Mighty Oaks lose the inaugural game in their football program’s history, but they send their fans home with something to cheer about

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNSVILLE — After three hours of watching the first-year college football team trying to find its way in its first-ever game, upstart Salem CC sent the crowd home with a game-ending play that laid the claim to their head coach’s desire of being a legitimate college football program.

The Mighty Oaks were going to lose their inaugural game as a program to Hudson Valley regardless what happened when they lined up for a final play from the Vikings’ 44 with eight seconds left on the clock. Aidan Hill, the third quarterback they used, rolled out to his left and with the clock just about to zero found Jahfarri Payne in the end zone to make it a 26-18 final instead of the 14-point deficit it was headed to before the play.

No, it wasn’t a game-winning play, but it may have won something bigger.

HV (26)		SCC (18)
19	First Downs	14
29-149	Rushes-yards	46
18-34-2	Passes (C-A-I)	8-17-0
239	Passing	117
1-1	Fumbles-lost	3-2
4-26.3	Punts-avg	7-27.4
15-155	Penalties	10-68
5-16	Third downs	4-13
28:51	Possession	31:09

“I think it just shows the team understands we’re just going to have to play every game to the bitter end,” Mighty Oaks head coach Jay Accorsi said. “I think we easily could have packed it in when they got a pretty good lead, when we gave up the score down there and it was looking bleak, but the coaches didn’t, the players didn’t. We went right down to the end, fought for every last second.

“I think it makes us a legitimate junior college football program, and we did that within less than a year. That one play (did that). But I think it gets when they got up on us. we could’ve easily folded, we could’ve given up, we could’ve stopped. We’re playing (three) different quarterbacks, we’re playing different backs, we’re all trying to figure it out. I think it makes the program legitimate and we’re competitive and the future is really bright. My goal was for this program to be competitive early and I think today we were competitive.”

It was a winnable first game but the Mighty Oaks simply made too many mistakes, first game or otherwise, to keep it from happening. 

The offense and special teams fumbled the Mighty Oaks into some tough spots early in the game, but luckily the defense kept them it in by holding the Vikings to only one field goal in three possessions inside the 17. The first produced the field goal after three straight plays from the 6 netted nothing and the Oaks created a turnover at the 4 to end the second. On the next one the Vikings took themselves out of easy field goal range with a delay penalty on fourth down from the 26.

“It says a lot about our heart up front and as a defensive unit in general,” cornerback Jerrell Burks said. “We’re there to help the offense. We have their back when they slip up and make mistakes just like they’re there for us when we make mistakes. It just showed our heart, man, our heart and how mentally strong we have been, bend but don’t break.”

“We talked all camp that we were going to be the backbone of the team,” linebacker Ben Secouler said. “It confirmed with me that we knew what our identity was as a team and as a defense we knew this unit was going to be big for us.”

Burks scored the Mighty Oaks’ first official touchdown in program history when he returned an interception 85 yards to get his team within 12-6. He had a second pick in the end zone late in the third quarter to keep the Vikings from extending their lead.

“It meant a lot to contribute to the team in general, but it gives you a little bit more to toot your own horn to score the first program touchdown ever,” he said. “I was on a blitz and I saw the QB step back and pop it up. It was in the air for a little bit, so I was waiting for it, caught it and the rest is a done deal.

“I ain’t gonna lie, I’m tired. Once I hit the end zone I was tired. When I came to sideline, it was like being in a room full of little kids yelling. I’m definitely excited about it. I will say I called those shots this whole week, and I called it before the game even started. I told coach I was getting a pick-six today.”

He was reminded that most people don’t believe it when players make those type of predictions. Burks scoffed.

“I know they do now,” he said.

Secouler believed.

“Right before I walked out I told Eric Worley we’re going to get one of them for us and – boom – he picks it off, takes it all the way to the house,” he said.

The offense, meanwhile, struggled. It had only 48 yards rushing in the first half and surrendered a safety in the second quarter that made it 5-0.

Despite all it did to keep the Mighty Oaks in it, the defense had its problems, too. The Mighty Oaks scored their first two touchdowns of the season, but each time the Vikings answered within two minutes as blown assignments led to big plays.

“I felt, as players, we were better than them, but the mistakes we made were just so major it changed the game,” Secouler said. “We’ve just got to fix that this week.”

The Mighty Oaks used all three quarterbacks. Cam Wright was the surprise inaugural game starter, getting the call about 20 minutes before kickoff. He played the first quarter and put together a drive that ran between the 30s, but that was the extent of his appearance.

“Honestly, it was pretty cool,” he said. “They were very closed off about who was going to be the guy because I’m sure they wanted us all to try our best to compete for that spot. I ended up getting it, so that was very cool to be able to start. I went out there and tried to do my best. I obviously need to do a little better; there’s always room for improvement.”

Malakhai McKenzie followed him and played the second, third and most of the fourth quarters. He wasn’t all that effective – his first series ended with the safety – but he did score their first offensive touchdown on a quarterback sneak in the third quarter. He was 5-of-11 for 41 yards passing and netted minus-15 yards rushing on 10 carries.

“It means something to me to be the first person (on offense) to score from Salem,” McKenzie said. “I was looking to get one. I told them to get me that.”

On the offense’s struggles he said, “there’s definitely room for improvement. We’re going to get it together, though.”

Hill got his shot to run the offense when the Mighty Oaks took over at their own 30 with 1:31 to play. He got them across midfield with a 17-yard run and an 18-yard pass to Jeremiah Russell. He then took a 9-yard loss that set the Mighty Oaks on the 44 with only a few seconds left.

They sent everybody out hoping to find just one to make a play. Payne and HV’s Christopher Festa were hand-fighting all the way down the sideline, but Payne wrestled the ball away in the back corner of the end zone for the score that changed everybody’s mood.

“I was just ready for my opportunity,” Hill said. “I knew I wasn’t playing, they told me I wasn’t playing because I had mistakes in the scrimmage. Once my time came, I had to do what I’ve been asked, had do my job. I knew I had to throw a touchdown. That play, it was literally everybody go deep, whoever I see.”

“It was just get it in the end zone, do what you can to be a playmaker,” Payne said. “I just wanted to get down the field as fast as possible. I know he was a little physical, but I just used all my speed and I just made a play. Be a playmaker. It was like don’t drop it, ice in my veins, finish it off strong and make everybody leave excited.”

And he means everybody.

“I was ready to run to the end zone myself it was a great catch,” Burks said.

All in all, the inaugural game “exceeded my expectations,” Accorsi said. “They’re a really good program, established program, it’s one of the better junior college football teams you’ll play against and, shoot, we lost by eight, so in the grand scheme of things, after Montclair (scrimmage), after this, I’m extremely pleased.

“I asked the team, did they beat us or did we beat ourselves. All of them said we beat ourselves. Too many mistakes, too many penalties, too many miscues, too many assignments blown, too many missed calls. Those things are just going to catch up to you when you play a really good team.”

The Mighty Oaks have two weeks to figure it out. They’re open this week before returning to action Sept. 12 against Nassau CC at Schalick High School.

Hudson Valley (1-0)	3	16	7	0-	26
Salem CC (0-1)	0	6	6	6-	18

SCORING SUMMARY
HV-Samuel Locarno 24 FG, 11:18 1Q
HV-Safety, Malakhai McKenzie tackled in end zone, 13:50 2Q
HV-Jayden Hines 29 pass from MaKao Taylor (Connor Jackson kick), 7:08 2Q
SCC-Jerrell Burks 85 interception return (run failed), 2:13 2Q
HV-Julian Colon 12 pass from MaKao Taylor (Connor Jackson kick), 0:20 2Q
SCC-Malakhai McKenzie 2 run (run failed), 6:17 3Q
HV-Tevonte Williams 53 pass from MaKao Taylor (Samuel Locarno kick), 4:23 3Q
SCC-Jahfarri Payne 44 pass from Aidan Hill (no attempt), 0:00 4Q

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING — Hudson Valley: Tyquan Rush-Esdale 13-103, MaKao Taylor 3-34, Aaron Barnes 3-15, Dylan Maye 2-5, Daniel Olmstead 3-4, Cartier Joshua 1-0, Alex Lenoir 2(-1), Jayden Hines 2-(1-11); Salem CC: Tre McCloud 6-35, Kahmaj Kearney 7-30, Demetris Williams 5-9, Aidan Hill 2-8, Brian Pritchett 1-0, Jamar Smith 4-(-5), Malahkai McKenzie 10-(-15), Team 1-(-16).
PASSING — Hudson Valley: MaKao Taylor 14-28-2, 181 yards, 3 TDs; Daniel Olmstead 4-6-0, 58 yards. Salem CC: Aidan Hill 2-3-0, 44 yards, 1 TD; Malakhai McKenzie 5-11-0, 41 yards; Cam Wright 1-3-0, 14 yards.
RECEIVING — Hudson Valley: Trevonte Williams 1-53-1, Cartier Joshua 5-51, Jayden Hines 3-39-1, Dylan Maye 2-35, Julian Colon 3-30-1, Cameron Margeson 2-15, Raymere Mahadeo 1-15, Myquan Rush-Edsaile 1-1; Salem CC: Jahfarri Payne 1-44-1, Darion Joyner 2-21, Jeremiah Russell 1-18, Lamar McCoy 1-16, Kahmaj Kearney 2-12, Jon Pettigrew 1-6.

Mighty Oaks still making personnel decisions as they approach Saturday’s historic inaugural football game

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – It was four days before the biggest day in Salem CC athletics history and there was still so much to do the architect of the day didn’t have time to think about how historically significant it is.

“I’ll feel a lot better when Saturday’s over,” Mighty Oaks head coach Jay Accorsi said. “We just still have a lot to do to get to Saturday.

“There’s just still so much to do and so little time. I haven’t really thought about that part of it, to be honest with you. When Saturday’s over, then I can take a look back and reflect on those things, but there’s just still so much to do … in a short period of time.”

Indeed. The Mighty Oaks have done a lot of heavy lifting since college administrators approved starting a football program last fall green-lighting Accorsi’s vision of bringing junior college football to South Jersey, but there remains a lot of details to fall into place and to those doing it there just never seems to be enough time.

The players have been practicing for the team’s inaugural game against Hudson Valley CC at Pennsville High’s Lou D’Angelo Stadium, but on Tuesday at least the Mighty Oaks didn’t have a posted roster or depth chart. First- and second-team groups have been put together, but the pieces change because the coaches learn something new every day. Gameday festivities were still being planned.

It’s truly a work-in-progress, but such is the nature of a program where everything is new.

“I don’t think we know enough about this team and all the positions and all the players; I think it’s something we learn during games,” Accorsi said. “Normally teams don’t do that. I think with a new program it makes everything really difficult. You’re trying to prepare a lot of players. You’re trying to prepare a lot of positions. You’re trying to see what fits and what works. Usually in an established program you don’t have to do that. We do because we’re not an established program.

“It’s the weirdest situation I’ve ever been in my life, and I knew it would be that way. Usually you know your key guys going into games and going into the season. We and I have no idea. We’re starting to find that out, but I don’t know until we see it. This is a humbling experience.”

They caught glimpses of what it can be at the scrimmage last Friday. They scored the first touchdown of the game – their first touchdown in program history – and led 8-7 at halftime before the Red Wolves had too much for them in the second half and won 24-8.

“I felt better about where we were after that because we were competitive,” Accorsi said. “Not where I want us to be but then I’m one of those who’s always driven to be better.

“I thought we were very competitive, that’s what I was excited about. For a first year program to be able to do that, that says a lot about the players and the coaches in your program and you’re heading in the right direction. For a first year (program) to do that, it exceeded all my expectations.”

Accorsi said Malakhai McKenzie and Aidan Hill both would play at quarterback, but a definitive Opening Day starter has not been announced. McKenzie passed for 2,631 yards and 24 touchdowns in his two years as the starter at Paulsboro. Hill played multiple positions at Delaware’s Delcastle and Brandywine highs and was a player of the week multiple times his senior year once he became eligible after his transfer.

Both played significant roles in Friday’s scrimmage. McKenzie threw a long pass that nearly (should have) went for a touchdown. Hill came in down by the goal line and gave the handoff to big Brian Pritchett for the score and then threw the two-point conversion pass to tight end Robert Daly to give the Mighty Oaks an 8-0 lead.

“How many (plays) and where and what we do, we’re still trying to figure that out,” Accorsi said. “Obviously they’re two very different quarterbacks. They’re young, they’re inexperienced. We’re going to go through a lot of growing pains with them. There’s a lot we’ve got to do. I think it’s going to be a combination of those two and my guess is it’s going to be a combination of those two for a while.”

If McKenzie is the starter, he recognizes the enormity of the moment.

“It’s a big deal,” he said. “I want to do the best I can on that day, for sure, to show them what I can do. I’m taking it as an opportunity. It’s a lot of responsibility. I’ve just got to take it on my shoulders.”

Hill’s value is as a multiple threat. He has been a receiver in camp when he’s not calling signals, but he also could be a running back and a kicker.

“I played everything,” he said. “In high school I played quarterback, running back, receiver. Whatever fits me for that play is where they’re going to have me at and I’ve just got to show the best of my ability to make sure I know what I’m doing at that time. I’ve just got to be ready for my time when I come in, show them I can be the athlete I say I am. It’s really a fight (for the position); whoever does the best at the position is going to get the time.”

The Mighty Oaks have been prepping for Hudson Valley largely off what the Vikings did last season. The New Yorkers were 7-3 last season and went 3-2 against teams the Mighty Oaks play this season. They graduated a 2,100-yard passer, but return leading rushing Chanse Bonner (139-570-5).

But like their own team, there’s uncertainty.

“Coaches like schedules and things set and planned and doing all those things and I am definitely like that,” Accorsi said. “This experience has taught me you’ve got to live with what’s going on and try to make the best of it the best you can.

“When you set the bar high and your expectations are high, sometimes it’s hard to keep those. I want the players to be competitive and I want the players and coaches to have fun and enjoy this experience. If you don’t do that, then it’s not worth doing that. I can’t say the coaches and players aren’t enjoying this experience. As new and challenging as it is, 90 some guys are showing up every single day. That’s all you want. It’s a great environment and they want to be here. I think we’ve done that, so that’s a win already in my eyes.”

LOOSE ACORNS: Mighty Oaks hope to do a walk-through in Pennsville’s stadium Friday … Hill and McKenzie wore 1 and 2 red practice jerseys, but will wear 19 and 10 during games. For McKenzie, who wore 2 at Paulsboro, it’s a return to his midget football number. Hill’s number reflects his status as a receiver … Tickets will be available at the gate. General admission is $7. Children under 12 and Salem CC students with ID are free. All ticket sales are cashless … The stadium PA announcer will introduce the Salem CC defense and Hudson Valley offense before the game … The Pennsville High School pep band will play at the game. 

Salem CC takes early lead, but falls in its first-ever football scrimmage, Accorsi ‘pleasantly surprised’ at what he observed

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

MONTCLAIR – For the first time sending his team against somebody in a different colored uniform, Salem CC football coach Jay Accorsi was impressed. And so was the opposing coach.

The Mighty Oaks didn’t win the first scrimmage in program history, falling at NCAA Division III Montclair State 24-8 Friday night, but they did “much better” than the coach’s expectation and even scored their first touchdown to take an early lead in the game.

“I was pleasantly surprised,” Accorsi said. “At the end of the first quarter it’s 8-0 so I’m like ‘wow, we’re competing.’ We had our first Mighty Oaks touchdown, went for the two-point play and got it, and we’re up 8-0.

“You take it for what it’s worth, but I was pleasantly surprised. We competed all the way through, three quarters. The fourth quarter was a running clock. We were able to get everybody in. We had our first Mighty Oaks turnover, first Mighty Oaks tackle, first Mighty Oaks everything. It was fun and I was pleasantly surprised, I really was. We did much better than my expectation.”

Of course, all the official “firsts” take place next Saturday in their inaugural game against Hudson Valley CC at Pennsville High School, but, still, everything that took place Sprague Field was memorable.

Montclair coach Mike Palazzo spoke to the Mighty Oaks at the end of the exercise to pitch what his four-year program had to offer and even he was very impressed how well the first-year program competed.

The Mighty Oaks hit the Red Hawks early. Malakhai McKenzie connected with Darion Joyner on a long pass play that got knocked out near the goal line. Brian Pritchett scored the program’s first touchdown on a short run and Robert Daly caught the two-point conversion pass to make it 8-0. Later in the game, Stephen Little got their first takeaway with an interception.

“It was good to see the first Mighty Oaks touchdown,” Accorsi said.

All three quarterbacks played and did “pretty well” while the coaches mixed and matched a lot of linemen, running backs and receivers.

“I wanted to make sure we got lot of players on film so we could evaluate them and see where we’re at and then start to make some depth chart decisions,” Accorsi said. “It’s still going to be a work-in-progress for us. I think it’s going to be more which players play in which situation and how many reps.

“With a new program and an eight-game season and for everyone doing it for the first time I think we need to really play a lot of players and look at the long run and long haul of the program. I just think that’s going to be the nature of who we are. We’re going to have rely on a lot of players in a lot of different spots.”

Top photo: Screenshot of Brian Pritchett bursting into the end zone for Salem CC’s first ever touchdown and the early lead in its scrimmage at Montclair State.

Salem CC football heads to Montclair for first live scrimmage since birth of the program


By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – In more established programs, a scrimmage at the end of training camp might be part of the routine, but for the startup Salem Community College football team it’s the most important exercise in the history of the program.

For the first time since the school agreed to launch the program the Mighty Oaks will face a team in a different colored uniform as they scrimmage at Montclair State Friday at 5 p.m. You bet head coach Jay Accorsi thinks it‘s a pretty important.

“It’s the first outside competition ever, so it is a big deal,” he said. “I mentioned that (Sunday) to the team and I’ll mention it leading up. They’re gonna get an opportunity to show what they can do, but it’s got to be in the framework of what we’re trying to do as a team offensively and defensively, too. That’s going to be the challenge: Letting them get an opportunity to show what they can do, but it just can’t be about them, too; it’s gotta be what we need to do as a team.”

That’s the reason he chose Montclair. He’s familiar with the program and its traditions, having faced the Red Hawks many times during his days as Rowan’s head coach, so he knows what he’s going to get. And it’s on the road, so they can teach the players the mechanics of game operations.

Above all, Accorsi wants it to see the Mighty Oaks organized, cohesive and competitive on both sides of the ball.

“We need to find out what players can do in live situations,” he said. “You can simulate it in practice, you can do mini sessions with more hitting, but you don’t know until you put a full 11 out there. So I want it to be organized, I want it to be competitive and I want the players to really compete. I think that’s what we’re really looking for.”

Jobs may not be won, but the coaches will get the strongest indication yet of who’s on track to start in the inaugural game against Hudson Valley CC Aug. 29 at Pennsville High School.

Both coordinators have an idea of who’s rising to the fore, but it’s a lot difference between the big bumps in practice and what happens when the lights come on.

“We’ve thrown a lot at the kids, but they’ve adapted pretty well; we’re pleasantly surprised with where we’re at at this point,” offensive coordinator Chris Crowley said. “I kind of have an idea of what we have but you really don’t know until you get in a game situation. When you get on the field you’ve got to do something with it. Some guys have taken advantage of that and have created a situation where they’re going to get some opportunities. It’s going to be a good test to see where we’re at.”

All three quarterbacks – Malakhai McKenzie, Cam Wright and Aidan Hill – are expected to play as well as multiple running backs and receivers. Receivers Jahfarri Payne and Darion Joyner have been impressive in practice as has big running back Brian Pritchett.

“We have guys who can do different things; there could be a world where we play multiple guys,” Crowley said of the quarterbacks. “It’s great to have one take it, give him the keys and let ‘im go, but we’re probably not in that situation right now, but guys are gonna get chances in situations.”

Likewise, defensive coordinator Joe Dougherty has an idea of the 25 to 30 who ultimately will play in his defense; now, it’s just a matter of determining a rotation. Charlie Shute, Mark Moore, Ben Secouler, Jamar Jones and Hayden Alexander have all shown well in camp.

“I think we have in what we need, what we need to be successful, and then well put in specifics,” Dougherty said. “Our base stuff should be ready to roll and we’ll see what they can do. I just want to see kind of their reactions. It’s different when you’ve got to go make a tackle.”

Salem CC players get their football jerseys, numbers Monday

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

CARNEYS POINT – The line into the storage room in the fieldhouse stretched all the way back to the lobby. One by one, the players on the Salem Community College football team emerged with a crisp white jersey with their number for the Mighty Oaks’ inaugural season ahead.

And then the games began.

The basketball court looked like the floor of the New York Stock Exchange as players who didn’t get a desired number sought to make a deal. There was more wheeling and dealing going on than at an NFL general managers meeting.

“I think we’re up to four and I think there’s still negotiating going on,” defensive coordinator Joe Dougherty said. “I don’t think we’re in a situation where a star tailback comes over and gives somebody a Mercedes for his number.”

There were at least two trades confirmed by Riverview Sports News. A couple three-way deals were said to be proposed, but were likely to be shot down by management.

Sam Rowley swapped the 54 he was assigned for the 99 defensive linemate Kaden Hood of Kingsway got. And Winslow cornerback Erik Worley traded his 4 for the 3 that went to Woodstown receiver M.J. Hall. Both were amicable trades, made without incentives.

“I wanted something different,” said Rowley, who played at Salem and Haddon Heights. “I wore 54 in high school, but I wanted 99 because I saw that jersey in my high school but I couldn’t wear it because my coach wouldn’t allow it, so I just wanted to wear it now because it was available.”

“I originally wanted 59, but I couldn’t get that,” Hood said. “I had 99 in Little League, but the jersey (here) was a little too big for me, so we agreed to a trade. This one fits me better; that one was a 3X. It’s a good number for me right now.”

That’s not to say there wasn’t another trade coming. He still hoped to lock down the 59.

Worley had a more permanent reason for seeking the 3. It was his number in high school and he wanted it to match the number he’s had tattooed on his wrist the last two years.

“That’s my lucky number,” he said.

The jersey swapping was part of the football program’s first media day, an occasion to take the official inaugural team photo and individual shots more than anything. The players submitted their three preferences for numbers. The original six players that went through the spring were locks to get their choice and given green jerseys for the photo to distinguish their position as trailblazers and the rest were accommodated as much as possible.

“With a full roster of guys the numbers are limited,” offensive coordinator Chris Crowley said. “Everybody wants to wear single digits, it’s just not reality when you come to a big program. We have no single digit numbers of like 5-star guys coming in promised No. 9. We don’t have that right now.”

Numbers 0 and 1 are most coveted by players but a lot of programs won’t give them out. The Mighty Oaks assigned both numbers.

The 1 went to running back Brian Pritchett of Bridgeton. He looked too big to fit into a jersey that typically goes to a small player, but he maintained it would be no problem pulling it over his broad shoulders. A couple players approached him about a straight-up trade, but he wasn’t budging.

“I wore No. 1 in high school my senior year,” the 5-10, 230-pound Pritchett said. “I thought it was going to be 5 (his practice jersey) or 7 or something. I can fit in it. I know I can fit in it.”

Vinnie Ringo, a transfer from Lamar University, sought out the 0 because of what it represents.

“I feel like zero comes with a huge responsibility and I feel like I’m the man for it,” he said. “I believe everybody understands I’m in here for the responsibility.”

Regardless what number the players sought or eventually received, head coach Jay Accorsi said they wore them well.

“I like how they look in them,” he said. “It’s hard because you don’t have pads on and stuff, so all the guys are like, ‘Coach, too big; it’s too big.’ Well, wait ‘til you put it on and then see how it is. I thought they looked nice.”