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Versatile Green leads Salem past Pennsville

Wuanyay Green has learned to make the most of his opportunities. "I don't get the ball that much," said Green, a versatile and valuable senior for the Salem football team. "I'm more of a role player."

Salem's Jon Taylor
Salem's Jon TaylorRead more

Wuanyay Green has learned to make the most of his opportunities.

"I don't get the ball that much," said Green, a versatile and valuable senior for the Salem football team. "I'm more of a role player."

Green carried the ball just six times on Saturday. But the 6-foot-1, 210-pound fullback reached the end zone three times to spark Salem to a 40-13 victory over Pennsville in a clash of West Jersey Football League Classic Division unbeatens.

Green also registered a key interception as a linebacker, and kicked off and punted as Salem, the No. 24 team in the Inquirer Top 25, strengthened its grip on the top spot in the race for both the division title and the top seed in the South Jersey Group 1 tournament.

"He plays wherever I ask him to play," Salem coach Montrey Wright said. "He's totally unselfish, a team player. He does what we need him to do for the team."

Senior quarterback Shareef Jefferies ran 13 times for 95 yards and two touchdowns.

Junior running back Jon Taylor generated 165 yards and another touchdown on 20 carries for Salem, which reached the South Jersey Group 1 title game in 2014 and has emerged as the top contender for the sectional crown midway through this season.

The Rams (5-0 overall, 3-0 in the division) have won 11 of 12 since a loss to Pennsville on Oct. 10, 2014.

"Salem absolutely played a great game," Pennsville coach Ryan Wood said. "They deserved to win."

Pennsville (4-1, 2-1) broke to a 7-0 lead on Matt Widmaier's 42-yard touchdown pass to Josh Van Blarcom on the game's first possession.

But the Eagles were undone by five turnovers, including four interceptions.

"Take your pick - turnovers, we had some issues with snaps, we dropped some balls," Wood said. "We struggled out there."

Green scored Salem's first two touchdowns on a pair of one-yard runs, including a leap over the pile at the goal line. He added another touchdown on a 2-yard run on the first play after returning an interception 53 yards in the fourth quarter.

Green was part of an active defense that also featured junior back Ray Bentley, who had two interceptions, and junior tackle Jamere Furbush, who was a disruptive force along the line of scrimmage.

"This was really big," Green said. "We all played strong together out there. There wasn't one player who was slacking."

Pennsville 7 0 0 6 - 13

Salem 14 12 8 6 - 40

P: Josh Van Blarcom 42 pass from Matt Widmaier (Logan Johnston kick)

S: Wuanyay Green 1 run (Jon Taylor run)

S: Green 1 run (run fail)

S: Shareef Jefferies 30 run (run fail)

S: Jefferies 9 run (run fail)

S: Taylor 45 run (Jefferies run)

P: Nick Bard 1 run (kick fail)

S: Green 1 run (kick fail)

panastasia@phillynews.com