High school football games of the week

by Marc Narducci | Nov 6, 2023

It’s sectional championship weekend for the public schools and here is our look at some of the upcoming title games.

South Jersey Group 4: (2) Mainland (11-0) at (1) Millville (9-1), Friday 6 p.m.
This is a much-anticipated rematch from last year when Millville beat Mainland 18-14 in the state Group 4 semifinal before going on to win the state Group 4 title. Now the two Cape Atlantic League schools meet one round sooner. This season, Millville has won nine in a row since an opening 14-7 loss to defending state Group 5 champion Toms River North. Millville is coming off a 41-7 sectional semifinal win over Shawnee as junior Lotzeir Brooks had eight receptions for 202 yards and three touchdowns (stats courtesy of NJ.com). This season, Brooks has 54 receptions for 1,049 yards and 16 touchdowns. QB Jacob Zamot has thrown for 1,810 yards and 19 TDs. Mainland is coming off a 49-7 semifinal win over Colts Neck. The Mustangs have won all but one game by more than two touchdowns. Mainland is more of a running team, led by Stephen Ordille, who has rushed for 1,227 yards and 21 touchdowns.

Central Jersey Group 5: (2) Washington Township (9-2) at (1) Toms River North (9-2), Friday, 6 p.m.

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- South Jersey Football Playoff Preview: Friday Games

It’s the opening of the playoffs in South Jersey football where teams need to win three games to a sectional title. Here is a look at all of the Friday games involving teams from the seven-county South Jersey area.

- Football State Semifinal Preview

South Jersey public schools are one win away from earning a berth in the state championship games. This weekend will be the state semifinals.

Washington Township has won seven in a row since a 34-28 loss to Holy Spirit. The Minutemen beat Rancocas Valley 19-7 in the sectional semifinal. Logan Perez had eight receptions for 155 yards and a touchdown, while Cole Aquino threw for 195 yards and two scores. A sophomore, Aquino has thrown for 1,238 yards and 14 scores. The Minutemen will be the underdog to the defending state champs. Toms River North has won two in a row since a 35-28 overtime loss to Red Bank Catholic. The Mariners have won their two playoff games by a 103-20 margin. QB Micah Ford is among the best players in the state. He is a Stanford commit who is expected to be a running back in college, though Ford has missed some time this year due to injury. He has thrown for 635 yards and 11 touchdowns and run for 979 yards (9.2 avg.) and 12 touchdowns. Last year, these two teams opened the season against one another, with Toms River North scoring a 28-21 win.

South Jersey Group 2: (2) Haddonfield (9-1) at (1) Rumson-Fair Haven (6-4), Friday 7 p.m.
One easy prediction: The Bulldogs will win this game, since both teams own the same mascot. Rumson is the defending SJ Group 2 champion and last season advanced to the state final before losing 18-14 to Caldwell. Don’t be fooled by Rumson’s record because it reflets the extremely tough Shore Conference. Last week, Rumson earned a 28-7 semifinal win over Haddon Heights, a team Haddonfield will play on Thanksgiving. The score was tied 7-7 at the half before Rumson scored three second half TDs. Junior Owen O’Toole has thrown for 1,626 yards and 15 touchdowns. Tight end Jackson Gallagher has 19 receptions for 398 yards and seven touchdowns. Haddonfield has won four in a row since a 20-7 loss to Camden. QB Declan McCarthy has thrown for 1,141 yards and 11 touchdowns and just one interception. RB Dominic Hahn has rushed for 991 yards (7.8 avg.) and 13 TDs. Haddonfield advanced with a 17-7 semifinal win over Gloucester, the team that knocked Haddonfield out of the playoffs last year.

South Jersey Group 1: (3) Woodbury (6-3) at (1) Woodstown, Friday, 7 p.m.
Woodbury is the defending state champion. Both these teams are in the WJFL Diamond Division and during the regular season, Woodstown earned a 27-21 win. Woodbury is coming off a 57-0 semifinal win over Burlington City. Senior Anthony Reagan Jr. has rushed for 974 yards (9.6 avg.) and 16 touchdowns. QB Jayden Johnson has thrown for 967 yards and 13 touchdowns. Woodstown has won three in a row following a 48-16 loss to Haddonfield. The Wolverines are coming off a 34-14 semifinal win over Penns Grove. Junior Bryce Belinfanti has rushed for 1,459 yards (8.4 avg.) and 20 touchdowns.

Photo: Millville's Na-eem Sharp

Author: Marc Narducci

High school football games of the week

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