South Jersey Football Games of the Week
The tradition of Thanksgiving games is dwindling down, but there are still some great rivalries. Here is a look at some of the top Thanksgiving day games in South Jersey:
10 a.m. - Holy Spirit (8-2) at Atlantic City (6-4).
This series dates back to 1926, with Atlantic City holding a 53-38-4 edge. Last season the Holy Spirit earned a wild 63-34 victory over Atlantic City in their Thanksgiving matchup. Holy Spirit saw a four-game winning streak snapped with last week’s 35-21 loss to Red Bank Catholic in a Non-Public Group B semifinal. Atlantic City, which lost to Washington Township in an opening round Central Jersey Group 5 playoff game, is looking to snap a three-game losing streak. The Vikings have one of the state’s top juniors in receiver Sah'nye Degraffenreidt, who has 36 receptions for 816 yards and 12 touchdowns.
10:30 a.m. - Pitman (5-4) at Clayton (5-4).
This series dates back to 1925. Clayton won last year’s meeting, 20-14 in overtime. That gave Clayton two wins in a row in the series that Pitman leads 60-32-4. After a rough start, Pitman has won four in a row. The Panthers last played in a game Nov. 8 in which they beat Haddon Township, 32-7. Pitman senior QB Kyle Kubat has thrown for 726 yards and 12 touchdowns. Clayton has been idle since Oct. 27 when the Clippers lost, 14-0 to Shore Regional in a Central Jersey Group 1 first-round game.Article continues below
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10:30 a.m. - Vineland (5-5) at Millville (9-2).
This is NJ’s longest Thanksgiving rivalry, one that began in 1893 with a 14-0 Millville victory. Millville, the defending state Group 4 champion, won’t be in a great mood after losing to Mainland, 35-13 in the South Jersey Group 4 championship. Since Vineland won, 27-26 in 2019, Millville has won three in a row, including last year’s 35-16 win at Vineland. Millville QB Jacob Zamot has thrown for 2,031 yards and 21 TDs (via NJ.com stats). Junior WR Lotzeir Brooks has 54 receptions for 1,740 yards and 17 touchdowns. Under first-year coach Jose Guzman, Vineland has vastly improved from last year’s 2-10 team. The Fighting Clan enter with a four-game winning streak after a 26-18 win over Atlantic City in a Group 5 crossover game.
11 a.m. - Haddonfield (9-2, 3-1 WJFL Constitution) at Haddon Heights (7-3, 3-1).
The rivalry dates back to 1902. This one has an added attraction—WIP radio is broadcasting this matchup. In addition, the winner will clinch second place in the WJFL Constitution Division. Camden won the Division with a 5-0 mark. Both Haddonfield and Haddon Heights Group 2 playoff berths this season. Each is led by quality QB’s. Haddonfield senior Declan McCarthy has thrown for 1,203 yards and 11 TDs while senior RB Dominic Hahn has rushed for 1,084 yards and 13 TDs. Haddon Heights senior Drew Harris has thrown for 1,128 yards and 13 TDs and has run for 336 yards and six scores. Both teams lost to eventual sectional champion Rumson-Fair Haven in the South Jersey Group 2 playoffs. Haddon Heights fell in the semifinals, 28-7 (in a game that was 7-7 at halftime). Haddonfield lost to Rumson, 14-7 in the sectional championship game.
This series dates back to 1926, with Atlantic City holding a 53-38-4 edge. Last season the Holy Spirit earned a wild 63-34 victory over Atlantic City in their Thanksgiving matchup. Holy Spirit saw a four-game winning streak snapped with last week’s 35-21 loss to Red Bank Catholic in a Non-Public Group B semifinal. Atlantic City, which lost to Washington Township in an opening round Central Jersey Group 5 playoff game, is looking to snap a three-game losing streak. The Vikings have one of the state’s top juniors in receiver Sah'nye Degraffenreidt, who has 36 receptions for 816 yards and 12 touchdowns.
10:30 a.m. - Pitman (5-4) at Clayton (5-4).
This series dates back to 1925. Clayton won last year’s meeting, 20-14 in overtime. That gave Clayton two wins in a row in the series that Pitman leads 60-32-4. After a rough start, Pitman has won four in a row. The Panthers last played in a game Nov. 8 in which they beat Haddon Township, 32-7. Pitman senior QB Kyle Kubat has thrown for 726 yards and 12 touchdowns. Clayton has been idle since Oct. 27 when the Clippers lost, 14-0 to Shore Regional in a Central Jersey Group 1 first-round game.
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10:30 a.m. - Vineland (5-5) at Millville (9-2).
This is NJ’s longest Thanksgiving rivalry, one that began in 1893 with a 14-0 Millville victory. Millville, the defending state Group 4 champion, won’t be in a great mood after losing to Mainland, 35-13 in the South Jersey Group 4 championship. Since Vineland won, 27-26 in 2019, Millville has won three in a row, including last year’s 35-16 win at Vineland. Millville QB Jacob Zamot has thrown for 2,031 yards and 21 TDs (via NJ.com stats). Junior WR Lotzeir Brooks has 54 receptions for 1,740 yards and 17 touchdowns. Under first-year coach Jose Guzman, Vineland has vastly improved from last year’s 2-10 team. The Fighting Clan enter with a four-game winning streak after a 26-18 win over Atlantic City in a Group 5 crossover game.
11 a.m. - Haddonfield (9-2, 3-1 WJFL Constitution) at Haddon Heights (7-3, 3-1).
The rivalry dates back to 1902. This one has an added attraction—WIP radio is broadcasting this matchup. In addition, the winner will clinch second place in the WJFL Constitution Division. Camden won the Division with a 5-0 mark. Both Haddonfield and Haddon Heights Group 2 playoff berths this season. Each is led by quality QB’s. Haddonfield senior Declan McCarthy has thrown for 1,203 yards and 11 TDs while senior RB Dominic Hahn has rushed for 1,084 yards and 13 TDs. Haddon Heights senior Drew Harris has thrown for 1,128 yards and 13 TDs and has run for 336 yards and six scores. Both teams lost to eventual sectional champion Rumson-Fair Haven in the South Jersey Group 2 playoffs. Haddon Heights fell in the semifinals, 28-7 (in a game that was 7-7 at halftime). Haddonfield lost to Rumson, 14-7 in the sectional championship game.
Photo by Marc Narducci: Millville-Vineland last year Ta'Ron Haile of Millville No. 11
Author: Marc Narducci
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