NJSIAA South Jersey Group 5 Football Final Preview: Toms River North at Washington Township
2026 SOUTH JERSEY GROUP 5 CHAMPIONSHIP
WHO: (3) Toms River North (8-3) at (1) Washington Township (11-0)
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 13 at 6 p.m.
WHERE: Tom Brown Field at Washington Township High School, 529 Hurffville-Cross Keys Road, Sewell, NJ 08080
TOMS RIVER NORTH’s ROAD TO THE FINAL: Defeated Manalapan 42-7 in the quarterfinals; defeated Trenton 31-6 in the semifinals.
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP’s ROAD TO THE FINAL: Defeated South Brunswick 56-14 in the quarterfinals; defeated Eastern 52-21 in the semifinals.
TOMS RIVER NORTH’S BEST WINS: 17-14 over North Jersey 1 Group 4 finalist Northern Highlands; 14-7 over Central Jersey Group 2 finalist Point Boro
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP’S BEST WINS: 28-14 over St. Augustine; 42-17 over South Jersey Group 4 finalist Winslow; 21-19 over Central Jersey Group 4 finalist Atlantic City; 39-20 over Central Jersey Group 4 finalist Millville
PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Toms River North is seeking their 10th sectional title in program history.
Washington Township is looking to win their sixth sectional title in school history.
ANALYSIS:
For a program that has won three of the last four Group 5 state championships, Toms River North finds itself in an unfamiliar position heading into the South Jersey Group 5 sectional championship game: the underdog.
Toms River North quarterback Cole Garrison (Photo by Tom Smith/tspsportsimages.com)
The Mariners will travel to face defending state champion Washington Township, which enters the matchup riding a 25-game winning streak. The Minutemen, led by head coach Mike Schatzman, have been nearly unstoppable this season, and their already talented roster received a significant boost with the arrival of senior quarterback Jalen Parker in the offseason.
The former Winslow standout, who holds New Jersey’s career record for touchdown passes, arrived at Washington Township following multiple transfers. In seven games this season, Parker has thrown for 1,210 yards and 20 touchdowns while adding 442 rushing yards and seven scores. His favorite target, senior wide receiver Issac Parra, has caught 39 passes for 751 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Washington Township is far from a one-man show. Senior running back Drew Dorsey has rushed for 664 yards and six touchdowns, while junior Elijah Cole has added 379 yards and five scores. The Minutemen have scored at least 42 points in five of their last six games, including playoff victories over South Brunswick (56-14) and Eastern (52-21).
Slowing down that explosive offense will be a monumental challenge for Toms River North, but the Mariners have built their reputation on overcoming challenges and delivering in the postseason.
Head coach Dave Oizerowitz’s team has relied heavily on its powerful rushing attack, which has produced 2,789 yards and 34 touchdowns. Senior Lucas Elias leads the way with 1,150 yards and 15 touchdowns, while senior Wesley Tanner has rushed for 936 yards and 13 scores. Senior quarterback Cole Garrison has added 664 yards and five touchdowns on the ground.
Defensively, sophomore linebacker Finn Boland has been a force with 137 total tackles, including 29 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. The Mariners will need a strong performance from Boland and the rest of their defense to contain Washington Township’s array of offensive weapons.
Toms River North linebacker Finn Boland (Photo by Tom Smith/tspsportsimages.com)
Toms River North enters the championship game having outscored its first two playoff opponents 73-13, including a 42-7 victory over Manalapan and a 31-6 semifinal win over Trenton. The Mariners have found their postseason rhythm at the right time, even after a regular season that included three losses.
Washington Township may have the undefeated record, the home-field advantage, and one of the most talented offenses in the state, but Toms River North will not be intimidated.
The Mariners have played on the biggest stages in New Jersey high school football, winning three Group 5 state championships in four years. They understand what it takes to win in November, and despite the odds being stacked against them, they will arrive at Washington Township believing they can end the Minutemen’s remarkable winning streak.
For Washington Township, the game represents another step toward defending its state championship. For Toms River North, it is an opportunity to remind everyone why the Mariners have been the standard in Group 5 football for much of the last four years.
