High School Football Primer

by Marc Narducci | Aug 12, 2026

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

Article continues below

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Author: Marc Narducci

High School Football Primer

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