The Run Down
The high school football season is right around the corner and one of the great opening-week events is the Battle at the Beach.
This year the first day’s action will be at Ocean City High, with the last two days at Egg Harbor Township.
There are 14 games over the three days, featuring 18 teams from the seven county South Jersey area.
Here is the schedule:
Thursday, Aug. 29 at Carey Stadium in Ocean City:
- 10 a.m.: West Deptford vs. Manchester Township
- 12:45 p.m.: Mainland vs. Atlantic City
- 3:30 p.m.: Ocean City vs. Cinnaminson
- 7 p.m.: IMG Academy (FL) vs. Bergen Catholic
Friday, Aug. 30 at Egg Harbor Township High School:
- 9:30 a.m.: Schalick vs. Cedar Grove
- 12 p.m.: Washington Township vs. Northern Highlands
- 2:30 p.m.: Cherokee vs. Middletown South
- 5 p.m.: Winslow Township vs. Montclair
- 7:30 p.m.: Millville vs. Holy Spirit
Saturday, Aug. 31 at Egg Harbor Township High School:
- 9:30 a.m.: Highland vs. Southern Regional
- 12 p.m.: Rancocas Valley vs. Pascack Valley
- 2:30 p.m.: Oakcrest vs. Hammonton
- 5 p.m.: Cedar Creek vs. Eastside Camden
- 7:30 p.m.: Egg Harbor Township vs. West Windsor-Plainsboro North
Here are some of the highlights:
West Deptford opens the event by playing Manchester Township, which is coming off an 8-3 season. The storyline in this one is the debut of West Deptford coach John Emel, who had a successful decade guiding Penn’s Grove.
Junior QB Brady Cobb leads the West Deptford attack, while slot back Zamir Davis could be among the top sophomores in South Jersey.
Last year Mainland opened its season with a 26-7 win over Washington Twp in the Battle at the Beach. That win set the tone for a 14-0 season in which the Mustangs won the state Group 3 championship. This year Mainland will face an Atlantic City team coming off a 6-5 season. The Vikings feature one of South Jersey’s top players - wide receiver Sah’nye Degraffenreidt, who had 43 receptions for 1,009 yards and 14 touchdowns. Degraffenreidt is a Rutgers commit.
In the Millville-Holy Spirit game, fans will get to see yet another explosive receiver in Millville senior Lotzeir Brooks.
During his first three seasons Brooks has 51 touchdown receptions, which is a South Jersey record, according to historian Chuck Langerman.
Brooks is an Alabama commit.
Photo of Lotzeir Brooks of Millville / Marc Narducci
advertisement
Author: Marc Narducci
Archives
South Jersey Product Eric Robinson Brings The Stanley Cup To The Area
South Jersey H.S. Boys’ Soccer Primer
South Jersey H.S. Girls’ Soccer Primer
Hurts Still A Top 10 NFL QB
New Winslow Township Football Coach Jamal White Excited About His New Opportunity
Pitman Uses Old Formula To Win Second Straight Tri-County Men’s Baseball Title
Phillies Playoff Berth Far From Assured
High School Football Primer
2026 Top Physicians
Tri-County Men’s League Gears Up For Baseball Championship
Looking at the Eagles WR Corps
Former Delsea Baseball Coach Vince Londino Moving To The College Ranks
Brooklawn Finishes Runner-Up In State American Legion Baseball Tournament
LeBron Makes Sixers Immediate Title Contenders
The Benefit of Summer 7-on-7 Football In South Jersey
More...
