oaks’ two spring sports play their home games at recreation complexes nearby so they already have relationships in those communities.
Pennsville talked about it when Salem looked into starting a program several years ago. Lou D’Angelo Stadium does have permanent lights and the Eagles play their home games on Friday nights, so it wouldn’t be difficult to schedule Saturday games there.
“I think with the relationship we have with the college we would be very open to welcoming them onto our campus,” Pennsville athletics director Jamy Thomas said. “We have a lot of space back there for practices and storage of equipment. I am sure there would be some benefits to our program that we would welcome through the process.”
Penns Grove’s Jim Devonshire Field does not have permanent lights so the Mighty Oaks would have to work around the Red Devils’ Saturday afternoon home games.
Penns Grove AD Anwar Golden said the prospect of having a college team playing in his stadium is “appealing on a lot of levels,” but added the ultimate decision rests with the school board and superintendent.
Both high school stadiums have natural grass playing surfaces.
Riverview Sports News 