By BRIAN TORTELLA
Correspondent
On X @tortreports
Undefeated. Group 4 state champions.
Ring a bell?
The Mainland Regional High football team executed arguably the greatest season the South Jersey football world has ever seen, finishing 2023 with a 14-0 record that included impressive playoff victories over Millville and Winslow, concluding with a 56-0 routing of Ramapo in the state title game.
Using last year’s 41-7 loss to Mainland in the state semifinals as motivation, Winslow has followed suit.
Winslow capped off an undefeated season of its own as the Eagles trampled Phillipsburg, 35-0, in the Group 4 state championship game on Wednesday night at Rutgers University’s SHI Stadium, putting a bow on a 14-0 record. The Eagles outscored opponents 198-29 during this playoff run, which included a narrow 13-7 win over Millville in the state semifinal on Nov. 23.
“I’m extremely proud,” coach Bill Belton said. “They did something that’s never been done before (at Winslow). I’m excited to be on this side of history tonight.”
One glaring resemblance when comparing 2023 Mainland to 2024 Winslow is the quarterback play. The starting quarterback of each squad was only a sophomore. Mainland’s John Franchini (now a junior) and Winslow’s Jalen Parker.
That Mustang squad operated a run-heavy offense, with Franchini finishing with 1,240 passing yards compared to this pass-heavy Winslow team that saw Parker conclude his sophomore campaign with a staggering 2,916 yards through the air to go along with 43 touchdowns.
“Fired up — I mean, it’s great,” Parker said of winning his first state title. “First one out of a few to come.”
The two teams were very similar defensively as well. Check out these stats: Sacks (Mainland 53, Winslow 43); tackles (Mainland 941, Winslow 925); interceptions (Mainland 22, Winslow 20).
Both teams were stacked with talent at all three levels, too. Mainland had guys like Zach Hodges and Hunter Watson on the line, and linebackers Cohen Cook, Rocco DeBiaso and J.J. Sinclair combined for more than 300 tackles. The Stangs also had New Jersey Defensive Player of the Year in Jamie Tyson in the secondary. Winslow has stout defensive linemen like Malachi Brown and Cayden Gray, as well as some outstanding linebackers such as Rob Carstarphen, Ausar Heard, Marcus Upton and Ben Carter. The Eagles’ secondary isn’t too shabby, either, led by Nyqir Helton and Cam Miller, a University of Kentucky commit.
What was the difference between Winslow coming up short last year and winning it all this time around?
“We had a lot of athletes both years,” Parker said. “I think this year, we really wanted it. We practiced hard, played hard and we just came out here and just played. Historic season.”
No one played harder than Parker. His 43 passing touchdowns this season led the region.
“I didn’t expect myself to do all this in two years, but things happen, God works,” he continued. “The next two years I hope will be better.”
This time last year, that Mainland bunch seemed like it was in a league of its own when it comes to New Jersey public school football. The Stangs made a trip to the Group 3 state championship game this year before falling short to Old Tappan.
Winslow can certainly be talked about as one of the top programs in South Jersey right now.
South Jersey finished this season 2-1 in state championship games. The Eagles join Glassboro as the region’s champions.
And in the wise words of coach Belton;
“God is good.”
Contact Brian Tortella: btortreportssj@gmail.com.
