Unbeaten & Unmatched
Winslow Township’s football team made a major statement in its biggest game in school history. The Eagles concluded a 14-0 season with a 35-0 win over Phillipsburg in the NJSIAA Group 4 state championship.
It was the first state title in school history, but it must be noted, this was only the third season that the NJSIAA has conducted state championships for public schools.
This was such a dominating season for the Eagles. In the regular season they won all but one game by at least three touchdowns. The exception was a 21-7 victory over a very tough St. Augustine team.
That was a WJFL American Division game, the toughest division by far in South Jersey. In winning the division, Winslow Township also had to beat sectional champion Millville.
Winslow Township beat Millville, 35-7 in the regular season, but the rematch was more challenging. The Eagles still ended up 13-7 winners over Millville in the NJSIAA state Group 4 semifinal.
In winning five playoff games, the Eagles outscored teams, 198-29. Phillipsburg finished 11-3. The previous lowest scoring game for Phillipsburg was a 17-14 overtime loss to long-time rival Easton in their Thanksgiving rivalry.Article continues below
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As the state championship game illustrated, Winslow Township was equally dominating on offense and defense. In the championship, Phillipsburg was limited to 78 total yards.
Nyqir Helton, among the top juniors in the state, had two interceptions, including one that he returned 67 yards for a TD. Helton was also a top receiver with 47 receptions for 852 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Senior Cam Miller was also a standout at receiver and in the secondary. A Kentucky commit, Miller has 42 receptions for 722 yards and 14 touchdowns. Senior Marcus Upton had 26 receptions for 497 yards and six touchdowns, while junior receiver/running back Nakeem Powell had 32 receptions for 47 yards and seven scores. There were so many options for sophomore quarterback Jalen Parker, who threw for 2,916 yards and 43 touchdowns.
While the Eagles threw the ball more than they ran it, they also had a strong rushing game, with sophomore Roman Duckett (582 yards, 15 touchdowns) and Powell (478 yards, 7 TDs).
Two defensive linemen, sophomore Ben Carter and junior Rob Carstarphen, had 23.5 and 22.5 tackles for losses respectively.
Notice how many players are non-seniors? The Eagles, who will greatly miss stars such as Miller, only had eight seniors on the team.
This is a team built for another run. For now, they can enjoy a season that at least has to put them in the conversation as one of the best all-time in South Jersey.
Not only did they go unbeaten, but the Eagles did it against one of the more challenging schedules in South Jersey if not statewide. Being explosive on offense and dominating on defense was a combination that led to this year’s state title and quite possibly, more in the near future.
Photo: Winslow Township's No. 5 Marcus Upton fighting for the ball / Marc Narducci
It was the first state title in school history, but it must be noted, this was only the third season that the NJSIAA has conducted state championships for public schools.
This was such a dominating season for the Eagles. In the regular season they won all but one game by at least three touchdowns. The exception was a 21-7 victory over a very tough St. Augustine team.
That was a WJFL American Division game, the toughest division by far in South Jersey. In winning the division, Winslow Township also had to beat sectional champion Millville.
Winslow Township beat Millville, 35-7 in the regular season, but the rematch was more challenging. The Eagles still ended up 13-7 winners over Millville in the NJSIAA state Group 4 semifinal.
In winning five playoff games, the Eagles outscored teams, 198-29. Phillipsburg finished 11-3. The previous lowest scoring game for Phillipsburg was a 17-14 overtime loss to long-time rival Easton in their Thanksgiving rivalry.
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As the state championship game illustrated, Winslow Township was equally dominating on offense and defense. In the championship, Phillipsburg was limited to 78 total yards.
Nyqir Helton, among the top juniors in the state, had two interceptions, including one that he returned 67 yards for a TD. Helton was also a top receiver with 47 receptions for 852 yards and 13 touchdowns.
Senior Cam Miller was also a standout at receiver and in the secondary. A Kentucky commit, Miller has 42 receptions for 722 yards and 14 touchdowns. Senior Marcus Upton had 26 receptions for 497 yards and six touchdowns, while junior receiver/running back Nakeem Powell had 32 receptions for 47 yards and seven scores. There were so many options for sophomore quarterback Jalen Parker, who threw for 2,916 yards and 43 touchdowns.
While the Eagles threw the ball more than they ran it, they also had a strong rushing game, with sophomore Roman Duckett (582 yards, 15 touchdowns) and Powell (478 yards, 7 TDs).
Two defensive linemen, sophomore Ben Carter and junior Rob Carstarphen, had 23.5 and 22.5 tackles for losses respectively.
Notice how many players are non-seniors? The Eagles, who will greatly miss stars such as Miller, only had eight seniors on the team.
This is a team built for another run. For now, they can enjoy a season that at least has to put them in the conversation as one of the best all-time in South Jersey.
Not only did they go unbeaten, but the Eagles did it against one of the more challenging schedules in South Jersey if not statewide. Being explosive on offense and dominating on defense was a combination that led to this year’s state title and quite possibly, more in the near future.
Photo: Winslow Township's No. 5 Marcus Upton fighting for the ball / Marc Narducci
Author: Marc Narducci
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