August 23, 2018
2017 In Review: The Rams were 8-3, losing to Paulsboro in the South Jersey Group 1 semi-finals after beating Woodbury. They scored 373 points for a 33.91 average, while allowing 177 for a 16.09 average, including three shutouts. Wins included Penns Grove, Pennsville, and Woodstown, while their other losses were to Burlington City and Woodbury.
Graduation Losses: RB/LB Zaire Jones – Monroe JC (NY), OL/DL Taleem Thompson – Albright (Pa.), WR/DB Justin Harris – Kutztown, OL/DL Taye’Von Stanback – Valley Forge Military Academy (Pa.)
Offense: Salem runs a multiple spread and returns eight starters. Back at quarterback is senior Jamael Bundy (5-11, 170) and the running backs return senior Ra’Mir Nock (5-9, 195). Also playing at running back will be juniors Zuri Dublin (5-7, 170) and Ty’Kerron Morrison (5-11, 192).
Returning as ends are senior Ja’yaon Mejias (6-1, 185) and junior Da’Shon Bundy (5-9, 165), plus junior Kaciir Street (5-9, 155) also seeing action.
Four starters return to the line: junior Jake Grusemeyer (6-0, 180) at center, senior Savion Moore (6-1, 200) and sophomore Justice Burgess (6-0, 280) at the guards, and junior Joshua Johnson (6-5, 220) at tackle. The new tackle will be senior Curtis Reed (6-3, 205).
Defense: The Rams run a 3-3 stack and return six starters. Johnson and Moore return at the ends and senior Hezekiah Walker (5-11, 255) will play nose guard. Rotating on the line will be Grusemeyer.
Morrison and Nock return at linebacker and Dublin will start alongside them.
Mejias is back at one strong safety and Da’Shon Bundy is back at free safety. The other strong safety will be senior Keith Chung (5-9, 187). The corners are Street and senior Jadon Manlove (5-9, 174) with Jamael Bundy and senior Derrick Turner (5-7, 160) also getting some time.
Special Teams: Sophomore Amir Mansour returns as both the kicker and punter. Chung will be the main return man.
Schedule:
Friday, 8/31, Conwell-Egan Catholic (Pa.) at Wildwood, 4 PM
Friday, 9/7, at Schalick, 7 PM
Saturday, 9/15, Burlington City at home, 12 PM
9/21-22, Bye Week
Saturday, 9/29, at Overbrook, 10:30 AM
Saturday, 10/6, Glassboro at home, 12 PM
Saturday, 10/13, at Audubon, 12 PM
Friday, 10/19, at Pennsville, 7 PM
Saturday, 10/27, Penns Grove, 12 PM
Thursday, 11/22, Woodstown at home, 10:30 AM
Recruits: Mejias is getting 1-A looks at the non-Power 5 level and Jamael Bundy is receiving Patriot League looks. Chung has interest from Delaware State, Towson, Rutgers, and Norfolk State.
Concerns: Depth and staying healthy.
Coach’s Comments: “We are fast and aggressive; that will be the strength of our team and we want to play that way as much as possible.” – Head Coach Montrey Wright