New Jersey’s high school sports landscape delivered a packed slate of intensity, upsets, and championship-level play as football, soccer, field hockey, and cross country programs collided across the state on Friday, November 14, and Saturday, November 15, 2025. As sectional titles were claimed and state finals unfolded, communities turned out in force, celebrating the athletes who continue to define New Jersey’s competitive spirit.

Friday brought an avalanche of sectional finals, with football taking center stage. Shabazz extended its dynasty by capturing the North 2, Group 2 title—its third straight—and Glassboro added another chapter to its growing legacy with a rally past Schalick to secure its third consecutive South Jersey, Group 1 championship. Phillipsburg rolled to its 10th sectional crown, powering away from Montgomery behind a strong second-half push, while Bridgewater-Raritan sealed its first-ever North 2, Group 5 championship in a gritty battle with Bayonne.

Other programs celebrated long-awaited breakthroughs. Holmdel’s historic win over Seneca earned the program its first Central Group 3 championship, and Brick Memorial ended a 17-year drought by taking home the Central Jersey Group 4 title. Camden claimed the Central Jersey Group 2 crown, while Don Bosco Prep opened Non-Public A postseason action with a decisive victory over Seton Hall Prep.

In soccer, Friday’s championships showcased the continued depth of talent across the Garden State. Robbinsville’s girls added a fourth straight Central Jersey, Group 2 title, Glen Ridge’s boys repeated as North 2, Group 1 champions, and Waldwick reclaimed the North 1, Group 1 crown after a shootout win over Emerson Boro. Middletown South secured its first-ever sectional championship with a defining performance against Colts Neck, and Scotch Plains-Fanwood claimed the North 2, Group 4 title by defeating rival Westfield.

One of the biggest football surprises came in North 1, Group 2, where Westwood stunned top-seeded Ramsey with a commanding 41–7 victory. While Ramsey entered with the edge on paper, Westwood executed on both sides of the ball from the opening whistle, taking control early and never easing off the gas.

The soccer pitch also produced one of the most compelling storylines of the weekend as Robbinsville’s boys, led by standout Nico Mathews, secured their fourth straight sectional title with a 3–1 win over 11th-seeded Wall. Mathews delivered a career-defining performance on the Ravens’ home turf at the Steven J. Mayer Athletic Complex, scoring twice and assisting the third goal. Between his explosive pace, field awareness, and physical presence, Mathews cemented himself as one of the state’s most dangerous postseason players.

Robbinsville struck early when Henry Honeywood’s free kick forced a save that Mathews converted on the rebound. A penalty kick from senior Max Goldberg stretched the lead to 2–0, and Mathews added his second before halftime on a perfectly placed lofted ball from sophomore Ryan Mechael. Wall cut into the lead late, but the Ravens remained firm, defending their turf—literally and figuratively—as they continued an astounding four-year run without a home postseason loss.

As Saturday’s action unfolded, more championships entered the books. West Essex captured the Group 2 field hockey title with a win over Point Pleasant Boro, adding a seventh consecutive trophy to one of the state’s most dominant streaks. Additional state field hockey finals, along with major football sectional matchups and the prestigious statewide Meet of Champions in cross country, rounded out a highly anticipated weekend across New Jersey athletics.

From historic victories to underdog triumphs, the past 48 hours showcased the depth, talent, and resilience of student-athletes representing communities across the Garden State. Families, alumni, and fans turned out in full force—and many continued celebrations at local restaurants, community centers, and neighborhood high school sports where seasonal taps and lively atmospheres often serve as an extension of hometown pride.

With more championship rounds ahead, New Jersey’s fall sports season continues to build toward a dramatic finish, promising even more storylines as teams chase hardware and history.