The stakes were high in the final week of the regular season for public schools on the gridiron. Butler wins its first NJIC championship in North Jersey, plus Toms River North and Holmdel clinch division titles in the Shore Conference!


Ramapo 25 Northern Highlands 23 (3OT) | Super Football Conference

Harrison Kearney’s strip sack on a two point conversion in the third overtime period gave the Raiders a fifth straight win in another amazing chapter of a great North Jersey high school football rivalry.  Tied 7-7, Ramapo’s Charlie Wingfield hit the crossbar on a 29-yard game winning field goal attempt with :11 seconds left.  In overtime, Wingfield was tremendous catching a 25-yard touchdown from Casey Grusser in the first overtime, followed by a career long 39-yard field goal in second overtime and the two point conversion in the third overtime that proved to be the difference in the ballgame.

JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights from a THRILLER in Franklin Lakes!


Butler 21 Glen Rock 12 | NJIC Championship

The Bulldogs continue on forward in their banner season and checked off another big box Friday night. PJ Coffey scored a pair of 50-yard touchdowns in the win to give Butler (8-0) their first-ever NJIC championship. Butler’s defense made a number of big stops and limited Glen Rock (7-1) QB Nick Atme to just 150 yards and 1 TD in the Panthers’ loss.

JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights + reaction from Butler:


Holmdel 27 Manalapan 21 | Shore Conference

Matt Iulo’s 17-yard touchdown run with 50 seconds left was the game-winner to give the Hornets at least a share of the Shore Conference’s “C” North title.  Jack Cannon threw for 280 yards and two touchdown passes as the Hornets (7-1) built a 21-7 second quarter lead.  But the Braves would rally to tie the game in the third setting the stage for a great back and forth fourth quarter.  Frankie Perisi had a touchdown catch, a fumble recovery on a muffed punt and an interception which set the stage for the game winning drive.  Manalapan (4-5) drove the ball to the 15-yard line and had two passes in the end zone fall incomplete.

JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights and post-game reaction from a thriller in Manalapan:

Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Holmdel is made possible by Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.


Toms River North 31 Donovan Catholic 0 | Shore Conference

The Mariners completed an undefeated run through the regular season as they knocked off the Griffins to clinch the Shore’s “A” South division title. TJ Valerio threw a pair of touchdowns and ran for another to lead the way for the TRN offense. Camryn Thomas made a ridiculous one-handed grab to start the third quarter and hauled in a touchdown for Toms River North (9-0). North now gets set for the Group 5 state playoffs. Donovan Catholic (2-5) will close out the regular season against Red Bank Catholic next week.

JSZ’s James Mooney has the highlights and reaction from Toms River:

Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Toms River North and Donovan Catholic is made possible by Community Medical Center in Toms River.