There’s Nothing Like the Battle at the Beach
Tagged under: Beyond The Keystone, News
Phil Myers | September 4, 2024
Fourteen high school football games in three days is an anomaly to say the least. The West Jersey Football Coaches Association (WJFCA) has put on this showcase event since 2021 featuring, not only some of New Jersey’s top talent and teams, but also powerhouse teams from the country. In fact, in the first three years the showcase has invited at least two teams each year that eventually won their state title game and there has been nine state champs overall.
This year there were four games the first day at Ocean City’s scenic football field. The second and third days saw the action move to Egg Harbor Township’s field for five games per day. Below is a quick summary of each game noting a key stat or two and the players of the game.
Thursday August 29th at Ocean City:
Manchester Township 26 West Deptford 21 – This might have been the best game of the weekend. Manchester scored in the 4th quarter to take the lead and held on from there. They were led by QB Aidan Lunn and RB Malik Pharmes.
Mainland Regional 30 Atlantic City 18 – Mainland was undefeated last year winning the Class IV championship. In this game they twice had to come from behind. Mainland Regional’s QB John Franchini and RB Chase Hoag led the Mustang charge. Atlantic City’s quarterback, Khajuan Roseborough accounted for 290 total yards and all 3 of the Viking touchdowns.
Ocean City 35 Cinnaminson 7 – The home crowd had a lot to cheer about as Ocean City RB Triston Schmidt rushed for over 100 yards and scored 3 touchdowns. OC only led 14-7 at the half, but completely dominated the last two quarters.
IMG Academy 27 Bergen Catholic 14 – This game featured two of the top teams in the country. The speed and physicality of both teams was phenomenal. Bergen actually tied the game at 7 early in the 3rd when Quincy Porter turned a bubble screen into a 90-yard TD. IMG then scored three TDs in less than 8 minutes over the latter part of the third into early fourth quarter to secure the win. SMU commit Ty Hawkins of IMG accounted for all 4 touchdowns by running for 3 and passing for the other. Najee Calhoun of Bergen ran for 132 yards. Bergen Catholic Guytano Bartolomeo’s 56-yard FG attempt hit the crossbar and bounced back at end of first half.
Friday August 30th at Egg Harbor:
Cedar Grove 41 Schalick 3 – Stephen Paradiso threw for 226 yards and 4 touchdowns, while Jackson Morrice caught 10 balls for 101 yards and a pair of TDs to lead Cedar Grove. Morrice also returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown.
Washington Township 23 Northern Highlands 8 – Behind Colin Beeler, Washington Twp. upended Northern Highlands. Beeler rushed for 132 yards and scored all three touchdowns for the Minutemen. QB Cole Aquino connected on 14 of 19 passes for 185 yards to aid Township’s cause.
Cherokee 30 Middletown South 0 – Cherokee looked really good in shutting out Middletown South. RB Murad Campfield ran for 143 yards and a score. QB Cooper Burti threw for a pair of TDs. WR Darwin Walker caught 2 touchdown passes, but one was from the opposing QB that he turned into a pick six.
Winslow Township 21 Montclair 0 – The Winslow Township defense limited Montclair to 43 yards for the game on 35 plays. QB Jalen Parker combined his running and passing skills for 157 yards, throwing a 33-yard touchdown pass.
Millville 35 Holy Spirit 0 – The speedy Lotzier Brooks set New Jersey state records for receiving yardage and TD receptions during this game. The Alabama commit caught 3 passes for touchdowns of 32 yards, 44 yards, and 98 yards. Overall, he hauled in 6 passes for over 200 yards.
Saturday August 31st at Egg Harbor:
Southern Regional 17 Highland 0 – The Rams’ defense held Highland to under 80 total yards for the game. Southern Regional nursed a 3-0 halftime lead until late in the third when they took advantage of a short punt to punch in their first TD of the game. They followed up in the 4th by taking advantage of another short punt to score their second touchdown.
Pascack Valley 31 Rancocas Valley 14 – South Carolina commit, Adam Shaw, led Pascack to a surprisingly easy victory over favored Rancocas Valley. Shaw ran for two scores and accounted for over 100 yards passing and over 100 yards rushing if you take away his minus 18-yard loss taking a knee at the end of the game. The turning point was when Pascack scored two touchdowns in 22 seconds right before the half to break open a 7-7 contest.
Oakcrest 20 Hammonton 0 – RB Donovan Linthicum scored two times and ran for 109 yards in only 6 carries. He splits chores with two other backs, but boy he’s one tough cookie and is a very good linebacker too. Zicri Forest returned a punt 32 yards for Oakcrest’s final score.
Cedar Creek 20 Eastside Camden 6 – Eastside was held to 44 yards of offense by the Cedar Creek Pirate defense. Aamir Dunbar led the Pirate offense by scoring two touchdowns and Frenchmon Bethea led the defense by intercepting two passes.
Egg Harbor Township 40 West Windsor-Plainsboro North 7 – In the Battle at the Beach finale, Egg Harbor gave the hometown folks a lot to holler about by beating WW-NP. Xavier Cocci was the player of the game as the sophomore quarterback accounted for 301 yards of offense. He was 12 of 16 passing for 224 yards and 3 TDs, plus he ran for 77 yards and another score.
The biggest crowd was at the Bergen Catholic vs. IMG Academy game. Of all the bands that made an appearance, my favorite band was the Washington Township band. My favorite cheerleading squad was the Cherokee Chiefs, but many of the others were close behind.
For many more pictures from the Battle at the Beach check out Beyond the Keystone part of PFN and @Sykotyk.
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