Salem football preview, 2018 (with practice PHOTOS)

With the talent that is available to him on offense, Montrey Wright feels he will have one of the section's best quarterbacks in tow.

"I would say with Jamael Bundy, he will probably be one of the top quarterbacks in Group 1 this year," the Salem High football head coach said during a recent practice in Salem. "With him anchoring the offense, we are pretty confident that we can get things done.

"Since I've been here at Salem, this is probably the most athletic receiving corps and skilled-position players we have had. All of the guys are pushing each other pretty much. We play really fast, so that will be our focus, making sure those guys are running their routes and doing the right things as far as alignment. They all do a good job of that."

However, Bundy isn't looking to be the top passer in Group 1 or in South Jersey.

"I think we are going to be good," the senior said. "I am going to be one of the best in New Jersey, not just South Jersey. I have set the bar high for myself this year.

"I know what we had last year, and I know what we have this year. In just comparing it, even though we lost a few guys, I see that we have improved over the year. I have a lot of faith in my guys. They have a lot of faith in me. So I think we are going to do very, very well."

With that said, the Rams expect to be in contention for a sectional title, going further than the semifinals last year where they fell to eventual champion Paulsboro.

"The mindset is always going to be the same," Wright said. "We have done a good job here with the program. The kids are excited. As soon as we got to camp, the kids were excited.

Salem head coach Montrey Wright feels this year's squad has the best wide receiving corps and skilled-position players he has had in his four years at the helm. (Joe Warner | For NJ Advance Media)

"We've done a good job, coming out here at the start of camp. They have been flying around and doing the right things that we need. The goal for us is always to compete for a state championship. The focus this year is to make sure we focus on one game at a time."

For the second consecutive season, Salem will have to find a replacement for a workhorse in the backfield. Last year, it was Jonathan Taylor. This year, it is Zaire Jones, a South Jersey Times' All-Area selection after finishing with nearly 1,800 yards and 30 touchdowns.

Junior Zuri Dublin will get the first crack at being the lead back; however, Wright wants to get carries to senior Keith Chung, a transfer from Howard High (Del.), and junior Ty'Kerron Morrison. But as Wright said, it is the receiving corps that he is most excited about, with senior Ja'yon Mejias and juniors Da'Shon Bundy and Kaciir Street as well as Chung.

"We all bring so much to the receiving corps," Mejias, who served as the quarterback last season, said. "We all have different elements to our game. We've got guys who can go up and get it. We've got guys who are kind of shifty. We've got guys who can separate and create space. With me being a playmaker, I feel I can go up top a lot and I create a lot of separation from defenders."

On defense, the Rams return most of their defensive backs and linebackers. Seniors Ra'Mir Nock, who will also get some carries on offense, and Savion Moore, along with Morrison, will anchor the linebackers with Mejias, the top returner in the backfield. Wright is expecting big things from Josh Johnson, a junior defensive end.

"He's one of those guys who can possibly play at the next level at Division I," the fourth-year head coach said. "He is coming off a year where he had 13 sacks, so we will see what he can do for us up front."

After starting the season 2-2, Salem turned things around with a five-game winning streak to finish 8-3.

"I think this is the most baddest team we have had since I've been here," Jamael Bundy said. "We've got a lot of key players. It's not just a key player in a certain position. This is a full team. Everybody is part of a team effort."

SALEM AT A GLANCE

Head coach: Montrey Wright, fourth season.

Assistant coaches: David Hunt (defensive coordinator), Lamont Johnson (defensive backs), Curtis Schofield (running backs/linebackers), Troy Dublin (quarterbacks).

Base offense: True spread.

Base defense: 30 stack.

Key players: Jamael Bundy (Sr., QB/DB), Ja'yon Mejias (Sr., WR/SS), Zuri Dublin (Jr., RB/OLB), Keith Chung (Sr., ATH/OLB), Da'Shon Bundy (Jr., WR/DB), Jadon Manlove (Sr., WR/DB), Josh Johnson (Jr., DE), Kaciir Street (Jr., WR/DB), Ra'Mir Nock (Sr., RB/LB).

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