Category: SCHALICK

This week’s schedule

Here is the schedule for Salem County sports teams for the week of Dec. 9-14; events start at 4 p.m. unless noted, x-scrimmage

DEC. 9
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Gloucester City at Salem Tech
x-Millville at Pennsville
x-Pleasantville at Penns Grove
x-Salem at Paulsboro
x-Schalick at Oakcrest
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Atlantic Tech at Salem
x-Cedar Creek at Schalick
x-Penns Grove at Lindenwold

DEC. 10
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Penns Grove, Winslow at Highland
x-Woodstown at Moorestown Friends
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Moorestown Friends at Woodstown
BOWLING
Salem Tech vs. ACIT
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Ocean County, 5 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at CC of Morris, 5 p.m.

DEC. 11
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Paulsboro at Schalick
x-Schalick at Bridgeton
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Salem at Hammonton
x-Schalick at Winslow
x-West Deptford at Salem Tech
BOWLING
Salem vs. West Deptford at Bolero Lanes

DEC. 12
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Cumberland at Pennsville
x-Schalick at Salem
BOYS BASKETBALL
Mastery Charter at Salem Tech, 5:15 p.m.
x-Pennsville at Cumberland
x-Penns Grove at Egg Harbor Twp., 5:30 p.m.
x-Lower Cape May at Schalick
x-Salem at Vineland
x-Woodstown at Gateway
SWIMMING
Schalick vs. Highland at GCIT, 4:45 p.m.
Salem vs. Pitman at GCIT, 5:45 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Gloucester City at Westbrook Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Clayton at Wood Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Williamson Trades, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Bucks County CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

DEC. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Hammonton at Woodstown

DEC. 14
BOYS BASKETBALL
Red Devil Classic, Penns Grove
Glassboro vs. Lindenwold, 10:30 a.m.
Salem vs. Woodbury, 4:30 p.m.
Paulsboro at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Red Devil Classic, Penns Grove
Bridgeton at Penns Grove, 12:30 p.m.
Glassboro vs. Woodbury, 2:30 p.m.
WRESTLING
Schalick Holiday Tournament, 9 a.m.
Woodstown in Delaware Valley Tournament
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Brookdale CC at Salem CC, noon
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Lackawanna, noon

Breaking it down

Taking a look at the Group I championship game from the unique perspective of a coach who played both finalists this season

EDITOR’S NOTE: Schalick football coach Mike Wilson is uniquely qualified to break down Friday’s Group I championship game between Cedar Grove and Glassboro. His Cougars played Cedar Grove in their first game of the year (Battle at the Beach) and Glassboro – twice actually – in their final game (South Jersey Group I final). They are the only team in the state to play both finalists in any of the five public school title games.

By Mike Wilson
Special to Riverview Sports News

OVERVIEW 

Cedar Grove (13-0) has scored 557 points this year (42.8 ppg). Quarterback Stephen Paradiso has thrown for 3,501 passing yards and 42 touchdowns against only seven interceptions. The Panthers have rushed for 1,216 yards as a team and scored 26 touchdowns on the ground. This is a high-powered, no huddle, Air Raid Offense that has been tough to stop this year. 

The Cedar Grove defense has been good this year as well only giving up 13 points per game over 13 games. 

Glassboro (12-0) has Division I talent all over the field led by the Sabb brothers, Xavier and Amari, and the addition of senior transfer running back Kenny Smith has been tremendous for the Bulldogs. 

Amari Sabb has caught 56 passes for 1,049 yards and 12 touchdowns and Xavier Sabb has caught 43 for 774 yards and 11 touchdowns. Smith has rushed for 1,407 yards and 19 touchdowns in nine games (he had to sit the first three as a senior transfer). Their two quarterbacks, Kris Foster and Jack O’Connell both have thrown for more than 1,000 yards and have 30 combined touchdown passes.

Glassboro relies on a defense that only gives up five points per game. 

Schalick head coach Mike Wilson talks to his team after a game. The Cougars played both teams in this year’s Group I championship game, Cedar Grove and Glassboro. (Photo by Heather Papiano)

AT FIRST GLANCE 

Cedar Grove and Glassboro are two of the best football teams I have seen in a long time. It’s going to be a great match up. 

Having played both of them, Cedar Grove doesn’t look impressive on film but they are impressive in person. The Panthers are a different level in person, well coached, know their system very well and execute on a high level. 

Glassboro is just physically tough and have playmakers everywhere. It’s not easy to beat the Bulldogs because of their sheer physical nature of play. It reminds me of playing Bridgeton while I was in high school. 

KEYS TO VICTORY

Can Cedar Grove protect their quarterback against the Front 5 of Glassboro? 

Cedar Grove throws the ball an awful lot. I think we can all agree Glassboro has a very good front five; they’ve only given up like five points per game this year. They’re good, they’re star-studded, they’re big, they’re fast, they’re physical. But Cedar Grove is very good at pass protection. We threw a lot at them and they picked everything up.

That’s going to be the matchup going into the game. I can see Glassboro dominating, but I can also see Cedar Grove picking it up because I’ve seen it on both side.

Can Glassboro slow down an offense that they haven’t seen before? 

Nobody runs what they’re going to see. Nobody they play this year runs anything close to that.

It’s a spread offense, but it’s Air Raid. They’re the fastest no-huddle team I’ve seen ever live for high school football. And the pass concepts they ran, nobody in Glassboro’s schedule runs any of that stuff.

It’s very unique. You can’t practice it. It’s hard to replace stuff that you don’t do. It all depends on how fast Glassboro can ease into the game. Kind of like the Eagles (Sunday) night where the defense took about two or three series to get used to what the Rams were doing and then they were fine the rest of the game. Can you ease into the game when it’s still close?

Can Cedar Grove protect against the big play capability of the Sabbs and Smith?

I think so. Of all the teams we played this year, Cedar Grove is very fundamentally sound. I would think they’ll make Glassboro work for it. I don’t think you’re going to see Cedar Grove line up wrong, be out of place. 

Glassboro might just have better athletes than them, but Cedar Grove is not going to line up wrong, they’ll be in the right spots. It’s can their athletes match up direct with (Glassboro’s) athletes.

Who will win the special teams battle? 

Cedar Grove has a very good placekicker (Sebastian Kovacs). That kid’s going to put the ball in the end zone every time. He can kick a field goal because he has a leg and a half. (Kovacs is 7-of-9 on field goals, long of 42; 70 of 72 on PATs). The quarterback does the punting and the flip side of it is Glassboro hasn’t punted the football in over a month. So, if I’m Cedar Grove I want those guys to punt. And if you look back to how Glassboro got beat last year, I think Mountain Lakes blocked a kick or two.

I think the third phase of the game, if it’s close, can decide the game.

Left cover photo: Schalick kicker Hunter Dragotta (12) tries to corral Cedar Grove receiver Jackson Morrice during their season opener. Right cover photo: Glassboro’s Jordan Gravener (75) wraps up Schalick’s Reggie Allen during the South Jersey Group I championship game. (Photos by Heather Papiano)

Salem winter sports

Here is the complete 2024-25 Salem County winter sports schedule; look for the weekly schedule on the website starting in December; x-scrimmage

NOV. 23
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Atlantic Cape CC at Salem CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Essex County at Salem CC, noon

NOV. 26
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Camden County, 7 p.m.

DEC. 3
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Thaddeus Stevens, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Union, 5 p.m.

DEC. 6
SWIMMING
Salem vs. Gloucester Catholic at GCIT, 7 p.m.
Schalick vs. Woodstown at GCIT, 8:30 p.m.

DEC. 7
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Penns Grove at Egg Harbor Twp., noon
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Bergen CC at Salem CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Raritan Valley CC at Salem CC, noon

DEC. 9
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Gloucester City at Salem Tech
x-Millville at Pennsville
x-Pleasantville at Penns Grove
x-Salem at Paulsboro
x-Schalick at Oakcrest
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Atlantic Tech at Salem
x-Cedar Creek at Schalick
x-Penns Grove at Lindenwold

DEC. 10
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Penns Grove, Winslow at Highland
x-Woodstown at Moorestown Friends
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Moorestown Friends at Woodstown
BOWLING
Salem Tech vs. ACIT
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Ocean County, 5 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at CC of Morris, 5 p.m.

DEC. 11
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Paulsboro at Schalick
x-Schalick at Bridgeton
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Salem at Hammonton
x-Schalick at Winslow
x-West Deptford at Salem Tech
BOWLING
Salem vs. West Deptford at Bolero Lanes

DEC. 12
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Cumberland at Pennsville
x-Schalick at Salem
BOYS BASKETBALL
Mastery Charter at Salem Tech
x-Pennsville at Cumberland
x-Penns Grove at Egg Harbor Twp.
x-Lower Cape May at Schalick
x-Salem at Vineland
x-Woodstown at Gateway
SWIMMING
Schalick vs. Highland at GCIT, 4:45 p.m.
Salem vs. Pitman at GCIT, 5:45 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Gloucester City at Westbrook Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Clayton at Wood Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Williamson Trades, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Bucks County CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

DEC. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Hammonton at Woodstown

DEC. 14
BOYS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove Showcase
Glassboro vs. Lindenwold
Salem vs. Woodbury, 4:30 p.m.
Paulsboro at Penns Grove, 6 p.m.
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove Showcase
Bridgeton at Penns Grove, 1 p.m.
Glassboro vs. Woodbury
WRESTLING
Schalick Holiday Tournament
Woodstown in Delaware Valley Tournament
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Brookdale CC at Salem CC, noon
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Lackawanna, noon

DEC. 16
GIRLS BASKETBALL
x-Pennsville at Palmyra
x-Woodstown at Kingsway
BOYS BASKETBALL
x-Clearview at Woodstown
x-Palmyra at Pennsville
Buena at Salem Tech
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. West Deptford at Riverwinds

DEC. 17
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Schalick at Cape May Tech
BOYS BASKETBALL
Cape May Tech at Schalick
BOWLING
Salem vs. Salem Tech at Wood Lanes
INDOOR TRACK
Salem at Bennett Center, Toms River
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Mercer County CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

DEC. 18
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Wildwood at Pennsville
Salem at Woodstown
Salem Tech at Penns Grove
Schalick at Clayton
BOYS BASKETBALL
Wildwood at Pennsville
Clayton at Schalick
Penns Grove at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Salem
TRACK
Pennsville Polar Bear Meet
BOWLING
Salem in Holiday Showcase at Laurel Lanes, Maple Shade

DEC. 19
SWIMMING
Schalick vs. Gloucester Catholic at GCIT, 4:45 p.m.
Woodstown vs. Deptford at GCIT, 7 p.m.
Salem vs. Triton at GCIT, 8:15 p.m.
WRESTLING
Palmyra, Salem at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Schalick
Timber Creek at Woodstown
BOWLING
Salem vs. Clayton, Wood Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RCSJ-Cumberland at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

DEC. 20
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Overbrook at Schalick
Pennsville at Glassboro
Salem at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Penns Grove
BOYS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Salem Tech at Salem
Schalick at Overbrook
WRESTLING
Pennsville at William Penn (Del.) Invitational 

DEC. 21
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic, 1:30 p.m.
Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Penns Grove vs. Timber Creek, 2:15 p.m.
SJIBT Tournament
Highland at Woodstown, 11:30 a.m.
WRESTLING
Pennsville at William Penn (Del.) Invitational
Woodstown in Beast of the East Tournament
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem, Woodstown at Ott Center, Philadelphia

DEC. 22
WRESTLING
Woodstown in Beast of the East Tournament

DEC. 23
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Woodstown vs. Holy Spirit, 7:30 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Pennsville, noon
WRESTLING
Pennsville at Mainland 

DEC. 26
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Washington Twp.

Boardwalk Classic 
Wildwood Convention Center
Salem vs Millville, 1 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Schalick at West Deptford Tournament

DEC. 27
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Buena
Penns Grove at Audubon Tournament
Woodstown in Haddon Twp. Tournament

Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Salem vs. Bridgeton, 11:30 a.m.

BOYS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove at Delsea, 9:30 a.m.
Pennsville at Buena
Salem vs. Westampton Tech at Deslea, 5 p.m.
Salem Tech in ACIT Holiday Tournament
Schalick at West Deptford Tournament
Woodstown at New Egypt Tournament
WRESTLING
Pennsville at Overbrook Tournament
Penns Grove, Schalick at Clayton Tournament

DEC. 28
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove at Audubon Tournament
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech in ACIT Holiday Tournament
Woodstown at New Egypt Tournament
TRACK
Woodstown at Ott Center, Philadelphia
WRESTLING
Audubon, Long Branch, Northern Burlington at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Cumberland Duals
Schalick at Clayton Tournament

DEC. 30
BOYS BASKETBALL
Schalick at Gloucester City, 11:30 a.m.

Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Salem vs. Oakcrest, 2:45 p.m.
Penns Grove vs. St. Augustine, 7:30 p.m.

DEC. 31
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Woodstown in Haddon Twp. Tournament
BOYS BASKETBALL
Boardwalk Classic
Wildwood Convention Center
Salem vs. Millville, 10 a.m.

JAN. 2
BOWLING
Salem vs. Lindenwold at 30 Strikes
Salem Tech vs. Gloucester City at Wood Lanes

JAN. 3
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Woodstown
Pennsville at Overbrook
Penns Grove at Schalick
Salem Tech at Camden Academy Charter
Wildwood at Salem
BOYS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Pennsville
Salem at Wildwood
Schalick at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Glassboro
WRESTLING
Penns Grove in Bohemia Manor (Md.) Tournament
Schalick at Egg Harbor Twp.
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Triton at GCIT, 7 p.m.
Schalick vs. Glassboro at GCIT, 8:30 p.m.

JAN. 4
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Cumberland, 11:30 a.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Cumberland at Pennsville, 11:30 a.m.
Eastern at Penns Grove, 1 p.m.
WRESTLING
Pennsville at Hammonton Duals
Haddon Heights, Mainland, Overbrook at Schalick
Woodstown in Collingswood Duals
INDOOR TRACK
Salem, Woodstown at Ott Center, Philadelphia

JAN. 6
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove at Haddon Twp., 7 p.m.
Schalick at Buena
BOYS BASKETBALL
Buena at Schalick
Camden Tech at Salem Tech
WRESTLING
Paul VI at Pennsville
Salem at Cumberland
SWIMMING
Schalick vs. West Deptford at River Winds
Woodstown vs. Lower Cape May

JAN. 7
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Penns Grove
Salem at Pitman
Schalick at Glassboro
Woodstown at Pennsville
BOYS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Schalick
Pennsville at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Overbrook
Pitman at Salem
Salem Tech at Clayton
BOWLING:
Salem Tech vs. Lindenwold
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Camden County at Salem CC, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Camden County at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 8
WRESTLING
Gloucester Catholic at Schalick
Pennsville at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Deptford
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem at Bennett Center, Toms River

JAN. 9
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Salem
Penns Grove at Pitman
Schalick at Salem Tech
Triton at Pennsville
Wildwood at Woodstown
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic
Pitman at Penns Grove
Salem at Glassboro
Salem Tech at Schalick
Woodstown at Wildwood
BOWLING
Salem Tech vs. Kingsway at Wood Lanes
SWIMMING
Schalick at Camden County Tech
Woodstown vs. Highland at GCIT
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RCSJ-Cumberland at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 10
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Salem at LEAP
BOYS BASKETBALL
LEAP at Salem
Pennsville at Clayton
WRESTLING
Collingswood at Schalick

JAN. 11
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Delsea at Woodstown, 11:30 a.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Woodstown at Camden Catholic, 11:30 a.m.
St. Joseph at Penns Grove, 1 p.m.
Schalick at Collingswood
WRESTLING
Pennsville, Oakcrest, Overbrook at Millville
Penns Grove at Deptford
Schalick, Cumberland, Timber Creek at Buena
Woodstown in Cinnaminson Duals
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RCSJ-Gloucester at Salem CC, noon
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Middlesex, noon

JAN. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Salem
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Schalick
Penns Grove at Glassboro
Salem Tech at Wildwood
BOYS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Salem at Clayton
Schalick at Pennsville
Wildwood at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Overbrook
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Schalick at Vineland YMCA
TRACK
Pennsville at Ocean Breeze, Staten Island

JAN. 14
WRESTLING
Cumberland, Salem at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Pitman
Schalick at St. Joe (Hamm.)
BOWLING
Salem vs. Gloucester City at Wood Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Clayton
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at RCSJ-Cumberland, 5 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Harcum at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 15
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Penns Grove
Pitman at Salem Tech
Salem at Gloucester Catholic
Schalick at Woodstown
BOYS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Salem Tech at Pitman
Woodstown at Schalick
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Haddon Heights at Camden County Tech
WRESTLING
Woodstown at Middle Twp.

JAN. 16
WRESTLING
Clayton at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Schalick
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Gloucester Catholic at GCIT, 5:45 p.m.
Schalick vs. Pitman at GCIT, 7:15 p.m.
Salem vs. Deptford at GCIT, 8:15 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Salem Tech at Wood Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Atlantic Cape, 6 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Anne Arundel CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 17
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Camden County Tech at Salem Tech
Salem at Gloucester City
BOYS BASKETBALL
Camden County Tech at Woodstown
Haddon Twp. at Pennsville
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem, Woodstown in NSIAA Relays, Bennett Center, Toms River

JAN. 18
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem at Lenape, 1 p.m.
WRESTLING
Pennsville vs. Collingswood, Sterling, Vineland
Penns Grove, Salem, Overbrook at Pitman
Deptford, Haddon Twp., Pemberton at Schalick, 9 a.m.
Buena, Haddon Heights, Pennsauken at Woodstown
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Passaic County CC at Salem CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Essex County, noon

JAN. 20
BOYS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove vs. Burlington City at Woodbury, 12:30 p.m.

JAN. 21
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Salem Tech at Salem
Schalick at Overbrook
BOYS BASKETBALL
Overbrook at Schalick
Pennsville at Glassboro
Salem at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Penns Grove
BOWLING
Salem vs. ACIT at Wood Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Collingswood at Wood Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Union College, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Delaware Tech, 6 p.m.

JAN. 22
WRESTLING
Clayton at Schalick
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Timber Creek at Pennsville
Woodstown at Overbrook
TRACK
Pennsville, Woodstown at Bennett Center, Toms River

JAN. 23
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Penns Grove
Pitman at Schalick
Salem at Pennsville
Salem Tech at Overbrook
BOYS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Woodstown
Overbrook at Salem Tech
Pennsville at Salem
Penns Grove at Clayton
Schalick at Pitman
SWIMMING
Woodstown vs. Pitman at GCIT, 5:45 p.m.
Salem vs. Schalick at GCIT, 7:15 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Lindenwold at Wood Lanes
Salem Tech vs. Gloucester City at Westbrook Lanes
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Williamson Trades at Salem CC, 4 p.m.

JAN. 24
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Buena at Salem
Pennsville at Delsea, 7 p.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Buena
WRESTLING
Woodstown at Pennsville

JAN. 25
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove at OLMA, 11 a.m.
Schalick at Camden County Tech
BOYS BASKETBALL
Camden County Tech at Schalick, 11:30 a.m.
Pennsville at Clearview, 11:30 a.m.
West Deptford at Woodstown, 11:30 a.m.
WRESTLING
Salem, Timber Creek, Lower Cape May at Haddon Heights
Schalick, Holy Spirit, Toms River North at Vineland
Woodstown, Hillsborough, West Essex at Watchung Hills
SWIMMING
Salem at Invitational, GCIT
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Northampton CC at Salem CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Middlesex at Salem CC, noon

JAN. 27
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Gloucester City at Schalick
Palmyra at Salem
Salem Tech at Gateway
Woodstown at Cinnaminson
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Gloucester City
SWIMMING
Salem vs. Woodstown at GCIT, 7 p.m.
BOWLING
Salem vs. Clayton at Wood Lanes

JAN. 28
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Pennsville
Salem at Wildwood
Schalick at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Glassboro
BOYS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Woodstown
Pennsville at Overbrook
Penns Grove at Schalick
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic
Wildwood at Salem
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at CC of Philadelphia, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Union at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

JAN. 29
WRESTLING
Clayton at Salem
Cumberland at Woodstown
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic
Pitman at Schalick
BOWLING
Salem Tech vs. Lindenwold at Wood Lanes

JAN. 30
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Schalick at Paulsboro
Wildwood at Penns Grove
Winslow at Salem
Woodstown at Clayton
BOYS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Wildwood
Salem at Camden County Tech
Salem Tech at Camden County Tech
TRACK
Salem in TCC Showcase, Bennett Center

JAN. 31
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Camden County Tech
BOYS BASKETBALL
Gateway at Salem Tech
WRESTLING
Clayton at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Gloucester Catholic
TRACK
Pennsville, Woodstown at Bennett Center, Toms River

FEB. 1
BOYS BASKETBALL
Woodstown at Bridgeton, 11:30 a.m.
WRESTLING
Pennsville, Clearview, Hammonton at Central Regional
Penns Grove vs. Bordentown, Vineland, Winslow
Salem, Schalick, Palmyra at Lindenwold
TRACK
Woodstown in SJTCA at Bennett Center
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Luzerne County CC at Salem CC, noon
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Raritan Valley CC, noon

FEB. 3
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at West Deptford
Salem at Audubon
BOYS BASKETBALL
Buena at Pennsville
Riverside at Penns Grove
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem at Ocean Breeze Complex, Staten Island
BOWLING
Salem vs. Hammonton at DiDonato Bowling Center

FEB. 4
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Schalick
Pennsville at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Overbrook
Pitman at Salem
Salem Tech at Clayton
BOYS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Penns Grove
Salem at Pitman
Schalick at Glassboro
Woodstown at Pennsville
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Montgomery County (Pa.) CC, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
CC or Morris at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

FEB. 5
WRESTLING
Pennsville at Gateway
Penns Grove at Clearview
BOWLING
Salem, Salem Tech in TCC Showcase at 30 Strikes

FEB. 6
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Salem at Clayton
Schalick at Pennsville
Wildwood at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Overbrook
BOYS BASKETBALL
Clayton at Salem
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Schalick
Penns Grove at Glassboro
Salem Tech at Wildwood
WRESTLING
Woodstown, Williamstown at Hammonton
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RCSJ-Gloucester at Salem CC, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
RCSJ-Gloucester at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

FEB. 7
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Millville
WRESTLING
Salem at Winslow
BOWLING
NJSIAA Playoffs

FEB. 8
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Cumberland at Schalick, 11:30 a.m.
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at West Deptford, 11:30 a.m.
Absegami at Salem, noon
WRESTLING
Burlington City, Egg Harbor Twp., St. Joe (Hamm.) at Pennsville
Woodstown, Williamstown at Hammonton
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Harrisburg Area CC, noon

FEB. 10
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Schalick at Winslow
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Triton
Salem at Winslow
Schalick at Maple Shade
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem at Ocean Breeze, Staten Island
WRESTLING
Playoffs Rounds 1 & 2

FEB. 11
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Pennsville vs. Clayton at Wells Fargo Center
Salem Tech at Pitman
Woodstown at Schalick
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Penns Grove
Pitman at Salem Tech
Salem at Gloucester Catholic
Schalick at Woodstown
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Mercer County CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

FEB. 12
WRESTLING
Haddon Heights at Pennsville

FEB. 13
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Pennsville at Pitman
Penns Grove at Salem
LEAP Academy at Schalick
Woodstown at Salem Tech
BOYS BASKETBALL
Pitman at Pennsville
Salem at Penns Grove
Salem Tech at Woodstown
Schalick at Pennsauken Tech

FEB. 14
GIRLS BASKETBALL
Triton at Schalick
BOYS BASKETBALL
Salem Tech at Camden Academy Charter
WRESTLING
Schalick, Burlington Twp., Maple Shade at Cherry Hill West
Sectional Finals

FEB. 15
WRESTLING
Central Regional, Delran, Haddon Heights at Woodstown
Pennsville at Hightstown
Penns Grove, Gloucester Catholic at Lindenwold
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem at Bennett Center, Staten Island
Woodstown in NJSIAA Sectionals at Bennett Center
MENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Salem CC at Sussex County CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Lackawanna at Salem CC, 1 p.m.

FEB. 18
GIRLS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase
BOYS BASKETBALL
Deptford at Penns Grove
TCC Showcase
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Montgomery County  (Pa.) CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

FEB. 20
GIRLS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase
BOYS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase

FEB. 22
GIRLS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase
BOYS BASKETBALL
TCC Showcase

FEB. 23
TRACK
Pennsville, Salem at Bennett Center, Staten Island

MAR. 2
TRACK
Meet of Champions, Ocean Breeze, Staten Island

Woodstown’s big night

Wolverines post first playoff shutout in more than 40 years to win the Central Jersey Group I title

GROUP I SECTIONAL FINALS
South: Glassboro 40, Schalick 9
Central: Woodstown 31, Shore 0
North I: Butler 42, Mountain Lakes 7
North II: Cedar Grove 35, New Providence 14
STATE SEMIFINALS
Woodstown (10-1) at Glassboro (11-0)
Butler (11-0) at Cedar Grove (12-0)

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN — Woodstown set out to win another sectional football title Friday night. The Wolverines didn’t know they’d be making a little history along the way.

Bryce Belinfanti returned to the fold as the lead back and Carter Orlandini led a stout defense with two interceptions, one he returned for a touchdown, as the Wolverines walloped Shore Regional 31-0 for the Central Jersey Group I football title in coach Frank Trautz’ first season.

It was the Wolverines’ first playoff shutout in more than 40 years. In 1984, they held Hammonton without a touchdown in an 8-3 second-round win in the SJ Group 2 playoffs.

“It was a great game and moment for everyone in Woodstown, but especially Coach Trautz,” Belinfanti said. “I wanted him to win this one big time and we did.”

Corbin Walz wraps up a Shore Regional ballcarrier as part of a Woodstown defense that scored its first playoff shutout in more than 40 years Friday night. (Photo by Ellen Sickler)

Belinfanti, who had been out or limited in an offensive role since turning an ankle in the regular-season finale, rushed for 225 yards and a fourth-quarter touchdown. He also eclipsed the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the second year in a row. He only needed 10 yards to reach the plateau and got all of that and more on his first run of the night — a 15-yard gain. He touchdown covered 39 yards in the fourth quarter.

Orlandini returned an interception 38 yards for a touchdown to cap a 17-point first quarter that gave the Wolverines (10-1) control of the game. The junior defensive back with a nose for the ball has four interceptions and nine takeaways this season. The pic-six was the first of his career.

“We really wanted to focus on starting fast and setting the tone of the game from the beginning, and that’s exactly what we did in that first quarter,” Orlandini said. “I think the momentum really shifted when I crossed the goal line, and we were all rolling from there.

“As a defense, it’s always the goal to keep the other team off the scoreboard, but to do it the way we did in that big of a game, and for it to possibly be the first playoff shutout in school history, it was really special. Everyone had a hand in it.”

Shore had scored 325 points in winning its first 10 games this season. The Blue Devils had 188 yards rushing Friday night.

Just as they did the week before in knocking out Pennsville, the Wolverines did all their damage offensively on the ground. They had 315 yards rushing on 45 carries and no passing yards. In addition to Belinfanti’s big night, Alex Torres rushed for 52 yards and a touchdown on nine carries and quarterback Garrett Leyman rushed for 36 yards and a touchdown on nine carries.

“Our plan was to be all around offensively, but our running game was superior from the start,” Belinfanti said. “Getting 1000 (yards) was definitely great, but the win is the best part of it all.”

The Wolverines now travel to Glassboro next week for the state semifinals in a rematch of last year’s state semifinal won by the Bulldogs on a 60-yard halfback pass to Xavier Sabb with 50 seconds to play. The Bulldogs (11-0) handed Woodstown its only loss this season. The winner will face the Butler-Cedar Grove winner for the Group I crown.

Carter Orlandini is congratulated in the bench area after returning an interception for a touchdown to give Woodstown a 17-0 first-quarter lead. On the cover, the Wolverines celebrate their Central Jersey Group I title. (Photos by Ellen Sickler)

Woodstown 31, Shore 0

Shore 0000-0
Woodstown 170014-31

SCORING SUMMARY
WO-Jake Ware 25 FG
WO-Garrett Leyman 5 run (Jake Ware kick)
WO-Carter Orlandini 30 interception return (Jake Ware kick)
WO-Bryce Belinfanti 39 run (Jake Ware kick)
WO-Alex Torres 17 run (Jake Ware kick)

Bryce Belinanti returned to the Woodstown backfield and had a big night. He rushed for 225 yards to go over 1,000 for the second year in a row. (Photo by Ellen Sickler)



Schalick shut down

Cougars needed to be flawless to win the South Jersey Group I title game, but early miscues and top-seeded Glassboro never gave them a chance

GROUP I SECTIONAL FINALS
South: Glassboro 40, Schalick 9
Central: Woodstown 31, Shore 0
North I: Butler 42, Mountain Lakes 7
North II: Cedar Grove 35, New Providence 14
NOV. 15 STATE SEMIFINALS
Woodstown (10-1) at Glassboro (11-0), 6 p.m.
Butler (11-0) at Cedar Grove (12-0), 7 p.m.

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

GLASSBORO – Schalick coach Mike Wilson knew it was going to take a near flawless effort for his Cougars to get past top-seeded Glassboro in the sectional title game Friday night. As much as they wanted it, It just didn’t happen.

The Cougars mishandled fourth-down snaps on their first two possessions and the Bulldogs converted both into Xavier Sabb touchdowns to take early control of an eventual 40-9 victory for the South Jersey Group 1 sectional crown.

Glassboro (11-0) will now host Central Jersey champ Woodstown next week in the Group 1 semifinals. Woodstown beat Shore Regional 31-0 in its first playoff shutout in more than 40 years.

The Cougars (8-4) actually had three mishandled fourth-down snaps in the first half, leading to 32 yards in losses and three Glassboro touchdowns. The Bulldogs also had two defensive touchdowns on back-to-back snaps in the fourth quarter to put the game out of reach. 

“You have to play a perfect game, we shot ourselves in the foot,” Wilson said. “We fought in the second half … what are you going to do? 

“Our kids played their (butts) off. They played hard. The effort’s there. Great group of kids. They did a lot for the program and they’ve done a lot of good things over the last four years.”

Schalick quarterback Kenai Simmons was under seize all night. The Bulldogs came after him with such fury they eventually sent him to the sidelines with a leg injury after being fallen on twice by massive Glassboro lineman Brandon Simmons. It forced the Cougars to bring in backup Gary Simonini for the final 3:37 of the half.

“I knew what it was like, I played against them three times and every time they probably had at least three, four sacks on me a game,” Simmons said after his final high school game. “In trying to get ready for this game, I planned on getting out of the box a little bit more, but a couple of their guys kept me in the box. If we complete a couple more of those passes we have a better ballgame in the first half.”

The pressure Glassboro brought Friday was “way more” than it did in their regular-season win over the Cougars, Brandon Simmons said. The Bulldogs held Schalick to 86 total yards and they got almost half of that on a 34-yard pass to Dylan Sheehan in the fourth quarter. They had more than a dozen plays that went for negative yardage.

“We learned from our mistakes,” he said. “We realized we gave him too much time in the pocket, he felt too comfortable. I talked with the D-line, we’ve all been talking all week, once we put so more pressure on him it makes our DBs’ and linebackers’ job way easier. 

“We knew we kind of screwed them over a little bit last time we played them by giving them by giving them too much time in the pocket, so we knew we had to help the team out and put more pressure on them.”

Schalick trailed 27-3 at halftime with only 11 yards of net offense. Quarterback Simmons, who left the field at halftime under his own power, returned to the lineup to start the second half and the Cougars came out looking to make something happen. They recovered the onsides kick to open the half and put together a 10-play, 50-yard drive for their only touchdown – a 2-yard pass from Simmons to Jace Volovar.

“We always play to win,” Wilson said. “We were not thinking we were going to lose that ball game. We were like, this is how we get back in the game. We weren’t going to roll (over).”

Glassboro put it out of reach with two defensive touchdowns on back-to-back snaps 21 seconds apart midway through the fourth quarter. The first was a 33-yard fumble return by Devon Barr after Simmons and Dorian Kelsey flushed Kenai Simmons from the pocket and into something that looked like a pass but was allowed to come back as a fumble. The other was a 38-yard interception return by Sabb on another deep ball thrown under pressure.

“This is probably one of the top two defensive games we ever had,” Sabb said. “They couldn’t run the ball. (and0 throwing the ball was a nightmare. They had a couple special plays, but outside of that … That quarterback, he likes to run a lot and we checked him out early, so once we took that away it was about over.”

“We wanted to play physical,” Glassboro coach Timmy Breaker said. “We wanted them to feel the physicality in the beginning of the game and the boys did a heck of a job doing it.”

While the loss ended Schalick’s season, in some ways this may have been a better year than last year’s 11-1 campaign. The Cougars moved into the strongest Group I division of the WJFL and played better competition all season long. Their four losses have come from three of the four teams playing for a berth in the Group I title game, teams that are a combined 33-1 — Cedar Grove, Woodstown and Glassboro (twice) – and that one loss came from within the group.

“We played fantastic this year against much better competition,” Wilson said. “We rose to the occasion. We go to back-to-back sectional championship games; that’s not easy to do.

“Big picture, can’t be upset. Obviously you don’t want to lose games and it’s going to kill us to look at the tape and see could’ve, would’ve, should’ve, but the bottom line is these kids have done a lot.”

Glassboro 40, Schalick 9

SCHALGLASS
71st Downs12
26-36Rushing17-93
7-15-2C-A-I10-19-0
52Passing139
5-1Fum-lost4-3
3-23.7Punts0-0
7-60Penalties11-101
Schalick (8-4)0360-9
Glassboro (11-0)1413013-40

SCORING SUMMARY
G-Xavier Sabb 16 run (kick failed), 10:42 1Q
G-Xavier Sabb 29 pass from Jack O’Connell (Amari Sabb run), 7:06 1Q
S-Hunter Dragotta 30 FG, 10:26 2Q
G-Kenny Smith 1 run (Sal Esgro kick), 7:29 2Q
G-Amari Sabb 29 pass from Jack O’Connell (kick failed), 3:54 2Q
S-Jace Volovar 2 pass from Kenai Simmons (pass failed), 5:01 3Q
G-Davon Barr 33 fumble return (Sal Esgro kick), 7:21 4Q
G-Xavier Sabb 38 interception return (kick failed), 7:00 4Q

Shootout sadness

Both top-seeded Schalick and No. 2 Woodstown fall in PK shootouts in South Jersey Group I boys soccer semifinals

SJ GROUP I SEMIFINALS
Haddon Twp. 2, Schalick 1 (4-1 SO)
Palmyra 2, Woodstown 1 (4-2 SO)

FRIDAY’S SECTIONAL FINALS
South: (4) Haddon Twp. at (3) Palmyra
Central: (9) Brearley at (3) Middlesex
North I: (2) Waldwick at (1) Emerson Boro
North II: (11) Verona at (1) Glen Ridge

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE – Brody Beals was as surprised as anyone that he was in the shootout lineup in his team’s biggest game of the year.

After all, he’s only a freshman and he hasn’t taken a penalty kick all season.

But there he was, the fourth Haddon Twp. player on the spot, just six yards separating him and the  Hawks from their moment of glory.

Beals buried his shot into the right side of the goal to clinch the shootout and give the Hawks a 2-1 victory over top-seeded Schalick in the South Jersey Group I boys soccer semifinals.

“I have no idea how that got determined; I didn’t expect to kick a PK, actually,” he said. “I felt a little bit of pressure. (When it went through) it was such a great feeling for my team, all these seniors, trying to keep their seasons alive (in) their last go at it. I was just super happy to get the win.”

The Hawks (14-6-2), who beat Schalick 1-0 on an early goal in the opening round of the Coaches Cup two weeks ago, didn’t miss in the shootout. They picked up on Schalick keeper Evan Sepers’ preference for diving to his right, so they kept shooting it to their right. Sepers, meanwhile, figured they all couldn’t go the same way.

Eamonn Sheehan, who got a PK past Sepers in the second half for the tying goal, got the Hawks started. Gabe Chatten and Mason McCarthy also put it into the right side setting the stage for Beals’ clincher.

“The first penalty taker was the same kid who took their penalty and I felt like he wasn’t going to go the same way twice, but he did, and I guessed the wrong way. And I kept guessing wrong way. It’s just unfortunate,” Sepers said. “I’m thinking they’re not all going to go the same way, but they did.”

Schalick’s shooters tried mixing it up. Jaxon Weber missed wide to his right, Mike Nelson was stopped on a relatively straight shot with HT keeper Collin Feeley favoring his left side, and Eli Cummings’ shot flew left over the crossbar.

“They just took very solid penalties,” Cougars coach Joe Mannella said. “Once that first one goes in and we miss our first one the pressure intensifies quite a bit. It kind of just got the best of us, I think.”

In a match that had all the markings of a sectional final in the semis, the teams battled strong winds as much as themselves all game. Actually, the Cougars were getting the better chances – and more of them – through regulation.

The Cougars (19-3) broke on top when Oscar Hernandez finished off a Luke Price rebound a little over 10 minutes into the second half. The Hawks tied it on Sheehan’s PK inside the right post after a Haddon Twp. player was dragged in the box. Weber hit the crossbar with a long left to right shot with 6:10 left in regulation.

“I thought our guys played as good as they possibly could; best game of the year, especially considering the other team and the situation,” Mannella said. “One of these times I want to be on the side of the team that gets outplayed and then wins the shootout.

“I’ve never been on that side, always the other end of it and it kind of sucks to have these guys in that situation, but overall they did what we set out to do other than win. They played a great game, outplayed I think a very good team. Unfortunately, it happens.”

PALMYRA 2, WOODSTOWN 1: The Wolverines were looking to make a little history, but their dream of reaching the sectional final for the first time since 1996 was dashed in a penalty kick shootout.

Palmyra (13-7), the No. 3 seed, won the shootout 4-2 after the teams played to a 1-1 tie through regulation and overtime. Cole McCamy, Connor McCann, Jaden Jennings and Jaxon McCamy all hit for the Panthers.

Grant Prater and Erich Lipovsky hit Woodstown’s first two attempts in the shootout. Panthers keeper Deakon Haines stoned Adrian Ibarra on the third attempt and Ben Lippincott shot high with the fourth.

Palmyra took a 1-0 lead in the second half on a goal by Jaxon McCamy. The second-seeded Wolverines (16-5) tied it on a goal by senior Dante Holmes with six minutes left in regulation. It was Holmes’ third career goal, all in the last three playoff games. 

The loss snapped Woodstown’s six-game winning streak that included coach Darren Huck’s 300th career coaching win.

This week’s schedule

Here is this week’s sports schedule for events involving teams from Salem County for the week of Nov. 11-16

TUESDAY
BOYS SOCCER
SJ GROUP I SEMIFINALS
Haddon Twp. at Schalick, 2 p.m.
Palmyra at Woodstown, 4 p.m.
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Bucks County CC at Salem CC, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Anne Arundel CC at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

THURSDAY
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Delaware Tech at Salem CC, 7 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Delaware Tech at Salem CC, 5 p.m.

FRIDAY
FOOTBALL
GROUP I SECTIONAL FINALS
Schalick at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Shore at Woodstown, 7 p.m.
Mountain Lakes at Butler, 7 p.m.
New Providence at Cedar Grove, 7 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
GROUP I SECTIONAL FINALS
South: Palmyra-Woodstown winner vs. Haddon Twp.-Schalick winner
Central: Brearley-Shore winner vs. College Achieve-Roselle Park winner
North I: Lenape Valley-Emerson Boro winner vs. Indian Hills-Waldwick winner
North II: Wallington-Glen Ridge winner vs. Verona-New Providence winner

SATURDAY
CROSS COUNTRY
Meet of Champions, Holmdel Park
COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Lehigh Carbon CC at Salem CC, 2 p.m.
WOMENS COLLEGE BASKETBALL
Lehigh Carbon CC at Salem CC, noon

Group I championship

Girls runner-up Hadfield, Marino score top 10 finishes to qualify for Meet of Champions; Woodstown boys’ position impacted when Chew’s tag didn’t register at the finish

By Riverview Sports News

HOLMDEL – Schalick’s Jordan Hadfield and Woodstown’s Jacob Marino both finished in the top 10 of their respective Group I cross country championship races Saturday to qualify for next week’s Meet of Champions back here at Holmdel Park.

Hadfield, the runner-up in last week’s sectional race at DREAM Park, finished second in the girls Group I championship race in a time of 19:25. Walkill Valley’s Delana Einreinhofer won the race in 19:08.

Marino was ninth in the boys race, running a 17:17. The top 10 runners in each race qualify for the MOC.

Woodstown’s girls finished ninth in their team standings, while Schalick was 18th. Abby Marino and Lilian Norman virtually finished side-by-side in 21:18 to lead the Wolverines.

“We were elated with our top 10 team finish and look forward to earning our spot again next year,” Woodstown coach Michelle Williams said. “The team was thrilled to see they had outscored the other Group 1 South teams they had fallen to just last Saturday at the sectionals.”

Woodstown (16th) and Schalick (19th) both finished out of the top 15 in the boys standings. The Wolverines’ position and that of county champion Karson Chew were greatly impacted when Chew’s runner’s tag wasn’t read coming through the finishing chute after running what coach Steve New described as “a decent race.”

UPDATE: Chew ran an 18:18, which would have been T-43 (36th among team counters). It would have elevated Woodstown to 11th place with 291 points.

Cougars find a way

Schalick rallies after losing big lead, beats Paulsboro for spot in SJ Group I finals, 200th all-time win

SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I
Friday’s Semifinals
Schalick 33, Paulsboro 28
Glassboro 55, Riverside 8
Nov. 15 Championship
(2) Schalick at (1) Glassboro

GROUP I SECTIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Central: Shore (10-0) at Woodstown (9-1)
South: Schalick (8-3) at Glassboro (10-0)
North Jersey I: Mountain Lakes (6-4) at Butler (10-0)
North Jersey II: New Providence (9-2) at Cedar Grove (11-0)

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITTSGROVE – The Schalick Cougars couldn’t help feeling like another local team in green with the way their South Jersey Group I playoff game went Friday night.

The Cougars, reminiscent of the Philadelphia Eagles last week against Jacksonville, lost a 21-point second-quarter lead in the second half, but pulled it back together and eventually escaped with a 33-28 win over Paulsboro to reach the South Jersey Group I championship game.

“You always worry about complacency as a coach and I think we got a little complacent,” Cougars coach Mike Wilson said. “But we figured it out. Games are swings of momentum. They got the momentum, then we got it back and we finished on top. As an Eagles fan, I can see why you’d say that.”

It also was the 200th win in the history of the program. Thirty have come on Wilson’s watch (30-20).

The Cougars (8-3) shook off an opening interception and early 6-0 deficit to lead 27-6 in the second quarter before enduring a 15-minute stretch of what Mike Wilson called “some unfortunate stuff” that found them trailing 28-27 after three quarters.

“Anything that could go wrong went wrong,” Wilson said. “But we battled back and found a way to win. There wasn’t a light-bulb moment. We just calmed down and played football again.”

They put together the game-winning drive capped by Reggie Allen’s second touchdown of the game, a 6-yard run with less than five minutes to play.

“We just needed to take a deep breath, relax and start playing like we played earlier in the game,” Wilson said. “We just had to settle down.”

The Cougars built their lead on a 3-yard run by Kenai Simmons, a 57-yard run by Sherrod Jones, Matthew LaMazza’s fumble recovery in the end zone and Allen’s 2-yard run.

Paulsboro (8-3) brought it back to take the lead with a touchdown three seconds before halftime, a 73-yard touchdown pass, a short run after recovering a Schalick fumble and a pair of two-point conversions.

“I knew if we would just settle down and relax, do our jobs, we were fine,” Wilson said. “Our senior leadership kicked in, the kids calmed themselves down, they all looked at themselves and said hey we’ve done this before, we’re fine and that’s what they did.

“It was great as coach to see because you see the maturation of your team. A group of sophomores might panic, but these seniors have seen everything … and they did a great job tonight.”

The win earned the Cougars a trip to Glassboro next week for the sectional championship. It’s a tall task considering the top-seeded Bulldogs (10-0) have beaten their first two playoff opponents by a combined score of 119-15.

The two teams played last year in the Central Jersey final with Glassboro winning 20-0. The Bulldogs won this year’s regular-season meeting 20-10.

“Let’s go,” Wilson said. “This is our third time playing them within the last calendar year. We feel that we’re only a few plays away and we’ve just got to play good football.”

Schalick 33, Paulsboro 28

Paulsboro (8-3)66160-28
Schalick (8-3)62106-33

SCORING SUMMARY
P-24-yard pass (PAT failed), 1Q
S-Kenai Simmons 3 run (kick failed), 1QS-Sherrod Jones 57-run (Hunter Dragotta kick), 2Q         
S-Matthew LaMazza fumble recovery in end zone (Hunter Dragotta kick), 2Q
S-Reggie Allen 2 run (Hunter Dragotta kick), 2Q
P-NA, 2Q
P-73-yard pass (conversion), 3Q
P-Quarterback scramble (conversion), 3Q
S-Reggie Allen 6 run (PAT failed), 4Q

Cover photo of Reggie Allen by Heather Papiano

A real bellringer

Woodstown clamps down on Bedderi, blanks Wildwood to reach SJ Group I semifinals for third time in four years; Schalick also reaches semis on other side of bracket, setting the potential for an all-county final

SOUTH JERSEY GROUP I
Friday’s Quarterfinals
Schalick 2, Pitman 0
Haddon Twp. 4, Audubon 0
Palmyra 2, Riverside 1
Woodstown 3, Wildwood 0
Tuesday’s Semifinals
(4) Haddon Twp. at (1) Schalick
(3) Palmyra at (2) Woodstown

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN — The lead official blew his whistle signaling the end of another Woodstown win and the players immediately knew what they had to do.

Collectively, they raced over to their newly constructed dugout and enthusiastically rang the blue ship’s bell hanging on the supporting post, validating their 3-0 win over Wildwood Friday in the South Jersey Group I boys soccer quarterfinals.

Ringing the Bell, ala the Phillies, is becoming a new tradition with the Woodstown players.

“We’ve been doing cowbells for a long time here at Woodstown, especially for boys soccer,” Wolverines coach Darren Huck said. “When the parents decided they were going to give our program these nice dugouts, they said they had a surprise.

“They had it up for the Senior Game. It’s our tradition now where I’ll select one player to ring the ball at the end when we get done talking there.”

That honor Friday went to Grant Prater, whose parents, ironically, supplied the bell for the celebration. He was more than happy to participate.

“We wanted to have a celebration like every time we scored,” Prater said. “My freshman year we started the cowbells here, I think, and every time we’d score we’d ring it, so we wanted to have one on the new dugouts and we’re bringing a big, big one, like one of the ones you have to pull down, between the manager’s table and the dugout. The big one’s going to be loud.”

Prater scored the first goal of the game 12:35 into the match when he redirected an Adrian Ibarra corner kick past Wildwood keeper Broc Denke.

But perhaps more important to the cause was the way he played all 80 minutes anchoring the defense in marking Warriors’ senior scoring machine NuNu Bedderi.

Prater and the defense shadowed Bedderi everywhere he went, limited him to a handful of touches and kept the 36-goal scorer off the scoreboard. The Warriors had scored 82 goals this season, but this was the first time they had been shut out. Bedderi had scored in 15 of their first 19 games, 13 with multiple goals.

He didn’t get his first touch Friday until midway through the first half. And when the Algerian import did manage to break through, Woodstown keeper Ben Stengel was right there to turn him away.

“I tried to keep myself in front of him, just denying him the ball every time, so they couldn’t even get it to him and then Dante (Holmes) was behind him,” Prater said. “We were kind of like keeping him sandwiched and it kind of worked.”

“For the last couple practices he knew he was going to be the guy who was going to have to shadow him, shut him down, deny him, whatever we needed to do in whatever situation was occurring on the field,” Huck said. “We had a game plan and we executed it, I think, really, really well. Everybody knew their responsibilities, they knew where we needed to be and what we wanted to do and it worked today.”

Ibarra gave the Wolverines a 2-0 lead later in the half on a penalty kick — the 49th goal of his career — and had another corner kick that produced Holmes’ second career goal with 10 minutes to play. Holmes’ two goals have come in each of the playoff games.

Holmes scored on a header inside the right post right after Denke came out following a collision with Ibarra in the box. The starting keeper returned to the goal right after the play.

“This is the first time I’ve been able to go up for corners; I’ve only started doing that half the season,” he said. “I did see that they changed goalies because of the injury, but it didn’t change how I was going to go after it. My only thing was just go at the ball, try to head it at the net and hope it goes in.”

Woodstown (16-4) now hosts Palmyra (12-7) in the semifinals Tuesday. It’s the Wolverines’ third trip to the sectional semifinals in the last four years and sixth since 2010.

“We’ve been consistent as far as winning for many, many years now, but as far as advancing further we’ve done that the last couple years,” Huck said. “Our goal this year is to go further than we did last year. You always want to do better than the year before.

“We’ve got one more game to go to get us into that situation, but part of my responsibility as a coach is to make sure we’re focused not so much on next Friday (the South Jersey championship game possibly against Schalick), but on this coming Tuesday. Friday will happen if we take care of Tuesday.”

NOTES: The win was Woodstown’s seventh in a row and ninth in their last 10 games. The shutout was their seventh … With his next goal Ibarra will become the fourth player in Woodstown boys history with 50 career goals. He’s already fifth in the all-time points list … Huck and Schalick coach Joe Mannella have been invited to coach in the South Jersey Coaches Association All-Star Game Nov. 26 at Rutgers-Camden. The Tri-County Conference All-Star Game is the day before.

SCHALICK 2, PITMAN 0: After a scoreless first half, the Cougars got goals from Oscar Hernandez and Luke Price. Evan Sepers made five saves in recording the Cougars’ second straight playoff shutout and fifth in their last six wins.

Their semifinal matchup with Haddon Twp. is a rematch of last year’s semifinals (won by Schalick 1-0) and gives the Cougars a chance to avenge their 1-0 opening-round loss in the Coaches Cup, their only loss in their last 15 games..

Cover photo: Woodstown’s Grant Prater earned the right to ring the ball for his play in the Wolverines’ 3-0 playoff victory over Wildwood Friday.