High School Football Primer
High School football is upon us. Teams throughout New Jersey can begin practice on Monday (Aug. 10). The first day of the regular season is Thursday, Aug. 27.
Here is a look at the upcoming season for South Jersey teams.
Defending NJSIAA state champions
In only the fourth year of the NJSIAA conducting state championships for public schools, South Jersey schools swept all five title games last year.
Here are the defending state champions:
Group 1: Glassboro
Group 2: Camden
Group 3: Cedar Creek
Group 4: Winslow Township
Group 5: Washington Township
Non-Public A: St. Joseph Montvale
Non-Public B: DePaul Catholic
Public school tournament
Round 1: Oct. 30 or 31 at the higher seed
Round 2: Nov. 6 or 7 at higher seed
Round 3: sectional finals Nov. 13 or 14 at higher seed
State semifinals: Nov. 20 or 21 at the higher power ranking
*State finals: Nov. 27, 28 or 29 at MetLife Stadium or Rutgers University
Non-Public tournament
Round 1: Nov. 6 or 7 at the higher seed
Round 2: Nov. 13 or 14 at higher seed
State semifinals: Nov. 20 or 21 at higher seed
*State finals: Nov. 27, 28 or 29 Met Life Stadium or Rutgers University
*Date and location will be dependent on facility availability.
Competitive balance changes
The NJSIAA has instituted a new competitive balance formula. In the past, teams were placed in various Groups due to enrollment size. While enrollment size still counts, teams that have had recent playoff success move up one Group size. Three of last year’s public school state champions are moving up a Group size.
Glassboro will move from Group 1 to Group 2
Camden will move from Group 2 to Group 3
Cedar Creek will move from Group 3 to Group 4
Of the three teams, Glassboro is a two-time defending state champion
The Group classifications have yet to come out at press time, but these aforementioned teams are moving up.
Conference realignment
Every two years the West Jersey Football League revamps its divisions. The league, which includes every team from South Jersey, plus some Central Jersey schools, tries to have teams of nearly equal ability. One fact that stays the same is that the WJFL American Division remains the best in South Jersey.
This year’s American Division: Atlantic City, Kingsway, Millville, St. Augustine, Washington Township, Winslow Township.
Last year it was a five-team division, with Winslow Township, Millville, St. Augustine, Mainland and Cherokee.
Winslow Township is the defending champion and one of two defending state champs, with Washington Township being the other.
Biggest change
Former Winslow Township coach Bill Belton, who guided his alma mater to two consecutive Group 4 state champions, has taken the same position at St. Augustine. The move has also led to some player movement. For instance, state record setting quarterback Jalen Parker, has decided to transfer from Winslow Township to Washington Township, according to NJ.com. Parker will have to sit out a few games due to NJSIAA transfer rules, but he goes to a Washington Township team that was hit hard by graduation. No doubt, the Minutemen should be competitive in their new division with their new quarterback.
No. 8 Gyan King of Cedar Creek / Marc Narducci
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Author: Marc Narducci
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