SJ Football Camp: Gloucester

The big news in Gloucester: The Lions will play home games under the lights for the first time since they played at old Charles Street Stadium in the 1940s and 1950s.

Gloucester will open the season Friday, Sept. 11 under the lights against Pitman.

"It's a treat for us," senior OG/LB Sonny Bryan said.

Veteran coach Leon Harris liked playing home games on Saturday mornings. He figured it was a bit of an advantage, and he also liked being about to scout on Friday nights.

"The kids are excited but as coaches we're creatures of habit," Harris said.

The Lions went 6-4 last season, making the SJ Group 1 playoffs for the second year in a row. They lost twice to Tri-County Classic and SJ Group 1 champion Glassboro.

Gloucester should be in the mix again this season. Bryan leads a senior-laden offensive line. Most of the playmakers are juniors, including quarterback Dalton Dunn and wideout Brandon Blackiston.

Still, the big change is the move to Friday nights. Saturday games have been the tradition in Gloucester since the high school at Market Street and Rt. 130 was opened in 1962.

"We can't wait," Bryan said.

-- Phil Anastasia