Salem goes through its only preseason scrimmage Saturday in a jamboree format embraced by new Rams coach
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
When it’s the only scrimmage you’re going to have in the preseason you want to make sure it suits your needs to a tee.
Much like he did with his Week Zero game, new Salem football coach Danny Mendoza had a devil of a time finding a good preseason scrimmage for his team.
He didn’t want the usual 10-and-10 exercises followed by some situational work. He could get that in a typical practice. He wanted something that would simulate a game.
When he found a spot in Saturday’s tri-state scrimmage at Wilmington’s McKean High School, he suggested a style he favored from his days coaching in Florida – a preseason jamboree similar to a spring game.
Each team will play two 12-minute quarters of real football against each other. McKean and Philly’s Olney Charter will start it off at 5 p.m., followed by Salem and Olney, then Salem and McKean.
“When I talked to (McKean head coach Avery McMullin), he didn’t really know about the idea, but I thought it would be great for us to get that game scrimmage feeling,” Mendoza said. “We’ve got a Week Zero game, so we need that.
“I don’t do the tri-scrimmages. I don’t do quad stuff. The only reason I did them when I was here before was because I wasn’t the head coach. Now that I’m the head coach I want to do it how I’ve always done it: Have a kickoff classic, which is a preseason exhibition, and then we get into our season.
“Playing all these quads among all these other teams doesn’t really benefit me. I lose a day of practice. We don’t want everyone to see our stuff and we don’t want to give guys free film pretty much. I’ve never been a fan of that, so I got an opportunity to do it this way. Coach McMullin was on board.”
Mendoza found the scrimmage the same way he found the Rams’ Week Zero opponent, Executive Education Academy Charter School of Allentown, Pa.: On an Eastern Pennsylvania football website that lists team’s open dates. He called it “unfortunate” the Rams couldn’t get something with an in-state team, but a “blessing” they were able to find something.
“It’s just as important as any other game,” Mendoza said. “Obviously, it’s a game that doesn’t count, so it’s a game you just want to get better at and get your guys as much live looks and different scenarios that you can within a non-controlled scrimmage. We’d rather do this moreso than anything else and it worked out just the way we wanted to.
“This will let us know where we stand and what we need to work on and correct before we go up to Lafayette (for the opener) and it counts for real. It’s super important, our kids are fired up for it and we’re going to make the most of it.”
Several players are emerging as ones to watch since Mendoza opened his first camp. Senior RaMaji Bundy has moved from being the Rams top returning receiver to replace an All-Diamond Division quarterback and has picked up the offense well. Detric Simmons, a 6-3, 320-pound senior, has shown explosive quickness and a mean streak on the line, junior Jarred Pew has shown flashes of being a special talent at running back and junior Daveon Jackson is developing into a leader on the defense.
On the cover: New Salem football coach Danny Mendoza
Category: SALEM
Full card
Salem locks up elusive Week Zero game with Pennsylvania charter school, has full nine-game slate
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
SALEM – Danny Mendoza has wanted to play a Week Zero game since the day he arrived as Salem’s new football coach, but it has been a difficult search. He finally found one, but, sticking to the theme for his first season, they had to go out of state to do it.
The Rams completed their 2023 football schedule shortly before opening fall camp when they landed an Aug. 25 game with Executive Education Academy Charter School of Allentown, Pa. The game will be played in Lafayette College’s Fisher Stadium.
“We just want to have the opportunity to play Week Zero and dictate our own destiny,” said Mendoza, who was formally approved in June to succeed Montrey Wright as head coach. “We don’t want our kids to lose games with the way they’ve got this schedule set up.”
The Rams were going to be a bunch of road warriors this season as it was as they await the completion of their football stadium later this fall, but with the addition of this game they now will travel 688 round-trip miles in the regular season and have three trips of 120 miles or more .
They will play in three states and in two college stadiums. Besides the game at Lafayette – where offensive line coach Eric Fizur is an alum – they will play in Rutgers’ SHI Stadium Sept. 23. They also have a game at Abessinio Stadium in Wilmington Sept. 2.
Mendoza said the Rams looked far and wide to find a game but even though it seemed many South Jersey teams didn’t have a Week Zero game they got no takers. They almost had a game with Neptune, taking Mendoza back to his old stomping grounds, but it fell through.
Finally, they found the Raptors on an Eastern Pennsylvania open date website and made the connection for a one-time game. EEACS is a third-year football program that has had two winning seasons and went 8-4 a year ago.
“We were checking through the mud for stuff, just trying to find anything,” Mendoza said. “We reached out to everybody. Everybody.
“Our kids are going to have to play in some environments and really understand you have to take this as a chip on our shoulders and embrace being road warriors and understand if we can play away in different environments and come out successful that’s going to build us up to, God willing, a long postseason and maybe be able to earn some home games in the playoffs.”
The Rams have only two home games this season, on back-to-back weeks in October. Athletics director Darryl Roberts said the stadium project is on track and he anticipates it being ready by mid-September.
The team just completed its second day of fall camp and Mendoza said things were progressing “surprisingly well.”
“They’re taking to our practice tempo, they’re taking to the new style of offense and defense that we’re going to play,” he said. “They’re flying around, a lot of energy … and definitely on the right track to put ourselves in a good position to be successful.”
Photo: The football team from Executive Education Academy Charter School lines up for a play. Salem landed the Raptors for its Week Zero game this season. (EEACS website photo)
| DATE | SALEM SCHEDULE | MILES |
| Aug. 25 | vs. Executive Education Academy; Lafayette College | 107 |
| Sept. 2 | vs. Camden; Abessinio Stadium, Wilmington | 21 |
| Sept. 8 | at Pleasantville | 61 |
| Sept. 16 | at Penns Grove | 13 |
| Sept. 23 | vs. Cedar Creek; SHI Stadium, New Brunswick | 97 |
| Sept. 29 | at Woodstown | 14 |
| Oct. 7 | vs. Paulsboro | HOME |
| Oct. 14 | vs. West Deptford | HOME |
| Oct. 21 | at Woodbury | 31 |
Scrimmage schedule
Here is a listing of this summer’s preseason scrimmage games for the Salem County high schools. A complete day-by-day regular-season schedule for the county schools, as well as schedules for football, field hockey, soccer and tennis can be found elsewhere on the website
Aug. 16
FOOTBALL
Schalick, West Deptford, Lower Cape May at Mainland Regional, 10 a.m.
Bishop Eustace, Pemberton at Pennsville, 2 p.m.
Penns Grove at Maple Shade
Aug. 17
FOOTBALL
St. Joseph Academy at Woodstown, 9 a.m.
Aug. 18
FOOTBALL
Penns Grove at Highland
Aug. 19
FOOTBALL
Schalick at Deptford Twp., 10 a.m.
Woodstown at Overbrook, 10 a.m.
Salem, Olney Charter at McKean (Wilmington), 5 p.m.
Aug. 21
FOOTBALL
Buena at Pennsville, 10 a.m.
Aug. 23
GIRLS TENNIS
Millville at Schalick, 9 a.m.
Vineland at Pennsville, 10 a.m.
Aug. 24
FOOTBALL
Haddon Heights at Pennsville, 6 p.m.
Delsea at Woodstown, 7 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Pleasantville at Penns Grove, 10 a.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Salem at Deptford Twp., 9 a.m.
Woodstown at Triton Regional, 9 a.m.
West Deptford at Pennsville, 10 a.m.
Aug. 25
GIRLS TENNIS
Penns Grove at Pleasantville, 10 a.m.
Pennsville at Millville, 10 a.m.
Aug. 28
GIRLS SOCCER
Schalick at Kingsway, 9 a.m.
Cumberland at Penns Grove, 10 a.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Clearview at Schalick, 9 a.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Woodstown at Timber Creek, 9 a.m.
Deptford Twp. at Pennsville, 10 a.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Williamstown at Pennsville, 10 a.m.
Woodstown at Ocean City, 11 a.m.
Aug. 29
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem at Hammonton, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Cumberland at Penns Grove, 10 a.m.
Woodbury at Salem, 10 a.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Pennsville at Buena, 10 a.m.
Salem at Woodbury, 10 a.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at Kingsway, 9 a.m.
Aug. 30
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem, Schalick, Bridgeton at Cumberland, 8:30 a.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Schalick at Cumberland, 9 a.m.
Penns Grove vs. Gloucester Co. Christian at Paulsboro, 10 a.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Cumberland at Schalick, 9 a.m.
Williamstown at Woodstown, 9 a.m.
Paulsboro at Penns Grove, 10 a.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Cumberland at Schalick, 9 a.m.
Woodstown at Timber Creek, 9 a.m.
Pennsville at Deptford Twp., 10 a.m.
Aug. 31
GIRLS TENNIS
Delsea at Pennsville, 10 a.m.
Penns Grove at Haddon Twp., 10 a.m.
Salem at Bridgeton, 10 a.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Gloucester City at Woodstown, 9 a.m.
Haddon Heights at Pennsville, 9 a.m.
Penns Grove at Salem, 10 a.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Salem at Bridgeton, 10 a.m.
Sept. 1
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem at Buena, 10 a.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Woodstown at Haddon Twp., 4:15 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Haddon Twp. at Woodstown, 4:15 p.m.
Sept. 5
GIRLS SOCCER
Bridgeton at Salem, 4 p.m.
Clayton at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Gloucester City, 4 p.m.
Timber Creek at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Gloucester City at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Clayton, 4 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Woodstown at St. Joseph Academy, 9 a.m.
Our Lady of Mercy at Woodstown, 3:30 p.m.
Highland Regional at Salem, 4 p.m.
Millville at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Salem County by day
Here is a day-by-day schedule for the high school fall sports teams in Salem County; the schedule will be posted at the start of each week during the school year
Aug. 25
FOOTBALL
Burlington City at Penns Grove, 10 a.m.
Gloucester City at Schalick, 7 p.m.
Salem vs. Executive Education Academy at Lafayette College, 7 p.m.
Aug. 31
FOOTBALL
Pleasantville at Penns Grove, 10 a.m.
Pennsville at Lindenwold, 6 p.m.
Haddon Heights at Woodstown, 7 p.m.
Sept. 1
FOOTBALL
Pitman at Schalick, 7 p.m.
Sept. 2
FOOTBALL
Salem vs. Camden, noon, site TBD
Sept. 5
GIRLS TENNIS
Penns Grove at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Salem at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Sept. 6
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at West Deptford, 4 p.m.
Sept. 7
FIELD HOCKEY
Clayton at Salem, 4 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Overbrook at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Salem at Pittman, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Schalick, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Glassboro at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Deptford Twp., 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Penns Grove at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Sept. 8
FOOTBALL
Woodstown at Paulsboro, 11 a.m.
Salem at Pleasantville, 6 p.m.
Schalick at Wildwood, 6 p.m.
Lower Cape May Regional at Pennsville, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville at Gateway, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Woodstown at Deptford Twp., 4 p.m.
Sept. 9
FOOTBALL
Penns Grove at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Gateway at Schalick, 10 a.m.
Sept. 11
BOYS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Salem at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Salem Tech at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Glassboro at Salem, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Sept. 12
FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Deptford Twp., 4 p.m.
Sept. 13
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Salem at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Overbook at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Salem, 4 p.m.
Sept. 14
FIELD HOCKEY
Clayton at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Glassboro, 3:45 p.m.
Salem at Deptford Twp., 4 p.m.
Schalick at Clearview, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Penns Grove at Palmyra, 4 p.m.
Sept. 15
FOOTBALL
Gateway at Pennsville, 7 p.m.
Riverside at Schalick, 7 p.m.
Woodstown at Deptford Twp., 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Cumberland at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Buena at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Gateway at Salem, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Cherry Hill West, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at Cumberland, 4 p.m.
Sept. 16
FOOTBALL
Salem at Penns Grove, noon
GIRLS SOCCER
Schalick at Delsea, 10 a.m.
Sept. 18
FIELD HOCKEY
Glassboro at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Salem at Pennsauken Tech, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Salem at Bridgeton, 7 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Penns Grove at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Salem at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Sept. 19
BOYS SOCCER
Overbook at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Salem, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Glassboro at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Overbook, 4 p.m.
Salem at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at Overbook, 4 p.m.
Sept. 20
FIELD HOCKEY
Overbook at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Salem at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Deptford Twp., 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Glassboro at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Salem at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Sept. 21
BOYS SOCCER
Glassboro at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Salem, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Overbook, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Overbook at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Salem at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Sept. 22
FOOTBALL
Glassboro at Woodstown, 7 p.m.
Schalick at Pennsville, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Bridgeton at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Washington Twp., 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Audubon at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Haddon Heights at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Schalick at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Gloucester Catholic at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Salem at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Sept. 23
FOOTBALL
Penns Grove at Haddon Heights, 11 a.m.
Rumble on the Raritan
SHI Stadium at Rutgers, Piscataway
Salem vs. Cedar Creek, 3 p.m.
Sept. 25
FIELD HOCKEY
Timber Creek at Schalick, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Glassboro at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Salem at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Clayton at Salem, 4 p.m.
Overbrook at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Glassboro at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Sept. 26
FIELD HOCKEY
Overbrook at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Sept. 27
BOYS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Salem at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Schalick, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Salem, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Sept. 28
FIELD HOCKEY
Deptford Twp. at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Salem, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Highland Regional at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Clayton 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Our Lady of Mercy at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Sept. 29
FOOTBALL
Pennsville at Cumberland Regional, 6 p.m.
Lindenwold at Schalick, 7 p.m.
Salem at Woodstown, 7 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Haddon Twp., 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Paulsboro, 4 p.m.
Salem at Haddon Heights, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Palmyra, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Salem at Pennsauken Tech, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Penns Grove at Overbook, 4 p.m.
Salem at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Sept. 30
FOOTBALL
Paulsboro at Penns Grove, noon
Oct. 2
FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Salem at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Schalick, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Kingsway at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Oct. 3
BOYS SOCCER
Glassboro at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Salem, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Overbrook at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Salem at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Schalick, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Penns Grove at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Salem, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Oct. 4
FIELD HOCKEY
Deptford Twp. at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Salem at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Oct. 5
FIELD HOCKEY
Cumberland Reg. at Schalick, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Salem Tech at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Salem at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Oct. 6
FOOTBALL
Overbrook at Pennsville, 7 p.m.
Penns Grove at Glassboro, 7 p.m.
Schalick at Bishop Eustace, 7 p.m.
Woodbury at Woodstown, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem at Audubon, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Williamstown, 4 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Delsea at Total Turf, Pitman, 5:45 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at Delsea, 4 p.m.
Oct. 7
FOOTBALL
Paulsboro at Salem, noon
BOYS SOCCER
Schalick at Woodstown, 5 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Schalick at Our Lady of Mercy, 4 p.m.
Oct. 9
FIELD HOCKEY
Our Lady of Mercy at Schalick, TBD
Salem at Gloucester City, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Gateway at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
Paulsboro at Salem, 4 p.m.
Washington Twp. at Schalick, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Schalick at Washington Twp., 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Audubon, 7 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Salem at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Oct. 10
FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Salem, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Gloucester Catholic at Salem, 4 p.m.
Overbrook at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
Oct. 11
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Salem at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Overbrook at Salem, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Oct. 12
FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Gloucester Catholic at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Salem at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Oct. 13
FOOTBALL
Pennsville at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
Schalick at Cumberland, 7 p.m.
Woodstown at Haddonfield, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem at Gloucester Co. Tech, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Glassboro at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Overbook, 4 p.m.
Salem at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Glassboro at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Overbook at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Salem, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Bridgeton at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Oct. 14
FOOTBALL
West Deptford at Salem, noon
Oct. 16
FIELD HOCKEY
Deptford Twp. at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Salem, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Oakcrest, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Overbook, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Palmyra at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Salem at Gloucester City, 6 p.m.
Woodstown at Sterling, 7 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Gloucester City at Salem, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Oct. 17
BOYS SOCCER
Overbook at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Salem at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Glassboro at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Salem, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Haddon Heights, 4 p.m.
Oct. 18
FIELD HOCKEY
Oakcrest at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Salem at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Overbrook at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Salem, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Oct. 19
BOYS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Salem, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Salem at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Oct. 20
FOOTBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Schalick, 7 p.m.
Pennsville at Pitman, 7 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Clayton at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Glassboro at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton at Salem, 4 p.m.
Overbrook at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Glassboro at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Salem at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Oct. 21
FOOTBALL
Salem at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 11 a.m.
Oct. 22
GIRLS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Woodbury, 4 p.m.
Oct. 23
BOYS SOCCER
Salem Co. Vo-Tech at Pennsville, 7 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Ocean City at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Salem, 4 p.m.
Salem Co. Vo-Tech at Pennsville, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 27-28
FOOTBALL
NJSIAA Playoffs
Nov. 3-4
FOOTBALL
NJSIAA Playoffs
Nov. 10-11
FOOTBALL
NJSIAA Sectional Finals
Nov. 17-19
FOOTBALL
NJSIAA Semifinals
Dec. 1-3
FOOTBALL
NJSIAA State Championship Games
Girls tennis schedule
Here is the 2023 girls tennis schedule for Salem County high schools; will be updated when schedules become available
Sept. 5
Pennsville at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Salem at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Sept. 6
Woodstown at West Deptford, 4 p.m.
Sept. 7
Penns Grove at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Sept. 11
Glassboro at Salem, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Sept. 13
Pennsville at Salem, 4 p.m.
Sept. 15
Woodstown at Cumberland, 4 p.m.
Sept. 18
Salem at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Sept. 19
Woodstown at Overbook, 4 p.m.
Sept. 20
Glassboro at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Salem at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Sept. 22
Pennsville at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Salem at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Sept. 25
Pitman at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Sept. 27
Pennsville at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Salem, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Sept. 28
Our Lady of Mercy at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Sept. 29
Salem at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Oct. 2
Kingsway at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Oct. 3
Schalick at Salem, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Oct. 6
Woodstown at Delsea, 4 p.m.
Oct. 9
Salem at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Oct. 10
Gloucester Catholic at Salem, 4 p.m.
Overbrook at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Oct. 12
Gloucester Catholic at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Salem at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Oct. 16
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Oct. 17
Pennsville at Haddon Heights, 4 p.m.
Oct. 18
Overbrook at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Salem, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Girls soccer schedule
Here is the 2023 girls soccer schedule for Salem County high schools; will be updated when schedules become available
Sept. 7
Pennsville at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Deptford Twp., 4 p.m.
Sept. 8
Woodstown at Deptford Twp., 4 p.m.
Sept. 11
Salem Tech at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Sept. 13
Gloucester Catholic at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Salem at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Salem Tech at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Sept. 15
Gateway at Salem, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Cherry Hill West, 4 p.m.
Sept. 16
Schalick at Delsea, 10 a.m.
Sept. 18
Salem at Bridgeton, 7 p.m.
Sept. 19
Glassboro at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Salem at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Sept. 21
Overbook at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Salem at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Sept. 22
Schalick at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Sept. 25
Clayton at Salem, 4 p.m.
Overbrook at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Sept. 27
Pennsville at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Sept. 28
Highland Regional at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Sept. 29
Salem at Pennsauken Tech, 3:45 p.m.
Oct. 3
Overbrook at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Salem at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Oct. 5
Penns Grove at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Salem at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Oct. 7
Schalick at Our Lady of Mercy, 4 p.m.
Oct. 9
Schalick at Washington Twp., 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Audubon, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11
Overbrook at Salem, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Oct. 13
Glassboro at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Salem, 4 p.m.
Oct. 16
Gloucester City at Salem, 4 p.m.
Oct. 17
Glassboro at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Salem, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Oct. 19
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Salem at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Oct. 20
Glassboro at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Salem at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Oct. 23
Ocean City at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Salem, 4 p.m.
Salem Co. Vo-Tech at Pennsville, 5:30 p.m.
Boys soccer schedule
Here is the 2023 boys soccer schedule for Salem County high school teams; will be updated as schedules become available
Sept. 7
Overbrook at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Salem at Pittman, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Sept. 9
Gateway at Schalick, 10 a.m.
Sept. 11
Penns Grove at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Salem at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Sept. 13
Clayton at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
Sept. 15
Buena at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Sept. 18
Salem at Pennsauken Tech, 3:45 p.m.
Sept. 19
Pennsville at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Salem, 4 p.m.
Sept. 21
Glassboro at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Salem, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Overbook, 4 p.m.
Sept. 22
Audubon at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Haddon Heights at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Sept. 25
Glassboro at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Salem at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Sept. 27
Gloucester Catholic at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Salem at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Sept. 29
Pennsville at Paulsboro, 4 p.m.
Salem at Haddon Heights, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Palmyra, 4 p.m.
Oct. 3
Pennsville at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Salem, 4 p.m.
Oct. 5
Salem Tech at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Oct. 7
Schalick at Woodstown, 5 p.m.
Oct. 9
Gateway at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
Paulsboro at Salem, 4 p.m.
Washington Twp. at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Oct. 11
Clayton at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pitman at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Salem at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Oct. 13
Glassboro at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Salem at Wildwood, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Oct. 16
Salem at Gloucester City, 6 p.m.
Woodstown at Sterling, 7 p.m.
Oct. 17
Overbook at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Salem at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
Oct. 19
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Pitman, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Salem, 4 p.m.
Oct. 20
Clayton at Salem, 4 p.m.
Overbrook at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Oct. 23
Salem Co. Vo-Tech at Pennsville, 7 p.m.
Field hockey schedule
Here is the 2023 schedule for the Salem County high schools; will be updated as schedules become available
Sept. 7
Clayton at Salem, 4 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Sept. 8
Pennsville at Gateway, 4 p.m.
Sept. 12
Pennsville at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Deptford Twp., 4 p.m.
Sept. 14
Clayton at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Glassboro, 3:45 p.m.
Salem at Deptford Twp., 4 p.m.
Schalick at Clearview, 4 p.m.
Sept. 15
Cumberland at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Sept. 18
Glassboro at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Sept. 20
Overbook at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Salem at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Deptford Twp., 4 p.m.
Sept. 22
Bridgeton at Salem, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Washington Twp., 4 p.m.
Sept. 25
Timber Creek at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Sept. 26
Overbrook at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Sept. 28
Deptford Twp. at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Salem, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Oct. 2
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
Salem at Clayton, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Oct. 4
Deptford Twp. at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Salem at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Oct. 5
Cumberland Reg. at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Oct. 6
Salem at Audubon, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Williamstown, 4 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Delsea at Total Turf, Pitman, 5:45 p.m.
Oct. 9
Our Lady of Mercy at Schalick, TBD
Salem at Gloucester City, 4 p.m.
Oct. 10
Schalick at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Salem, 4 p.m.
Oct. 12
Schalick at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Oct. 13
Salem at Gloucester Co. Tech, 4 p.m.
Oct. 16
Deptford Twp. at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Gloucester Catholic at Salem, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Oakcrest, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Overbook, 4 p.m.
Oct. 18
Oakcrest at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Salem at Glassboro, 4 p.m.
Oct. 20
Clayton at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Glassboro at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
‘It was a good first day’
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
SALEM — Danny Mendoza opened the doors of the Salem football program — his Salem football program — to his players for the first time Tuesday with no expectations of what he might see.
But even with that he admitted he was pleased with the number of players who came through the door.
Mendoza was approved as the Rams’ new football coach last Wednesday. After an introductory meeting with his players the next day and a weekend to soak it all in, a group of 30 players went through their paces in the work-in-progress that is the Rams’ new weight room.
There’s a hope of another dozen or so joining the ranks in the coming days, but what he saw from the attitude and effort of those in the room the first day was enough to excite the new coach.
“It was a good first day,” Mendoza said. “Coming in new with them – the coaching change, the variables of what we lost and what we gained – I just hoping for a good turnout. I was hoping we’d have three-quarters of a team here, which we did.
“When I saw those guys come in, the majority on time – which is 15 minutes early for us – ready to go, ready to learn … that was a positive result for Day One. You want to hear kids talking about what they’re doing, kids competing with each other. Seeing that today was probably the most positive thing to me. I’m excited to see what’s coming.”
The Rams are expected to have some rebuilding to do. Beyond the seniors that graduated, six players have transferred to other programs in the transition. Mendoza doesn’t have time to worry about that. You play with what you have.
“There will be a new leading receiver, there will be a new leading rusher, there will be a new leading passer, a new leading tackler,” he said. “So, these guys have to look at it more as an opportunity to put their names on the map.”
There’s a lot of new coming to Mendoza’s program, including a big new premium right outside the back door. Work continues on the Rams’ first on-campus football stadium, a 1,500-seat facility replete with a Jumbotron, to replace the historic Walnut Street Park venue they really had to leave.
The natural-turf stadium is expected to be done this year, in time for the Rams to play the first of their two home games, Oct. 7 against Paulsboro.
It’s all part of a plan the ‘Jersey-born and Florida-bred’ head coach has to “take the grittiness and toughness of Jersey and … put a little bit of Florida flavor and flash on top” of it.
While Tuesday’s first day is a start, perhaps the most important day is Day Two.
“That’s what we’ve got to see,” Mendoza said. “How many guys are going to come back tomorrow.?You hope to get the same number or more, and if we do get that then we’re moving in the right direction.”
Salem football coach Danny Mendoza holds the new style of Rams’ helmet.
Salem gets its man
Danny Mendoza returns to state as Rams’ new football coach looking to combine Jersey grit with Florida flash
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
SALEM – Danny Mendoza has logged a lot of frequent flier miles between his playing and coaching stops in New Jersey and Florida. He hopes to inject the best football qualities of both states as his newest adventure brings him back home.
Mendoza was approved as Salem High School’s new head football coach Wednesday night. He succeeds Montrey Wright, who stepped away in February after eight years at the helm and back-to-back section titles.
Mendoza, 33, spent the past two seasons in his back and forth sojourn up I-95 as the head coach at Wellington (Fla.) High School, where he posted a winning record and took a team to the playoffs that hadn’t been since 2018, but he is a true man of two states. He calls himself “Jersey-born and Florida-bred” and his football resume reflects that.
He was born in Jersey City, but grew up in Orlando. He played at Florida A&M, then transferred to Kean. His high school coaching trail included stops at Red Bank, Apopka (Fla.) – going to the state title game – and JFK-Iselin before getting his first head coaching job at Wellington.
Each state has a distinct approach to the way it plays the game and it’s Mendoza’s aim to bring them both together to keep the Rams rolling.
“Football in Florida is raw talent, raw speed and just dog mentality; it’s just so competitive,” he said. “From the bottom to the top, left to the right. The kids are hungry, man, because we don’t have a lot down there. As Florida guys, we always carry that chip on our shoulder.
“When it comes to Jersey, Jersey’s tough, man. Jersey kids are great, they’re gritty, tough kids, well coached. If you had to define Jersey football, I’m thinking bone-chilling hitting, sound football and tough, gritty kids. Then you get the glitz and glamour and the flash of Florida.
“We’re going to take the grittiness and toughness of Jersey and we’re going to put a little bit of Florida flavor and flash on top of that. I think you’re going to see a great product.”
Mendoza was one of three new coaches the Salem board approved Wednesday night. Former Rams player Dion Alston is returning as an assistant football coach and Shanna Scott has been promoted to head coach of the field hockey program after six years as legendary coach Donna O’Leary’s assistant.
Six months ago the new Jersey football coach “never would have expected I’d be named the head coach at Salem High School in June,” but the chips had a way of falling his way. The Rams actually had their new coach earlier in the process, but that candidate was active military and learned he was going to be deployed in September.
Athletics director Darryl Roberts posted the search on an AD’s website. It got seen by an administrator in Red Bank who knew of Mendoza’s desire to return. They reached out and after a series of conversations with some other Garden State coaching buddies Mendoza threw his hat into the ring and quickly rose to the top of the pile.
“I wouldn’t have imagined (getting a coach from Florida) at all, but his resume was very impressive with some of his experiences,” Roberts said. “We were coming down to the wire trying to find a coach and when he gave me a call it was just a blessing. It was great to hear.
“Obviously, he’s about academics and making sure the kids are doing what they’re supposed to be doing and, really, trying to create young men who can contribute to their community. He has a vision. He has a plan for the team … I think once he gets in and establishes his program we’ll be fine.”
Mendoza led Wellington to the FHSAA playoffs in 2021, transforming a team that was 3-7 the year before to 7-4. He was 6-5 in 2022. He oversaw the renovation and expansion of the Wolverines’ weight room and updated uniforms and equipment. During his watch, the team’s GPA rose from 2.8 to 3.3.
And he’ll fight for his players as evidenced by the intensity he has shown on the sidelines.
“It’s always the kids first,” he said. “Being a football kid growing up I know what football can do for young men, I know what football can do for young men in this type of community as well.
“I’m a product of a community similar to Salem City. I grew up in East Orlando and it’s not the greatest place, so you have to learn to get around and navigate to get out, so always putting the players first and giving them everything you can possibly give them within your means and ability is what I’ve done. If you’re going to ask kids to run through a wall for you, you’d better be running through a wall for them. That’s what I’m about. I’m always fighting for my kids.”
The Rams are still working on their schedule. They may wind up getting a Week Zero game, but as of now Mendoza’s first game back in Jersey is a big one – Camden in one of the Mid-Atlantic Classic games in Wilmington Labor Day weekend.
He knows it’s a lot closer than you think.
“We’re behind the eight-ball four, five months,” he said. “I’m used to starting my off-season program second week in January. We’re having to get some stuff ready. Strength and conditioning is a big part of our program and you’re going to see a difference on that with what we’re going to with it with these guys and take it to the next level.
“We’re trying to make sure everything is good to go for these kids when they come back. We want them to come back to a different look to hopefully build some excitement and have them more productive, so we’re going to put our effort forth and make sure they have everything they need to go to get their summer work taken of because they are starting a little bit later than everybody else.”
Riverview Sports News 