The Cherry Hill High School East football team played its first home football game of the 2024 in the new stadium on Friday, September 13th. Playing in front of a reported crowd of more than 1,600 supporters, the Cougars defeated Triton Regional High School 31-7. East now holds a 3-0 record for the season, for the first time since 2012.

The Cougars were led by the quarterback-wide receiver duo of Zach Salsbery (‘25) and Isaiah Donaldson (‘25). Donaldson accounted for 130 of Salsbery’s 161 passing yards and both of his touchdowns, including a 91-yard catch and run on East’s opening drive. Donaldson also contributed a touchdown on the ground. The Cougar’s staunch defense recorded 3.5 sacks, playing their role in the win.

As the game began, the environment at East was already electric, with fans overflowing the bleachers. The crowd took the energy up a level after Donaldson’s long touchdown in the first quarter. What looked to just be a checkdown from Salsbery, turned into a game-breaking play. As Donaldson broke tackle after tackle on his way to the end zone, the crowd progressively got louder as he broke out of each one. 

“The energy helped us play as a team. We were so pumped up to play under the lights, which was shown by our excitement,” said Donaldson. 

While East dominated in the first quarter, Triton gained momentum in the second quarter. After converting on a fourth down play in East territory, due to a pass interference penalty on East, Triton’s quarterback, Jaylen Morris (‘27) went down with a game-ending injury. 

 “We definitely played very well, but we still have room to improve. We definitely could clean up the errors, as we had way too many penalties called on us,” said Salsbery. 

Triton took advantage of this opportunity and scored on that drive to tie the game at 7-7 at the half. 

Receiving the ball first in the third quarter, the Cougars came back with even more energy, with Donaldson catching his second touchdown of the day, a 39-yard pass from Salsbery. After that, East never looked back, causing turnovers and adding two more touchdowns, along with Judah Niv’s (‘27) field goal to win 31-7.

“We made some mistakes in the first half that could have cost us, but we calmed down to play well in the second. Triton was the toughest team we have played this year, and I am very proud of our guys, especially our senior leaders,” said Coach Drob.

Last season and in earlier years, bleacher space was limited at the East turf field and games had to be held on Saturday mornings since lights were not installed. The new stadium has brought more attention to the football team, creating an overwhelming sense of school spirit. The game was marketed in school the whole week prior as a black out theme and East students definitely got the memo; there wasn’t a white shirt in sight.

 “Before this game, we were just playing mostly in front of small crowds of close friends and family. The support that the community gave us at the first game under the lights felt really special to our whole program,” said Coach Drob. 

East students seemingly enjoyed their first taste of Friday night lights, a game to be remembered, as the team continues their undefeated season.