Pennsauken's R.J. Blount runs with the football during the football game played against Vineland at Vince McAneney Stadium on the campus of Pennsauken High School in Pennsauken, New Jersey on Thursday, September 19, 2024. Collin Conway/D2 Sports Network
PENNSAUKEN - R.J. Blount transferred to Pennsauken High School from Collingswood over the summer.
The junior found himself in a similar role with the Indians as he did with his last team: a featured back in an athletic and dynamic offense.
His workload included 37 rushes for 218 yards and three scores as the Indians rolled over Vineland, 27-7, on Thursday night. Pennsauken's defense forced a punt on the game's opening drive before the offense pieced together a six-play, 45-yard drive that was capped by Blount's first touchdown of the night from 24 yards out.
Both sides traded possessions before the Indians settled in and produced a productive drive that resulted in another touchdown. Blount shed a few tackles before he coughed the ball up at the goal line. As the ball was in the air, a scrum for the loose ball caused the pigskin to roll into the end zone before Pennsauken offensive lineman Giovanni Padilla hopped on the loose ball for a touchdown.
The Fighting Clan quickly answered back with a kick return that was brought back to Pennsauken's 13-yard line. The return was followed by a halfback toss on the next play that resulted in a score by Charles Clark. The score provided Vineland with momentum as halftime arrived, but the spark was short lived.
The Indians opened the second half with a 10-play drive that ended in a punt. Their defense forced a turnover on downs to set up their offense deep in the Fighting Clan's territory. Blount rewarded the defense for its effort with a 22-yard score to extend Pennsauken's lead.
Vineland recovered a fumble on a botched handoff when Ronald Temple collected the free-rolling ball on the ground. Pennsauken's Jayden Polk snared an interception to set up another long scoring drive for the host. As the Indians approached the red zone, quarterback Nazyr Negron often lined up under center with a fullback in the backfield and Blount behind him. The Indians fed Blount consistently and the result was his third touchdown.
"I love getting to just keep getting fed the ball," Blount said. "I'm prepared to get as many carries as I can a game and play defense with it. I don't want to come off of the field."
Pennsauken's Khani Reddick pounced on a fumbled handoff to help the Indians earn their fourth takeaway of the game. Pennsauken has won back-to-back games after a season-opening 28-7 loss to Washington Township.
"We needed to get our guys to prepare for the games better," Pennsauken coach Clinton Tabb said. "During the (Washington) Township game, all of our guys were cramping all game. We're a smaller Group 4 school so we have guys going both ways. I think they've been doing what they needed to do in preparation for each game since then."
Vineland fell to 2-2 and has lost consecutive games by three or more possessions.
"We kept shooting ourselves in the foot all game," Fighting Clan coach Jose Guzman said. "Whether it was turnovers, not being able to capitalize on momentum, or penalties, I think we did ourselves in. ... The first thing we need to address before practice on Monday is the film. Once we see what went wrong, we'll correct it during practice."
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