NJSIAA North Jersey 1 Group 4 Football Final Preview: Middletown South at Northern Highlands
2026 NORTH JERSEY 1 GROUP 4 CHAMPIONSHIP
WHO: (4) Middletown South (7-3) at (2) Northern Highlands (7-3)
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 13 at 6:15 p.m.
WHERE: Dean A. Moore Stadium at Northern Highlands High School, 298 Hillside Avenue, Allendale, NJ 07401
MIDDLETOWN SOUTH’s ROAD TO THE FINAL: Defeated Ridge 21-14 in the quarterfinals; defeated Roxbury 23-21 in the semifinals.
NORTHERN HIGHLANDS’ ROAD TO THE FINAL: Defeated Woodbridge 35-6 in the quarterfinals; defeated Morris Knolls 28-27 in the semifinals.
MIDDLETOWN SOUTH’S BEST WINS: 23-21 over North Jersey 1 Group 4 semifinalist Roxbury; 21-14 over North Jersey 1 Group 4 quarterfinalist Ridge; 21-14 over Central Jersey Group 2 semifinalist Manasquan; 13-7 over South Jersey Group 4 semifinalist Marlboro
NORTHERN HIGHLANDS’ BEST WINS: 27-17 over North Jersey 1 Group 5 semifinalist Ramapo; 28-27 over North Jersey 1 Group 4 semifinalist Morris Knolls
PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Middletown South is looking to capture their 11th sectional title in program history and first since 2015.
Northern Highlands is seeking their fifth sectional title and first since 2022.
ANALYSIS:
Middletown South has spent decades establishing itself as one of the Shore Conference’s most successful football programs. Now, the Eagles are one victory away from taking another step toward restoring that championship standard.
After opening the season with two straight losses, the Eagles have won seven of their last eight games, including a dramatic 23-21 semifinal victory over top-seeded Roxbury.
Under head coach Marc Tomo, Middletown South has relied on a physical running attack, timely defensive stops, and special teams plays that have repeatedly changed the outcome of games.
Senior running back and Lehigh commit Justin Rosato leads the Eagles with 1,149 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns, while senior quarterback Jack Schneider has thrown for 1,371 yards and 11 scores. Senior wide receiver Owen Maguire has been Schneider’s primary target, catching 36 passes for 568 yards and four touchdowns.
Middletown South’s Justin Rosato. (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
Special teams have been Middletown South’s biggest difference-maker. The Eagles have won three games thanks in large part to critical special teams plays, including a kickoff return touchdown against Manasquan, a blocked field goal returned for a touchdown against Marlboro, and another strong rush that led to a missed field goal in their semifinal victory over Roxbury. Maguire has been particularly dangerous in the return game, accumulating 590 kickoff return yards and three touchdowns.
Northern Highlands presents a formidable challenge with a roster featuring Army commit Tucker Kanning and Penn State commit Carter Blattner. Kanning has rushed for 1,122 yards and 12 touchdowns, averaging more than eight yards per carry, while Blattner anchors the Highlanders’ defense with 58 tackles, 11.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks.
Quarterback Jack Branagh gives Northern Highlands another dangerous rushing threat, having accumulated 606 yards and 12 touchdowns on the ground while throwing for 857 yards and seven scores. Senior Doyle Flatt leads the receiving corps with 26 catches for 406 yards and four touchdowns.
The Highlanders have won three straight games, defeating Woodbridge 35-6 in the quarterfinals before edging Morris Knolls 28-27 in the semifinals. However, Northern Highlands has already fallen to a Shore Conference opponent this season, losing 17-14 to Toms River North in its season opener.
For Middletown South, containing Kanning and Branagh will be critical, while establishing Rosato and controlling the clock could help keep Northern Highlands’ explosive offense off the field. Another game-changing special teams play could also prove decisive.
Middletown South defensive back Ryan McCarthy (Photo by SidelineSamsShots)
Northern Highlands has more Division I talent and home-field advantage, but Middletown South has already demonstrated its ability to win on the road against a higher-seeded opponent. After overcoming an 0-2 start and battling through two close playoff victories, the Eagles are one win away from bringing a sectional championship back to Middletown and restoring the standard that has defined the program for generations.
