A look at the SJ Public School Football Playoffs

by Marc Narducci | Oct 27, 2023
A look at the SJ Public School Football Playoffs
The NJSIAA football playoffs begin this week with South Jersey teams competing in both the Central and South Jersey Groups. Here is a look at the public school playoff fields, with matchups provided by NJ.com.

 

SJ Group 5

Friday

(8) West Windsor-Plainsboro South at (1) Cherokee
(5) Kingsway at (4) Hunterdon Central
(7) Howell at (2) Hillsborough

Saturday

(6) South Brunswick at (2) Hillsborough

Outlook: Cherokee (6-2) is the solid favorite. Kingsway (5-4) could pull a first round upset, but then the Dragons will likely have to face a Cherokee team that they lost to 34-7 on Oct. 13. 

 

SJ Group 4

Friday

Saturday

(6) Toms River South at (3) Colts Neck

Outlook: Millville (7-1) is the defending state Group 4 champion and it would be a major surprise if the Thunderbolts don’t repeat as sectional champion.

 

SJ Group 3

Friday

(8) Burlington Township at (1) Delsea
(6) Allentown at (3) Seneca

Saturday

(5) Somerville at (4) Manasquan
(7) Highland at (2) Camden Eastside

Outlook: Delsea (7-1) is the defending SJ Group 3 champion and will be difficult to unseat. Camden Eastside is seeded second, but lost to Delsea, 49-14 in last year’s playoff and hasn’t seemingly closed the gap that significantly. 

 

SJ Group 2

Friday

(8) Delaware Valley at (1) Rumson-Fair Haven
(5) Haddon Heights at (4) Oakcrest
(6) Middle Township at (3) Gloucester
(7) Raritan at (2) Haddonfield

Outlook: Top seeded Rumson is the defending champ and despite just a 4-4 record, will benefit from playing in the difficult Shore Conference. Haddonfield (7-1) figures to be Rumson’s best challenger. 

 

SJ Group 1

(8) Dunellen at (1) Woodstown
(5) Penns Grove at (4) Florence
(7) Burlington CITY AT (2) Middlesex

Saturday

(6) Riverside at (3) Woodbury

Outlook: Woodstown (6-2) is the top seed and will be formidable, but the Wolverines barely beat third-seeded Woodbury, 27-21. Woodbury is the defending state champ and while hit hard by graduation, the Thundering Herd should be a contender. 

 

Central Jersey 

CJ Group 1

Friday

(8) Audubon at (1) Schalick
(5) Clayton at (4) Shore
(6) Keyport at (3) Glassboro
(7) Salem at (2) South Hunterdon

Outlook: Top seeded Schalick (9-0) will be competitive, but the Cougars didn’t play the toughest regular season schedule. Watch out for Glassboro (5-3) which did play a difficult schedule that should prepare the Bulldogs for the tournament. Glassboro will have a tough first round game with Keyport (8-1), but the Bulldogs will be home which should be a big advantage. 

 

CJ Group 2

Friday

(8) Spotswood at (1) Point Pleasant Boro
(5) Cinnaminson at (4) New Providence
(6) Johnson at (3) Pleasantville 
(7) Monmouth at (2) Willingboro

Outlook: Point Pleasant Boro (7-1) will be competitive, but Willingboro (7-2) and Pleasantville (7-1) should also offer challenges. While it is a new year, Point Pleasant Boro lost in last year’s semi final to Willingboro, 50-30. This one is up for grabs.

 

CJ Group 3

Friday

(8) Robbinsville at (1) Timber Creek
(5) Wall at (4) Cedar Creek
(6) Carteret at (3) Camden
(7) Matawan at (2) Holmdel

Outlook: Timber Creek is favored, but should be challenged. For instance, No. 4 seed Hammonton (4-5) lost to Timber Creek just 21-14 earlier. Camden (7-1), Cedar Creek (6-3) and Holmdel (8-0) also bear watching.

 

CJ Group 4

Friday

(8) Pennsauken at (1) Winslow Township
(5) Ocean City at (4) Hammonton
(6) Long Branch at (3) Jackson Memorial
(7) Moorestown at (2) Brick Memorial

Outlook: Winslow Township (7-2) lost to Group 5 playoff teams Cherokee and Washington Township by a total of five points. The Eagles will be a solid favorite to emerge as sectional champion. 

 

CJ Group 5

Friday

(8) Southern at (1) Toms River North
(5) Freehold Township at (4) North Brunswick
(6) Lenape at (3) Rancocas Valley
(7) Atlantic City at (2) Washington Township

Outlook: Toms River North (7-2) is the defending state Group 5 champion and will be a heavy favorite. Anybody else winning would be a big upset. 

 


Author: Marc Narducci

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