Battle at the Beach Schedules New Game
The Battle At The Beach has become a football weekend event that kicks off the high school season, with many top teams from New Jersey and beyond performing. Last year the games took place at both Ocean City and Egg Harbor Township.
The committee is getting ready for the 2025 series and will be adding games likely for the next several months.
One of the games that has been announced for the series, is NJSIAA state Group 4 champion Winslow Township meeting national power IMG Academy of Florida. The official date has yet to be announced, but one possibility is Saturday, Aug. 30 at Ocean City with a 7 pm. kickoff.
Winslow Township is coming off a 14-0 season in which the Eagles won their first state Group 4 title. (The NJISAA has only been holding state championships for public schools for three years).
The Eagles played in South Jersey’s toughest conference, the West Jersey Football League American Division.
Of their 14 wins, all but one was won by two or more touchdowns. The only exception was a 13-7 state Group 4 semifinal win over Millville. It was the second win over Millville. During the regular season Winslow Township beat the Thunderbolts, 35-6.
Winslow Township graduated plenty of firepower including receiver-defensive back Cam Miller, a Kentucky commit.
Article continues below
advertisement

Still, the Eagles will bring back plenty of talent, led by current sophomore quarterback Jalen Parker, who threw for 2,916 yards and 43 touchdowns.
advertisement

Still, the Eagles will bring back plenty of talent, led by current sophomore quarterback Jalen Parker, who threw for 2,916 yards and 43 touchdowns.
Current junior receiver-defensive back Nyqir Helton should be among the best players in the state next season. In fact, he was one of the best this past year.
Helton had 47 receptions for 852 yards and 13 touchdowns. (Miller led the team with 14 receiving touchdowns).
Helton also had four interceptions, sharing the team lead with NaKeem Powell.
Junior defensive lineman Rob Carstarphen was a member of NJ.com’s first-team All-State Group 4 team.
Another player on the state All-Group 4 team was sophomore linebacker Ausar Heard.
Coach Bill Belton, a former star himself at Winslow Township before playing for Penn State, will have plenty of key playmakers returning.
IMG Academy has a national roster and plays some of the top programs in the country. This past season the team was 7-2 and was No. 17 in MaxPreps.com’s final national ranking.
This will be the third straight year that IMG Academy will compete in this event.
Last season, IMG Academy defeated Bergen Catholic, 27-14. Bergen Catholic was New Jersey’s No. 1 team after winning the Non-Public A state championship.
In 2023, IMG defeated St. Joseph Prep of Philadelphia, 17-14.
Also in this year’s Battle at the Beach, Millville will take on Rancocas Valley in a matchup of two of South Jersey’s top teams.
In addition, Bergen Catholic, the defending Non-Public A state champion, will face national power East St. Louis, Illinois.
There should be several other great matchups announced in a great event that highlights the beginning of the South Jersey football season.
Photo: Winslow Township's (green) 40-6 win over Camden last season / Marc Narducci
Author: Marc Narducci
Archives
Caution Ahead
Super Kids
Tax Tips
'I am so excited at this opportunity'
Annual Attorney Feature
Shaping Up
Top CEOs & CFOs 2025
Fly, Eagles, Fly
Taking Charge
Soaring Achievement
Hometown Huddle
Innovations in Health Care 2024
Super Bowl Rankings
Looking Ahead
On A Mission
More...