One of the top programs in South Jersey has hired a new head football coach, replacing the only coach the school has ever had, Tim Watson.

The school announced via twitter that it has hired Union high school offensive coordinator James Melody to be their new head coach.  Union is a Group 5 school and just won the 2019 Group 5 title.

"What attracted me the most was the consistency of winning set forth by Coach Watson and his staff," Melody told me via text message.

"They really built something from the ground up and it takes a whole community to do that.  Scott Parker and Mike McGhee also presented the school to me so well it really intrigued me."

Melody has experience coaching at the collegiate level, as an assistant at Montclair State, where he also played quarterback.

"Our staff is going to have a lot of energy," Melody stressed. "I want the kids to play loose and enjoy these years because it is the best time of our lives. I have had success offensively, spreading the ball around in the past and I believe I have athletes with that similar skill set here.

"Defensively I want 11 hats to the ball and to control the line of scrimmage."

"Perfect fit to continue what Coach Watson started," tweeted Cedar Creek principal Scott Parker.

Melody replaces Watson, who helped start the Pirates program, and recently stepped down with a career record of 71-27, with two South Jersey Group II titles.

"Like I have stated before the foundation that Coach Watson has built here is something I truly admire," Melody stated.

"I have had conversations with him and while I will bring my own twist to things, our beliefs and morals are the same.  He preached family and I come from a program that was led by a man, Lou Grasso, who always preached family and I feed off that,  We will work hard both on the field and off to continue the consistency of success here at Cedar Creek."

Watson had glowing reviews for his successor, saying in a tweet:

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