State semifinal games were in the spotlight on Friday night. Who punched tickets to title games? Check back as the highlights are posted to find out!
Don Bosco Prep 31 Bergen Catholic 17 | Non-Public A Semifinal
The Ironmen continue to line them up and knock them down as they are set to make their return to the state championship game. Powered by an impassioned second half, Don Bosco Prep (11-0) completes a season sweep over rival Bergen Catholic (8-3). Carson Schoen’s 46-yard strike to JT Geraci gave Bosco the lead late in the third quarter and it was all systems go from there. Mikahi Allen scored a defensive touchdown to cap off the night for the Ironmen. Ca’Si Thomas had a pair of touchdown runs in the win while the Ironmen defense forced three total turnovers over the course the night. Don Bosco will look to complete the perfect season when they face St. Joe’s in the Non-Public A state final next Friday night at MetLife Stadium.
JSZ’s Jay Cook has the highlights + reaction from Ramsey:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Don Bosco Prep is made possible by JAG Physical Therapy.
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Bergen Catholic is brought to you by American Dream in East Rutherford.
St. Joe’s (Mont.) 25 St. Peter’s Prep 21 | Non-Public A Semifinal
Nate Bailey had 213 yards of total offense and scored all four touchdowns for the Green Knights including the go-ahead score with 2:31 left in the fourth quarter to cap off a nine minute, 15-play, 80-yard drive to give St. Joe’s a spot in the Non-Public A state championship for the first time since 2018. St. Joe’s raced out to a 13-0 lead at the end of the first quarter before a St. Peter’s stop on 4th down energized the Marauders in the second quarter. Tyler Bell threw a 31-yard TD pass to Amari Jones followed by an 11-yard pass to Hunter Watson to give St. Peter’s a 14-13 halftime lead. Bell’s third TD pass of the game to Watson made it 21-13 Marauders in the third quarter. Bailey raced 27 yards to get Joe’s within two before the long drive in the fourth capped off the win. Frederick Caffey, Jr. sealed the victory with an interception. SJR (9-2) will face Don Bosco Prep next Friday night in the Non-Public A state final. St. Peter’s Prep concludes an excellent season with an 8-3 mark.
JSZ’s Rich Chrampanis has the highlights and post-game reaction from Jersey City:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of St. Peter’s Prep and St. Joe’s-Montvale is brought to you by American Dream in East Rutherford.
Washington Twp. 35 Kingsway 27 | Group 5 State Semifinal
In the second of two great games between these teams, the Minutemen won again to advance to the program’s first state final. Cole Aquino threw three touchdown passes, while Jaylen Robinson rushed for two scores for Township (13-0). David Oravetz threw three TD passes and rushed for a score for the Dragons (10-3) in the loss. Washington Township will face Passaic Tech in the Group 5 state title game on Friday, November 28th at MetLife Stadium.
JSZ’s Mike Frankel has the highlights and reaction from Tom Brown Field:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Washington Township is made possible by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey.
Cedar Creek 48 Holmdel 38 | Group 3 State Semifinal
In the sectional semifinal, Frenchmon “Junior” Bethea delivered the “play of his life”, firing a last-second touchdown pass to Gyan King to secure the sectional title. A week later, the senior quarterback followed it up with the “game of his life”, turning in one of the top performances of the 2025 football season. Facing one of the toughest offenses in the state in Holmdel (9-3), Bethea not only accounted for six touchdowns — two rushing and four passing – but also intercepted Dartmouth commit Jack Cannon twice. The Pirates were down 30–20 at halftime and outscored Holmdel 28–8 in an outstanding second half. With the win, Cedar Creek (11-2) advances to the Group 3 State Final, where the Pirates will face reigning champion Old Tappan at MetLife Stadium.
JSZ’s Tyler Mroz has the highlights and reaction from Holmdel:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Holmdel is brought to you by Monmouth Medical Center in Long Branch.
Old Tappan 35 West Morris 0 | Group 3 State Semifinal
Zach Miceli accounted for 216 yards of total offense and five total touchdowns to lead the defending Group 3 state champs back to the finals with a chance to repeat. The Golden Knights raced out to a 21-0 halftime lead and added two more scores in the third quarter. Leo Etter had two touchdown catches and Christakis Nicoloau opened the scoring with a six yard touchdown. Old Tappan (12-0) will face Cedar Creek in the state finals while West Morris closes out the season with a 12-1 record.
JSZ’s Sean Dugan has the highlights from Old Tappan:
Shabazz 36 Westwood 6 | Group 2 State Semifinal
Shabazz delivered its most complete performance of the season to punch a return ticket to Rutgers. Behind a monster two-way night from Faheem Ausbon, the Bulldogs (11-1) rolled past Westwood 36-6 in the Group 2 state semifinal. Ausbon scored three rushing touchdowns and added a 30-yard pick-six, while Shabazz’s defense overwhelmed the Cardinals with five interceptions and held Boston College commit Steve Klein to just 33 yards on the ground. Karriem Coston connected with Nosym Brown for a 42-yard score before the Bulldogs broke the game open with a dominant second half. Shabazz advances to the Group 2 state championship, where they’ll meet Camden on December 3rd at Rutgers.
JSZ’s Nick Doll has the highlights + post-game reaction from Bergen County:
Jersey Sports Zone’s coverage of Malcolm X Shabazz is brought to you by Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.
Glassboro 44 Burlington City 8 | Group 1 State Semifinal
The defending champion Bulldogs used their patented blend of a punishing offense and suffocating defense to pick up their 26th-consecutive victory and reach a third-straight state final. Amari Sabb, Xavier Sabb, and Jojo DeLecce each scored a pair of touchdowns in the victory. Kenny Johnson brought in two interceptions, while Amari Sabb added an INT of his own for Glassboro (13-0). Mason Shansey connected with Jayvyn Rasberry for a 97-yard touchdown in the loss for Burlington City (11-2). Glassboro will face Cedar Grove for the Group 1 state title on Sunday, November 30th at Rutgers University.
JSZ’s James Mooney has the highlights and reaction from Glassboro:
