NJSIAA Football Group 2 Playoff Preview: Glassboro’s Three-Peat Bid Headlines Challenging Brackets for Shore Teams

Shore Sports Insider is breaking down the NJSIAA public school playoffs with previews on each bracket involving Shore Conference teams.

A total of 25 Shore teams have qualified for the public playoffs across all five groups and 14 different sections. Here is what to watch for beginning this Friday night when the battle for a state championship begins across New Jersey.

 

GROUP 2

Defending Champion: Camden (Moved up to Group 3, due to the NJSIAA’s non-traditional enrollment/competitive balance rules)

 

Central Jersey Group 2

(8) Overbrook at (1) Glassboro

(5) Manasquan at (4) Gloucester City

(6) Lower Cape May at (3) Point Boro

(7) Sterling at (2) Rumson-Fair Haven

 

The Favorite: Glassboro

Moving up a group has done little to diminish Glassboro’s status as a state championship favorite. The two-time defending Group 1 state champions were elevated to Group 2 under the NJSIAA’s non-traditional enrollment competitive balance rules after an audit determined the Bulldogs had at least three players from outside the district on their rosters over the previous two seasons. Head coach Timmy Breaker’s squad enters the playoffs at 8-1, with its only loss coming against defending Group 4 state champion Winslow, 21-7, in Week 2. Glassboro has since rattled off six consecutive victories, including impressive wins over Cedar Creek (41-6), Camden (15-6) and Ocean City (42-0).

The Bulldogs boast a roster loaded with FBS talent, led by Oregon commit Xavier Sabb, who has caught 57 passes for 850 yards and eight touchdowns. Syracuse commit Charlie Foulke, who transferred from St. Joseph’s Prep before the season and missed the first three games, has thrown for 1,449 yards and 13 touchdowns. North Carolina commit Ta’sheem Butler anchors a defense that has recorded 31 sacks and 171 tackles for loss, while junior Mekhi Parker, who holds Power Four offers from schools including Penn State and Rutgers, has added 608 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Glassboro’s combination of high-level talent, championship experience, and dominant play on both sides of the ball makes the Bulldogs the clear favorite to capture the Central Jersey Group 2 title.

 

Contender: Rumson-Fair Haven

Few teams in Group 2 have been tested as thoroughly as Rumson-Fair Haven (6-3), which spent much of the regular season battling some of the Shore Conference’s strongest programs. The Bulldogs opened with five consecutive victories before suffering losses to Donovan Catholic (51-13), Red Bank Catholic (31-28) and Brick Memorial (48-41). The latter two games were decided by a combined 10 points, demonstrating Rumson’s ability to compete against high-level competition. Head coach Jeremy Schulte’s squad rebounded with a 42-28 victory over St. John Vianney to close the regular season and enters the playoffs looking to make another deep postseason run.

Junior quarterback Brady Williams has directed an explosive offense, throwing for 2,202 yards and 19 touchdowns while rushing for 455 yards and 11 scores. Senior running back and Yale commit Ryder Izzo has added 931 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, while junior wide receiver Michael Capra leads the receiving corps with 54 catches for 664 yards and eight touchdowns. Defensively, junior linebacker Jaden Cavise has recorded a team-high 83 tackles, while senior lineman and Harvard commit Ben Gredell has contributed 4.5 sacks and 15 tackles for loss. Rumson has the offensive weapons and experience against elite competition to challenge top-seeded Glassboro, although the Bulldogs will need to tighten up defensively after allowing 158 points over their final four regular-season games.

 

Dark Horse: Point Boro

Point Boro (5-4) has the type of offense that can frustrate even the most talented opponents in the state playoffs. The Panthers’ flexbone triple-option attack is built around controlling possession, shortening games, and keeping explosive offenses on the sidelines. Three of their four losses came against Toms River North (14-7), Southern (21-14) and Brick Memorial (27-20), all by seven points, demonstrating their ability to stay competitive against larger schools. Head coach Brian Staub’s squad has won its last two games by a combined 69-21 margin and will host Lower Cape May in the opening round. A victory could set up another postseason meeting with Rumson-Fair Haven, a program the Panthers have struggled to get past in recent years.

Senior quarterback Jake Clayton is the engine of the offense, rushing for 892 yards and 13 touchdowns on 146 carries while throwing for 359 yards and six scores on just 33 attempts. Senior running back DJ Albanese has added 299 yards and five touchdowns, helping the Panthers accumulate 1,941 rushing yards as a team. Defensively, senior edge Mason Morris has recorded 70 tackles, six sacks and 14 tackles for loss, while Albanese leads the team with 73 tackles. Point Boro may not have the offensive firepower of Glassboro or Rumson-Fair Haven, but its ability to dictate the tempo and limit possessions gives the Panthers a formula for pulling off an upset and potentially breaking through against Rumson in the sectional semifinals.

 

Other Shore Shots: Manasquan

Manasquan (5-3) enters the postseason riding a three-game winning streak, and the Warriors have reason to believe their record doesn’t tell the whole story. Head coach Jay Price’s squad is undefeated in games in which senior quarterback Kyle Dow has been healthy enough to start and finish, with his injuries playing a significant role in the team’s three losses. The Warriors have also faced a strong schedule, falling to Point Boro (20-6), Middletown North (21-14), and Middletown South (21-17). Since their last defeat, Manasquan outscored Freehold Township, Neptune, and Shore by a combined 109-0. The Warriors will travel to fourth-seeded Gloucester City in the opening round, but they drew a difficult path with two-time defending Group 1 state champion Glassboro looming as a surefire semifinal opponent.

Senior running back Dax Klein has been the focal point of Manasquan’s offense, rushing for 949 yards and 14 touchdowns on 167 carries. Dow has completed 44 of 66 passes for 612 yards and nine touchdowns without an interception, while junior wide receiver Connor Lalli has caught 25 passes for 420 yards and seven scores. Defensively, senior lineman Nick Loughrey has recorded three sacks and 17 tackles for loss, while senior Lucas Kubu has contributed four sacks and 10.5 tackles for loss. Manasquan’s combination of a healthy Dow, Klein’s production, and a defense coming off three consecutive shutouts makes the Warriors a dangerous No. 5 seed, even with the possibility of facing Glassboro standing between them and a sectional final.

 

Non-Shore Player to Watch: Xavier Sabb, Sr., WR/DB, Glassboro

An Oregon commit and possibly the most explosive playmaker in New Jersey, Sabb headlines a Glassboro roster loaded with Division I talent. The senior has caught 57 passes for 850 yards and eight touchdowns while adding 91 yards and three scores on the ground. He is equally dangerous on special teams as a kick and punt return. Sabb comes from a talented football family, with his brothers, Keon and Amari, both playing at Alabama. His combination of speed, versatility, and big-play ability makes him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses and a major reason Glassboro is favored to capture another state championship.

 

South Jersey Group 2

(8) Haddon Heights at (1) West Deptford

(5) Wall at (4) Monmouth

(6) Ocean at (3) Camden Eastside

(7) A.L. Johnson at (2) Haddonfield

 

The Favorite: West Deptford

West Deptford (9-0) has steamrolled its way through the regular season behind a senior-laden roster and a punishing Wing-T offense that has overwhelmed opponents. The Eagles have outscored their nine opponents 304-86, with impressive victories over Paulsboro (22-0), Haddonfield (28-0), Willingboro (21-6), and Paul VI (22-7). Their defense has been equally impressive, allowing 10 points or fewer in seven games, including a 17-7 victory over Florida’s West Nassau. West Deptford’s combination of physicality, experience, and a ground attack that controls the clock has made the Eagles a formidable opponent entering the South Jersey Group 2 playoffs.

Senior running back Cole Paskiewicz leads the Wing-T attack with 1,152 rushing yards and 17 touchdowns on 131 carries, while fellow senior Zamir Davis has added 742 yards and 12 scores. Freshman Jeyden Thomas has provided another weapon with 519 rushing yards and four touchdowns, helping the Eagles pile up 2,652 yards and 35 touchdowns on the ground. Senior quarterback Tim Holmes Jr. has thrown for 538 yards and eight touchdowns despite attempting just 46 passes. Defensively, senior linebacker Al Dayrell has been a disruptive force with 74 tackles, 8.5 sacks, and 28 tackles for loss, while senior Michael Joseph has contributed four sacks and 11 tackles for loss. With an undefeated record, a wealth of senior leadership, and home-field advantage throughout the section, West Deptford has all the ingredients for a championship run.

 

Contender: Camden Eastside

Camden Eastside (7-1) has turned its season-opening loss into a distant memory, winning seven consecutive games while establishing itself as one of the most dangerous teams in South Jersey Group 2. The Tigers fell to Philadelphia’s Simon Gratz, 37-28, in their opener but have since outscored opponents 263-23, recording four shutouts along the way. Head coach Melik Brown’s squad has been particularly impressive down the stretch, defeating Cedar Creek (48-7), Cinnaminson (40-10), and Cherry Hill West (56-0) in its final three regular-season games. The Tigers have the offensive explosiveness and defensive talent to challenge undefeated West Deptford for the sectional championship, although a potential semifinal meeting with Haddonfield could provide a difficult test.

Freshman running back Iziah Guzman has emerged as the centerpiece of the offense, rushing for 964 yards and 17 touchdowns on 125 carries. Senior quarterback Naeem Dale has thrown for 866 yards and 11 touchdowns, while sophomore Caleb Shores has added 571 passing yards and six scores. The Tigers have several dangerous receiving options, including sophomore Preston Brown Jr. (353 yards, two TD), junior Raheem Blackwell Jr. (304 yards, five TD), and senior Daivon Dixon (286 yards, four TD). Defensively, senior linebacker Amara Dolleh, a Temple commit, leads the team with 69 tackles, six sacks, and 15 tackles for loss. Camden Eastside also has a dynamic special teams weapon in freshman Zi Harvey, who has returned three punts and one kickoff for touchdowns. With playmakers capable of scoring from anywhere on the field and a defense that has allowed just 23 points over its seven-game winning streak, the Tigers have the tools to make a serious championship run.

 

Dark Horse: Wall

Wall (4-4) has the size, physicality, and defensive front to make life difficult for the higher seeds in South Jersey Group 2, but the Crimson Knights enter the postseason with a major injury concern. Junior running back Michael Boulard, who leads the team with 844 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on 171 carries, exited the regular-season finale against Red Bank Catholic on crutches, leaving his availability for the playoffs in jeopardy. Head coach Ed Gurrieri’s squad has navigated a demanding schedule that included losses to Brick Memorial (28-3), Rumson-Fair Haven (35-13), St. John Vianney (12-7), and Red Bank Catholic (31-7). Wall also owns victories over Freehold Township (42-41), Manalapan (15-12), and Holmdel (14-13), demonstrating its ability to earn victories in close games.

Senior quarterback Franny Scaramellino has thrown for 613 yards and four touchdowns while adding 349 yards and two scores on the ground. Wall’s greatest strength, however, could be its physical presence in the front seven, where senior linebacker Christos Tsandiotis leads the defense with 80 tackles, seven tackles for loss, and an interception. Senior Donovan Buist has recorded nine sacks, while senior Shea Fagan has contributed two sacks and nine tackles for loss. The Crimson Knights open the playoffs against fourth-seeded Monmouth, with undefeated West Deptford potentially awaiting in the semifinals. Wall’s size and defensive toughness give it a chance to disrupt the Eagles’ Wing-T offense and turn the game into a physical, low-scoring battle. Much of the Crimson Knights’ postseason outlook, however, hinges on Boulard’s health and whether they can generate enough offense against the section’s top teams.

 

Other Shore Shots: Monmouth and Ocean

Monmouth (9-0) has put together a historic regular season, completing an undefeated campaign and capturing the Class D North championship outright. The Falcons have outscored their opponents 306-79, winning eight of their nine games by at least 14 points. However, the biggest question surrounding Monmouth is its strength of schedule. The Falcons have not faced the caliber of competition that several other teams in South Jersey Group 2 have encountered, making their first-round matchup against Wall a significant measuring stick. Head coach Dan Wendel’s squad has dominated the teams on its schedule, but the playoffs will finally provide an opportunity to prove whether Monmouth can compete with the section’s top programs.

Junior quarterback Ryan Corwin has directed a balanced offense, throwing for 1,304 yards and 18 touchdowns with just two interceptions while adding 172 rushing yards and seven scores. Junior running back Brandon Thompson has rushed for 611 yards and eight touchdowns, while freshman Conall Hicks has contributed 590 yards and five scores. Junior Donovan Hicks leads the receiving corps with 26 catches for 406 yards and six touchdowns, and junior Liam Faulkner has added 336 yards and five scores. Defensively, junior Ryan Fleury has recorded 4.5 sacks and 13 tackles for loss, while junior Amari Roach has contributed four sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Monmouth has the offensive balance, defensive playmakers, and confidence of an unbeaten team, but Wall’s physicality and experience against stronger competition will provide the Falcons with their toughest challenge yet. A victory would send Monmouth into a potential semifinal showdown with undefeated West Deptford, offering an even greater opportunity to validate its perfect record.

Ocean (6-3) faces an uphill battle as the No. 6 seed, drawing a road matchup against third-seeded Camden Eastside in the opening round. The Spartans have shown potential throughout the season, but their three losses have come by double digits. Head coach Chad King’s team will need to play its best football to keep pace with a Camden Eastside squad that has won seven straight games and possesses plenty of offensive firepower.

Senior quarterback Jake Garrett has been Ocean’s primary offensive weapon, rushing for 638 yards and 11 touchdowns while throwing for 632 yards and five scores. Sophomore Brayln Thompson has provided another threat in the backfield with 512 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, while senior Justin Farina has contributed 233 rushing yards and a team-high 242 receiving yards. Defensively, senior linebacker Jake Volek has recorded 87 tackles, including 6.5 for loss, while junior Aamir Byrd has registered four sacks and 12 tackles for loss. Ocean also has one of the Shore Conference’s most dangerous special teams weapons in junior kicker Aidan Zacharczyk, who has converted seven of eight field goal attempts, including a game-winning 51-yarder against Neptune.

 

Non-Shore Player to Watch: Cole Paskiewicz, Sr., RB/DB, West Deptford

Senior running back and defensive back Cole Paskiewicz brings track speed to West Deptford’s Wing-T offense, having clocked an 11.23-second time in the 100-meter dash. Paskiewicz has rushed for 1,152 yards and 17 touchdowns on 131 carries, giving the Eagles a home-run threat capable of turning a small opening into a long touchdown run.

 

North Jersey matchups

North Jersey 1 Group 2

(8) Hackettstown at (1) Westwood

(5) Vernon at (4) Lakeland

(6) Hillside at (3) Rutherford

(7) High Point at (2) Caldwell

 

North Jersey 2 Group 2

(8) Indian Hills at (1) Waldwick

(5) Becton at (4) New Providence

(6) Hanover Park at (3) Bernards

(7) Ramsey at (2) Hoboken

 

Overall Group 2 State Championship Favorite

Glassboro

Glassboro’s move to Group 2 presents a new challenge, but it may not be enough to disrupt the Bulldogs’ pursuit of a third consecutive state championship. Even in Group 2, matching the Bulldogs’ collection of high-end talent is a difficult task. Their only loss came against defending Group 4 champion Winslow, with multiple starters sitting out due to the NJSIAA transfer rules, and they have responded with six consecutive victories, including impressive performances against Camden, Cedar Creek, and Ocean City. Rumson-Fair Haven, West Deptford, and others are no easy out, but it would be a viewed as a major upset if any team finds a way to knock them off.