NJSIAA South Jersey Group 3 Football Final Preview: Pinelands at Seneca

2026 SOUTH JERSEY GROUP 3 CHAMPIONSHIP

WHO: (3) Pinelands (11-0) at (1) Seneca (8-3)

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 13 at 7 p.m.

WHERE: Birds’ Nest Stadium at Seneca High School, 110 Carranza Rd, Tabernacle, NJ 08088).

PINELANDS’ ROAD TO THE FINAL: Defeated Triton 21-0 in the quarterfinals; defeated Oakcrest 13-7 in the semifinals.

SENECA’s ROAD TO THE FINAL: Defeated Ewing 35-0 in the quarterfinals; defeated Timber Creek 21-0 in the semifinals.

PINELANDS’ BEST WINS: 13-7 over South Jersey Group 3 semifinalist Oakcrest; 12-6 over Central Jersey Group 3 quarterfinalist Barnegat

SENECA’S BEST WINS: 21-14 over South Jersey Group 3 semifinalist Timber Creek; 19-7 over Paul VI; 27-13 over Hopewell Valley

PLAYOFF HISTORY:

Pinelands is looking to capture their first sectional title in program history, in their first ever appearance.

Seneca is also looking to win their first sectional title in program history, having lost in 2006, 2024, and 2025.

ANALYSIS:

For both Pinelands and Seneca, Friday night’s South Jersey Group 3 championship game represents an opportunity to make school history. Neither program has ever won a sectional football championship, and one will finally break through when the undefeated Wildcats travel to face the Golden Eagles with a title on the line.

Pinelands, under head coach John Tierney, has already put together the greatest season in program history. The Wildcats entered the postseason with just one playoff victory in school history but have doubled that total with wins over Triton and Oakcrest to reach their first sectional final.

The biggest challenge for Pinelands will be containing one of the most prolific quarterbacks in New Jersey high school football history.

Seneca senior quarterback and Marist commit Anthony Tirico enters the championship game with more than 11,000 career yards of total offense passing and rushing, the most in state history. Tirico has been the centerpiece of the Golden Eagles’ offense throughout his career and presents a significant challenge with his ability to beat defenses through the air and on the ground.

This season, Tirico has rushed for 1,600 yards and 22 touchdowns on 176 carries while completing 92 of 153 passes for 1,434 yards and 12 touchdowns. His 3,034 combined passing and rushing yards and 34 offensive touchdowns illustrate just how much of Seneca’s offense runs through its senior quarterback.

Tirico is far from Seneca’s only offensive weapon. Senior wide receiver Nate Sauerwald leads the Golden Eagles with 45 receptions for 766 yards and seven touchdowns, while senior Chase Horner has rushed for 373 yards and three touchdowns and added 19 receptions for 274 yards and two scores. Junior Sabatino Capanna has contributed 330 rushing yards and two touchdowns.

Slowing down Tirico and Seneca’s balanced offensive attack will be the biggest test yet for a Pinelands defense that has been the foundation of its undefeated season.

Junior linebacker Montrell Carter leads the Wildcats with 120 tackles, including 22 tackles for loss and 14.5 sacks. Senior linebacker Paul Veneri has added 111 tackles and 13 tackles for loss, while junior defensive back Greg Borden has recorded 63 tackles and three tackles for loss.

The Wildcats have allowed just 38 points through 11 games, an average of 3.45 per contest, and have held ten opponents to seven points or fewer. Their defense has been particularly impressive in the postseason, allowing just seven combined points against Triton and Oakcrest.

Offensively, Pinelands relies on a powerful rushing attack led by junior RJ Clark, who has rushed for 1,110 yards and 16 touchdowns on 136 carries. Senior quarterback JJ Jenkins has added 495 rushing yards and six touchdowns while completing 89 of 132 passes for 1,099 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Senior wide receiver Anthony Bonds is Jenkins’ top target, hauling in 40 receptions for 625 yards and six touchdowns. Senior Dom Colosi has added 39 receptions for 364 yards and three scores.

The matchup presents an intriguing contrast between two offenses with different strengths. Seneca leans heavily on Tirico’s ability to create explosive plays as both a passer and runner, while Pinelands has built its success around a physical ground game and timely passing.

Seneca’s defense will have its own challenge containing Clark and Jenkins. Horner leads the Golden Eagles with 109 tackles and 21 tackles for loss, while sophomore Peyton Preston has contributed 69 tackles and senior Sawyer Rosenberg has added 60.

For Pinelands, the formula that produced 11 consecutive victories will need to hold up against its most dangerous offensive opponent of the season. The Wildcats will look to control the clock with their rushing attack, limit Tirico’s explosive plays, and force Seneca into difficult situations on offense.

Both teams enter Friday night one victory away from an achievement their programs have never experienced. When the final whistle sounds, one program will celebrate the first sectional football championship in school history.