Rams’ season gets off to a rousing start, but they couldn’t keep it going and fell to Pleasantville
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
SALEM — The second season of Salem football under Kemp Carr couldn’t have gotten off to a better start. It was what happened next the Rams have to work on.
The Rams scored their first touchdown of the season less than 90 seconds into the game, but they didn’t find the end zone again and Pleasantville dominated the second half to hand the Rams a 20-8 loss.
The opening two minutes of the game gave the Rams hope they’d finally get their first win under Carr. And it was a bunch of newcomers that made the biggest impacts.
Transfer Makhye Murry recovered a fumble on Pleasantville’s first play from scrimmage. New quarterback Desmund Thomas immediately went up top for the end zone, but freshman Ahmed Tucker couldn’t bring in the pass. Undeterred, Thomas went deep two plays later and this time freshman Kyvion Parsons hauled it in for the score.
Thomas then tossed the conversion pass to Antwuan Rogers to make it 8-0.
Kyvion Parsons (11) celebrates with teammate Kaden Robinson after scoring his first career touchdown Saturday against Pleasantville. (Photos by Julliana Love)
“Catching my first touchdown for varsity in my first game, I was hyped,” Parsons said. “We felt we were going to blow them out, but we came out in the second half and just wound down. We can’t wind down on anybody.”
It was similar to their Cinnaminson loss in the second game last season when they scored on one of the first plays of the game, but didn’t have much success thereafter. While it was nice to have a lead, Carr knew it was way too much football to play to celebrate.
“A team’s got to finish, man,” he said. “It’s about finishing. It’s never how you start; you’ve got to finish games. We go three quarters without scoring. We move the ball, then we do something stupid.
“You get a big turnover down there, (then) you throw an interception right after it. Those are things we can’t do. We have to stay even keel, run our concepts, stay true to who we are and play through the clock.”
The Rams held the lead until the last minute of the quarter. The Greyhounds intercepted a softly thrown Thomas pass and brought it all the way back to the 2 with the Rams’ quarterback saving a touchdown. Pleasantville finally scored when Nazir Griffin ran in from the 7 and then caught the conversion pass from Semaj Dozier to tie the game.
It stayed that way until the final 30 seconds of the half when Jamil Hudson caught the first of his two touchdown passes from Dozier to put the Greyhounds ahead for good. The Rams had an interception by Tucker erased by a penalty early in the drive.
Hudson’s second touchdown catch capped a 70-yard drive that took up nearly nine minutes of the third-quarter game clock. It was highlighted by two big conversions – a 16-yard catch by Hudson on third-and-14 and the touchdown on fourth down.
The Greyhounds knew Thomas was the key to their offense and constantly had him on the run. He did complete 12 of 22 passes for 128 yards.
“Up front we had the advantage and just put the pressure on him,” said Pleasantville coach Elijah Glover, a winner in his first game as head coach with the water bucket shower to prove it. “If they wanted to keep the ball in his hands like they wanted to, then you’ve got to find a way to make it come out fast.”
Thomas looked to have beaten the pressure in the fourth quarter, scrambling out of the pocket and hooking up with Kaden Robinson for a 56-yard touchdown pass with 7:27 to play that would’ve gotten the Rams back within striking distance with plenty of time left. But the play came back because of an ineligible man downfield penalty from the other side of the field. The drive ended a few plays later on a dropped fourth-down pass steps from the end zone.
It was just a tough second half for the Rams. They were held to minus-10 yards net rushing and 28 yards total in the half.
“We’ve got some things to clean up,” Carr said. “We’ll get back in and do the right thing. The glass is shattered, but it ain’t broke. We’ll put some glue on it and get it back where we need to.”
PLE (20)
SAL (8)
8
1st Downs
9
30-69
Rushing
21-18
9-11-0
Passing (C-A-I)
12-22-1
130
Passing yds
128
4-1
Fumbles-lost
1-1
4-28.8
Punts-avg
4-29.0
10-75
Penalties-yds
6-55
Pleasantville 20, Salem 8
Pleasantville (1-0)
8
6
6
0-
20
Salem (0-1)
8
0
0
0-
8
SCORING SUMMARY S: Kyvion Parsons 42 pass from Desmund Thomas (Antwuan Rogers pass from Desmund Thomas), 10:36 1Q P: Nazir Griffin 7 run (Nazir Griffin pass from Semaj Dozier), 40.4 1Q P: Jamil Hudson 30 pass from Semaj Dozier (run failed), 23.9 2Q P: Jamil Hudson 26 pass from Semaj Dozier (run failed), 2:00 3Q
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.
Salem beats former coach in ‘family feud,’ Schalick has surprise visitors, Pennsville takes road less traveled
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
SALEM – It might not go down as anything more than a footnote to the season in the long run, but when you haven’t won a game in a while, even a win in a scrimmage is worth celebrating.
The Salem Rams were feeling pretty good Thursday after scored their first win under full game-like conditions in 22 months when they blanked Haddon Heights 8-0.
“We talked about it (the impact of the win),” Rams coach Kemp Carr said. “I thought we had good energy all day, which is going to be important to the way we play … I think if we play the way we did in the third quarter it’s going to be a fun season.”
There was a fun element to the scrimmage. They were calling it a “Family Feud” on the sideline. Heights is coached by former Salem head coach Montrey Wright and seven of the Garnets coaches were coached by Carr.
Wright led the Rams to eight straight winning seasons (67-24) and two sectional titles from 2015 to 2022. He had this year’s Salem seniors as freshmen.
“It was (a family feud); I’m glad my food tastes better,” Carr quipped.
The Rams embraced it. They held the Garnets to 104 yards of net offense during the three varsity quarters and 138 yards total. They turned back three red zone threats. They scored the game’s only touchdown and had two others denied by a penalty and a quick whistle.
“If it takes me coming back to get those kids excited to play, that’s just what it is,” Wright said. “There’s no ill will; I love Salem. If I’ve got to come back to get those kids to play like I know they ought to can, then I’ll do it.”
Salem rush end Antwuan Rogers (44) and Haddon Heights coach Montrey Wright (L), the former Salem head coach, share a moment on the way off the field following the Rams’ 8-0 win. (Riverview Sports News photo)
Antwuan Rogers was inspired. The Temple pledge looked like he was trying to set the school’s single-season sack record all in one day. He wound up with four and kept Garnet quarterbacks on the run. He was a force all game long, but there was a particular three-play sequence late in the second quarter that really stood out.
Heights had taken over in the red zone after a turnover. Rogers sacked the quarterback on back-to-back plays for 12 yards in losses, then provided the heavy produced that led to Isaiah Santiago’s interception.
“My DB told me, ‘Tweeze, I need pressure from you; you give me pressure, make the quarterback throw a bad ball, and I’m going to get it,” Rogers said. “I gave him what he needed. I want to do whatever I can do for my team to win.”
“I need that all year,” Carr said. “I hope (teams) double-team him; it allows us to do some other things. If one guy can do two people’s job in any job in the real world you get more bang for your buck, so we feel like we’re going to get more bang for our buck. I thought he played hard and if you play hard you’re going to get good results.”
The whole defense was active and determined to get the shutout. Heights had it first-and-goal from the 5 on the final series of the scrimmage, but the Rams wouldn’t yield. They made a stop for no gain on first down and then they threw the Garnets for a 3-yard loss.
The next two plays went for the score. Kyshann Long broke up the pass on third down and then Long and Kyvion Parsons – Carr’s grandson – broke up the final play in the back of the end zone.
“That was all freshmen and sophomores out there (in that final possession),” Carr said. “One of the things we want to do is let them play a little bit together no matter how good or developed they need to be. We want them to play together so they can get a chemistry, a camaraderie and they can believe in each other. Now they know each other, so that was really good.”
Rogers and freshman Ahmad Tucker were named the Kings of the Game and had the hardware to go with it.
Tucker’s biggest play was a 60-yard touchdown catch that made quarterback Desmund Thomas look good. Thomas stayed in the pocket looking for a receiver and Tucker eventually gave him a target by deftly slipping behind the defense who weren’t going to catch him.
The game style “didn’t fit” Thomas on this day, but the quarterback still managed to complete 8 of 14 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown and rush for 51 yards on six carries. He had a 38-yard touchdown pass to Kaden Robinson blown dead by a quick whistle to protect the quarterback that probably wouldn’t occur in a real game.
The Rams also lost a touchdown to a holding penalty on their opening drive.
Salem quarterback Desmund Thomas extends his body for more yardage after being brought down by Haddon Heights. Top photo: Freshman Ahmad Tucker celebrates after scoring the scrimmage’s only touchdown. (Photos by Kaitlyn Khairzada)
Schalick’s surprise spectators
PITTSGROVE – Schalick coach Kevin Leamy looked around the stadium after he walked into Friday’s scrimmage with Buena and was a little surprised by who he saw.
Walking through the gate was the Somerville head coach and a couple of his assistants who made the 90 mile drive down the turnpike to see their opening game opponent up close and personal. The teams play Friday night at Schalick in a game that initially was part of the Battle at the Beach weekend..
“I went over and introduced myself and said ‘Hi,’ asked them how their drive was,” Leamy said. “That’s a long hike. That’s commitment, driving down and scouting us like that.
“I told the kids this is going to be a well-coached team. Any coaches who have that type of commitment, you know that they’re doing everything they can to try and win a game. A lot of respect for those guys who drive two hours to watch a scrimmage. It means they’re putting in a lot of work and taking us seriously.”
All they did by making the trip was beat the Hudl posting by six hours. It’s not like they really saw a lot because Leamy had already planned to be “very vanilla and conservative” in the scrimmage. The visiting coaches were gone after the Cougars’ starters finished their two quarters of work.
Neither team scored in the half and for the Cougars that’s two scrimmages without a touchdown. Because of the pace and style of the game, both Schalick quarterbacks effectively got a quarter to put some separation in their battle.
Sophomore Kenny Bartee appeared to get the best of it, but apparently not enough to distance himself from junior scrimmage starter Gary Simonini.
Bartee got the second possession and took the Cougars from their 46 to the 20. He moved the chains with an 11-run on fourth down and broke off another 27-yard burst to reach the red zone.
“He had a good day,” Leamy said. “He runs the ball really well. He’s hard to bring down. Once he gets out in space he’s very dangerous. He did a really good job.
“We’re going to meet as coaches (Saturday) and talk more about making a decision (on a starter). We’ll see what that decision is.”
Pennsville on the move
WOODSIDE, Del. – Pennsville took a ride over the bridge and came back feeling good about itself heading into Game Week.
Coach Mike Healy went searching after his Thursday scrimmage fell through at the last minute and Delaware’s Polytech answered the call. So did the Eagles.
“It was much better across the board (than Monday’s scrimmage with Salem),” Healy said. “More disciplined and aggressive.”
And efficient, too. The only drive they were stopped on was due to a fumbled handoff.
Ahmad Tucker (4) and Antwuan Rogers show off their regal hardware after being named Salem’s players of the game for their effort in Friday’s scrimmage. (Riverview Sports News photo)
New Salem quarterback looks to a lot of people like a certain former NFL QB as he impresses in first scrimmage
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
PENNSVILLE – It is no coincidence new Salem quarterback Desmund Thomas wears No. 7.
See the way he looks in the uniform and carries himself on the field. Watch the way he escapes the rush and eventually makes something happen. Look at the sidewinder way he slings the ball downfield. Follow him as he takes off to run.
If he doesn’t remind you of former Virginia Tech, Falcons and Eagles quarterback Michael Vick you haven’t been watching football very long.
Like he hasn’t heard that before.
“They call me ‘Baby Vick’ sometimes,” the junior said. “At first I didn’t even see it. But when people see I can actually throw and they see I can actually run that’s when that comparison came up.”
Thomas has never met Vick or seen him play live, but knows all about him even though he was born the year before Vick joined the Eagles. “I watched his whole documentary,” he said. Of all the Vick versions out there, he likes the Philly Vick the best.
He’ll tell you, though, his choice of jersey number has nothing to do with any comparison to the current Norfolk State head coach.
“It’s me, it’s just me,” he said. “I want to be the best of me.”
By all accounts he was pretty good Monday against Pennsville in his first padded action against outside competition since transferring to Salem from Georgia,
He directed the Rams to four touchdowns in their eight goal-line plays after Robbie McDade led the Eagles to three in their first four plays. Then he directed a five-play, 65-yard touchdown drive to start their 10-and-10 and lofted a touchdown pass to 6-2 KaiSiere Muhammad on the final play of the varsity portion of the exercise.
Altogether he was 12-of-17 for 137 yards and three touchdowns passing (and had another 6-yard TD pass nullified by a penalty) and rushed for 48 yards and two goal-line scores. One of his completions was a spectacular 45-yarder that Quimere Bergen laid all the way out for and one of his incompletions was a ball he eventually threw away after a long Vick-like run to escape Pennsville pursuit. His longest run went for 40 yards.
He looked a lot like he did while putting up some big numbers for Mt. Zion in Jonesboro, Ga., the last two years.
“I feel better since I’ve been here,” he said. “I feel more elusive in the pocket, I’m able to move around, trust my teammates when I’m on the run, extend the play, things like that. I’m glad to be here.”
“I was really impressed with him, and it wasn’t just his ability to scramble, it was his ability to keep his eyes downfield and still keep looking, trying to find the open player,” Pennsville coach Mike Healy said. “He’s a big handful, that’s for sure. He did a lot of good stuff.”
Despite all the good things Thomas did in the scrimmage, he still had some missteps Rams coach Kemp Carr said need to be corrected before he can become the truly great quarterback he believes he can be.
“I’m looking for him to be a complete player,” Carr said. “The sky’s the limit, but I need him to hit every phase and he missed two phases today. He showed he can do a lot of good things, but we’ve got hit the phases when we need to hit the phases.
“The game is about levels. We want every level to fill and he missed some levels today. But he did a good job being able to scamper and play off-schedule, which is good.”
Even Michael Vick wasn’t built in a day.
NOTES: Thomas threw his other touchdown passes to Antwuan Rogers and Jovanni Rios, a transfer from Pennsville. Rios caught three more passes and had a 14-yard run against his former team after they threw him for a 7-yard loss the first time he touched the ball … The three touchdowns Pennsville scored in the goal-line drill were the only ones they scored in the scrimmage. Their goal in the workout was to get a lot of players on film against outside competition and they achieved that with liberal substitutions … The Rams have added a Week Zero game to the schedule. They will open their season at home against Pleasantville Aug. 29 at 3:30 p.m.
Salem rush end Antwuan Rogers (44) sets his sights on Pennsville quarterback Robbie McDade during Monday’s scrimmage. (Top photo) Salem QB Desmund Thomas looks downfield for a receiver as the Pennsville defense closes in.
Schalick: QBs battle on
FRANKLINVILLE – The objective of Schalick’s first scrimmage of camp was to get some separation between its two quarterback candidates, but after a couple 10-and-10s at Delsea Monday morning the battle still rages.
Gary Simonini and Kenny Bartee got 10 plays each in the exercise to show what they could do in the option and the result was about a draw.
“I don’t think either one of them necessarily separated,” Cougars coach Kevin Leamy said. “They both showed signs and did things very well (and) they both showed me things they need to improve on.
“I think if we had to play a game tomorrow I think I would be comfortable playing both of them in a game. Neither one of them did bad, but as of right now I plan on using both of them because neither is necessarily separating above the other.”
Simonini, a junior, drew the opening assignment and had a somewhat balky start, but bounced back and accounted for 28 yards of net offense. Bartee, a sophomore, ran the final five plays of each set and accounted for 21 net yards. Both had a keeper in the option that went for more than 10 yards.
“I feel like I didn’t accomplish what I really wanted to,” Bartee said. “I wanted to show them who I was, but with the little drives I did have I think I did fine.”
“You always want to be better at everything I do,” Simonini said. “At the end of the day we’re both capable of playing this position. We both are good football players. At the end of the day we’re just out here to have fun playing a kids game.”
They’ll get another chance to show out in a more game-like scrimmage Friday against Buena. Leamy wasn’t sure after Monday’s exercise if he’d split the work series by series or quarter by quarter in the scheduled half of game action.
Then, too, he wouldn’t be opposed to playing two quarterbacks. He told both of them he wanted both to play in the opener against Somerville.
“I’ve watched a lot of Navy offenses that used two quarterbacks and did well,” Leamy said. “It’s not like it’s never been done before.”
As for the scrimmage overall, Leamy said, the Cougars did a “very good” job and “accomplished what we wanted to.”
The best play of the scrimmage was Simonini’s toss to David Stewart that opened their second 10-and-10 and went for 16 yards. The worst play was final play of their first defensive set when Delsea completed a play-action pass to a running back from midfield that went for the day’s only touchdown.
The Salem Rams, already with one mountain to climb, have found a secret hill to help them prepare for the football season ahead
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
SALEM — If opponents that had their way with the Salem football team a year ago suddenly find themselves locked in a fourth-quarter dogfight or woefully behind in the second half they only have The Hill to blame.
It’s one of the tools Rams coach Kemp Carr is using this year to get his team bigger, faster and stronger as they look to bounce back from a winless first season together. After swearing at it at first, the players now are swearing by it.
CARR
The players call it Death Hill. It’s on a remote stretch of road somewhere in Salem County – exact location undisclosed for secrecy sake – with about 150 feet of elevation change that gets the legs moving, the heart pumping and the adrenaline flowing. (It’s a win in itself to find such a place in a county Wikipedia says is “almost uniformly flat coastal plain with minimal relief.”
You’d think the idea would be to run up the hill to promote conditioning, but not surprising, Carr flips the script and has the Rams running downhill to promote both speed and control. Besides, what coach doesn’t love a downhill runner?
He first used the tactic for his track teams back in the day and it changed everything about their performances. It’s the first time he’s done it for football.
“You’ve gotta find ways to get an edge,” Carr said. “I use everything I have within my background to try to sharpen their skills, but also improve, no matter what position. That’s why we try to add as many additives to our program as possible to get versatile going forward.”
The exercise first began in June with eight hearty volunteers, a group that included rush end Antwuan Rogers and newcomers Desmond Thomas and Jovanni Rios. It quickly grew to 16, still voluntary, and then, as the benefits were becoming evident, mandatory for all and the rest, as they say, is history.
The first time they all ran it and helped each other through it, that’s when the players knew they had a different kind of mindset flowing within this year’s team.
It’s not just getting down The Hill in one piece or without wiping out the guys in front of you – “No one has, thankfully,” center Wyatt Irvine said. “That’d hurt.” – it’s getting down under a certain time depending on position and physical circumstance.
ROGERS
“It’s pretty awful,” Irvine said of his first experience. ”But we ran a lot and got a lot more used to it. In the beginning people were (grumbling) but I think they realized how much it helped. It’s definitely made practice a lot easier, condition wise. I feel like I can run a lot longer than regular practices now that we did the hills.”
“Our first day on The Hill I thought it was all right,” Rogers said. “I ran the first one, I felt good, I’m like all right, it’s just work. Then we run the second one and my eyes start getting black. Then we run another one after that and I was like, all right, I don’t like this. He (Carr) told us we were going to run 10, but once we got to three it was like I don’t know if I can make 10.”
There’s a story about a few players trying to skip out early in the process; they were driven out after practice to fulfill their obligation. No one escapes The Hill.
“I love the hills,” receiver Kaden Robinson said. “I love putting in hard work. It’s work. At the end of the day it’s getting everybody better, getting me better, getting the team better.”
And, after all, isn’t that, in the end, what it’s all about.
Top photo: The intrepid eight Salem football players who first braved coach Kemp Carr’s “Death Hill” training exercise during summer workouts. The group included Antwuan Rogers, Kaden Robinson, Kyvion Parsons, Desmond Thomas, Makye Murray, Jovanni Rios, Quimere Bergen and Amir Kornegay. (Submitted photo)
Football scrimmages begin this week; here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Aug. 18-23; x-scrimmage
MONDAY, AUG. 18 FOOTBALL x-Schalick at Delsea, 10 a.m. x-Salem at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
TUESDAY, AUG. 19 FOOTBALL x-Penns Grove, Cumberland, Haddon Twp. at Buena, 9 a.m. x-Audubon at Woodstown, 6 p.m. GIRLS TENNIS x-Delsea at Pennsville, 10 a.m.
WEDNESDAY, AUG. 20 GIRLS TENNIS x-Haddon Heights at Woodstown, 9 a.m.
THURSDAY, AUG. 21 FOOTBALL x-Penns Grove at Collingswood, 6 p.m. x-Triton at Pennsville, 6 p.m.
FRIDAY, AUG. 22 FOOTBALL x-Buena at Schalick, 10 a.m. x-Haddon Heights at Salem, noon GIRLS TENNIS x-Pennsville at Millville, 10 a.m. x-Woodstown at Ocean City, 10 a.m.
Salem looking to turn some heads with a renewed commitment that touches every part of the program
By Al Muskewitz Riverview Sports News
SALEM – The Salem football team is playing basically the same schedule it did last year in head coach Kemp Carr’s first season, but if those opponents think they’re going to get the same struggling Rams team they saw last year – the last two years, really – they’re in for a rude awakening.
With the addition of some dynamic newcomers, a renewed focus and aggressive approaches on both sides of the ball, the Rams promise to be bigger, stronger, faster than the group that struggled to score and went winless in 2024.
SALEM
Aug. 18: x-at Pennsville
Aug. 22: x-Haddon Heights
Aug. 29: Pleasantville
Sept. 4: at Cinnaminson
Sept. 13: Woodbury
Sept. 20: Glassboro
Sept. 25: at Schalick
Oct. 4: at Middle Twp.
Oct. 11: West Deptford
Oct. 17: at Woodstown
Oct. 25: Penns Grove
x-scrimmage
“We don’t try to talk about last year,” receiver Kaden Robinson said. “We want to erase last year. It’s a new year, new season. Bigger, faster, stronger. It’s a completely different team, completely different program.
“It makes me hungry. I’m glad we have the same schedule. Want to dominate every team we played last year when I look back. Got a lot to prove. If they sleep (on us), it’s time for them to wake up.”
The Rams had one of their toughest seasons in recent memory, going a depressing 0-9 for their first winless season since 2012. They scored nine touchdowns all season and held a lead only twice – the first touchdown of the Cinnaminson game and halftime of the Middle Twp. game.
They slammed the book on that chapter the minute their last game against Penns Grove went final and they haven’t looked back.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Carr said. “(Last year) is expired. It’s already expired. Everybody’s expired. Everybody.
“A team goes 8-3 doesn’t mean they’re 8-3 this year, or 0-9. It doesn’t matter (what last year was). You’re in the 2025-26 football season. A lot happens within a year. A lot happens. Depending on how you address your program, you can get better or you can get worst.
“The only thing I do know for sure, this team has gotten better – personnel wise, mentally wise, the social dynamic of how they handle each other. You can take good teams and be great or take great teams and only be good. It usually happens by the mentality of the senior leadership and how they carry themselves. I think we have a good (group) of guys wanting to do the right thing.”
And a lot has happened since the Rams last played a game. They committed to being better. They intensified their offseason workouts. They picked up some new players to address their shortcomings. And they put a lot of miles on the road to text themselves. Carr called the difference he’s seen between last year and this one “night and day.”
“We’re not here to make the playoffs,” Carr said. “We’re here to win a championship, but we’ve got to get off the schneid. We’ve got to get a taste of that win. It’s gotta happen fast.”
Salem football coach Kemp Carr stands in front of the 3D Rams mural that adorns the wall of his office.
The new mindset also is reflective of how the Rams will look on the field, having changed their approach on both sides of the ball. Think of it truly as basketball on grass, and the playbook has expanded accordingly to reflect the players’ abilities and aptitude.
The fast-break offense will have multiple options for dual-threat junior quarterback Desmond Thomas, who returns to his Salem roots after posting some big numbers in two varsity seasons in Georgia. He has looked impressive in the well-travelled Rams’ summer workouts and camps and will have as many as eight receivers and four running backs at his disposal.
“We’ve got a lot of depth, a lot of athletes,” Robinson said. “Anybody can play any position at any time. Everybody’s versatile.”
“We’ve definitely improved a lot,” center Wyatt Irvine said.
Carr called Thomas “the real deal.” The quarterback is smooth and fearless in the pocket, a strong runner and eager to get started.
“It feels great; I just wanted to be back home,” Thomas said. “I’m looking forward to a great season. I’m 10 times more excited (about this season starting). One, I’m being back home, being back with all my people. Ready to make history.”
On the other side of the ball, the Rams’ pressing defense will be rooted in chaos, with 6-5, 240-pound lineman Antwuan Rogers leading the charge. Captain Chaos, who committed to Temple earlier this summer, has his eye on the Rams’ single-season sack record (19) and he’ll be put in various spots to give that a better chance to happen.
That’s all right by him.
“I’m loving how everything is looking,” Rogers said. “We’re going to be good. We’re much more focused, locked in, working harder than ever. A lot of heads will turn. We’re going to shock the world.”
Here are the 2025 Salem County Sports Hall of Fame inductees. Ceremonies take place Aug. 28 in Salem Community College’s Davidow Hall and are free and open to the public.
Linda DuBois, coach, A.P. Schalick High School
Joseph Frassenei, coach, Woodstown High School and A.P. Schalick High School
Faleesha Dowe, track, Penns Grove High School (2011-2014), Delaware State University
Aisha Morgan, track, A.P. Schalick High School (1997-1999), University of Houston
Ceil Smith, founder, Salem County Sports Hall of Fame
Dennis Thomas, football, Salem High School (1993-1996), Rutgers University. Currently, Syracuse football director of high school relations/quality control
Community Service Award Donald Ayars Sr.
Honoring State Champions 1987 Salem track team: James Washington, captain, Coach Lee Bacon
2024-25 High School State Champions Arthur P. Schalick Spring Track 1600 Meters Group I: Jordan Hadfield
Pennsville Spring Track Pole Vault Group I: Megan Morris
Salem Spring Track Long Jump Group I: Anthony Parker
Woodstown Track 4×800 Relay Winter & Spring State Champions (Cole Lucas, Karson Chew, Jacob Marino, Joshua Crawford)
Spring Track 4×800 State Champion: Joshua Crawford
Salem CC Athlete Recognition
Ella Hayes – 2024 All-American, Softball; two-time Region XIX Player of the Year.
