Salem, Jahki Coates make statement with dominating win over Cedar Grove

Salem High School senior QB Jahki Coates raced in from 10 yards out in the opening football game of the season against Cedar Grove Friday and ran back up the sideline shouting “I am him.”

He plowed over a defender on an 11-yard run and walked back to the huddle repeating “Weight room.”

After another huge play, he touted “I’m back.” and after another “Welcome to the South.”

Coates was full of big plays and one-liners on Friday in the second game at Ocean City’s Battle at the Beach as the No. 19 Rams rolled past Cedar Grove, 53-13, in a matchup of last year’s two Group 1 regional champions.

This year, the NJSIAA added state championships, and the Rams made an early statement that any Group 1 team who has eyes on the crown will have to go through them.

“South Jersey is where it’s at, it’s nothing but winning football out here, playing a North Jersey team we took it a little personal,” said Coates. “There’s no ceiling for this team, the ceiling is the sky. I’ve never touched the sky, but I’m going to touch it this year.”

Coates was speaking to nobody and at the same time everybody with his words. He called himself the most under-rated player in the state.

“My goal is to be the most exciting player in South Jersey, and I’m going to stand on business,” said Coates, who has offers from Temple and Long Island.

His play did his speaking for him as he combined for 349 yards and six touchdowns.

“The game has slowed down a lot for him and he’s a leader,” said Salem coach Montrey Wright. “He lost a lot of weight. He runs a lot better. He’s finishing his runs and doing things on defense, he’s all over.

“He wants South Jersey to know I’m the guy at the position I play. He’s wearing it on his sleeve.”

Coates ran 11 times for 144 yards and touchdown runs of 10, 1 and 61 yards. He struggled with his accuracy early and was 4-for-13 for 58 yards and two interceptions before settling in late to finish 8-for-17 for 205 yards and TD passes of 62, 40 and 42 yards.

“I came out firing in the second half, just because I threw two interceptions doesn’t mean we’re not going to throw the ball,” said Coates. “Shooters gonna shoot. I’m a quarterback. I’m going to throw the ball.”

The 61-yard run showed Coates’ speed after shedding 28 pounds in the offseason, going from 252 pounds down to 224. He rattled off a couple perceived slights including rankings and social media posts that have given him fuel.

“I hope they didn’t forget about me, but if they did I’m going to wake them up,” said Coates. “Five, six touchdowns, that’s who I am. That’s what you’re going to get out of me all year.”

Cedar Grove actually held a 7-6 lead after the first quarter as Stephen Paradiso hit Edmund Dakar for a 34- yard score.

Paradiso added a second touchdown pass late in the game, but it was all Salem in between. Abdul Bell scored on a touchdown reception and kickoff return, while Amare Smith and Jamal Williams combined for five sacks for the South/Central Group 1 champions.

Coates and the Rams will have 13 more games potentially to keep making their point, including a barnburner in another showcase next Sunday when they meet Camden in the Rumble at the Raritan.

Last year, Salem stunned Camden on a late field goal at the Battle at the Beach.

“They have a solid team, (Camden coach) Rob Hinson coached me in high school, so we know what they’re bringing,” said Wright. “We’ll be prepared and ready to go.”

Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription.

Bill Evans covers the West Jersey Football League. He can be reached at bevans@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @BEvansSports

If you purchase a product or register for an account through a link on our site, we may receive compensation. By using this site, you consent to our User Agreement and agree that your clicks, interactions, and personal information may be collected, recorded, and/or stored by us and social media and other third-party partners in accordance with our Privacy Policy.