NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 2 Football Final Preview: Point Boro at Glassboro

2026 CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP 2 CHAMPIONSHIP

WHO: (3) Point Boro (7-4) at (1) Glassboro (10-1)

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m.

WHERE: Marv Slomsky Football Stadium at Glassboro High School, 550 Joseph L. Bowe Boulevard, Glassboro, NJ 08028

POINT BORO’s ROAD TO THE FINAL: Defeated Lower Cape May 48-14 in the quarterfinals; defeated Rumson-Fair Haven 24-21 in the semifinals.

GLASSBORO’s ROAD TO THE FINAL: Defeated Overbrook 41-12 in the quarterfinals; defeated Manasquan 44-0 in the semifinals.

POINT BORO’S BEST WINS: 24-21 over Central Jersey Group 2 semifinalist Rumson-Fair Haven; 20-6 over Central Jersey Group 2 semifinalist Manasquan

GLASSBORO’S BEST WINS: 15-6 over Central Jersey Group 3 finalist Camden; 33-0 over Central Jersey Group 3 finalist Burlington Township; 40-20 over Non-Public B quarterfinalist Immaculata; 44-0 over Central Jersey Group 2 semifinalist Manasquan

PLAYOFF HISTORY:

Point Boro is seeking its sixth sectional title in program history, having won in 1977, 1978, 2005, 2021, and 2024.

Glassboro is looking to win its 14th sectional title in program history, in addition to its third straight state championship.

ANALYSIS:

For Point Boro, Friday night’s Central Jersey Group 2 championship represents a classic David vs. Goliath matchup. The Panthers will make the long trip south to face powerhouse Glassboro, whose roster resembles an all-star team, loaded with FBS and FCS college prospects on both sides of the football.

Glassboro participates in New Jersey’s Interdistrict Public School Choice Program, allowing it to enroll student-athletes from outside its district. After winning two consecutive Group 1 state championships, the Bulldogs were moved into Group 2 under the NJSIAA’s competitive-balance formula, which factors in postseason success and non-traditional enrollment.

Glassboro enters at 10-1, with its only loss coming against Winslow, 21-7, while Syracuse-bound quarterback Charlie Foulke was serving a three-game sit-out period following his transfer from St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia. Foulke has thrown for 1,758 yards and 19 touchdowns, with Oregon commit Xavier Sabb (68 receptions, 1,066 yards, 11 TDs) and highly recruited junior Mekhi Parker (30 receptions, 643 yards, 10 TDs) forming a dangerous receiving combination. Columbia commit JoJo DeLecce has added 813 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, while Sacred Heart commit Davon Barr provides additional depth. North Carolina commit Ta’sheem Butler has been sidelined by injury.

The Bulldogs are equally imposing defensively. Junior Aiden Ezeiruaku, whose brother Donovan plays for the Dallas Cowboys, leads Glassboro with 32 tackles for loss and 10 sacks. Maurice Davis Jr., who holds offers from Syracuse and Tennessee, has 25 tackles for loss and seven sacks, while Temple recruit Riley Brown-Dispensa has 21 tackles for loss and six sacks. Sophomore Nadir Smith has added 24 tackles for loss and six sacks, and defensive back Kenny Johnson holds offers from Pittsburgh and Syracuse.

Point Boro counters with its disciplined flexbone triple-option offense, led by senior quarterback Jake Clayton, who has rushed for 1,180 yards and 17 touchdowns while throwing for 359 yards and six scores. Senior DJ Albanese has added 586 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, while sophomore Owen Hart has contributed 284 yards. The Panthers have rushed for 2,621 yards and 31 touchdowns, with senior receiver Dylan Comstock providing a deep threat with 310 receiving yards and five touchdowns.

For Point Boro to pull off the upset, head coach Brian Staub’s team must control the tempo, dominate time of possession, and keep Glassboro’s explosive offense on the sideline. Long, methodical drives built around disciplined option reads and physical blocking will be essential, but the Panthers must finish those possessions with touchdowns against a defense loaded with Division I talent.

Defensively, Point Boro will rely on Albanese (93 tackles), senior linebacker Luca Cangiano (86 tackles), and junior defensive back Jaxin Corino (81 tackles). The Panthers face a difficult dilemma: committing extra defenders to contain DeLecce leaves them vulnerable to Sabb and Parker over the top, while providing additional coverage against the pass opens opportunities for Glassboro’s rushing attack. Point Boro’s best defense may ultimately be its ball-control offense.

The Panthers enter with momentum after defeating Lower Cape May, 48-14, and stunning Rumson-Fair Haven, 24-21, on Jack Sullivan’s 35-yard field goal as time expired. Point Boro also has experience upsetting a talent-rich opponent, having defeated Camden, 12-7, in 2024. That Camden team, however, featured a younger roster, while Glassboro enters with a senior-heavy lineup and championship experience.

The teams share a common opponent in Manasquan. Point Boro defeated the Warriors, 20-6, during the regular season who were without starting quarterback Kyle Dow, while Glassboro dismantled Manasquan, 44-0, in the sectional semifinals with Dow back in uniform.

Glassboro has outscored its two playoff opponents by a combined 85-12, underscoring the challenge awaiting Point Boro. The Panthers have beaten the odds before, but overcoming a senior-laden Glassboro team with Division I prospects throughout its lineup would be an even greater accomplishment. To pull off the postseason’s biggest upset, Point Boro must protect the football, control the clock, and play a nearly flawless game.