Nominations announced for Simms game

Players of the Year Anthony DiOrio of Shawnee and Sean Chandler of Camden are among the 23 South Jersey athletes who have been nominated to participate in the Phil Simms North-South All-Star Football Classic, set for June 23 at Kean University.

DiOrio, The Inquirer's Offensive Player of the Year and a Dayton recruit, will line up as a linebacker for the South squad.

Chandler, the Defensive Player of the Year and a Temple recruit, will line up at wide receiver.

Michigan State recruit Gerald Owens of West Deptford and Old Dominion recruit Ray Lawry of Kingsway were nominated as running backs, and Villanova recruit Ed Shockley of Millville and Old Dominion recruit Isaiah Worthy of West Deptford were nominated as linebackers.

Syracuse recruit Rodney Williams of Cherry Hill West was chosen to the team as a defensive back, and Delaware recruit Jake Powell of Cherokee was nominated as a tight end.

Williams has not played football since he suffered a broken leg in an Oct. 19 game against Woodrow Wilson. He missed the Lions' final five games.

"I'm honored to be selected to play in the game," Williams said. "To me, it's another opportunity to get better and prepare myself for the best of the best in the [Atlantic Coast Conference].

"It's a week full of competition. I can't wait."

Other South Jersey players who were nominated to participate are offensive linemen Tim Brown of Kingsway, Devin Brown of Winslow, Jamil Demby of Vineland, and Lamont Bradford of Timber Creek.

Also, wide receiver Junior Ajayi of Holy Cross and running backs John Chamberlin of Williamstown, Jimmy Hickey of Holy Cross, and John Harman of Palmyra.

In addition, linebackers Marcus Lawless of Florence and Joe Fox of Holy Cross, defensive linemen Nate Prus of Woodstown and Craig Cassidy of Lenape, and defensive backs Jahseim Rover of Burlington Township, Ron Williams of Bridgeton, and Justin Morrison of Kingsway.