Roots for success

Woodstown board approves Salem assistant Ramon Roots, 26, to become Wolverines’ boys basketball coach

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – Ramon Roots always knew his time would come, but he wasn’t going to wait for it to come to him. He saw an opportunity, went after it and it’s as if all the stars aligned.

After three years as an assistant coach with hand-on experience in one of the top Group I programs in South Jersey, Roots saw an opportunity to branch out on his own. It was a risk to leave what he called a good situation as an assistant at Salem, he said, but one with a high reward.

Now, at 26 years old, he’s a high school head coach for the first time as the Woodstown-Pilesgrove school board approved him to become the Wolverines’ new boys basketball coach. He succeeds Phil Campbell, who stepped down at the end of last season for reasons he chose to keep private.

In a hire of historical significance, not only does Roots become the youngest head basketball coach in Salem County and one of the youngest in South Jersey, he is the first black head coach at Woodstown High School.

“It means everything,” he said of the chance to be a head coach. “I’ve had great coaches preparing me for this moment and I’ve worked with some great people.

“It’s going to be a little adjustment, but it helped prepare me for this opportunity. It’s a new journey for me. It’s going to have its bumps, but I’m ready for it. I love the game. I love challenges. I knew one day my time was going to come.”

Roots said he drew his inspiration to become a coach from his brother, Ra’mir Harold, who coached him in the Salem youth leagues and passed away when Roots was 21. Friday would have been Ra’mir’s birthday.

Roots went on to become a 1,000-point scorer during his high school career at Salem and then returned to his alma mater to serve as the Rams’ JV coach and varsity assistant at the start of head coach Anthony Farmer’s tenure there. In those three seasons, the Rams averaged 17 wins and went to the South Jersey Group I finals, quarters and semifinals, respectively.

“Whenever your assistants are able to step into a new role as a head guy that means a lot,” Farmer said. “I’m happy for Roots. He’s put in the work.

“He would sit in my film sessions, was always attentive to things going on in the huddle, and taking over the JV and doing a great job with the young kids in practice, all those things have prepared him to be in the moment and do a great job over at Woodstown. I’m proud of him and I can’t wait to see all the great things that he does over there in Woodstown.”

Farmer said it was particularly significant that a young black coach was getting an opportunity to be a head coach.

“You can’t shy away from the fact they’re giving an African-American coach an opportunity,” he said. “I think it’s a testament to the playing field, the guys putting in the work and getting an opportunity.

“It is a big deal. If you ask me, personally I think it’s a heck of an opportunity to crack that barrier and go then go over there and represent and see what you can do.”

While it was never part of the conversation, Roots said it was meaningful to him to break through that ceiling and open a door for young black coaches who aspire to run their own program.

Roots will remain a third-grade teacher at Salem Middle School while he coaches the Wolverines.

He hopes to meet the players next week when school starts and when he does he hopes to introduce an up-tempo aggressive style for which his Salem teams were known. The Wolverines are returning 6-6 Rocco String (9.4 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 65 blocked shots); 6-5 Garrett Leyman (5.3 ppg, 6.3 rpg); shooter Blake Bialecki (11.1 ppg, 49 3s) and versatile M.J. Hall (8.5 ppg, 55 steals).

“I’m just trying to help build the boys basketball program,” he said. “Their girls basketball program has been going great the last couple years, so I’m just trying to build the boys basketball program on and off the court.“I’m trying to turn these kids into men. Just going to ride the wave. It’s going to be special. A new era.”

While Woodstown and Salem compete in different divisions of the Tri-County Conference, expect them to play during the regular season. The teams have played only three times since 2015 (seven since 2011) and not since 2022.

“I would love it,” Farmer said. “When I knew he accepted the job I told my AD to get on the phone with Woodstown and let’s make it happen.”

The board also approved football assistant coaches Matt Smart, Frank Costello and Don Dunner, girls soccer assistant McKenzie Champion and Triton athletic director (and former Pennsville girls basketball coach) Sam Trapp as Woodstown High School vice principal.

A lot of new

Penns Grove goes through its first scrimmage of camp with a new coaching staff and new systems on offense and defense

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PENNS GROVE – There’s a whole lot of new about the Penns Grove football program this year and it goes far beyond just having a new head coach.

Whenever there’s a change at the time there’s bound to be some tweaks to the way things get done.

New coach Mark Maccarone has installed new offensive and defensive systems and the Red Devils put them on display against someone in a different colored uniform for the first time Tuesday in a three-team scrimmage with Maple Shade and Gloucester Catholic.

Some other nuances have been applied internally, but the ones most observable are the overhauls on offense and defense.

“I would not say they exceeded my expectations,” Maccarone said assessing the first scrimmage. “I would say they’re about where I expected in some aspects. There’s definitely things I thought we would be a little bit more polished on that we’re not.

“Again, it’s a new offense, a new defense. It’s a whole new style of football this group of kids isn’t used to. As long as we get better, take a step at being better every day, then we’ll take those positive gains. As long as we have more positive days than negative days, I’ll be happy.”

Maccarone called the offense “a radical departure from what they’ve done in the past,” an old-school downhill scheme he has been running as long as he’s been coaching. Defensively, there are “some similarities” to the look the Devils have run in the past that he had a hand in shaping as defensive coordinator here, but some terminology and techniques may be a little different.

The first thing that jumps out is seeing KaRon Ceaser out on the flank. He was a 1,000-yard rusher as a freshman and figured to be the lead back with 1,200-yard rusher Bryce Young’s departure to West Deptford (with former Penns Grove coach John Emel), but there he was Tuesday out at receiver. And there was even a time Knowledge Young, the regular deep threat last year, lined up in the backfield.

“It’s a new staff and they’re trying new things, but I’m loving it now,” Ceaser said. “It didn’t really shock me because they put me there because they know I can play it. I’ll play wherever they want me to play; that’s the type player I am. We’ve got a great running (in Trey Brown). I like the offense right now. I’m going to work so I can be the best.”

You can’t argue the results. Ceaser, who caught nine passes for 109 yards without a score last year, took a pass from Melo Erickson in the Devils’ final 10-play set of the day, shed a tackler at the 35 and continued down the sideline for a 51-yard touchdown that was their only offensive score of the exercise. Young, when he was in the backfield, broke off an 18-yard gain.

“It took us 20 plays and that’s too long,” Ceaser said. “In a real game you’ve got to come out straight from the jump.”

Expect more of that during the season.

“We’re fortunate we do have some weapons offensively,” Maccarone said. “With the system we run it allows us to take players and move them around. You might be at wide out one play, you might be a tailback the next, you might be a slot the next.

“Part of our offense is to be able to utilize the weapons we have on the field and to move our weapons around so you don’t know who’s going to get the ball.”

Until the offense came to life in the late session it looked like the Red Devils’ defense was going to be the story of the scrimmage.

It was the strength of last year’s 6-6 team, holding half their opponents to two touchdowns or less and shutting out eventual Group I runner-up Glassboro, and is shaping up that way again. Forget defending the goal line, the Red Devils were protecting the 50.

Out of their 32 defensive snaps, the Devils gave up a total of 21 net yards and only two plays were run on the going-in side of midfield – and neither of those from deeper than the 48.

Makye Murray returned an interception against Maple Shade on seventh play of the opening series 40 yards that until Ceaser’s score was the only touchdown scored in the varsity portion of the scrimmage. Raymond Brown, a transfer from St. Joe (Hammonton), had a big sack on the final play of that 10-play set.

“I like our defense overall,” Brown said. “Our coach is just wonderful. We fly around, play hard, play physical. I’m having fun out here making tackles.”

The Red Devils get a chance to do it again Friday at 10 a.m. in a game-like scrimmage at home against Gateway. They almost didn’t have a second scrimmage after a scheduling snafu with Highland scrapped what they had, but Penns Grove athletics director Anwar Golden worked the phones all Tuesday morning and found a willing participant to help keep the program on schedule.

“It would have been detrimental to us (to miss out),” Maccarone said. “With a game-style scrimmage, especially with a new staff and program, you as coaches need the opportunity to get your learning curve out when it doesn’t count. Those are some invaluable things that without game scrimmage we’d have to address during a game.

“In the same breath, it gives the kids the ability to have a flow to the game, again, where you can do it when it doesn’t count. Especially with a new system it would be very advantageous.”

This story will be updated.

KaRon Ceaser (6) and Knowledge Young could find themselves in some atypical positions this year in Penns Grove’s new offense. On the cover, new coach Mark Maccarone reviews the scrimmage’s opening segment with his defense.

Trautz pleased with effort, results

HAMMONTON – New Woodstown coach Frank Trautz sent his charges into battle for the first time this camp and said he was “happy with our effort and the results.”

The Wolverines scored touchdowns in both of their 10-and-10 segments at St. Joe (Hammonton) and kept the Wildcats out of the end zone in theirs. They also scored a touchdown in the down-and-distance segment.

“I was happy with the work today,” Trautz said. “It’s the first scrimmage. Just being able to hit somebody else and go live for the first time was good for everyone. You can only do so much in practice. It was good to see live action.”

Alex Torres scored on a run and Jack Holladay threw a touchdown pass to Garrett Leyman. Holladay, a senior getting his first chance to be QB1, completed 5-of-8 passes in the 10-play segments.

“Getting Jack out there to live action at quarterback was good to see,” Trautz said. “I thought he played well. He was in control of the huddle. He’s a leader and it was good to see him take control of the offense.”

Time for hitting

County football teams start scrimmaging Monday; Salem hosts Pennsville, defending Group 4 state champs among those visiting Schalick

THIS WEEK’S SCRIMMAGE SCHEDULE
MONDAY
Mainland, Lower Cape May, West Deptford at Schalick, 10 a.m.
Pennsville at Salem, 11 a.m.
TUESDAY
Gloucester Catholic, Maple Shade at Penns Grove, 9 a.m.
Woodstown at St. Joe (Hamm.), 9 a.m.
FRIDAY
Schalick at Buena, 10 a.m.
Salem at Absegami, 4 p.m.
Pennsville at Triton, 6 p.m.

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

Salem County’s five football-playing high school teams have been working all summer and, for the last week, gearing up for their fast-approaching season openers. Outside of the various 7-on-7s that offered a modest taste of competition but isn’t quite complete football, the exercises have been largely unpadded and in house.

That all ends Monday when the teams start scrimmaging and take things to the next level by hitting someone wearing a different colored uniform.

Three of the county’s five teams get after it Monday morning – two against each other – with the remaining two teams going Tuesday.

Pennsville works out at Salem at 11 a.m. Schalick, last year’s Central Jersey Group I finalist with great expectations for 2024, hosts defending Group 4 state champion Mainland, Lower Cape May and West Deptford at 10.

Woodstown and Penns Grove, both with new head coaches, go Tuesday. The Wolverines travel to St. Joe (Hammonton) and the Red Devils host Gloucester Catholic and Maple Shade.

The mindset across the board for these initial scrimmages is simply to compete, see how players who have been banging on each other react to outside influences, to see who is ready to answer the bell and what is or isn’t working. Things will be more game-like the next time they take the field.

“One hundred percent,” Pennsville coach Mike Healy said. “A lot of it is trying to see where we are, seeing what kids step up for their first time against another team after a whole summer working against each other. Just trying to start seeing how it all comes together. With this first scrimmage I accept the mistakes, but I also expect to do some things correctly.

“We have kids who have started to really have stepped up. I’m really happy with where we are as a team right now, but it’s hard to tell because we’ve only really had one full day in pads and this will be the first time we’ll see them against someone else and you really never know how your kids are going to react the first time they go against someone else.”

The Pennsville-Salem workout will feature 10-and-10, red zone situations, a couple periods focusing on younger players, two live series with moving chains and kicking with pressure.

It will give new Rams coach Kemp Carr, a Salem man charged with bringing the program back from its first losing season in 10 years, the chance to see all the pieces he’s put together after a busy 7-v-7 summer as he strives to “build lions” for the season ahead.

“Fortitude and the willingness to play hard on every play is very rare,” Carr said. “When you get 11 guys to do it, it’s an unstoppable machine. That’s what we’re trying to get to.”
The Schalick controlled scrimmage will follow script similar to Pennsville-Salem with each team getting 30 minutes with the other.

Cougars coach Mike Wilson returns virtually the entire lineup that started the 2023 season 11-0 and is approaching Monday’s exercise like an Eagles preseason game. Veteran players like quarterback Kenai Simmons and running back Reggie Allen will see limited time while the emphasis turns to developing depth.

“Normally I wouldn’t do it, but these kids have played so much football; I don’t need to know Reggie or Kenai can play,” Wilson said. “Our goal is to play as many kids as possible. We want to look at a couple battles, look at what we’ve got.

“I told the kids at practice everybody’s back from last year, you could roll out the same lineup, but I don’t want to do that. We’ve got a lot of talent, a lot of good kids. I want to play as many as possible. All I want (Monday) is the kids to compete. We’ve been practicing hard all summer. If we do that, I’ll feel pretty good.”

Woodstown’s scrimmage Tuesday is expected to feature two 10-and-10 sets with the starters and then one with JVs. After that, they’ll work on goal-line and a down-and-distance series.

Salem County fall schedule

Here is the 2024 master schedule for Salem County high school teams. (Football games are for WJFL divisions involving Salem County teams (Diamond and Patriot); all football games are 7 p.m. unless noted, all others 4 p.m. unless noted; x-scrimmage), report changes to al.muskewitz@gmail.com

AUG. 19
FOOTBALL
x-Mainland, Lower Cape May, West Deptford at Schalick, 10 a.m.
x-Pennsville at Salem, 11 a.m.

AUG. 20
FOOTBALL
x-Gloucester Catholic, Maple Shade at Penns Grove, 9 a.m.
x-Woodstown at St. Joe (Hamm.), 9 a.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
x-Pennsville at Delsea, 10 a.m.
x-Woodstown at Ocean City, 11 a.m.

AUG. 22
FOOTBALL
x-Salem at Absegami, 4 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
x-GCIT at Woodstown, 9 a.m.
x-Pennsville at Vineland, 10 a.m.

AUG. 23
FOOTBALL
x-Gateway at Penns Grove, 10 a.m.
x-Schalick at Buena, 10 a.m.
x-Pennsville at Triton, 6 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
x-Gateway at Woodstown, 9 a.m.

AUG. 26
GIRLS TENNIS
x-GCIT at Pennsville, 9 a.m.
Mainland at Schalick
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Salem at Maple Shade, 9 a.m.

AUG. 27
FIELD HOCKEY
x-Schalick at Cumberland, 9 a.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-Woodbury at Penns Grove, 9 a.m.
x-Schalick at Clearview, 9:30 a.m.
x-Lower Cape May at Salem, 10 a.m.
x-Salem Tech at Pennsauken Tech, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Penns Grove at Paulsboro, 9 a.m.
x-Salem at Cumberland, 10 a.m.
Clearview at Schalick
GIRLS TENNIS
x-Penns Grove at Deptford, 10 a.m.
x-Salem at Lower Cape May, 10 a.m.

AUG. 28
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at West Deptford, 10 a.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-Cumberland at Woodstown, 10 a.m.
x-Pemberton at Salem Tech, 10:30 a.m.

AUG. 29
FOOTBALL
Collingswood at Clayton, TBA
West Deptford vs. Manchester Twp., 10 a.m. (at Ocean City)
Pennsville at Gloucester City, 6 p.m.
x-Pitman at Woodstown, 6 p.m.
FIELD HOCKEY
x-Woodstown at Collingswood, 10 a.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Bridgeton at Penns Grove, 9 a.m.
x-Woodstown at Haddon Twp., 9 a.m.
x-Pennsville at Woodbury, 10 a.m.
Schalick at Cumberland
BOYS SOCCER
x-Penns Grove at Bridgeton, 9 a.m.
x-Woodbury at Pennsville, 10 a.m.
x-Highland at Salem, 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
x-Penns Grove at Bridgeton, 9 a.m.
Pennsville at Cumberland, 10 a.m.

AUG. 30
FOOTBALL
Schalick vs. Cedar Grove, 9:30 a.m. (at Egg Harbor Twp.)
FIELD HOCKEY
x-Schalick at Ocean City, 10 a.m.
BOYS SOCCER
x-Schalick at Moorestown Friends, 9 a.m.
x-Woodstown at Williamstown, 10 a.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
x-Lindenwold at Penns Grove, 9 a.m.

AUG. 31
FOOTBALL
Penns Grove at Paulsboro, 10 a.m.
Willingboro at Salem, noon

SEPT. 3
FIELD HOCKEY
x-GCIT at Woodstown
BOYS SOCCER
x-Clayton at Penns Grove
x-Woodstown at GCIT
GIRLS SOCCER
x-GCIT at Woodstown
x-Penns Grove at Clayton
GIRLS TENNIS
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Pennsville at Penns Grove
Schalick at Overbrook
Woodstown at Glassboro

SEPT. 4
BOYS SOCCER
x-Pennsville at Cumberland
GIRLS SOCCER
x-Pitman at Penns Grove

SEPT. 5
BOYS SOCCER
Palmyra at Schalick
GIRLS TENNIS
Salem at Wildwood
Schalick at Gloucester Catholic
Woodstown at Pennsville
FIELD HOCKEY
Audubon at Pennsville

SEPT. 6
FOOTBALL
Overbrook at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Penns Grove at Deptford, 6 p.m.
KIPP Cooper Norcross at Camden Catholic, TBA
Cumberland at Schalick
Delsea at Woodstown
West Deptford at Pennsville
GIRLS SOCCER
Deptford at Pennsville

SEPT. 7
FOOTBALL
Paulsboro at Audubon, TBA
Haddonfield at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Glassboro at Haddon Heights, 11 a.m.
Cinnaminson at Salem, noon
GIRLS SOCCER
Schalick at Cherokee

SEPT. 9
FIELD HOCKEY
Paulsboro at Pennsville
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at West Deptford
BOYS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Gloucester Co. Christian, 3:45 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Gloucester Co. Christian at Penns Grove

SEPT. 10
FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick at Triton
GIRLS TENNIS
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Gloucester Catholic at Woodstown
Salem at Schalick
Wildwood at Pennsville
BOYS SOCCER
Wildwood at Pennsville
Wildwood at Woodstown
GIRLS SOCCER
Woodstown at Wildwood

SEPT. 11
GIRLS TENNIS
Triton at Pennsville

SEPT. 12
FIELD HOCKEY
Deptford at Woodstown
Glassboro at Schalick
Salem at Pennsville
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton at Salem
Salem Tech at Pennsville
Schalick at Overbrook
Woodstown at Penns Grove
GIRLS SOCCER
Overbrook at Schalick
Pennsville at Glassboro
Pitman at Salem Tech
Salem at Clayton
Penns Grove at Woodstown
GIRLS TENNIS
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Pennsville at Schalick

SEPT. 13
FOOTBALL
Audubon at Bordentown, 6 p.m.
Collingswood at West Deptford
Schalick at Woodstown
GIRLS TENNIS
Penns Grove at Lindenwold
Vineland at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.

SEPT. 14
FOOTBALL
Camden Catholic at Paulsboro, TBA
Salem at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Pennsville at Overbrook, 11 a.m.
Glassboro at Penns Grove, noon
FIELD HOCKEY
Woodstown at Washington Twp.

SEPT. 16
FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick at OLMA
BOYS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Glassboro
Salem at Pennsville
Wildwood at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Schalick
GIRLS SOCCER
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Overbrook
Pitman at Salem
Salem Tech at Wildwood
Schalick at Woodstown
GIRLS TENNIS
Glassboro at Salem
Schalick at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Overbrook

SEPT. 17
CROSS COUNTRY
Pennsville, Penns Grove, Schalick, Woodstown at Cumberland
FIELD HOCKEY
Deptford at Salem
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic
Woodstown at Schalick

SEPT. 18
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton at Schalick
Gloucester Catholic at Woodstown
Pitman at Pennsville
Salem at Overbrook
Salem Tech at Glassboro
Wildwood at Penns Grove
GIRLS SOCCER
Glassboro at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Salem
Pennsville at Pitman
Penns Grove at Wildwood
Schalick at Clayton
Woodstown at Gloucester Catholic
GIRLS TENNIS
Overbrook at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Wildwood
Salem at Pitman
Woodstown at Schalick

SEPT. 19
BOYS SOCCER
Pennsville at Gateway
Woodstown at Audubon, 7 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Audubon at Woodstown
Gateway at Pennsville
FIELD HOCKEY
Gloucester Catholic at Schalick
Pennsville at Glassboro
Salem at Overbrook
Woodstown vs. Delsea (Total Turf)

SEPT. 20
FOOTBALL
Overbrook at Florence, 6 p.m.
Paulsboro at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Salem at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Audubon at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Schalick
West Deptford at Camden Catholic
Woodbury at Woodstown
BOYS SOCCER
Paulsboro at Salem Tech
Salem at Burlington Twp.
GIRLS SOCCER
Buena at Salem
Salem Tech at Paulsboro
Schalick at Williamstown
GIRLS TENNIS
Mainland at Woodstown

SEPT. 21
CROSS COUNTRY
Salem at Cumberland

SEPT. 23
BOYS SOCCER
Paulsboro at Pennsville (Foglein Bowl)
GIRLS SOCCER
Pennsville at Paulsboro
FIELD HOCKEY
Clayton at Salem
Pennsville at Woodstown
Schalick at Overbrook
GIRLS TENNIS
Clearview at Woodstown, 3:45 p.m.

SEPT. 24
BOYS SOCCER
Glassboro at Schalick
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Overbrook at Woodstown
Pennsville at Wildwood
Pitman at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
Salem Tech at Clayton, 7 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Salem at Gloucester Catholic
Schalick at Glassboro
Woodstown at Overbrook
Salem Tech at Clayton, 5 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Glassboro at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Gloucester Catholic
Schalick at Pitman
Woodstown at Salem

SEPT. 25
FIELD HOCKEY
Deptford at Schalick
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Overbrook at Woodstown

SEPT. 26
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Overbrook
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic
Wildwood at Salem
Woodstown at Glassboro
GIRLS SOCCER
Glassboro at Woodstown
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech
Pennsville at Schalick
Salem at Wildwood
Overbrook at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Overbrook at Schalick
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Salem at Gloucester Catholic
Woodstown at Cedar Creek

SEPT. 27
FOOTBALL
Woodbury at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
Pennsville at Camden Catholic
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem at Hammongton
Schalick at Cumberland

SEPT. 28
FOOTBALL
Collingswood at Haddon Twp., 10:30 a.m.
Overbrook at Paulsboro, 11 a.m.
West Deptford at Audubon, 11 a.m.
Schalick at Salem, noon
BOYS SOCCER
Salem at Paulsboro, 11 a.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Salem at Paulsboro, 9 a.m.
Schalick at Cinnaminson

SEPT. 30
FIELD HOCKEY
Oakcrest at Schalick
Woodstown at Cumberland
BOYS SOCCER
Pennsville at Gloucester Catholic
Pitman at Woodstown
Salem at Salem Tech
GIRLS SOCCER
Salem Tech at Salem
Schalick at Penns Grove
Woodstown at Pennsville
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Overbrook
Schalick at Cedar Creek
Wildwood at Salem

OCT. 1
FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville at Clayton
Salem at St. Joseph Academy
Schalick at Gloucester City
Woodstown at Glassboro
CROSS COUNTRY
Pennsville, Penns Grove, Salem, Woodstown at Salem Tech, 3:30 p.m.
GIRLS SOCCER
Salem at Winslow Twp., 3:45 p.m.

OCT. 2
BOYS SOCCER
Glassboro at Salem
Penns Grove at Gloucester Catholic
Pitman at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Pennsville
GIRLS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Penns Grove
Pitman at Woodstown
Salem at Glassboro
Salem Tech at Pennsville

OCT. 3
BOYS SOCCER
Collingswood at Pennsville
GIRLS SOCCER
Glassboro at Schalick
GIRLS TENNIS
NJSIAA Playoffs
FIELD HOCKEY
Schalick at Pennsville
Woodstown at Salem

OCT. 4
FOOTBALL
Haddon Heights at Camden Catholic, TBA
Deptford at Glassboro
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Pleasantville at Woodstown
Sterling at Collingswood
West Deptford at Haddonfield
Woodbury at Gateway
BOYS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Cumberland
GIRLS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Cumberland, 6:30 p.m.

OCT. 5
FOOTBALL
Schalick at Paulsboro, 10:30 a.m.
Clayton at Overbrook, 11 a.m.
Middle Twp. at Salem, noon
BOYS SOCCER
Northern Burlington at Woodstown, 10 a.m.

OCT. 7
FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville at Salem
Schalick at Glassboro
Woodstown at Deptford
BOYS SOCCER
Pennsville at Gloucester City
Woodstown at Gateway
GIRLS SOCCER
Paulsboro at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Gloucester City, 7 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Haddon Heights at Penns Grove
Schalick at Mainland

OCT. 8
BOYS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Woodstown
Pennsville at Salem Tech
Salem at Clayton
GIRLS SOCCER
Clayton at Salem
Glassboro at Pennsville
Salem Tech at Pitman
Schalick at Overbrook
Woodstown at Penns Grove
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at Wildwood
CROSS COUNTRY
Schalick TBA

OCT. 9
FIELD HOCKEY
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville
Schalick at Woodstown
GIRLS TENNIS
Haddon Heights at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Millville, 3:45 p.m.
CROSS COUNTRY
Salem County Championship, Schalick, 3:30 p.m.

OCT. 10
FOOTBALL
Delran at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Glassboro at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Salem
Salem Tech at Wildwood
Schalick at Woodstown
GIRLS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Glassboro
Overbrook at Pennsville
Salem at Pitman
Wildwood at Salem Tech
Woodstown at Schalick
GIRLS TENNIS
Schalick at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove
FIELD HOCKEY
Gateway at Pennsville
Salem at Maple Shade
Schalick at Mainland, 4:15 p.m.

OCT. 11
FOOTBALL
Audubon at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Glassboro at Cinnaminson, 6 p.m.
Schalick at Gloucester City, 6 p.m.
Salem at West Deptford
FIELD HOCKEY
Cumberland at Salem
Woodstown at Ocean City
GIRLS SOCCER
Audubon at Schalick
Salem at Gateway
BOYS SOCCER
Salem at Haddon Heights

OCT. 12
FOOTBALL
Pennsville at Paulsboro, 10:30 a.m.
Willingboro at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Camden Catholic at Overbrook, 11 a.m.
Woodstown at Haddon Heights, 11 a.m.
Delran at Penns Grove, noon

OCT. 14
BOYS SOCCER
Salem at Highland
Woodstown at Clayton
GIRLS SOCCER
Woodstown at Triton

OCT. 15
CROSS COUNTRY
Pennsville, Penns Grove, Salem, Woodstown at Kingsway, 3:30 p.m.
Schalick TBA
FIELD HOCKEY
Deptford at Pennsville
Glassboro at Salem
St. Joe’s at Schalick
Woodstown at Gloucester Catholic
GIRLS TENNIS
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville, 3:45 p.m.
Pitman at Woodstown
Salem at Penns Grove
Wildwood at Schalick, 4:15 p.m.

OCT. 16
BOYS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Pitman at Salem
Woodstown at Salem Tech
GIRLS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Schalick
Salem at Pennsville
Salem Tech at Woodstown
GIRLS TENNIS
Haddon Heights at Schalick

OCT. 17
FIELD HOCKEY
Overbrook at Schalick
Salem at Clayton
Woodstown at Clearview
GIRLS TENNIS
Overbrook at Woodstown
Penns Grove at Schalick
Salem at Glassboro

OCT. 18
FOOTBALL
Pennsville at Lawrence, 6:30 p.m.
Collingswood at Camden Catholic
Glassboro at Schalick
Paulsboro at West Deptford
FIELD HOCKEY
Egg Harbor Twp. at Woodstown
BOYS SOCCER
Clayton at Salem Tech
Penns Grove at Pitman
Salem at Gloucester Catholic
Woodstown at Overbrook
GIRLS SOCCER
Clayton at Salem Tech
Gloucester Catholic at Salem
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Overbrook at Woodstown
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Salem
Penns Grove at Pitman
Schalick at Glassboro

OCT. 19
FOOTBALL
Penns Grove at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Audubon at Overbrook, 11 a.m.
Woodstown at Salem, noon
GIRLS SOCCER
Cherry Hill West at Schalick

OCT. 21
FIELD HOCKEY
Salem at Gloucester Catholic
Schalick at Deptford
Woodstown at Overbrook
GIRLS TENNIS
Pennsville at Overbrook, 3:45 p.m.
Pitman at Salem
Schalick at Woodstown
BOYS SOCCER
Bridgeton at Penns Grove
Salem at Camden County Tech

OCT. 22
BOYS SOCCER
Glassboro at Woodstown
Gloucester Catholic at Salem Tech
Overbrook at Penns Grove
Pennsville at Clayton
Salem at Wildwood
GIRLS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Overbrook
Salem Tech at Gloucester Catholic
Schalick at Pennsville
Wildwood at Salem
Woodstown at Glassboro
GIRLS TENNIS
Woodstown at Haddon Heights

OCT. 23
FIELD HOCKEY
Pennsville at Overbrook
Salem at Schalick
GIRLS TENNIS
Glassboro at Woodstown
Pitman at Pennsville
Salem at Overbrook
Wildwood at Penns Grove
CROSS COUNTRY
Tri-County Showcase

OCT. 24
FIELD HOCKEY
Woodstown at Hammonton
BOYS SOCCER
Gloucester Catholic at Pennsville
Woodstown at Pitman
Salem Tech at Salem
Schalick at Penns Grove
GIRLS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Schalick
Salem at Salem Tech
Pennsville at Woodstown
CROSS COUNTRY
Pennsville, Woodstown at Cumberland

OCT. 25
FOOTBALL
Woodstown at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Audubon at Camden Catholic, TBA
Paulsboro at Clayton, TBA
Collingswood at Pennsville
Overbrook at West Deptford
Woodbury at Schalick
BOYS SOCCER
Salem Tech at Wildwood Catholic

OCT. 26
FOOTBALL
Salem at Penns Grove, noon

OCT. 28
BOYS SOCCER
Pennsville at Overbrook
Salem at Penns Grove
Salem Tech at Schalick
GIRLS SOCCER
Penns Grove at Salem
Pennsville at Wildwood
Schalick at Salem Tech

OCT. 29
FIELD HOCKEY
Clayton at Pennsville
Glassboro at Woodstown

NOV. 1
GIRLS SOCCER
Woodstown at Clayton
CROSS COUNTRY
Sectionals

NOV. 9
CROSS COUNTRY
NJSIAA Group Championships

NOV. 27
FOOTBALL
Camden Catholic at Paul VI, TBA

NOV. 28
FOOTBALL
Haddon Twp. at Audubon, TBA

Hall of Fame induction

Salem County Sports Hall of Fame to enshrine seven remaining members of this year’s induction class Thursday at Salem CC; Salem NFL running back Jonathan Taylor was enshrined earlier this summer

From Salem Community College

CARNEYS POINT – The seven remaining members of this year’s Salem County Sports Hall of Fame induction class will go marching into the Hall Thursday night in ceremonies at Salem Community College’s Davidow Theatre.

The Salem County SHOF Board has selected these individuals for induction in the latest ceremony. Former Salem High School current NFL running back Jonathan Taylor was inducted in a separate ceremony earlier in the summer.

Lex Bleckley (professional baseball)
Jaymes Dennison (track)
James Dickerson (track)
Nick Elmer (football)
Steve Merritt (coach)
Donna O’Leary (coach)
Latika Ross (basketball)

In addition, the Hall board will recognize Vince Gioia and Steve Lopes for their decades of service to Salem County sports as well as the following high school state champions:

Penns Grove’s three-time NJSIAA Group I state champion Boys Track Team (2013-15);

Penns Grove’s two-time NJSIAA Group I state champion Girls Track Team (2013-14);

Pennsville’s Megan Morris (2024 Pole Vault); Salem’s DaviYonn Jackson (2023-24 Triple Jump); Salem’s 2024 girls 4×100 Relay (Sairis Jimenez, Karima Davenport-White, Morgan Van Dover, Rhi’Onna Timmons); Salem’s 2024 girls shot put relay (Dominique Lewis and Ryann Mulhorn); Schalick’s Jordan Hadfield (2023 cross country 2024 1600); and Woodstown 2024 boys 4×800 Relay (Karson Chew, Joshua Crawford, Jacob Martino, Cole Lucas).

Admission is free and no tickets are required. The ceremony begins at 6:30 p.m.

Here is a thumbnail look at the Hall of Fame inductees

LEX BLECKLEY was a product of the Pennsville sports system, playing football and baseball. He is most proud of the baseball championships from an early age through his decorated career at Pennsville Memorial High School. The championships include district titles in Little League, State and Mid-Atlantic Champions in Babe Ruth and a state championship his senior year with a 25-0 record and the No. 1 ranked team in the state. The undefeated season has not been duplicated.

His personal accomplishments include three-time All-Salem County, two-time Tri-County, two-time South Jersey Group II, two-time All-South Jersey, Group II All State, All-State First Team and Today’s Sunbeam Player of the Year. He finished his career at Pennsville with a .503 batting average and a team win-loss record of 66-6. He was taken in the major league draft twice.

The Kansas City Royals drafted Bleckley after his high school career, but he elected to attend the University of Delaware, where he was a three-year starter at shortstop. During his UD career, the Blue Hens were East Coast Conference champions twice and missed making it to the College World Series by one game, losing in the finals. Lex came in second for the Division I batting title with a .455 average his junior year and was named ECC Player of the Year. He was drafted and signed by the Montreal Expos. After his playing career ended, he was head coach at Salem Community College for two years. Currently, he resides in Florida with his wife and son.

JAYMES DENNISON excelled in track at Penns Grove High School. A member of the Class of 2013, Jaymes was a two-time state champion. He won the 800 in his junior year and the 400 in his senior year. He helped lead the team to a Group 1 team state championship in 2013, and holds school records in the 800.

He was a three-time South Jersey champion in the 800 meters. As a senior, he finished seventh in the Meet of Champions in one of the most competitive 800-meter races in its history.

His post-high school accomplishments may be more impressive. In two years at Iowa State, he was a two-time NCAA All-American in 2018, Second Team All-American in the 4×400 meter relay and Honorable Mention All-American in the 800 meters. He was the Big 12 indoor champion in the 600 meters. Before enrolling at Iowa State, he was a two-time junior college indoor national champion in the 600 meters.

JAMES (JIMMY) DICKERSON graduated from Salem High School in 1964. Following high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force for eight years and traveled extensively throughout Europe. While serving in the military, Jimmy was a medic.

In addition to his medic responsibilities, he played in the European Conference, on the track and field team, where he placed first in high jump at 6-10 and excelled in the triple jump. He also made the All-Europe Football Team as a running back and kick returner. After his tour of duty, Jimmy was an OSHA inspector at BF Goodrich in Pedricktown until his retirement.

In 1976, Jimmy was invited to attend Philadelphia Eagles head coach Dick Vermeil’s tryout camp. Although not selected, he considered meeting fellow tryout attendee Vince Papale, who went on to make the Eagles’ roster, an experience of a lifetime.

At 34, Jimmy enrolled at Gloucester County College and competed in the track and field high/triple jump. He never lost a match during his two seasons. Community focused, Jimmy is involved in coaching youth basketball and mentoring. In addition, he is an active member of his church and sings in the senior choir.

NICK ELMER was a multi-sport athlete (football, wrestling, track and field) at Penns Grove High School.

In football, he set school records for passing yards (4,580) and passing touchdowns (61). He also helped lead PGHS to a record-breaking 2012 season and a South Jersey Group 1 championship in which he rushed for a record 308 yards in the title game. The 2012 team still holds the record for most points scored in a season in South Jersey history. He earned All-State First Team honors in 2012 and was the Philadelphia Inquirer South Jersey Player of the Year.

As a wrestler, Nick amassed a school-record 137 victories and qualified for the state tournament on twice, ultimately earning a seventh-place finish in 2013. He continued his academic and athletic career in wrestling at Drexel University, where he was a varsity starter for two years, accumulating 31 wins and a spot on the podium in the 2016 Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (EIWA) Conference Tournament and earned an EIWA Academic Achievement Award in the same year.

He went on to medical school at Thomas Jefferson University, where he graduated cum laude and as a member of the prestigious Alpha Omega Alpha national medical honors society. He is currently a plastic surgery resident at NYU Langone Hospital in New York City.

DONNA O’LEARY graduated from Paulsboro High School and was a two-sport varsity athlete (field hockey and tennis) there. She also swam competitively year-round at the Woodbury YMCA.

She earned a degree from Glassboro State College as a health/physical education major. Playing field hockey and swimming in college were important milestones in her path to becoming a coach. After graduation, she became the head women’s swim coach at Glassboro State. During those six years, she produced six All-Americans.

In 1988, Salem City hired her as a full-time health/physical education teacher in the elementary school and as the field hockey head coach at Salem High School. After taking the reins from Liz Pappas, she put her heart into making the field hockey program successful and she accumulated 315 wins and seven Tri-County championships. She was a two-time Coach of the Year.

LATIKA ROSS, a 2001 Salem High School graduate, excelled in both basketball and track and field. In track, she broke the 800-meter record as a sophomore. In basketball, she became the third Lady Ram to join SHS’s 1000-point club and pulled down over 1,000 rebounds as a four-year varsity player. Latika earned numerous accolades, including All-Tournament Team and First Team for All South Jersey Group 1 and Tri-County Conference Classic Divisions for two consecutive years. Today’s Sunbeam named her Player of the Year in 2001.

Moving on to Salem Community College, Latika amassed 1,130 points and 1,028 rebounds over two years, earning National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) Division II Second Team honors. She holds the NJCAA Division II Women’s Basketball regular-season record for rebound average (23.2 per game in 2002-03).

After attending Drexel University for one year on a full athletic scholarship, Latika transferred to Saint Augustine’s University (SAU), where she made the Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association All-Tournament Team and averaged a double-double her senior year (10 points, 10 rebounds per game). Graduating from SAU with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and 3.9 grade point average, Latika embarked on a successful 15-year career in accounting.

Today, she channels her talents into entertainment as an actress, producer and stand-up comedian, performing under the name Latika Sye (a family surname).

STEVE MERRITT was never the last to be picked for any of the seasonal schoolyard games, until he turned 12 and lost a game of “chicken” with the front end of a Buick or Pontiac. It’s not clear to this day. A significant injury cost him any speed he might have had or would have. Nonetheless, it is difficult to temper a Type A personality and there was always some kind of competition at home with three brothers.

A single junior varsity season of baseball and senior year “cup of coffee” as a wrestler sums up his high school athletic career. Intramural softball and volleyball were competitive outlets at Glassboro State College.

After college, long-distance running became his outlet for competition. His omnipresent opponent became the stopwatch. No longer did he have to finish first to win. He ran the New York City Marathon twice, the Marine Corps Marathon twice and the Boston Marathon in 1992.

A combined 50 varsity seasons (tennis, soccer, basketball and softball) as a head coach at Salem High School yielded over 500 victories, four South Jersey Championships, three Tri-County Classic titles and helped to satisfy his yen for competition. Earlier this summer he was named the girls basketball coach at Pennsville High School.

Community Service

VINCENT GIOLA JR. graduated from Penns Grove High School in 1968 and began working for DuPont Chambers Works in 1969, retiring in 2010. To say his life revolved around sports would be an understatement.

Vince first coached in 1969 and over the next 50 years spent countless hours coaching, managing and maintaining the fields at the Carneys Point Recreation Complex for the Carneys Point-Penns Grove-Pedricktown Little League and Penns Grove Soccer Club.

Vince played and coached in both the Salem County Men’s Baseball League (1969-1976) and the PG-CP Men’s Softball League (1975-2015) while also serving as a league officer and a liaison with Salem County. He coached for the PG mini-wrestling organization (1979-1986), managed for the PG-CP Women’s Softball (1978-1982), and for the PG Babe Ruth (1985-1987). Vince also coached PG Twins 130 lb. football team (1985-1991) and was head coach of the SCC’s softball team (1991-1995, 2011-2013).

Vince has been a member of the South Jersey Officials Association (football) since 1999 and Unified Umpire Association of Southern New Jersey since 2007. He served on the Carneys Point Recreation Commission (1999-2023) and was chairman (2004-2023). Vince managed the CP Recreation Complex (2004-2023) and was president of the Servicemen’s Memorial Home (2015-2023). Today, Vince can be found on a field or in a gym in South Jersey officiating, umpiring or just watching his grandchildrens’ games or any game, for that matter.

STEVE LOPES graduated from Penns Grove High School in 1964, after playing three years of varsity basketball with coach Rudy Baric.

For 45 years, Steve has officiated over 800 high school football games. He had the honor of officiating over 50 state playoff games, including several state championship games at Rutgers, Giants and MetLife Stadiums. Steve has served as the president of New Jersey Football Officials Association – South, the organization representing football officials in South Jersey. Additionally, he is an official for the NFL’s Girls Flag Football program and officiated the Big 33 tournament sponsored by several NFL teams. In addition, Steve has umpired high school, college and semi-pro baseball for 17 years.

For 16 years, Steve managed in the Penns Grove-Carneys Point-Pedricktown Little League and Babe Ruth League, where his teams won several league and district titles. He has played and managed a senior (ages 50, 60, 70) baseball team in Carneys Point. For over 20 years, Steve has played in men’s senior baseball national tournaments in Florida and Arizona.

Making the Smart choice

Woodstown approves Haddonfield’s Matt Smart to take girls basketball program; he’s excited about the opportunity, understands the expectations

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

WOODSTOWN – Matt Smart likes to say he learned to walk on a basketball floor, the son of a longtime South Jersey basketball coach and the only boy among three sports-loving siblings. So, it would stand to reason that he aspired to be a coach himself.

He couldn’t have picked a better situation for his first head coaching gig.

Smart was approved Thursday to become the new head coach of the Woodstown girls basketball team. He succeeds Kara Straughn, who stepped aside for family considerations after guiding the Wolverines to the South Jersey Group I championship game last year. He will be their third coach in as many years.

Excited doesn’t begin to describe the way the 28-year-old Haddonfield native feels about the opportunity. He’s been handed one of the top girls programs in South Jersey led by two of the most dynamic scorers in the state. Megan Donelson and Goldey-Beacom commit Talia Battavio are both on track to finish their careers not only as the leading scorers in Woodstown history but among the top scorers in Salem County all-time.

When Smart first learned of the opening from his Haddonfield connections already at the school he spent all hours of the day researching the players and the program to be prepared for the interview. And while he’s been getting to know the team during its summer league play as he awaited board approval, he’s been itching to tell somebody.

He finally got the OK to tell the world and wasted no time getting it out on social media.

“When I saw it posted on line, I said let me try to be a head coach,” he said. “From the moment I heard the job was opening up that’s all I could think about.

“My girlfriend woke up at 5 a.m. the morning the job got posted and was like ‘What are you still doing awake?’ I told her my mind’s just going right now. I started working hard on getting a plan I could present to Mr. (athletics director Joe) Ursino, the superintendent and anybody in the interview process. I was super excited.

“I got the call at work when they offered it to me and I was like, excuse me, Mr. Ursino, (stepped back) and went, ‘Yes-s-s-s-s;’ I had to let it out. That was a great feeling. II wanted to scream it from the rafters, but I kept the ceiling shut until that board meeting happened.”

Smart comes to Woodstown after four years as the Haddonfield Middle School girls coach – the last two as the JV and varsity assistant coach — with a strong athletics pedigree. He also coached football for eight years and while nothing has developed on that front yet, he was with the Wolverines during their 7×7 tournament at Total Turf over the weekend.

His father Phil has had a long tenure in athletics, coaching basketball and volleyball in South Jersey before moving into administration. His love for women’s sports came from his two sisters, both of whom starred in field hockey. The oldest, Meghan, played collegiately at Appalachian State and Old Dominion and now coaches at a high school in Virginia Beach. The other, Emily, is an assist machine and captain at Stevens Tech.

For a team that has won 20 games the last four non-COVID seasons in a row and made deep runs in the playoffs, he knows expectations are high for the Wolverines. They came within a last-second corner 3 of winning the South Jersey title last year and have most of their players back. They may have a golden path laid out before him, but Smart wisely has no plans to travel it on cruise control.

“The expectations are set high and we have to work hard to achieve those expectations,” Smart said. “It’s not going to be just given to us. I think the girls and I understand there’s a lot of work to be done if we want to achieve all the goals both as a team and as individuals that they want to achieve.

“I know there are going to be some ups and downs, but we have to work hard. We’re going to work hard and hopefully meet those expectations.”

Summer showdown

Pennsville gets the nod in head-to-head matchup with Woodstown in their final pool game of the ATF Ginsburg 7×7 Classic

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITMAN – In the grand scheme of things, a 20-minute 7-on-7 football game in late June won’t mean much when both teams are fighting for a playoff spot in late October, but it meant plenty to Pennsville receiver Malik Rehmer.

Pennsville and Woodstown haven’t played in the regular season since 2020 despite being Group I programs in the same county less than 15 miles apart, so when they get put together in the final game of pool play in the Adam Taliaferro Foundation Ginsburg 7×7 Classic at Total Turf it’s a special occasion even if it is only half football.

This one went to the Eagles and was all for bragging rights as Eastern clinched their bracket’s spot in the semifinals even before the teams took the field. Robbie McDade threw third-down touchdown passes to Rehmer and Cole Campbell and the defense turned away a reserve Woodstown offense four times in a 22-3 win that left them 2-1 i(and Woodstown 0-3) in the pool.

“It meant way more,” Rehmer said. “The whole time being here we haven’t beaten Woodstown in any sport, so that was a good emphasis win. Played good all around, the whole team. It was a really good win. I don’t think people will forget this.”

The Eagles hadn’t beaten Woodstown in football since their 2017 season opener. Their boys basketball hasn’t beaten the Wolverines since 2019 (7 in a row) and girls basketball hasn’t since 2020 (8 in a row).

“It’ll really mean something to put on the pads and we actually play a real game, but it’s still good to get a win over Woodstown,” McDade said.

Of course, 7x7s are more about performance between quarterbacks, receivers and secondaries than results, but they still keep score. For the record, Pennsville was shutout by bracket winner and eventual runner-up Eastern in its first game, then swamped Bridgeton and beat the Wolverines. Woodstown lost a close one to Bridgeton, then fell to Eastern and the Eagles.

“Overall I was happy,” Pennsville coach Mike Healy said. “We weren’t great in our first game and then we really improved a lot the second and third; we were real sharp the second game. We finished with a winning record (and) obviously when you play Woodstown you always want to get a win. It would’ve been nice to be sharp all three games, but overall (it was) a good day.”

McDade thought he was “a little rusty” in the first game against Eastern despite completing 10 of 17 passes in two possessions, but felt “good” in the ensuing two victories. He was 23-of- 40 with four touchdowns and three interceptions in the three games.

“He threw better than he threw last year at this point, which is what we wanted to see,” Healy said. “We obviously had a good day overall, but we know what we have to work on.”

In the game against Woodstown, he gave the Eagles a two-score edge when he hit Rehmer with a long touchdown pass against tight coverage by Wolverines’ Max Csaszar.

“Just a great ball from the best quarterback in South Jersey,” Rehmer said.

For Woodstown, it was the first time new head coach Frank Trautz got the chance to see his team against outside competition, which meant the first time seeing quarterback Jack Holladay running the offense as the starter.

Holladay has been dreaming of being the starter since his freshman year. He takes the reins from his cousin, Max Webb. A year ago in spot quarterback duty he didn’t throw a pass and had two rushes.

His first pass of the day was intercepted, but he responded by going 7-for-7 on the next series, culminating in the first of three touchdown passes to Anthony Bokolas, and ultimately completed eight in a row. He was 11-of-15 with two touchdowns against Bridgeton and 18-of-28 with three touchdowns to Bokolas and three interceptions. He played the first series against Pennsville before giving way to the younger set.

“I’m really excited to see what Jack’s gonna do this year,” Trautz said. “He’s a great athlete. He’s got all the tools you want in a quarterback. He can make every throw. He’s a really good athlete, so he’s going to be able to help us out as well in the run game a little bit and he’s ready for this.

“He got a ton of reps last year in practice and already what I’ve seen from him early on in the summer is a lot of good stuff. This is a great opportunity for him today to get some live reps. I think the sky’s the limit for him. He could have a real special year.”

Pennsville and Woodstown aren’t scheduled to play during the regular season. so Saturday’s meeting will be the only time they play this season — unless, of course, they get matched up in the playoffs.

Cherokee won the tournament. The Chiefs’ Evan Bryfogle was the most valuable player.

Woodstown quarterback Jack Holladay looks for a receiver during Saturday’s 7×7 tournament at Total Turf. On the cover, Pennsville receiver Malik Rehmer goes is motion as quarterback Robbie McDade awaits the snap.

Salem football +

Here is the 2024 West Jersey Football League schedule for the divisions involving Salem County’s teams

2024 WEST JERSEY FOOTBALL LEAGUE
(Divisions involving Salem County teams; all games 7 p.m. unless noted, x-scrimmage)

AUG. 19
x-Mainland, Cape May, West Deptford at Schalick, 10 a.m.
x-Pennsville at Salem, 10 a.m.
x-Woodstown at St. Joseph’s Academy

AUG. 23
x-Schalick at Buena, 10 a.m.
x-Salem at Absegami, 6 p.m.

AUG. 29
Collingswood at Clayton, TBA
West Deptford vs. Manchester Twp., 10 a.m. (at Ocean City)
Pennsville at Gloucester City

AUG. 30
Schalick vs. Cedar Grove, 9:30 a.m. (at Egg Harbor Twp.)

AUG. 31
Willingboro at Salem, noon

SEPT. 6
Overbrook at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Penns Grove at Deptford, 6 p.m.
KIPP Cooper Norcross at Camden Catholic, TBA
Cumberland at Schalick
Delsea at Woodstown
West Deptford at PennsvilleSEPT. 7
Paulsboro at Audubon, TBA
Haddonfield at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Glassboro at Haddon Heights, 11 a.m.
Cinnaminson at Salem, noon

SEPT. 13
Audubon at Bordentown, 6 p.m.
Collingswood at West Deptford
Pennsville at Overbrook
Schalick at Woodstown

SEPT. 14
Camden Catholic at Paulsboro, TBA
Salem at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Glassboro at Penns Grove, noon

SEPT. 20
Overbrook at Florence, 6 p.m.
Paulsboro at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Salem at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Audubon at Pennsville
Penns Grove at Schalick
West Deptford at Camden Catholic
Woodbury at Woodstown

SEPT. 27
Woodbury at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Woodstown at Penns Grove, 6:30 p.m.
Pennsville at Camden Catholic

SEPT. 28
Collingswood at Haddon Twp., 10:30 a.m.
Overbrook at Paulsboro, 11 a.m.
West Deptford at Audubon, 11 a.m.
Schalick at Salem, noon

OCT. 4
Haddon Heights at Camden Catholic, TBA
Deptford at Glassboro
Penns Grove at Pennsville
Pleasantville at Woodstown
Sterling at Collingswood
West Deptford at Haddonfield
Woodbury at Gateway

OCT. 5
Schalick at Paulsboro, 10:30 a.m.
Clayton at Overbrook, 11 a.m.
Middle Twp. at Salem, noon

OCT. 11
Audubon at Collingswood, 6 p.m.
Glassboro at Cinnaminson, 6 p.m.
Schalick at Gloucester City, 6 p.m.
Salem at West Deptford

OCT. 12
Pennsville at Paulsboro, 10:30 a.m.
Willingboro at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Camden Catholic at Overbrook, 11 a.m.
Woodstown at Haddon Heights, 11 a.m.
Delran at Penns Grove, noon

OCT. 18
Pennsville at Lawrence, 6 p.m.
Collingswood at Camden Catholic
Glassboro at Schalick
Paulsboro at West Deptford

OCT. 19
Penns Grove at Woodbury, 10:30 a.m.
Audubon at Overbrook, 11 a.m.
Woodstown at Salem, noon

OCT. 25
Woodstown at Glassboro, 6 p.m.
Audubon at Camden Catholic, TBA
Paulsboro at Clayton, TBA
Collingswood at Pennsville
Overbrook at West Deptford
Woodbury at Schalick

OCT. 26
Salem at Penns Grove, noon

NOV. 27
Camden Catholic at Paul VI, TBA

NOV. 28
Haddon Twp. at Audubon, TBA

Getting to know …

Woodstown’s Bryce Belinfanti

By Brian Tortella
For Riverview Sports News

When Bryce Belinfanti walked onto the field for his first game last season, he knew he had huge shoes to fill.

Woodstown star running back James Hill Jr,, coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons while setting the program’s single-season rushing yardage mark (1,636) in the process, suffered a couple ACL injuries in the offseason that delayed and ultimately ended his senior campaign.

Belinfanti was going to be a big factor in the Wolverines’ offense as it was, but now he was thrust into the main role.

Woodstown had to rely on Belinfanti, a junior, who had just 421 yards and four touchdowns to his name in his two prior seasons playing second fiddle to Hill.

He was ready. Belinfanti ended the season with 1,740 yards and 21 scores on 214 attempts while helping the Wolverines win the South Jersey group 1 title. That’s good for just over eight yards a carry.

“Bryce is a phenomenal athlete,” said former Woodstown head coach John Adams, who retired following the season after 14 years at the helm. “His sophomore year he played in the slot for us and we started to rotate him in the backfield because of his abilities. Heading into last year we were planning on doing a lot with him and James Hill both in the backfield together but then when James got hurt we knew Bryce would be able to carry the load. He didn’t miss a day of workouts and got his body right to carry the ball over and over again.

“His ability speaks for itself. We tweaked a few things for him in the run game allowing him to use his patience and vision more and the rest is history. He probably would have had a lot more yards and TDs than he did if we didn’t take him out by halftime in a few games. I recall him having five TDs by the half in the first round of the playoffs (Dunellen). I really think he could have eclipsed 2,000 yards and I am excited to cheer him on this year cause I know he has that ability to do it.”

Get to know Bryce Belinfanti as he aims to improve on his fantastic junior season and potentially reach that 2,000-yard mark. He’ll be in action Saturday when the Wolverines play in the Coach Ginzburg 7×7 Tournament at Total Turf in Pitman.

Riverview Sports News: Reflecting on last season, what was that special year like for you?

Bryce Belinfanti: Last season will always be my favorite of all. Starting the season not knowing what to expect was definitely nerve wracking, but once we played week by week I realized we were the best in South Jersey. It was an unreal feeling winning the first sectional in Adams’ final season.

RSN: What do you like most about playing football compared to other sports?

BB: I like playing football outside of all sports because of the hype and energy the game brings, but my favorite part is the character it makes you. Having to fight week by week with no excuses.

RSN: Were you at all surprised that you were able to break the single-season yardage record? What does that mean to you?

BB: Breaking the rushing record was not on my mind getting through the season, but once I hit 1,000 in the regular season I was on a roll. The sectional game I didn’t think I broke the record until I found out I rushed for 182. It means everything to me since I come from and played for Woodstown my whole life. I always believed I was the best and finally showed Woodstown and the county.

RSN: Looking ahead at your schedule, is there any one game that you have circled on the calendar? You open up with an always tough Delsea and rematch Woodbury down the road. Not to mention Penns Grove and Salem, I’m sure there’s no love lost there.

BB: Headed into the season I try not to get ahead of myself. I try to play week by week. I am excited to play Delsea since they have one of the best rushers in the state as well (senior Dan Russo). I think it’ll make a good South Jersey matchup between two good teams.

RSN: What’s your expectation for this upcoming season, and what have you and the team been doing in preparation?

BB: My expectations for this season are high. I think our senior class can lead the team to new heights and we know how to win. At the moment we are doing summer workouts and field workouts to get everyone ready. I’m excited to see where we go.

RSN: What did you like most about Coach Adams, and how were you feeling when he decided to step away?

BB: My favorite thing about Coach Adams was him keeping us disciplined no matter who we were playing. He always had trust in us and was flexible to the type of player I am. I’m forever grateful for that.

RSN: How about new coach Frank Trautz? He seems like he has some good experience coming from a distinguished program like Haddonfield.

BB: Coach Trautz is the man with the plan. He has concepts from simple to advanced and is definitely an offensive mind. Just like Adams, he trusts us and bases formations and plays off of who is in and how they play. He makes it a comfortable coaching change and I’m excited to see what else he throws at us coming from Haddonfield.

RSN: Who’s someone you’ve looked up to growing up?

BB: Growing up I’ve always looked up to my big brothers. My oldest brother played for Adams at Woodstown and was a hell of a running back just like me. He also ran for 1000. Being the youngest I’ve always wanted to be like them.

RSN: What do you do away from the field? What do you do for fun in your down time? Any extracurricular activities?

BB: When I’m away from the field I do like to play basketball here and there. But mostly (being from the country) I love cars, trucks, and dirtbikes and it’s something I wouldn’t mind getting into in the future. I always fish also.

RSN: Now to the fun stuff, what’s your favorite pre-game hype song?

BB: My go to pregame hype songs get to thumping. I love to listen to drill music or Philly rap songs like Meek Mill and YoungBagChasers. It’s only right when you’re in the game time mode.

RSN: What about your go-to snack?

BB: My go to snack is always a Reese’s Fast Break bar. They’re the best and always hit. Plus it brings quick energy.

RSN: Tell me a little bit about your future. Do you see yourself playing football at the next level and what school is your realistic “dream” college?

BB: In my future I see money in many ways. I do skilled trades like hardscaping, remodeling and campground maintenance. So I see a future in a connecting business. But I do want to continue playing football at a high level also. A realistic school I want to go to is LIU, since they show me some good interest and it seems like a fun place to be. I just have to keep working to get there because I never thought I’d be wanting to go to college until last year.

RSN: How would you like to be remembered in Woodstown athletics history?

BB: In Woodstown I want not just me, but the team I’ve played with my whole life to get the respect we deserve. We had Woodstown more packed than ever to come watch us. We had zero transfers, zero recruiting players from out of town and still got things done. I want to be remembered as an electric player and one of the greatest.

Pitted in Pitman

Woodstown, Pennsville paired in the final round of pool play in Saturday’s Coach Ginsburg 7×7 at Total Turf

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

PITMAN – Woodstown plays three of the other four football-playing Salem County teams this upcoming season and organizers of Saturday’s Coach Larry Ginsburg 7×7 Classic have given the Wolverines the chance to complete the set.

The event schedule-makers have placed the Wolverines and Pennsville in the same bracket for the 7×7 tournament that moves this year to the Total Turf Experience. They will meet in the final game of Bracket II pool play at 1 p.m.

The winners of each of the four brackets advance to the semifinals at 2 p.m. with those winners playing for the championship at 2:45. Woodbury defeated Penns Grove in last year’s championship game.

Woodstown, under the direction of new head coach Frank Trautz, plays the other three county teams – Penns Grove, Salem and Schalick – in division play during the regular season. The Wolverines and Eagles last played in the regular season in 2020 with Woodstown winning 6-0.

Woodstown is coming off a 9-3 season in which it won the South Jersey Group I title and lost to Glassboro in the last minute of the state semifinals. Pennsville is coming off its first winning season since 2016. The Eagles went 6-4, won both of their regional consolation games and returns most of that team.

The Classic benefits the Adam Taliaferro Foundation.

COACH LARRY GINSBURG 7×7
(Saturday, Total Turf Experience, Pitman)

Bracket I (Field 1A): Cherokee, Atlantic City, Gloucester City, West Deptford
Bracket II (Field 1B): Eastern, Bridgeton, Pennsville, Woodstown
Bracket III (Field 2A): Timber Creek, St. Joseph’s, Kipps, Nottingham
Bracket IV (Field 2B): Vineland, Kingsway, Tri-County, Woodbury

SCHEDULE OF GAMES
9:30 a.m.: Cherokee-Gloucester City, Eastern-Pennsville, Timber Creek-Kipps, Vineland-Woodbury.

10:00: Atlantic City-West Deptford, Bridgeton-Woodstown, St. Joseph-Nottingham, Kingsway-Tri-County

10:30: Break

11:00: Cherokee-West Deptford, Eastern-Woodstown, Timber Creek-Nottingham, Vineland-Tri-County

11:30: Atlantic City-Gloucester City, Bridgeton-Pennsville, St. Joseph-Kipps, Kingsway-Woodbury

Noon: Break

12:30 p.m.: Cherokee-Atlantic City, Eastern-Bridgeton, Timber Creek-St. Joseph, Vineland-Kingsway

1:00: West Depford-Gloucester City, Pennsville-Woodstown, Kipps-Nottingham, Woodbury-Tri-County

2:00: Semifinals (Bracket winners), Fields 1A & 1B

2:45: Championship Game, Field 1A

Cover photo: Woodbury won last year’s Ginsburg 7×7 Classic with a come-from-behind win over Penns Grove.