The final weekend before postseason brackets lock has delivered a tidal wave of high school sports action across New Jersey, as football teams clinch titles, volleyball powers battle for county crowns, and soccer squads position themselves for deep tournament runs. The stakes only grow higher from here with the NJSIAA playoffs looming, and fans can follow coverage at https://explorenewjersey.org/high-school-sports/ for updates across every corner of the Garden State.
Football programs across the state headlined the weekend with historic wins and undefeated finishes. Manville earned its first perfect regular season since 1968, rolling past Bound Brook 49–7 to claim the Big Central Conference Freedom Silver division title and cement a major milestone in program history. Bernards achieved a spotless record for the third year in a row, holding off Carteret 22–0 and extending its remarkable regular-season winning streak to 34 games. Ewing captured the West Jersey Football League Valley championship after a tight battle with Hamilton West. Another undefeated campaign belongs to Cherry Hill East, victorious in all nine contests to top the WJFL Memorial Division.
Several teams delivered key victories with playoff implications. Phillipsburg surged past Bridgewater-Raritan 36–13 behind a pair of dominant senior running backs who powered the rushing attack. Kingsway continued its march toward postseason contention by improving to 7–2 with a 43–20 win over Williamstown. Trenton clinched its spot in the postseason with a shutout victory over Robbinsville. Big individual outings highlighted the scoreboard across New Jersey including a seven-touchdown explosion from Livingston’s Paul, and multi-score performances from standout players in Montville, Pleasantville, Holmdel, and Lyndhurst. Teams like Becton, pushing for seeding position, also came through with clutch late-season wins.
In girls volleyball, championship stages are being set as top county tournaments reach their apex. Mother Seton and Old Bridge entered the Greater Middlesex finals with only three combined losses between them. McNair faced county powerhouse Secaucus for Hudson County bragging rights. Wayne Valley and Passaic Tech squared off in a highly anticipated Passaic County final. Every spike and set from these high-level matchups plays a role in postseason confidence as November approaches.
Major soccer cutoff dates brought clarity to playoff outlooks statewide. Girls soccer calculations closed this weekend, with full brackets scheduled to be announced October 29. Across New Jersey, boys tournament finals delivered instant-classic battles, including a ranked showdown between Pingry and Bernards in the Somerset County championship and a Shore Conference finale where Colts Neck and Middletown South clashed under bright Saturday lights. Hunterdon Central and Voorhees fought for Hunterdon/Warren/Sussex glory while Randolph and Chatham dueled for Morris County supremacy. Passion, precision, and penalty kicks told the story of every match.
Cross-country athletes also experienced championship pressure as county title meets took place throughout the state. Union Catholic, Ridge, and Randolph recorded standout team performances on a brisk weekend run over challenging courses. One more chance remains for racers chasing personal-best times at the Last Chance XC Championships on November 16 at Oak Ridge Park in Clark, marking the conclusion of the NJSIAA season.
For Cherry Hill East, there is no shortage of buzz after the Cougars stormed through the regular season unbeaten at 9–0. A 244-yard, three-touchdown effort by running back Josh Greenberg sealed a 29–20 win over Bridgeton, and the reward is a home playoff opener where energy is guaranteed to reach another level. Meanwhile, rival Cherry Hill West continues to battle through adversity, searching for footing after a difficult stretch.
Kingsway’s offense exploded behind four touchdowns from Cole DeNick in a statement 43–20 win that adds to an impressive resume entering the postseason. Eastern climbed to 6–3 after a dominant performance against Highland punctuated by two touchdowns each from Max Cutler and Terry Cook. Washington Township remains one of South Jersey’s headline teams, sitting inside the state’s top-ten after weeks of high-powered football.
Momentum continues shifting, tension continues rising, and one weekend remains fresh in the minds of New Jersey athletes determined to chase championship dreams. With brackets being finalized and rivalry intensity reaching its peak, fans, families, and alumni across the state gear up for a thrilling postseason, and every score update can be tracked through high school sports coverage at https://explorenewjersey.org/high-school-sports/.
New Jersey is ready for playoff lights, roaring crowds, and the unforgettable moments that follow when seasons hang in the balance.
Friday, October 24, including a full list of high school football results, as well as some boys and girls soccer results for Friday and Saturday, October 25.
Results for high school football games from Friday, October 24 include:
- Barnegat 47, Keyport 16
- Bayonne 41, Orange 0
- Bordentown 35, Pemberton 0
- Brick Memorial 47, Jackson Memorial 14
Boys soccer scores from Friday, Oct. 24 include:
- St. Augustine 1, Lindenwold 0
- Seton Hall Prep 6, Columbia 0
- St. Joseph (Met.) 5, New Brunswick 0
Girls soccer scores from Friday, Oct. 24 include:
- New Egypt 1, Brick Township 0
Boys soccer scores from Saturday, Oct. 25 include:
- Hillside 7, Payne Tech 1
- Manville 1, Newark Collegiate 0
