Category: PENNS GROVE

Passing the test

Schalick scores 4 goals in second half to turn back Woodstown in boys soccer; results of Monday’s sports action involving Salem County teams

BOYS SOCCER
Schalick 5, Woodstown 2
Pennsville 6, Salem 0
Wildwood 5, Salem Tech 2
Penns Grove at Glassboro

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE – Mikey Nelson admitted he was way too anxious about the game later in the day to be any good in class today. The anticipation of playing in a rivalry with so many connections just made it too difficult to stay focused.

NELSON

“I couldn’t sit still in school; I was thinking about this game way too much,” the junior midfielder said. “All I wanted to do was get out on the field and play today.

“I have a cousin of the team and I have teammates from a club team on the team. I know Woodstown is a good rival. It’s one of the best competitive games all season. I’ve been trying to recreate my goal from last year at the night game against Woodstown because that was Coach’s favorite goal of the season, so I want to get some more of those.”

Nelson might not have recreated that one Monday, but he did notch a pair of goals in the second half to help the Cougars turn back the Wolverines 5-2 in a way-too-early-in-the-season showdown between Tri-County Diamond Division rivals. 

Actually, Nelson’s anticipation for the game began the night before and carried over into the school day. The toughest part about it was he had to find ways to release all that energy without being disruptive. He can’t remember ever being so amped for a game. He admitted he expended a lot of energy in the first half, too.

“I had Jax Weber and Ant Sepers in my second period (U.S. History) class and me and Ant were both shaking our tables pretty much the whole class trying to get out of school to play soccer; we love the game,” Nelson said. “I kept looking up at the clock a lot, I kept tapping my feet and moving my leg a lot. I got most of my schoolwork done, so that’s good.”

The game was a lot closer than a three-goal margin would indicate, as you might expect in a battle between rivals. It was as close to a chess match on grass you could find, but it always has been when these teams and their veteran coaches who go way back get together.

“It was a great test of our toughness,” Schalick coach Joe Mannella said. “We said beforehand in the intensity of a game like that you’ve gotta be cool, you’ve gotta keep your cool and just know, be confident, that we’re gonna find a way to win.”

The Cougars never trailed after Jaxon Weber converted a penalty kick with 5:34 left in the first half for the game’s first goal, but they never shook the Wolverines until a pair of beautiful goals by Eli Cummings and Oscar Hernandez 10 minutes apart in the second half gave them some separation.

Whenever Schalick went ahead Woodstown quickly got the equalizers. The Wolverines tied it at 1-1 on Grant Prater’s free kick from 25 yards out three minutes after Weber’s PK and Bryce Ayars tied it 2-2 two minutes after Nelson’s first goal. And they had two good chances to take the lead early in the second half.

“They hit two unbelievable shots there to make it 4-2,” Woodstown coach Darren Huck said. “Those two goals were gamechangers.

“I told my team at the end of the game one thing I’m proud of is we came back twice. I was proud about how handled the situation of being down, coming back, being down again, coming back. And even down 3-2 we had an opportunity to tie it 3-3.”

Cummings doesn’t get the chance to score many goals because he’s such a reliable defender – a role he took on when the Cougars needed to rebuild their backline last season — but when he does he delivers some beauties. The tie-breaking goal he scored with 21:32 left in the second half Monday came as a result of staying with his man and was a carbon-copy of his only goal last season.

He had his back to the goal, spun and while falling backwards floated a shot with his right foot into the upper right corner just out of the reach of the keeper. It was such a glorious goal one of his teammates exclaimed he didn’t think the senior could do that and then remember his similar goal last year against Wildwood.

“I knew Bryce (Ayars) was on my back so if I wanted to get it out I had to get it out quick,” Cummings said. “There weren’t many options for me at that point so I knew I just had to take a shot. It would’ve been fine with it just going over the net and us resetting, but it luckily found the net.

“I just happened to be up there. I followed my man. I didn’t want (Ayars) to turn on the ball so I just stayed with them and I happened to have a chance to step in front of him and I knew once I’m in that outside-of-the-box range, close enough, I’m going to have a rip. I don’t know, after scoring that I might get put up top.”

Hernandez’ goal 10 minutes later was equally a thing of beauty. He took a long pass from Cummings, then took a long shot with his left foot that followed the same flight as the goal before his. Nelson wrapped up the scoring with 2:13 to play. 

There’s a healthy respect between the two programs and the two coaches, who were Woodstown assistants together back in the day and are now closing in on 300 career head coaching wins (Mannella is at 295, Huck at 287). But the tension of the rivalry doesn’t extend beyond the white lines. 

Later in the evening, Mannella was heading over to Huck’s house to watch the Eagles’ game on Monday Night Football.

Woodstown (1-1)11-2
Schalick (2-0)14-5

GOALS: 1. Schalick, Jaxon Weber (penalty kick), 34:26; 2. Woodstown, Grant Prater, 37:22; 3. Schalick, Mikey Nelson (Anthony Sepers), 45:41; 4. Woodstown, Bryce Ayars, 47:49; 5. Schalick, Eli Cummings, 58:28; 6. Schalick, Oscar Hernandez (Eli Cummings), 68:34; 7. Schalick, Mikey Nelson (Marco Spinnato), 77:47.

PENNSVILLE 6, SALEM 0: Eagles freshman Sam Hassler scored a pair of goals two minutes apart in the second half to complete his first career hat trick. His first goal gave the Eagles a 3-0 halftime lead. Stone Mumink, Stephen Fatcher and John Sassi scored Pennsville’s other goals.

Salem (0-2)00-0
Pennsville (2-1)33-6

GOALS: 1. Pennsville, Stone Mimink (Maddox Efelis), 4th minute; 2. Pennsville, Stephen Fatcher (Shane Puckett), 7; 3. Pennsville, Sam Hassler (JP Laughrey), 37; 4. Pennsville, Sam Hassler, 47; 5. Pennsville, Sam Hassler, 49; 6. Pennsville, John Sassi (Brant Regner), 75.

WILDWOOD 5, SALEM TECH 2: Aiden Bobo and Graham Fields scored second-half goals for Salem Tech.

Schalick’s J.T. Fleming (23) heads a ball out of harms way in the first half against Woodstown. On the cover, Schalick’s Luke Price goes on the attack before being taken down in the box to set up a penalty kick.

GIRLS SOCCER
Glassboro 5, Penns Grove 0
Overbrook 4, Pennsville 0
Pitman 6, Salem 0
Schalick 2, Woodstown 1
Salem Tech at Wildwood

SCHALICK 2, WOODSTOWN 1: Olivia Vanacker and Kyleigh Cutler scored second-half goals as the Cougars (2-1) rallied from a 1-0 halftime deficit.

“It’s just an emotional rivalry,” Schalick coach Will Kemp said. “The girls calmed down in the second half and started to take control. It was great to see their determination in moments such as that.”

GLASSBORO 5, PENNS GROVE 0: Alana Figueroa scored a hat trick from the Bulldogs (2-1).

PITMAN 6, SALEM 0: Teagan Canna scored two goals and assisted on two others for the Panthers (3-2). Emery Sharpnack assisted on three of Pitman’s five goals in the first half.

OVERBROOK 4, PENNSVILLE 0: Gianna Simon scored two goals for the second game in a row and Victoria Bupp had two assists.

GIRLS TENNIS
Schalick 5, Penns Grove 0
Woodstown 4, Overbrook 1
Glassboro at Salem

WOODSTOWN 4, OVERBROOK 1
Keira Riess (O) def. Gabby Kurpis, 6-4, 4-6, 10-6
Camille Osborn (Wo) def. Nesrine Fosso, 6-1, 6-0
Aubrie Rennie (Wo) def. Sophie Burgos, 6-0, 6-1
Alyssa Berry-Nathalie Neron (Wo) def. Jennifer Giovanni-Hillary Cao, 6-3, 6-4
Noelle Neron-Leah Waterman (Wo) def. Gianna Hardy-Madison Rikard, 6-0, 6-0
Records: Woodstown 4-1, Overbrook 0-5.

SCHALICK 5, PENNS GROVE 0
Miya Watkins (S) win
Julia Langley (S) win
Helana Tyers (S) won by forfeit
Kayleigh Veach-Annie Podeh (S) win
Schalick won by forfeit
Records: Schalick 4-1, Penns Grove 0-5

Turning a corner

Glassboro takes ‘couple steps forward’ in getting its offense right, Pennsville scores its first win of the season, Salem staying positive

SALEM COUNTY SCORES
Glassboro 24, Penns Grove 0
Pennsville 39, Overbrook 22
Woodbury 25, Salem 0

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNS GROVE – This week was all about cleaning up the offense for the Glassboro football team.

It got a little closer to where the Bulldogs would like it Saturday, but when you’ve got the Sabb brothers in the mix and play defense the way they do, what they had was good enough to get by a team like Penns Grove, itself a team trying to find an offensive identity.

Xavier Sabb grabbed a touchdown pass, Amari Sabb had a touchdown run and Brandon Simmons fell on a blocked punt in the end zone — all in the first half — to give the Bulldogs control of an eventual 24-0 victory over the Red Devils and their former coach Mark Maccarone.

“We took some steps today,” Bulldogs coach Timmy Breaker said. “We were hitting on all cylinders. It just comes down to execution. I tell them all the time we’ve got to execute at a high level and make the plays that are supposed to be made.

“There were a couple plays that were left on the field that obviously could have blown this game wide open, but it’s something you can fix. But we did turn a corner today. We did take a couple steps forward.”

The thought at the start of the year was the Bulldogs were going to have their way with Haddon Heights in their season opener and they did jump out to a 22-0 lead, but they didn’t score any more after that early surge. They still won the game, but had only 237 yards of offense in the game, 63 on the ground.

They got off to a fast start against the Red Devils, too, finding the end zone on two of their first three possessions, but they managed just 265 yards for the game. Unlike the week before, they did have 199 yards on the ground.

Penns Grove, meanwhile, managed only 87 yards on offense, and most of it came on a 13-play drive in the fourth quarter that reached into the red zone before being thrown back by two losses.

“We were outphysicalled, which is about as plain as I can put it on the offensive side of the ball,” Maccarone said.

Breaker could sense his offense turning the corner on the opening drive when Xavier Sabb hauled in a 20-yard touchdown pass from Jack O’Connell. The Bulldogs added another touchdown later in the quarter when Amari Sabb ran in from the 5.

Amari Sabb rushed for 74 yards on seven carries. Davon Barr had 67 yards on six carries. And freshman Hakim Theresa had 78 yards on 10 carries. Xavier Sabb had three catches for 21 yards.

Quarterback Melo Erickson was Penns Grove’s leading rusher with 22 yards. He also completed seven passes, including one to himself on a batted ball, for 50 yards.

The turning point of the game came on the final play of the first half when DayShaun Day snuffed a punt and Brandon Simmons fell on the loose ball in the end zone for a touchdown with no time left on the clock. It was the worst possible outcome for the various options the Red Devils had for the situation.

“DayShaun blocked it, it just bounced off the ground and went right into my hands,” Simmons said. “It was like early Christmas.”

It was the third year in a row the 270-pound junior defensive tackle has scored a defensive touchdown and the second time he did it against the Red Devils at Jim Devonshire Field. He had a 30-yard scoop-and-score in the fourth quarter of the 2022 game here as a freshman and a 10-yard fumble return last year against Deptford.

“I’m trying to get at least one every year,” he said.

With his team pinned against its end zone and only six seconds left in the half, Maccarone said he contemplated just taking the safety and letting the clock run out, then decided to punt figuring to go into the break down only 12-0.

Day broke through up the middle to block the kick. He was looking for the ball after the play but couldn’t find it. That’s because Simmons had already fallen on it.

Breaker said the players called the block and he was OK with granting it as long as they could explain to him what they were doing and why they wanted to do it.

“The kids called me and we talked about it yesterday,” he said. “I said if they’re backed up we’ll go for it. DayShaun Day was the one who was like, ‘Coach, I think it’s that time.’”

It stayed an 18-0 game until the final 20 seconds when Jack O’Connell hit Mekhi Parker with a 37-yard touchdown pass against a makeshift Penns Grove secondary that had three of its starters injured on the sideline.

Glassboro 24, Penns Grove 0

GLASS (24)PG (0)
171st Downs4
29-199Rush-yards18-37
8-24-1Passing (C-A-I)7-15-1
66Passing yds50
1-1Fum-lost1-1
1-22.0Punts-avg5-24.0
14-125Pen-yds15-133
Glassboro (2-0)12606-24
Penns Grove (1-2)0000-0

SCORING SUMMARY
G-Xavier Sabb 20 pass from Jack O’Connell (run failed), 8:56 1Q
G-Amari Sabb 5 run (kick failed), 2:24 1Q
G-Brandon Simmons recovered block punt in end zone (PAT failed), 0:00 2Q
G-Mekhi Parker 37 pass from Jack O’Connell (pass failed), 0:17 4Q

Laurels to Hardy

PINE HILL – After coming close in each of its first two games, Pennsville broke through for its first win of the season, pulling away in the fourth quarter to turn back Overbrook 39-22.

“After that unfortunate loss last week it was really good to come back and show what we can do,” junior running back Rylan Hardy said. “I knew it was going to happen. I knew what we were capable of.”

And he was a big part of it. Hardy scored three touchdowns for the second week in a row and had two huge runs in the fourth quarter after the Rams pulled within 27-22 with 6:35 to play.

His 78-yard run set up Jovanni Rios’ 2-yard touchdown run to give Pennsville a 33-22 lead. He broke off a 28-yard touchdown run with 2:58 to play for the final score of the game. His first score tied the game in the first quarter.

“Rylan is very instinctive with just finding space to run to,” Eagles coach Mike Healy said. “He just finds the area to go to. His vision and his ability to find the open area is incredible.”

“I’ve been waiting to show what I can do out there,” Hardy said, adding he’s just been following his blockers. “I think it’s showing that I am capable of doing some great stuff out there.”

Malik Rehmer scored a pair of touchdowns in the second quarter to give the Eagles a 20-14 halftime lead. His second was an 89-yard pass play from Robbie McDade.

The Eagles came into the season with high expectations, returning a veteran team and moving into a more competitive division to help enhance their playoff posture. But they lost their first games – a 14-0 dud at Gloucester and their home opener against West Deptford after leading 20-7 in the third quarter.

“Obviously last week was a heartbreaker; we played well for the most part and thought we played well enough for a win, but that’s football,” Healy said. “Coming back this week and not having a letdown after that and being able to come out and get done what we know we can do, I’m very proud of the kids.

“As a coach anytime you start off 0-1 you have a slight worry, but on the other side you also know what your team is capable of and you know we are better than our record might show. I thought we had our best week of practice this week and it showed in the game. We knew we were good enough to win some games, we just have to keep working, keep getting better every week.”

Pennsville 39, Overbrook 22

Pennsville (1-2)614712-39
Overbrook (1-2)6808-22

SCORING SUMMARY
O-Teriq Moore run (run failed)
P-Rylan Hardy run (kick failed)
P-Malik Rehmer run (Luke Wood kick)
P-Malik Rehmer 89 pass from Robbie McDade (Luke Wood kick)
O-Axcel Bailey 6 pass from Teriq Moore (Teriq Moore kick)
P-Rylan Hardy run (Luke Wood kick), 6:53 3Q
O-Axcel Bailey 80 run (Teriq Moore run), 6:35 4Q
P-Jovanni Rios 2 run (kick failed), 6:03 4Q
P-Rylan Hardy 28 run (kick failed), 2:58 4Q

Salem still searching

WOODBURY – Kemp Carr finds himself in some uncharted territory, but he isn’t discouraged. If anything, it’s made him more determined.

Carr has never been 0-3 as a head coach before, but that’s where he is with his new Salem team after the Rams fell at Woodbury 25-0. In fact, in all his years as a head coach, he’s only had losing streaks of three or more games four times.

Though the score looked one-sided, the Rams gave their hosts a battle. They moved the ball all day between the 30s, but just couldn’t get it in the end zone. Pop Jackson rushed for 133 yards.

The teams played to a scoreless first quarter and it was 7-0 at halftime and 13-0 after three quarters. Marquis Taylor scored the Herd’s first two touchdowns, on a 22-yard run late in the second quarter after a short Salem punt and a pick-six.

“The guys are playing hard, they can see they’re playing hard,” Carr said. “We have all the pieces to be successful. I think they’ve got to believe.”

Woodbury 25, Salem 0

Salem (0-3)0000-0
Woodbury (1-1)07612-25

SCORING SUMMARY
Wo-Marquis Taylor 22 run (kick good), 2:22 2Q
Wo-Marquis Taylor interception return (PAT failed), 4:43 3Q
Wo-Elijah Young 42 pass (PAT failed), 6:55 4Q
Wo-TD run (PAT failed)

WJFL DIAMOND DIVISIONDIVALL
Woodstown1-02-0
Glassboro1-02-0
Woodbury1-01-1
Penns Grove0-11-2
Salem0-10-3
Schalick0-11-2

FRIDAY GAMES
Woodstown 26, Schalick 0
SATURDAY GAMES
Woodbury 25, Salem 0
Glassboro 24, Penns Grove 0
NEXT WEEK’S GAMES
THURSDAY
Salem at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
FRIDAY
Penns Grove at Schalick, 7 p.m.
Woodbury at Woodstown, 7 p.m.

WJFL PATRIOT DIVISIONDIVALL
West Deptford2-02-1
Camden Catholic1-02-0
Paulsboro1-12-1
Collingswood1-12-1
Pennsville1-11-2
Audubon0-11-1
Overbrook0-21-2

FRIDAY GAMES
Audubon 8, Bordentown 7
West Deptford 46, Collingswood 6
SATURDAY GAMES
Camden Catholic 29, Paulsboro 28
Pennsville 39, Overbrook 22
NEXT WEEK’S GAMES
THURSDAY
Paulsboro at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
FRIDAY
Overbrook at Florence, 6 p.m.
Audubon at Pennsville, 7 p.m.
West Deptford at Camden Catholic, 7 p.m.

Punt, Cougars, punt

Woodstown takes advantage of Schalick’s special teams miscues, wins Diamond Division opener, extends winning streak in series to 12

SALEM COUNTY FOOTBALL
FRIDAY GAMES
Woodstown 26, Schalick 0
SATURDAY GAMES
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Overbrook
Salem at Woodbury

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – If you grew up Down South watching football, especially in the state of Alabama where the sport just means more, there are certain games that just resonate through generations.

One of the most memorable is the 1972 Iron Bowl in which Auburn stunned No. 2 Alabama 17-16, blocking two punts in the fourth quarter and returning both for touchdowns to win a game that is forever known as “Punt, Bama, Punt.”

Woodstown staged its own version of “Punt, Bama, Punt” Friday night, taking advantage of several Schalick miscues in the punting game to win its WJFL Diamond Division opener and extend its dominance in the series with their nearest county rival, 26-0.

All of the Wolverines’ points came as a result of shortcomings on the Cougars’ special teams. There was a safety off a bad punt snap to open the scoring, a short-field touchdown drive with the ensuing free kick, a short-field touchdown drive off a 7-yard punt, a field goal off another bad punt snap and a touchdown off another short punt  They almost had another touchdown after a long punt return into Schalick territory, but turned it over on downs after getting inside the 10.

“Special teams is such an emphasis for us,” Woodstown coach Frank Trautz said. “We put a huge emphasis on it every week and take it very seriously.

“Any time you can get a special teams turnover it drastically swings momentum and it gives you a real good shot at winning a football game, so that was very big for us in terms of helping us get this one.”

The Wolverines (2-0) gained control of the game early. They went up 2-0 when a snap sailed over punter Shawn Kelly’s head and he ended up falling on it in the end zone after a 27-yard loss. They took Schalick’s free kick near midfield and after Bryce Belinfanti softened up the defense with three hard runs, Alex Torres took a shuttle pass from Jack Holladay and went 35 yards for the game’s first touchdown.

“It’s always about setting the tone and that safety really set the tone for us,” said linebacker Anthony Bokolas, who chased down Kelly in the end zone.

A 7-yard punt gave the Wolverines another short field on their next possession and Belinfanti capped that drive with an 11-yard touchdown run. Another bad punt snap set them up at the Schalick 20 shortly before halftime and kicker Jake Ware salvaged that possession with a 29-yard field goal to make it 19-0.

“On film we did see that their punt team was a little off and we knew if we attacked them, just played physical, they were going to mess up,” Belinfanti said.

Belinfanti scored the game’s final touchdown on the first play of the fourth quarter when he caught Holladay’s pass wide open across the middle and scored from 35 yards out. That drive was set up by a 12-yard punt.

Belinfanti finished the game with 85 yards rushing on 17 carries and the one catch for 35 yards. Holladay was 8-of-13 passing for 108 yards and two touchdowns.

“Honestly, I’m unsatisfied,” Belinfanti said. “I’m happy that we won, but I know I’m way better than that. I think I could’ve touched the end zone three times today. The best is yet to come for me.”

The game left Schalick looking for answers. It was a first chance for the Cougars to show they had what it took to play in South Jersey Group I’s toughest division after gaining traction as the beast of a lesser division last season. But the Wolverines never gave them a chance to get going and the special teams mistakes kept them at a disadvantage all night.

With the two bad punt snaps sapping a lot of their yardage, the Cougars were held to negative net rushing yardage and 12 yards total in the first half. They managed only 65 net yards in the game. Their deepest penetration into Woodstown territory in the first half was the 32 and that ended in a Garrett Leyman interception. Their most sustained drive came in the opening possession of the second half and reached the Woodstown 22 but ended with a missed field goal attempt.

“The kids played hard all game, they didn’t quit,” Cougars coach Mike Wilson said. “We just couldn’t get out of our way. We spotted them 19 points.

“You can’t have bad snaps like that against good football teams. You have to play clean football in all three phases; we did not do that tonight. We were constantly in bad positions. We’re doing uncharacteristic things.

“I want to play good clean football. We’re giving them points, we’re giving them plays, we’re putting ourselves in bad position. We played on our side of the field all night. I don’t care what level of game, you can’t play like that. You’ve got to play good in all three phases and right now we’re not.”

The win was Woodstown’s 12th in a row in the series. It has been 5,103 days since the Cougars last tasted victory in the rivalry and will be at least another 365 before they have a chance to try again.

Woodstown’s Anthony Bokolas (25) chases down Schalick punter Shawn Kelly for the first-quarter safety that got it all started for the Wolverines Friday night. On the cover, quarterback Jack Holladay and coach Frank Trautz talk over a play on the sideline. (Photos by Ellen Sickler)

Woodstown 26, Schalick 0

SCH (0)WOO (26)
61st Downs13
28-45Rush-yards31-120
4-6-1Passing (C-A-I)8-13-0
20Passing yds108
2-0Fum-lost0-0
4-24.3Punts-avg2-43.0
1-0Pen-yds6-45
Schalick (1-2) 0000-0
Woodstown (2-0)91007-26

SCORING SUMMARY
W-Safety, punter tackled in end zone, 5:38 1Q
W-Alex Torres 35 pass from Jack Holladay (Jake Ware kick), 2:34 1Q
W-Bryce Belinfanti 11 run (Jake Ware kick), 6:16 2Q
W-Jake Ware 29 FG, 1:28 2Q
W-Bryce Belinfanti 35 pass from Jack Holladay (Jake Ware kick), 11:52 4Q

WJFL DIAMOND DIVISIONDIVALL
Woodstown1-02-0
Glassboro0-01-0
Penns Grove0-01-1
Salem0-00-2
Woodbury0-00-1
Schalick0-11-2

FRIDAY GAMES
Woodstown 26, Schalick 0
SATURDAY GAMES
Salem at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Glassboro at Penns Grove, noon

WJFL PATRIOT DIVISIONDIVALL
West Deptford2-02-1
Paulsboro1-02-0
Collingswood1-12-1
Camden Catholic0-01-0
Audubon0-11-1
Overbrook0-11-1
Pennsville0-10-2

FRIDAY GAMES
Audubon 8, Bordentown 7
West Deptford 46, Collingswood 6
SATURDAY GAMES
Camden Catholic at Paulsboro, 10 a.m.
Pennsville at Overbrook, 11 a.m.

Woodstown’s Bryce Belinfanti looks to make a move around Schalick’s Dylan Sheehan Friday night. (Photo by Heather Papiano)

Thursday sports report

Results, details from around Salem County in girls soccer, boys soccer, field hockey; Schalick’s Willoughby scores four goals, Woodstown’s Battavio notches her 50th career goal

GIRLS SOCCER
Clayton 6, Salem 0
Glassboro 1, Pennsville 0
Pitman 7, Salem Tech 0
Schalick 6, Overbrook 0
Woodstown 4, Penns Grove 0

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE – Abby Willoughby has goals. She had four of them Thursday afternoon in Schalick’s 6-0 girls soccer win over Overbrook, but don’t get the idea one of them is the desire to be the Cougars’ next Emily Miller.

The Cougars are on the lookout for their next prolific scorer following Miller’s 48-goal season in 2023, but instead of emulating the record-setting scorer, they simply want Willoughby — and the rest of the players on the team, for that matter — to be the best version of herself she can be. Besides they already have another Emily Miller on the roster.

“I don’t think there is going to be a new Emily,” coach Will Kemp said. “I think that Abby’s Abby. Emily wasn’t the new Kerri Jackson (43 goals in 2022). Kerri Jackson wasn’t Sara Copare (who held all the records before her).

“Everyone’s their own individual, which I actually love. No one’s trying to emulate those players, they’re trying to be themselves. So, Abby’s going to do her job this year and we also have other players who are going to be playing that same type position. Abby just stepped up big-time today, scored the goals, but she also played in the midfield, she also played in the defense.

“I’m not going to say she’s going to be that role, but whatever role she fits in, she does great with it.”

Willoughby, a defensive specialist with one goal (Penns Grove) during last year’s South Jersey Group I finalist season, was one of five players to play striker against the Rams as Kemp seeks to put the best players for the best spots. The others strikers Thursday were freshman Liv Vanacker, sophomores Emily Tramonta-Miller and Helen Lillia and senior Quinn Berger.

Willoughby actually started playing soccer as a goalie, but soon found herself playing all over the field. She started her high school career as an outside back.

As a newly placed goal scorer she only has 44 goals to go to catch Miller’s mark.

“I’m super glad,” she said. “I was playing defense all year last year so getting up top I released my excitement to score. I don’t know if I can be quite as good as her, that’s a pretty tall task, but I guess I can get close and try my best. I have goals.”

Those actual goals include seeing her teammates grow as a team, do the simple things and win the big games.

The junior scored both goals as Schalick opened a 2-0 halftime lead. Her third goal put the Cougars up 4-0 and her fourth – a spinner off her left foot – wrapped the scoring. Cali Fisler and Carly Vicente scored the Cougars’ other two goals.

They were the Cougars’ first goals of the season in their first win after a 5-0 loss to Cherokee in the season opener.

 “It was good to see the girls get on the board today,” Kemp said. “They’re going through some stuff. We had a tough preseason … to prepare for the playoffs this year.”

“it’s a bit of a boost of confidence after the last game,” Willoughby said. “It was nice to come back and be strong.”

Overbrook (0-1)00-0
Schalick (1-1)24-6

GOALS – Schalick: Abby Willoughby 4, Cali Fisler, Carley Vicente.

WOODSTOWN 4, PENNS GROVE 0: Talia Battavio became the fifth player in Woodstown girls soccer history to score 50 career goals when he banged home a rebound off the post for the first of her two goals against the Red Devils. Now with 51 career goals, she remains No. 5 on the Wolverines’ all-time girls goal scoring list.

“It’s a phenomenal career milestone,” Wolverines coach Kieren Keyser said. “The goal itself came in typical Talia fashion. It was a scrap goal and she had to work to get it. That’s the type player she is.

“It came on a cross. It actually hit off the post and Talia was able to be there and square it away and bang it home. That’s the type of player she is.”

Keyser had the good fortune to coach two of the Wolverines’ 50-goal scorers. One of his first players was all-time leading goal scorer Tatum Devault, who scored 75 goals in a career that concluded in 2022.

“What’s cool is Tatum and Talia played together and Talia’s kind of chasing her and they assisted each other a lot,” Keyser said. “I’m not sure if Talia can quite get to No. 1, but certainly getting to 50 is a huge deal, especially for an athlete who is a basketball player first, and to reach that milestone is soccer, that is phenomenal.”

Lia Covely and Emma Perry scored the other two goals for Woodstown, who’ve now won two in a row after dropping their season opener and have an early-season showdown with Schalick Monday. Perry has scored in all three games for the Wolverines.

Penns Grove (0-1-1)00-0
Woodstown (2-1)31-4

GOALS – Woodstown: Talia Battavio 2, Lia Covely, Emma Perry.

WOODSTOWN GIRLS
CAREER GOALS		GOALSSR. YEAR
Tatum Devault752022
Tori Malpezzi702008
Amy Gray691993
Chelsea Norbuts652009
Talia Battavio512024


GLASSBORO 1, PENNSVILLE 0: Amina Brown scored the game’s only goal at the 6:04 mark of the second half. 

Pennsville (0-2)00-0
Glassboro (1-1)01-1

GOALS – Glassboro: Amina Brown.

PITMAN 7, SALEM TECH 0: Emery Sharpnack scored two goals and dished three assists to lead the Panthers. Pitman scored four goals in the first 11 minutes of the match. 

Pitman (2-1)43-7
Salem Tech (0-1)00-0

GOALS – Pitman: Hanna Keefe (5:03), Madison Peek (5:53); Lexi Kostiuk (8:10); Emery Sharpnack (10:57); Emery Sharpnack (47:29), Madelyn Richter (63:55), Tessa Marker (64:53).

CLAYTON 6, SALEM 0: Ava Delaney and Deondria Simon scored two goals apiece for the Clippers. Simon also had a pair of assists.

Salem (0-2)00-0
Clayton (1-0)60-6

GOALS – Clayton: Ava Delaney 2, Kyleigh Grigorean, Deondria Simon 2, Madi Traister.

Boys soccer

THURSDAY’S SCORES
Clayton at Salem
Pennsville 3, Salem Tech 0
Schalick 3, Overbrook 0
Woodstown 4, Penns Grove 1

PENNSVILLE 3, SALEM TECH 0: J.P. Laughrey scored a pair of goals two minutes apart midway through the first half for Pennsville’s first goals of the season and Sam Hassler added a second-half goal as the Eagles earned their first win. Coen Rinnier made eight saves to record the shutout.

“I love a freshman who knows how to be in the right spot,” Pennsville coach Derek Foglein said of Laughrey. “He had both of his in quick succession where he was in the right place and hammered them home.

“He’s just a good player who sees the field well and isn’t afraid to use his body (and) strength, which is very rare for a freshman.”

Salem Tech (0-2)00-0
Pennsville (1-1)21-3

GOALS – Pennsville: J.P. Laughrey (Stone Mumink), 18′; J.P. Laughrey (unassisted), 20′; Sam Hassler (Shane Puckett), 60′.

SCHALICK 3, OVERBROOK 0: The Cougars got goals from three different players in their season-opening win. Jaxon Weber scored the only goal of the first half, then Bradford Foster and Michael Nelson stretched the lead in the second half.

Schalick (1-0)12-3
Overbrook (0-1)00-0

GOALS – Schalick: Jaxon Weber (unassisted), Bradford Foster, (Steve Chomo) Michael Nelson (Anthony Sepers).

WOODSTOWN 4, PENNS GROVE 1: Adrian Ibarra, who scored 26 goals last season, opened the scoring to Woodstown’s season and Grant Prater scored twice in the first half for the Wolverines. Juan Ortiz got Penns Grove on the board before halftime. Ben Lippencott scored Woodstown’s fourth goal in the second half.

Woodstown (1-0)31-4
Penns Grove (1-1)10-1

GOALS – W: Adrian Ibarra (Bryce Ayars); W: Grant Prater (Adrian Ibarra); W: Grant Prater (Ben Lippincott); PG: Juan Ortiz; W: Ben Lippincott (Nicholas DiTeodoro).

Field hockey

THURSDAY’S SCORES
Salem 3, Pennsville 1
Schalick 7, Glassboro 1
Woodstown 4, Deptford 0

SCHALICK 7, GLASSBORO 1: Ava Scurry scored a scored a hat trick and Luci Virga and Phoebe Alward each scored twice. The Cougars outshot their visitors 32-5.

Glassboro (1-1)0001-1
Schalick (2-0)1312-7

GOALS – Glassboro: Karli Pritchett; Schalick: Ava Scurry 3, Luci Virga 2, Phoebe Alward 2.

SALEM 3, PENNSVILLE 1: Audrey Boggs scored twice and Kevana Roman once as the Rams opened their season with a victory in this Battle of Broadway. Sophia Marandola scored Pennsville’s goal in the fourth quarter.

“It was commented by a spectator after the game, ‘It looked like an ‘old school’ hockey game and was enjoyable to watch,'” Rams coach Shanna Scott said. “(It) was a very fast-paced and quick game. There were simple mistakes made and things we can do better for next time – there is always something we could ‘do better or grow in’ – but I am very proud of my girls and give them the credit they deserve for how hard they worked in our season opener.”

Salem (1-0)2010-3
Pennsville (1-2)0001-1

GOALS – Salem: Audrey Boggs 2, Kevana Roman; Pennsville: Sophia Marandola.

WOODSTOWN 4, DEPTFORD 0: Shyann Higinbotham scored two goals and assisted on another in the Wolverines’ season-opening win. Megan Donelson and Bradley DiGregorio scored Woodstown’s other two goals.

Deptford (0-2)0000-0
Woodstown (1-0)0112-4

GOALS – Woodstown: Shyann Higinbotham 2, Megan Donelson, Barely DiGregorio.

Powering through

Edwards’ win at No. 3 singles lifts Pennsville over Schalick in early county showdown, Woodstown sweeps past Penns Grove

THURSDAY GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville 3, Schalick 2
Woodstown 5, Penns Grove 0

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE – Lily Edwards was playing on the farthest of the singles courts in the Schalick tennis complex. There were a handful of spectators on the other side of the fence when she started, but each time she dared look away from the match she noticed more and more people gathering in her little corner of the world so she figured something was up with her match.

It was only the pivotal point of the day.

Edwards won the point at No. 3 singles to clinch undefeated Pennsville’s 3-2 victory over Schalick Thursday in the first leg of what figures to be an intriguing battle among the two teams and Woodstown for supremacy in South Jersey Group I girls tennis.

She handed Miya Watkins her first loss since last year’s state team semifinals 6-3, 6-1 after her Eagles teammates swept both doubles points and Schalick’s Emma Adams and Allyson Green won the first two singles points.

“I did feel that way, honestly,” she said. “I didn’t before I started the match, but we were playing and I did feel that way because everyone was watching me and I could tell (it was an important point). I had like a feeling.”

Actually, the win, her sixth of the year (all in straight sets) and 17th in a row at No. 3 singles over the last two seasons, came at a time she admitted to battling a slump for the first time in her career. She has only lost two matches (with one draw) in 44 varsity starts, but there was just something unfulfilling about her recent success.

“At practice I was just struggling,” she said. “Just hitting the ball and making sure my mechanics are right and I’m hitting it the right way and I was struggling. It’s really stressful because it gets in your head and you have to fight through it… but I came out of it today.

“We all were a little nervous because Schalick is our big competition, but I came out with a positive attitude and fought my way through it.”

It pains Eagles coach Dan LaMont to see his players struggle. He could sense his steady junior’s frustration and had a simple solution – just get out of your head and play your normal aggressive game.

“She does hit a nice tennis ball, but sometimes there are little things we have to correct,” he said. “We worked on it and then we kind of just said let’s keep it simple. Don’t think too much about this. Roll balls back. Be you.

“I told her you’ve won a lot of matches in your three years, let’s remember how you did that. And she did today. She had to, because that girl was tough.”

PENNSVILLE 3, SCHALICK 2
Emma Adams (S) def. Megan Morris, 6-4, 6-4
Allyson Green (S) def. Regan Witt, 6-4, 6-0
Lily Edwards (P) def. Miya Watkins, 6-3, 6-1
Emma Cornette-Gabi Farino (P) def. Julia Langley-Helana Tyers, 6-1, 6-4
Naomi Hess-Isabell Schrenker (P) def. Kayleigh Veach-Annie Podeh, 6-2, 6-1
Records: Pennsville 6-0, Schalick 3-1

WOODSTOWN 5, PENNS GROVE 0
Aubrie Rennie (Wo) def. Alease Stewart, 6-0, 6-0
Leah Waterman (Wo) def. Janiyah Cummings, 6-0, 6-0
EvaLouise Thomsen (Wo) def. Elif Sagir, 6-0, 6-0
Julianna Lindenmuth-Noelle Neron (Wo) won by forfeit
Alyssa Berry-Melissa Hassler (Wo) won by forfeit
Records: Woodstown 3-1, Penns Grove 0-3.

This week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Sept. 9-14; all events 4 p.m. unless noted

SEPT. 9
FIELD HOCKEY
Paulsboro at Pennsville
GIRLS SOCCER
Camden County Tech at Salem
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at West Deptford

SEPT. 10
FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick at Triton
GIRLS TENNIS
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Gloucester Catholic at Woodstown
Salem at Schalick
Wildwood at Pennsville
BOYS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Gloucester Co. Christian, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Gloucester Co. Christian at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Wildwood

SEPT. 11
GIRLS SOCCER
Salem Tech at Cape May Tech
GIRLS TENNIS
Triton at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Salem at Wildwood

SEPT. 12
FIELD HOCKEY
Deptford at Woodstown
Glassboro at Schalick
Salem at Pennsville
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton at Salem
Salem Tech at Pennsville
Schalick at Overbrook
Woodstown at Penns Grove
GIRLS SOCCER
Overbrook at Schalick
Pennsville at Glassboro
Pitman at Salem Tech
Salem at Clayton
Penns Grove at Woodstown
GIRLS TENNIS
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Pennsville at Schalick, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic

SEPT. 13
FOOTBALL
Audubon at Bordentown, 6 p.m.
Collingswood at West Deptford, 7 p.m.
Schalick at Woodstown, 7 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Penns Grove at Lindenwold
Pennsville at Lower Cape May

SEPT. 14
FOOTBALL
Camden Catholic at Paulsboro, 10:30 a.m.
Salem at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Pennsville at Overbrook, 11 a.m.
Glassboro at Penns Grove, noon
FIELD HOCKEY
Woodstown at Washington Twp., 10 a.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
South Jersey Open, Dream Park, 8:30 a.m.
Woodstown at Belmont Plateau, 10:30 a.m.

Cover photo of Woodstown kicker Jake Ware’s game-winning overtime PAT against Delsea by Ellen Sickler.

Back on track

Woodstown wins OT thriller over defending state champs in Trautz’ first game as head coach; Schalick, Penns Grove get back in win column

WJFL DIAMOND DIVISION
Penns Grove 34, Deptford 0
Schalick 23, Cumberland 0
Woodstown 14, Delsea 13
SATURDAY’S GAME
Glassboro at Haddon Heights, 11 a.m.
Haddonfield at Woodbury, 11 a.m.
Collingswood at Salem, noon

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – No matter how long Frank Trautz stays in the coaching game or how many games he wins along the way, he’ll never forget his first one.

Bryce Belinfanti and Jake Ware hand-delivered their new coach his first win in his first game in overtime, running for a touchdown and nailing the extra point, respectively, to lift Woodstown over defending Group 3 state champion Delsea 14-13.

“I’ll remember this for the rest of my life, that’s for sure,” said Trautz, promoted from quarterbacks coach in the offseason to succeed John Adams who retired from coaching after 14 seasons. “It’s been a very emotional day; I just wanted to get to the game. I was just so proud of the kids, proud of my staff, all the work that they put in; that’s what made this win possible.

“To be able to celebrate that with all them was such a cool moment.”

The Wolverines led from the moment Jack Holladay threw his first career touchdown pass with his second career completion in the second quarter. Delsea forced overtime with a touchdown with 3:21 left in regulation and missed a game-winning field goal with 46 seconds left.

The Crusaders got the ball first in overtime and Dan Russo scored on a 22-yard run on the second snap. But they barely missed the extra point to the left, opening the door for Woodstown to win on the ensuing possession.

The Wolverines didn’t waste any time. Belinfanti took the first snap and went 25 yards to tie the game and Ware drilled the extra point for the win. Belinfanti, a 1,700-yard rusher a year ago, ran for 97 yards in the game.

Holladay had waited his entire life to be the Wolverines’ starting quarterback and seized the opportunity when presented to him. He hadn’t thrown a pass in a varsity game, but connected with Garrett Leyman for his first career touchdown. He was 3-for-5 for 43 yards.

“It was huge for him, huge for his confidence,” Trautz said. “I told him I have confidence in you to open the playbook and we’re going to let it rip, and he did a great job. I know getting that first touchdown pass out of the way is a big deal for a quarterback, so I was very happy for him.”

Carter Orlandini preserved the 7-0 halftime lead when he intercepted a pass at the 2 and the Wolverines stopped Delsea’s seven-minute opening drive of the second half.

“Our defense came up huge all night in a game that was an incredibly physical game and obviously Delsea is such a great team,” Trautz said. “To come up with that interception right there at the end of the half was huge.”

The new coach won’t have a lot of time to enjoy his first win. The Wolverines open their WJFL Diamond Division schedule next week.

“I’m going to go enjoy it with my wife tonight and we’ll celebrate the win,” he said, “and tomorrow it’s back to work and we’re going to get ready for Schalick.”

Woodstown 14, Delsea 13 (OT)

DEL (13)WTN (14)
40-143Rush-yards23-102
2-14-0Passing (C-A-I)3-5-1
121Passing yds43
Delsea (0-1)00076-13
Woodstown (1-0)07007-14

SCORING SUMMARY
W-Garrett Leyman 19 pass from Jack Holladay (Jake Ware kick), 6:28 2Q
D-Luke VanAuken 12 pass from Jimmy Reardon (Zack Greer kick), 3:21 4Q
D-Dan Russo 22 run (kick failed), OT
W-Bryce Belinfanti 25 run (Jake Ware kick), OT

Jack Holladay made the most of his first varsity start. The senior threw his first career touchdown pass and directed the Woodstown offense to an overtime victory. On the cover, the Wolverines celebrate after winning. (Photos by Ellen Sickler)

Simmons returns in Schalick win

PITTSGROVE – Senior quarterback Kenai Simmons returned to the Schalick lineup Friday night and helped the Cougars exorcise the demons of last week’s dud in the Battle at the Beach, 23-0 over Cumberland.

“This week was all about getting a win, that’s all that mattered,” Cougars coach Mike Wilson said. “It didn’t matter how we won or how we looked, it was just about getting our mojo back and getting a W.”

It’s the first time in two years the Cougars faced that kind of adversity and the resiliency of bouncing back from an in-season setback. They haven’t lost back-to-back games since mid-October 2021. Since then, they have gone 22-5.

“It says a lot about the kids’ fortitude, a lot about them being mentally strong, a lot about their work ethic and bouncing back and being honest about what they had to do,” Wilson said.

Simmons returned after a full week of practice and ran for a pair of short-field touchdowns. Reggie Allen scored on a 20-yard run early in the third quarter. Allen rushed for 135 yards.

The defense recorded the Cougars’ first shutout in the series since 2016. They held the Colts to 86 net yards, had four interceptions (two by game MVP David Stewart) and a safety. Riley Papiano led the unit with eight tackles and was in on the safety with Thomas Hymer. Alec Bramell had six tackles.

“In my (five) years here that’s probably the best we played defensively overall,” he said.

It’s the first time either team has won back-to-back games in the Battle for the Hars-Lake Trophy since Schalick won in 2018-19. The Cougars have won 11 of the last 15 meetings.

CUMB (0)SCHAL (23)
61st Downs10
23-79Rush-yards41-123
3-16-4Passes (C-A-I)2-4-0
7Passing14
0-0Fum-lost1-1
12-95Penalties6-74

A convincing first win

DEPTFORD – Penns Grove needed a win and got it in convincing fashion.

The Red Devils bounced back from their season-opening loss with a convincing 34-0 win on the road over Deptford Twp. for head coach Mark Maccarone’s first win at the head of the program.

Melo Erickson threw a career-high three touchdown passes – to Knowledge Young, Kylee Goodson and Karon Ceaser – and a two-point conversion to Tre Brown. Ceaser played tailback most of the game and ran for two scores and the defense kept the Spartans out of the end zone.

“I’m happy for the kids,” Maccarone said. “It gives them a confidence build. They start to see the system works. When we say to do X, Y and Z and they do X, Y and Z, it results in good things. You saw when they don’t do what they’re being asked to do, the outcome is not good.

“It was a good win, a good team effort by everybody. It’s a good one for the program … a good win to build confidence in what the system is and how I run a program, how my brother runs an offense and how I run a defense.”

The Red Devils open their WJFL Diamond Division gauntlet next week against Glassboro, where Maccarone was the head coach for seven seasons (2011-17).

“Coming back as a head coach for the first time against Glassboro, not an assistant coach, it’s definitely going to be different for me,” he said. “The current head coach at Glassboro was a player under my brother when I was an assistant coach in 2008.

“It’s going to be different. I don’t really know how to describe it. I really haven’t given much thought to it other than it’s another game on the schedule. I probably would feel different if we were playing them there. It’s been seven years since I’ve been around Glassboro.

“It is going to be different for my brother (Gary). It’s the first time he’s coaching against the guys he coached last year, the kids that he has in class. It’s going to be more (nostalgic) for him than me.”

Penns Grove (1-1)147013-34
Deptford (0-2)0000-0
DIAMOND DIVISIONDIVALL
Glassboro0-00-0
Penns Grove0-01-1
Salem0-00-1
Schalick0-01-1
Woodbury0-00-0
Woodstown0-01-0
Woodstown’s Bryce Belinfanti rushed for 97 yards and scored a touchdown in overtime that sent the Wolverines to a 14-13 win over Delsea. (Photo by Ellen Sickler)

His time now

Jack Holladay takes over as Woodstown’s quarterback, getting his shot to lead the offense after learning behind cousin Max Webb

FRIDAY’S SALEM COUNTY GAMES
Penns Grove at Deptford, 6 p.m.
Cumberland at Schalick, 7 p.m.
Delsea at Woodstown, 7 p.m.
West Deptford at Pennsville, 7 p.m.
SATURDAY’S GAME
Cinnaminson at Salem, noon

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – It may be a little hyperbole, but Jack Holladay has been waiting for tonight all his life.

Ever since he got to high school, Holladay has dreamed and worked for the day he would become Wolverines’ starting quarterback. The day comes tonight when the Wolverines host Delsea in the first game of Frank Trautz’ tenure as head coach.

The last couple years Holladay’s been on the team but on the quarterback depth chart he was behind his cousin Max Webb as the Wolverines’ lead signal caller.

Well, Max has moved on after leading the Wolverines to three straight deep playoff runs and now it’s Holladay’s time to step up and shine.

“I’ve been thinking about it a lot,” Holladay said over the summer. “Since freshman year I’ve wanted to be the quarterback. I know that’d be behind Max, but I was just learn from him and do what I can in practice and I knew I’d be ready for my senior year.

“It’ll be different (now as the starter), but I think the coaches will have me prepared and I think I’m ready for it.”

It was always been like that as the two were coming up. Webb would be the starter because he was older and the next year Holladay would follow because Max would move up to the next level.

Holladay always felt he “did good” in the seasons he immediately followed his cousin.

He doesn’t have a lot of game statistics to show for the work he’s put in behind Max because his cousin was so durable – he hasn’t thrown a pass in varsity two seasons and has been credited with just five career carries – but he’s said to have a big upside.

Trautz said every time the Wolverines needed to put the 6-1, 170-pound Holladay in a game they were “completely confident” in his ability.

He’s shown a strong arm in the summer and an even disposition to combat the pressure of his elevated circumstances. In his first 7-on-7 game his first pass was intercepted, then he went 7-for-7 on the next series, culminating in a touchdown to Anthony Bokolas, and ultimately completed eight in a row. 

“I’m really excited to see what Jack’s gonna do this year,” said Trautz, Holladay’s quarterback coach before being promoted to succeed John Adams last spring. “He’s a great athlete. He’s got all the tools you want in a quarterback. He can make every throw. He’s a really good athlete, so he’s going to be able to help us out as well in the run game a little bit. I’m excited about the direction this offense can go with him under center.

“He’s definitely ready for this. He got a ton of reps last year in practice and already what I’ve seen from him early on in the summer is a lot of good stuff. I think the sky’s the limit for him. He could have a real special year.”

So tonight’s game has been a lifetime in the making.

When Holladay did allow himself to think of what it would be like to step into the starting role, his dream covered the total package.

“Just playing in front of everyone, the students, everyone at the game,” he said. “I thought that would be fun throwing touchdowns and just winning. I want to win a championship.”

AROUND THE COUNTY: There has been no change in Schalick quarterback Kenai Simmons’ status, coach Mike Wilson said Thursday, so it appears sophomore Ayden Jenkins will draw his second straight start in tonight’s home opener with Cumberland. Jenkins was under center the entire 41-3 loss to Cedar Grove in the Battle at the Beach. “We will be making sure to call the correct stuff to help him,” Wilson said. Tonight’s neighborhood rivals have split the last four games in the battle for the Hars-Lake Trophy, once a staple of the Thanksgiving Day slate … West Deptford coach John Emel may have moved onto a new team this season, but he’ll be looking for a same result when his Eagles take on Pennsville’s Eagles in tonight’s WJFL Patriot Division opener. Emel was 8-2 with a current seven-game winning streak against Pennsville when he was head coach at Penns Grove … Last week was a rarity in Salem County football. It was the first time in more than 20 years the county was shut out of the win column on the opening weekend with four or more teams playing. The county schools went 0-4 last week with Woodstown idle.

Tuesday tennis

All three Salem County teams in action Tuesday won; defending sectional champ Schalick opens with 5-0 win, Pennsville wins 5-0 without losing a game

GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville 5, Penns Grove 0
Schalick 5, Overbrook 0
Woodstown 4, Glassboro 1

PENNSVILLE 5, PENNS GROVE 0
Megan Morris (P) def. Amaris Butler, 6-0, 6-0
Regan Witt (P) def. Alease Stewart, 6-0, 6-0
Lily Edwards (P) def. Andrew Restrepo, 6-0, 6-0
Cassandra Fortenberry-Madison Wright (P) def. Elif Sagir-Janiyah Cummings, 6-0, 6-0
Pennsville wins by forfeit
Records: Pennsville 3-0, Penns Grove 0-1

WOODSTOWN 4, GLASSBORO 1
Gabby Kurds (W) def. Ella Killelea, 6-2, 6-1
Kaylee Johnson (G) def. Camille Osborne, 6-3, 1-6, 10-6
Aubrie Rennie (W) def. Halle Lazarus, 6-1, 6-4
Julianna Lindenmuth-Alyssa Berry (W) def. Alana Killelea-Taylor Adcock, 6-1, 6-1
Natalie Neron-Noelle Neron (W) def. Alice Dinzeo-Virginia Tarasevich, 6-1, 6-1
Records: Woodstown 1-1, Glassboro 0-1

SCHALICK 5, OVERBROOK 0
Emma Adams (S) def. Keira Riess, 6-3, 6-2
Allyson Green (S) def. Nesrine Fosso, 6-0, 6-0
Miya Watkins (S) def. Sophia Burgos, 6-0, 6-2
Julia Langley-Helana Tyers (S) def. Natasha Hreiz-Sophia Petricari, 6-2, 6-1
Annie Podeh-Kayleigh Veach (S) def. Madison Rikard-Gianna Hardy, 6-0, 6-0
Records: Schalick 1-0, Overbrook 0-2


This week’s schedule

Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Sept. 2-7; all events 4 p.m. unless noted; x-scrimmage

SEPT. 3
FIELD HOCKEY
x-GCIT at Woodstown
x-Overbrook at Pennsville
x-Schalick at Haddon Heights
BOYS SOCCER
x-Clayton at Penns Grove
x-Woodstown at GCIT
GIRLS SOCCER
x-GCIT at Woodstown
x-Penns Grove at Clayton
GIRLS TENNIS
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Pennsville at Penns Grove
Schalick at Overbrook
Woodstown at Glassboro

SEPT. 4
BOYS SOCCER
x-Pennsville at Cumberland
Cape May Tech at Salem Tech, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Delsea at Pennsville
x-Pitman at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Deptford, 6 p.m.

SEPT. 5
GIRLS TENNIS
Schalick at Gloucester Catholic
FIELD HOCKEY
Audubon at Pennsville

SEPT. 6
FOOTBALL
Overbrook at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Penns Grove at Deptford, 6 p.m.
KIPP Cooper Norcross at Camden Catholic, TBA
Cumberland at Schalick, 7 p.m.
Delsea at Woodstown, 7 p.m.
West Deptford at Pennsville, 7 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Pennsville at Wildwood
GIRLS SOCCER
Deptford at Pennsville, 4:15 p.m.

SEPT. 7
FOOTBALL
Paulsboro at Audubon, TBA
Haddonfield at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Glassboro at Haddon Heights, 11 a.m.
Cinnaminson at Salem, noon
GIRLS SOCCER
Schalick at Cherokee, 1:30 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
Pennsville in Cherokee Challenge, 9 a.m.