Salem football season preview, 2016 (with practice PHOTOS)

It happened 10 months ago, and the foul taste won't go away.

The Salem football team had plans last year—big plans. The Rams had won a share of the West Jersey Football League-Classic Division title, with eventual NJSIAA South Jersey, Group 1 sectional champion Pennsville, at 4-1. Salem had even dominated Pennsville during the regular season, 40-13, handing the Eagles their only loss in 2015.

Salem had beaten Glassboro early in 2015 rather handily, 24-14, so they wouldn't be a problem in the South 1 playoffs.

It was. And what happened next still lingers: Glassboro shocked the top-seeded Rams, 35-14.

It's a setback Salem coach Montrey Wright won't let his team forget.

The Rams are again loaded with speed and talent. What Wright is stressing to his team this year is to keep pushing the foot down once they have their prey trapped.

Salem finished 8-2 overall last year, playing in the Classic Division, and will move to the Diamond Division.

"We weren't the same team at the end of last season; we were killed by injuries, putting guys in positions that they weren't used to playing," said Wright, who is entering his second year as a head coach and third overall with the program. "Oh, that playoff loss hurt. Don't think we've forgotten it, either, because we haven't. There is a lot of motivation that we're carrying into this year."

Wright has 10 returning players that could make things happen. Salem reached the South 1 sectional final in 2014, when it lost to Paulsboro. The only time Salem won a South Jersey championship was in 1983, as a Group 2 school.

The Rams could be a quick-strike offense, and a lightning-fast defense.

Jonathan Taylor, a 6-foot, 213-pound senior, might be the top tailback in South Jersey. He's already committed to Rutgers. He'll be joined by Amani Justice, 6-foot, 205-pound senior middle linebacker; Jamere Furbush, a 6-foot, 198-pound senior linebacker and offensive guard; Keanan Cheeks, a 5-11, 210-pound senior quarterback and linebacker; Zaire Eason, a 6-2, 313-pound senior offensive/defensive tackle; and Zaire Jones, transferring back in from Woodstown after his sophomore year there. The gifted 5-11, 190-pound junior tailback, who starred for Salem as a freshman, is explosive and gives the Rams even more speed.

Ramon Bentley, a 5-6, 185-pound senior slot receiver and defensive back, returns, and Justin Harris, a 5-10, 175-pound junior wide receiver transfer from Deptford, will also be counted on to contribute.

The quarterback job will come down to Cheeks and 5-8, 165-pound sophomore Jameel Bundy.

"This team and these guys I have here are leaders and it's something we were looking for in past years," Wright said. "This is a group that's determined to get better. As a coaching staff, we had a great time this summer with these guys. We're excited to see what these guys can do."

The playoff loss from last year still stings.

"It was frustrating and it's a question that's been in all of our minds this off-season up until now. We were baffled by that game," Wright said. "We don't have a lot of depth and that hurt us a little bit. We had a playoff game at home, and regardless of the circumstances, we had to finish. We didn't.

"These guys on this team looking back at that now realize the opportunity they lost. It is motivating."

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.