Here is Friday’s Salem County sports action
FIELD HOCKEY
Washington Twp. 4, Schalick 2
BOYS SOCCER
Schalick 2, Washington Twp 2
GIRLS SOCCER
Audubon 3, Woodstown 0
Bridgeton at Pennsville
GIRLS TENNIS
Clearview 3, Woodstown 2
Kingsway 4, Pennsville 1
Wildwood at Salem
Category: SCHALICK
Tough night on road
All three Salem County football teams in action Friday night were on the road and lost; includes WJFL Diamond, Patriot division standings
FRIDAY’S SCORES
Cumberland 14, Schalick 7
Delsea 35, Woodstown 7
West Deptford 42, Pennsville 7
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
WEST DEPTFORD — The circumstances producing it may be different, but when you look at where they stand today, the Pennsville football team is in the same spot it was this time last year and things turned out all right. So they have that to consider as they look to bounce back from another 0-2 start.
The Eagles dropped their second straight game to open the season Friday night, 42-7 at West Deptford. They started last season 0-2, too, then rebounded to get into the South Jersey Group 1 playoffs and played two rounds.
Of course, those were two close games against Gloucester and West Deptford last year. The ones this season against the same opponents were not and that’s the worrisome part.
“Record-wise, we’re in the same position, but we’ve got to figure it out as a whole unit,” Pennsville coach Mike Healy said after explaining it to his team in a 20-minute post-mortem in the far end zone. “(Have to) better understand why are we out here, why are we doing what we’re doing.
“It’s very frustrating for all of us. We know deep down we are not putting out what we are right now and we’ve got to figure out how to find that within the kids, how to get the best of us on the field because right now we’re just not doing it.
“It’s a long season. We still have time to pull it together and accomplish our goals, but we’ve got to get it done. We can’t let it keep going like this. We have got to get it figured out and get started going. We don’t want to let the opportunity slip and then it be too late and we don’t have the opportunity any more.”
West Deptford, meanwhile, came into the game wanting to play better against Pennsville than it did in last year’s game when it needed a Sports Center highlight touchdown in the final minute from a backup quarterback pressed into action two minutes earlier to win.
The homestanding Eagles dominated this one for their second win of the season. They rushed for 366 yards (234 in the first half), racked up 22 first downs and held Pennsville to four first downs and less than 85 yards of net offense.
They scored touchdowns on four of their first five possessions and six of nine in the game. Zamir Davis rushed for 185 yards and three touchdowns. Cole Paskiewicz scored the first two touchdown of the game.
The seized the momentum from the very start. Pennsville fumbled the first snap of the game. West Deptford recovered and turned it into Paskiewicz’ first touchdown of the game.
“We looked for improvement from a year ago,” said West Deptford coach John Emel, who personally beat Pennsville for the ninth straight time. “A year ago they outplayed us.
“I told them before the game this year I want to play better than we did last year against them. I know we’re a better team, but our goal every day is to play better and I want to play better today.”
The highlight of Pennsville’s night was Perry’s Pic-Six, an 85-yard interception return for a third-quarter touchdown by senior defensive lineman Perry Meranti.
“That was nice,” he said. “That’s my first ever career touchdown, so that was a big moment for me. I definitely would have dreamed I was going to get (the first one) on offense more than defense.”
He certainly was in the right place at the right time, taking advantage of the coaches call to turn players loose in the second half for a chance to show what they can do.
West Deptford was on the verge of opening the second half with another touchdown, taking the kickoff and driving to the Pennsville 11. Quarterback Brady Cobb rolled right with the snap and for a moment looked like he was going to run it. Then all of a sudden he pulled up as he got closer to the line of scrimmage, tossed it and Meranti was there to pick it.
“Sometimes the only wrong decision is indecision,” Emel said. “He kind of looked like he wanted to run and at the last second tried to make a mountain out of a molehill and it cost us six points. He’s a smart kid, but that was not a smart play.”
The way the play flowed it didn’t take long for Meranti to clear traffic and once he got into the open field nobody was going to catch him.
“The wing, he rolled out trying to reach me, so I was just doing my job like we practice all week,” the senior said. “I’m trying to stretch the play out and I saw the QB cut up, so I tried to cut in and take him for a sack and he tried to dump it over the top and I kind of just caught it. It was just there.
“I was just trying to stay ready as much as I could. The second he pulled the pin I kind of broke for it.”
Meranti knows what has to happen for his team to get back on track.
“We have a really good team this year within us,” he said, “but us seniors, even me, we need to step up and take a role of leadership. I’ll say what our coaches said: Our leadership graduated last year and we need to take a big step forward and step up. Last year it was an internal change. We had people step up.”
Top photo: Pennsville’s Perry Meranti snags the interception he returned 85 yards for the Eagles’ only touchdown against West Deptford. (Photo by Amory Alleyne)
West Deptford 42, Pennsville 7
| PMHS (7) | WDEPT (42) | |
| 4 | 1st Downs | 22 |
| 27-53 | Rushing | 40-366 |
| 3-8-0 | Passing (C-A-I) | 5-9-1 |
| 29 | Passing yds | 60 |
| 1-1 | Fumbles-lost | 1-1 |
| 4-33.8 | Punts-avg | 0-0 |
| 7-58 | Penalties-yds | 2-15 |
| Pennsville (0-2) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0- | 7 |
| West Deptford (2-0) | 14 | 14 | 6 | 8- | 42 |
SCORING SUMMARY
WD: Colę Paskiewicz 4 run (Brady Cobb kick), 8:41 1Q
WD: Cole Paskiewicz 8 pass from Brady Cobb (Brady Cobb kick), 1:15 1Q
WD: Zamir Davis 48 run (kick failed), 10:12 2Q
WD: Zamir Davis 6 run (Colę Paskiewicz pass from Brady Cobb), 25.3 2Q
P: Perry Meranti 85 interception return (Danny Knight kick), 9:33 3Q
WD: Zamir Davis 2 run (kick failed), 2:20 3Q
WD: Kameron Simpkins 5 run (Bryce Wynn run), 9:05 4Q
Delsea 35, Woodstown 7
FRANKLINVILLE — Delsea did what Delsea does and what it didn’t do when the teams played a year ago.
The Crusaders rushed for a whopping 465 yards as a team, with three backs each going for more than 100, to avenge their low-scoring, one-point overtime loss to the Wolverines in last year’s season opener.
Milo Gebhard led the crush with 143 yards on nine carries. He scored the first two touchdowns of the game as Delsea opened a 21-0 halftime lead. Nasir Hart had 122 yards and two TDs on five attempts, while Imair Chester had 120 yards on seven carries and the game’s final touchdown.
Freshman quarterback Frankie Hoerst scored Woodstown’s only touchdown, a 6-yard run in the third quarter that answered the coaches’ challenge at halftime. Hoerst had 25 yards rushing and completed six passes for 71 yards.
Cole Ware had an interception for the Wolverines.
“I was happy with the way our kids fought tonight,” Woodstown coach Frank Trautz said. “They (Delsea) were very physical and for our young team to get a taste of that tonight it was good for us. We can take a lot of good things away from it. I do think this will be a positive for us moving forward.”
Delsea 35, Woodstown 7
| WOOD (7) | DEL (35) | |
| 10 | 1st Downs | 17 |
| 26-62 | Rushing | 32-465 |
| 6-17-1 | Passing (C-A-I) | 1-2-1 |
| 71 | Passing yds | 23 |
| 2-0 | Fumbles-lost | 1-0 |
| 2-40.0 | Punts-avg | 0-0 |
| 8-51 | Penalties-yds | 10-100 |
| Woodstown (1-1) | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0- | 7 |
| Delsea (2-0) | 7 | 14 | 7 | 7- | 35 |
SCORING SUMMARY
D: Milo Gebhard 1 run (Logan Cordero kick)
D: Milo Gebhard 59 run (Logan Cordero kick)
D: Nashi Hart 8 run (Logan Cordero kick)
WO: Frank Hoerst 6 run (Frank Hoerst kick)
D: Nasir Hart 46 run (Logan Cordero kick)
D: Imair Chester 37 run (Logan Cordero kick)
WJFL Standings
| DIAMOND DIVISION | ALL | DIV |
| Glassboro | 2-0 | 0-0 |
| Woodstown | 1-1 | 0-0 |
| Penns Grove | 0-1 | 0-0 |
| Salem | 0-2 | 0-0 |
| Schalick | 0-2 | 0-0 |
| Woodbury | 0-2 | 0-0 |
| PATRIOT DIVISION | ALL | DIV |
| Collingswood | 2-0 | 1-0 |
| West Deptford | 2-0 | 1-0 |
| Paulsboro | 1-0 | 0-0 |
| Audubon | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Camden Catholic | 0-1 | 0-0 |
| Overbrook | 1-1 | 0-1 |
| Pennsville | 0-2 | 0-1 |
Thursday’s Games
Cinnaminson 3, Salem 0
Friday’s Games
Cumberland 14, Schalick 7
Delsea 35, Woodstown 7
Glassboro 52, Haddon Heights 0
Haddonfield 41, Woodbury 0
West Deptford 42, Pennsville 7
Collingswood 27, Overbrook 14
Saturday’s Games
Audubon at Paulsboro
Deptford at Penns Grove
KIPP at Camden Catholic
Getting started
Salem Tech falls to Sterling in its first field hockey game in school history; also includes girls soccer, girls tennis
THURSDAY’S SCORES
FIELD HOCKEY
Sterling 4, Salem Tech 0
GIRLS SOCCER
Washington Twp. 5, Schalick 0
GIRLS TENNIS
Overbrook 5, Penns Grove 0
Vineland 3, Schalick 2
Wildwood at Salem
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
SOMERDALE — It was the first day of school for the students at Salem County Vo-Tech and a new day in the world of athletics at the school.
The Chargers have expanded their varsity sports offerings this academic year with the additions of field hockey, baseball and softball, and Thursday they played their first official field hockey match in school history.
It was a spirited debut despite losing to Sterling 4-0.
“I think we were all really excited for the game,” Chargers coach Maureen Lewis said. “The score honestly wasn’t a good reflection of how the game was actually played. If someone missed the first 10 minutes they would have thought at the end of the fourth it was 0-0.”
The game came at the Chargers fast, with the Silver Knights scoring all four of their goals in the first 10 minutes of the match. Alexis Johnston, Amelia Champion, Rilynn Eddis and McKenzie Ferrari all scored for the Silver Knights.
After that, Caroline Tighe stoned them in the cage. She was credited with five saves.
“I think we needed to get out our first official game jitters,” Lewis said. “Once we called a time out after the fourth goal was scored, we regrouped and they kicked it into gear.”
The Chargers will classify as Group 2 for NJSIAA playoff purposes and play in the Tri-County Conference Classic Division. They will compete as an independent this school year because the conference is in the second year of a two-year schedule cycle, but will be eligible for the state playoffs.
Their roster is a mix of players who may not have had an opportunity to play the sport before and, because the school now has a team to call its own, Vo-Tech students who had been playing at other programs because it had no team.
The plan is to play a schedule that gives the fledgling program every chance at early success. Most of their matches this season are against opponents that did not make the playoffs last year.
“We have some really talented players and I am really excited to see what they are going to do this season,” Lewis said. “Our new players are also doing great and getting better every day. Sometimes I forget some players are brand new to the sport. It’s been really cool to see their progress.
“This team is just really special and I’m lucky to be a part of it. It wasn’t easy for some of them to leave their teams they’ve played on for the last two or three years and I really respect how they have handled that. On the flip side, starting this team has given other players who may not have played for their home district an opportunity to play or try something new.”
The Chargers put their product in front of the home folks Wednesday against Paulsboro in their first-ever home opener.
GIRLS SOCCER
WASHINGTON TWP. 5, SCHALICK 0: Corrine Myers scored two goals in the first half and Taylor Stuart scored a pair in the second half as Washington Twp. spoiled Schalick’s season opener.
GIRLS TENNIS
VINELAND 3, SCHALICK 2
Kaitlyn Jones (V) def. Miya Watkins, 6-0, 6-0
Kasha Patel (V) def. Annmarie Podehl, 6-3, 6-1
Gonna Soto (V) def. Macy Slow, 6-1, 6-1
Olivia Lunemann-Sebrina Bradford (S) def. Angelina Apel-Marely Garcia-Flores, 6-2, 1-6, 10-2
Sammi Twigg-Jasmine Hunt (S) def. Cassidy Keller-Liliana Beni, 6-2, 6-4
Records: Vineland 3-0, Schalick 1-1,
OVERBROOK 5, PENNS GROVE 0
Sophia Burgos (O) def. Andrea Restrepo, 6-0, 6-1
Natasha Hreiz (O) def. Kavita Pulchard, 6-0, 6-0
Isabella Sepulveda (O) def. Ada Lopez, 6-0, 6-0
Anna Mason-Leah Wilde (O) def. Gianco Tirado-Nathalie Dominquez, 6-0, 6-0
Sophia Perticari-Charlotte Gall (O) def. Valaria Pedroza-Andrea Chapone, 6-1, 6-4.
Records: Overbrook 1-2, Penns Grove 0-2.
Full force full-time
Scurry, Virga each score twice as Schalick field hockey opens season of high expectations with a win; will be updated
TUESDAY FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick 5, Haddon Heights 2
Pennsville 3, Bridgeton 2
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
PITTSGROVE — Ava Scurry scored a school-record 40 goals on a field hockey team that set a lot of records last season and she wasted little time setting out to break that mark this year.
The Schalick senior scored two goals in the first 100 seconds of the season Tuesday and assisted on another goal, sending the Cougars to a 5-2 win over Haddon Heights.
“We were hyping this game up a lot because we had a target on our backs from last season so we wanted to come out and show everyone we still have it,” Scurry said. “We have our whole team from last year. It was a good way to start the season and a great way to start the game.”
Her goals came on the Cougars’ first two attacks of the season. The first came 20 seconds into the game when Luci Virga lifted a ball into the circle and Scurry knocked in a pass from Phoebe Alward. The second goal came 78 seconds later when she converted a 30-yard flick from Caylen Taylor.
The first goal came so quick Scurry worried that her mother might not have gotten to the game yet to see it.
“That was really quick,” Cougars coach Heather Cheesman said. “The girls made a commitment to themselves, they’re going full force every single time, never giving up. They don’t care how far they’re behind in a game, how far they’re ahead of a game, that was one of their goals. They’re going full force, 100 percent every single time.”
Virga, a 22-goal scorer last year, lit the lamp twice in the second quarter to give the Cougars a 4-0 halftime lead. Addi Shimp scored their final goal in the third off another assist from Alward.
“That forward line (Virga, Alward, Scurry), all three of them are a force to be dealt with,” Cheesman said. “All three of them together have their own strength and just together they get it done.”
NOTES: Lydia Gilligan made 10 saves in the cage on her 17th birthday for the keeper win … The Cougars have been invited to play in the new 16-team South Jersey Field Hockey Coaches Tournament of Championship Oct. 4 at Camden Catholic and Oct. 5 at Clearview.
PENNSVILLE 3, BRIDGETON 2: Izzie Saulin scored twice and Laura Tamburella once as the Eagles won a back-and-forth affair for their first season-opening win since 2020. Kelsey Cook posted her 100th career save during the game while preserving the victory.
Getting to know … Ava Scurry
Schalick senior talks about her love for field hockey, becoming a goal-scoring machine, the expectations for her senior season and playing with his sister.
RIVERVIEW SPORTS NEWS: You play a lot of sports at Schalick, but you’re a field hockey player first. Why did it rise to the top of your sports menu?
AVA SCURRY: I just enjoy it so much. I’ve been playing with all these people, my teammates, since I started in fourth grade. I played softball since I was like 4. (Field hockey) is just so much more fun to me.
RSN: What was the first success you enjoyed in it that told you this was the sport for you?
AS: Probably winning when we were in fourth and fifth grades, winning big games or big tournaments with all of our team, just celebrating. We made so many fond memories and had so many big moments.
My mom told me when I was like 12 I thought softball was going to be it for you and then field hockey just like kind of sucked it away.
RSN: I remember you early on as a big assist person, but last year you turned into a big goal scorer. Was that a conscious effort on your part or did it just happen?
AS: I think it just happened like that because I’m always trying to assist my teammates. I still try, but now being on the right side helps a lot and I think my teammates do great at sending balls (my way), that’s what changed.
I played on the left when I was a freshman and sophomore and I think that helped a lot with me getting a lot of assists. I moved to right last year and I think that made a huge change.
RSN: You guys had a really big year last year and everybody is back from that team, so what are your expectations for this year?
AS: Very high. I think our goal is to win state championship. It’s our last time as a group being together.
RSN: How much better is it now?
AS: I think we’ve progressed all season. We’ve been working in the offseason. We’ve been with each other all summer. We do camps together.
RSN: You’re playing with your sister Renee this year, a year delayed because of her injury, what will that be like?
AS: When we were little I didn’t really like it that much, but now I think it’s so much fun playing with her. We come to school together every day, we come to practice together, it really strengthens our bond. It’s just so much fun doing something that you love with your best friend.
RSN: What’s recruiting like for you?
AS: I’m committed to Montclair State. I’ve been committed since April. I knew I wanted to stay close to home, but not too close. I thought Rowan was way too close. Montclair is a bigger D-III. I liked the size. And the coaches and team atmosphere were really nice.
Tennis
Tuesday’s matches
Pennsville 5, Penns Grove 0
Salem at Gloucester Catholic
Schalick 5, Overbrook 0
Woodstown 5, Glassboro 0
PENNSVILLE 5, PENNS GROVE 0
Lily Edwards (P) def. Alease Stewart, 6-0, 6-1 (ret.)
Isabell Schrenker (P) def. Kavita Pulchard, 6-0, 6-0
Morgan Holt (P) def. Ada Lopez, 6-0, 6-0
Gabi Forino-Naomi Hess (P) def. Andrea Chapone-Valaria Pedroza, 6-0, 6-0
Yerlian Charon-Emma Hankin (P) def. Gianco Tirado-Nathalie Dominquez, 6-1, 6-1
Records: Pennsville 2-1, Penns Grove 0-1
SCHALICK 5, OVERBROOK 0
Miya Watkins (S) def. Sophia Burgos, 6-4, 4-1
Annamarie Podehl (S) def. Natasha Hreiz, 6-4, 6-0
Macy Clow (S) def. Isabella Sepulveda, 6-0, 6-0
Olivia Lunemann-Sebrina Bradford (S) def. Leah Wilde-Anna Mason, 6-0, 6-1
Sammi Twigg-Jasmine (S) def. Sophia Perticari-Charlotte Gall, 6-0, 6-2
Records: Schalick 1-0, Overbrook 0-1.
WOODSTOWN 5, GLASSBORO 0
Nathalie Neron (WO) def. Alana Killelea, 6-0, 6-0
Alyssa Berry (WO) def. Taylor Adcock, 6-0, 6-0
Noelle Neron (WO) def. Alice Dinzeo, 6-1, 6-1
Madison LaPalomento-Emilee Kehr (WO) def. Virginia Tarasevich-Sofia Dungca, 6-2, 6-2
Emma West-Elianna Norman (WO) def. Amani George-Ellie Whitaker, 7-5, 6-4
Record: Woodstown 1-0, Glassboro 0-1
This week’s schedule
Here is the Salem County sports schedule for the week of Sept. 2-6; x-scrimmage
TUESDAY, SEPT. 2
FIELD HOCKEY
Haddon Heights at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Bridgeton, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Glassboro at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
Penns Grove at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Overbrook at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Salem at Gloucester Catholic, 4 p.m.
WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 3
FIELD HOCKEY
x-Gloucester City at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.
x-Salem at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-Camden Academy Charter at Salem Tech, 4 p.m.
x-Salem at Gloucester City, 4 p.m.
x-KIPP at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Salem Tech at Pennsville, 3:30 p.m.
x-Cumberland at Penns Grove, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Bridgeton, 3:45 p.m.
THURSDAY, SEPT. 4
WJFL FOOTBALL
Salem at Cinnaminson, 6 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem Tech at Sterling, 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Washington Twp. at Schalick, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Gloucester Catholic at Schalick, 4 p.m.
Penns Grove at Overbrook, 4 p.m.
Wildwood at Salem, 4 p.m.
FRIDAY, SEPT. 5
WJFL FOOTBALL
Schalick at Cumberland, 6 p.m.
Pennsville at West Deptford, 7 p.m.
Collingswood at Overbrook, 7 p.m.
Woodstown at Delsea, 7 p.m.
Haddon Heights at Glassboro
Woodbury at Haddonfield
FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick at Washington Twp., 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-Penns Grove at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Schalick at Washington Twp., 4 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Bridgeton at Pennsville, 4 p.m.
Paulsboro at Salem, 4 p.m.
Woodstown at Audubon, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Kingsway at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Clearview, 3:45 p.m.
SATURDAY, SEPT. 6
WJFL FOOTBALL
Audubon at Paulsboro, 11 a.m.
Deptford at Penns Grove, noon
KIPP at Camden Catholic
Photo credit: Julliana Love
First in the books
Schalick jumps out to early in coach’s debut, but Group 3 visitors’ depth takes over in second half
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
PITTSGROVE – Matt Bloom and a couple of his Somerville assistants took the two-hour ride down the turnpike last Friday to check out Schalick’s final scrimmage of training camp. What they saw in the varsity half they watched didn’t really impact what they did in their game Friday night, but it never hurts to look.
They did pick up a tidbit or two during their visit, but it was more depth than play calls that played the biggest role in the Pioneers’ 34-17 win that spoiled by debut of Schalick head coach Kevin Leamy.
“You never take that for granted; you never know,” Bloom said. “It’s always being sure. New staff, lot of new players, a lot of things. We’ve never played anybody down in this part of the state, so it was one of those things we needed to make sure we got eyes on them from a first-hand experience.
“Plus, on film, they hadn’t played any offenses like our offense. Seeing them in person was crucial. I’m very glad we did (make the trip).”
From what they had seen in that very vanilla scrimmage, the Pioneers couldn’t have anticipated the way Schalick came out against them.
The Cougars were “ready for the moment,” jumped out to a 10-0 first-quarter lead with their first two possessions and led 17-14 at halftime. But it was all Somerville in the second half.
The Group 3 visitors scored three touchdowns with their punishing ground game and kept the Cougars out of the end zone while holding them to only 31 yards of offense. The Pioneers ran up 174 yards of offense in the half before taking three knees to run out the final 1:40 of the game.
“What I said in the locker room (at halftime) was it wasn’t going to be about what plays we called, what defensive fronts that we’re in, it’s all about how hard we play,” Bloom said. “That’s really what we showed in the second half. How bad do you want to win and how bad you want to impose your will on opponents.”
“I don’t think it was anything necessarily momentum,” Leamy said. “We were exposed with not having much depth and their offensive line, a lot of credit to them in the second half, came out and pushed us around a little bit. That offensive line really took over the game in the second half and I give them a lot of credit more than it is a negative to our kids.”
One thing the Somerville coaches were glad to get on their visit was a glimpse of Schalick sophomore Kenny Bartee playing quarterback because the Cougars hadn’t decided between Bartee and Gary Simonini as their starting signal-caller at the time.
Bartee was given the nod Monday morning and he showed his athleticism not only in the regular offense but also on special teams, returning the kickoff after Somerville’s first touchdown 89 yards for a score.
He rushed for 67 yards on 12 carries, completed a pass for 28 yards and comported himself well enough in his first varsity game at the position that Leamy said he is “probably that guy moving forward.”
“That was pretty clear and obvious he was the guy,” Bloom said. “I’m glad we came down here and saw that because you never know. He’s a good football player. They have some good kids, for sure.”
Leamy’s called the start of his first game as the Cougars’ head coach “really exciting … until it wasn’t.”
The Cougars built their 10-0 lead on a 47-yard touchdown run by David Stewart on their first play from scrimmage and a career-best 39-yard field goal by Hunter Dragotta to cap their second possession. Then the Pioneers came to life.
“There were a lot of ups and downs throughout the game, but you’re not defined by one game; no coach is defined by one game win or lose,” Leamy said. “We’re on to next week. The message to the kids is this is one step, this is Week Zero, and our goal is to be playing our best football when it matters in October and November.
“Yes, we lost, but we learned a lot. The kids realized what they’re really good at and what they need to work on. We’re going to be better off having played this team than scheduling a different game.”
| SOM (34) | SCH (17) | |
| 15 | 1st Downs | 7 |
| 42-220 | Rushing | 27-124 |
| 6-10-1 | Passing (C-A-I) | 3-12-2 |
| 75 | Passing yds | 42 |
| 1-0 | Fumbles-lost | 1-1 |
| 4-34.8 | Punts-avg | 2-30.0 |
| 8-80 | Penalties-yds | 11-58 |
Somerville 34, Schalick 17
| Somerville (1-0) | 0 | 14 | 13 | 7- | 34 |
| Schalick (0-1) | 10 | 7 | 0 | 0- | 17 |
SCORING SUMMARY
SC: David Stewart 47 run (Hunter Dragotta kick), 10:00 1Q
SC: Hunter Dragotta 39 FG, 3:29 1Q
SO: Aiden Bush 1 run (Austin Rynearson kick), 7:19 2Q
SC: Kenny Bartee 89 kickoff return (Hunter Dragotta kick), 7:02 2Q
SO: Justin Bowen 1 run (Austin Rynearson kick), 4:55 2Q
SO: Justin Bowen 2 run (kick failed), 4:40 3Q
SO: Aiden Bush 41 run (Austin Rynearson kick), 1:44 3Q
SO: Aiden Bush 1 run (Austin Rynearson kick), 7:08 4Q
WJFL scoreboard
FRIDAY’S GAMES
Pleasantville 20, Salem 8
Somerville 34, Schalick 17
Bridgewater-Raritan 35, Notre Dame 20
Camden 28, Martinsburg (WV) 0
Central Regional 27, Steinert 6
Collingswood 27, Clayton 20
Hightstown 9, Matawan 7
Maple Shade 27, Wildwood 0
Monroe 41, West Windsor-Plainsboro South 0
Montgomery 35, Hopewell Valley 28
Princeton 20, Lawrence 7
Robbinsville 41, South Brunswick 34
St. Augustine at Canton McKinley (Ohio)
Sterling 45, Buena 0
Watchung Hills 9, Moorestown 7
Willingboro 35, Rahway 33
Battle at the Beach, Rowan
West Deptford 51, KIPP Cooper Norcross 14
Washington Township 43, Hillsborough 12
Rancocas Valley 33, Millville 14
Pigskin Classic, Wilmington, Del.
Atlantic City 25, Mainland 8
Mountaineer Classic, West Orange
Burlington Township vs. Passaic Tech
Honoring the founder
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.”
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.
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.
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.
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.
Honoree profiles by Bill Clark, Salem CC
Making the call
After tight battles in camp, county teams with decisions at quarterback make the call on their opening night starter; Schalick tabs Bartee, Woodstown picks Hoerst
SALEM COUNTY FOOTBALL
Thursday’s Games
Gloucester at Pennsville, 6 p.m.
Pitman at Woodstown, 7 p.m.
Friday’s Games
Pleasantville at Salem, 3:30 p.m.
Somerville at Schalick, 6 p.m.
Saturday’s Game
Paulsboro at Penns Grove, noon
By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News
PITTSGROVE – The battles for starting quarterback have been tight all camp, but with game week preparation starting Monday the head coaches at Schalick and Woodstown knew they had to make a call.
Sophomore Kenny Bartee will start Friday night when Schalick plays Somerville in Kevin Leamy’s first game as head coach, but junior Gary Simonini also will play.
Woodstown has tabbed freshman Frankie Hoerst in its rare Week Zero opener Thursday against Pitman, but sophomore Mason Middlemiss also will play.
Both starting choices have not played the position in a varsity game before.
Leamy told his quarterbacks of the decision right before the start of practice early this morning.
“I think that Bartee just showed that he is more dynamic with the ball in his hands,” he said. “They were even with a lot of things but that last scrimmage you saw the flashes when he (Bartee) broke out that long run. Those are the things that really separated them.”
With three Somerville coaches in the stands, Bartee broke off a 27-yard run to get the Cougars in the red zone during his only drive of Friday’s scrimmage against Buena. He also had an 11-yard run on fourth down to keep the drive alive.
Woodstown coach Frank Trautz confirmed his choice after practice Monday.
“For us and the coaching staff, it was kind of based on the game plan and what we want to try to do offensively,” Trautz said. “Both of them give us something; two different styles of quarterback that can help our offense. We know what Mason gives us with his playmaking ability.”
The likely plan for Bartee is to get the first drives before Simonini makes his season debut.
“I’m going into it pretty open mindedly,” Leamy said. “It’s still a pretty fluid situation. That’s the plan, but that is not to say the plan can’t be adjusted on the fly.”
Don’t be surprised if Bartee doesn’t see some time at running back when Simonini is in the game. Kenai Simmons was effective as a runner and a passer the previous two years as Schalick’s quarterback.
“I want to be able to put (Bartee) in situations where he can get the ball in his hands,” Leamy said. “It has a different dynamic to it and it puts the defense in different binds. As long as he can do it, I’d like to cross train him to be able to put him in different spots to utilize his talents because right now he’s really shown that he is pretty dynamic with the ball in his hands.”
Meanwhile, Woodstown’s approach to the position, Trautz said, will be to “kind of let the game dictate what we need and how we’re going to do it.”
Hoerst has drawn raves this summer for his size, poise and big arm. He already has an offer from Syracuse. He completed 9 of 10 passes for 91 yards and led the offense to 150 net yards in the Wolverines’ scrimmage with Audubon. He was 4-for-4 and had a 9-yard run to get inside the 10 in the two-minute drill at the end of the varsity half.
Middlemiss gained varsity experience at Absegami last year before transferring back to the Wolverines. He produced 205 yards of offense in the scrimmage and directed two 11-play touchdown drives.
“All camp they’ve been getting reps with the 1s and we continued that today,” Trautz said. “Both continue to make good progress. They’ve just got to get reps under their belt, each day trying to get a little bit better. They’re both starting the pick up the offense and both are starting to correct guys on the field, getting guys in the right position, getting guys lined up and that’s kind of the first step that I want to see a quarterback take, being a coach on the field.”
This week’s schedule
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.
Photo credit: Julliana Love
Riverview Sports News 