Sam Jackson and Monmouth Regional went a perfect 9-0 in the regular season. The Falcons host Wall in the opening round of the South Group 2 playoffs. Michael Griggs 
Rumson-Fair Haven quarterback Brady Williams leads the Bulldogs against Sterling in the opening round of the Central Jersey Group 2 playoffs. Rich Chrampanis
By Rich Chrampanis
Seven local teams begin post-season play as the public school state playoffs start Oct. 30. Red Bank Catholic and St. John Vianney wrap up the regular season this weekend before the non-public playoffs begin. Despite an upset loss to Freehold Township, Middletown North earned the top seed in North 2 Group 4. Monmouth Regional is having one of the best seasons in school history; the 9-0 Falcons host Wall in the first home playoff game since 2019. Rumson-Fair Haven is the No. 2 seed and could face 2025 Group 1 state champion Glassboro in the section finals. Glassboro moved up this year as part of the NJSIAA’s competitive balance initiative. Holmdel won a section championship a year ago. The Hornets host Somerville in North 2 Group 3 after earning the No. 3 seed.
North 1 Group 4
(8) Carteret at (1) Roxbury
(5) Ridge at (4) Middletown South
(6) Summit at (3) Morris Knolls
(7) Woodbridge at (2) Northern Highlands
North 2 Group 4
(8) Watchung Hills at (1) Middletown North
(5) Garfield at (4) Teaneck
(6) Montgomery at (3) Chatham
(7) Mount Olive at (2) Rahway
North 2 Group 3
(8) Weequahic at (1) West Essex
(5) Montville at (4) River Dell
(6) Somerville at (3) Holmdel
(7) Parsippany Hills at (2) Wayne Hills
South Group 3
(8) Ewing at (1) Seneca
(5) Delran at (4) Timber Creek
(6) Triton at (3) Pinelands
(7) Red Bank Regional at (2) Oakcrest
Central Group 2
(8) Overbrook at (1) Glassboro
(5) Manasquan at (4) Gloucester City
(6) Lower Cape May at (3) Point Pleasant Boro
(7) Sterling at (2) Rumson-Fair Haven
South Group 2
(8) Haddon Heights at (1) West Deptford
(5) Wall at (4) Monmouth Regional
(6) Ocean at (3) Camden Eastside
(7) A.L. Johnson at (2) Haddonfield
South Group 1
(8) Maple Shade at (1) Schalick
(5) Shore Regional at (4) Manville
(6) Burlington City at (3) Pennsville
(7) Gateway at (2) Delaware Valley
REGULAR SEASON
Friday, Oct. 30
Saint Peter’s Prep at Red Bank Catholic, 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 31
St. John Vianney at Pope John, noon
Week 8 Results
Middletown South 28, Matawan 21
Freehold Township 43, Middletown North 42
Marlboro 35, Red Bank Regional 7
Holmdel 15, Manalapan 12
Red Bank Catholic 31, Wall 7
Rumson-Fair Haven 42, St. John Vianney 28
Manasquan 34, Shore Regional 0
Monmouth Regional 34, Colts Neck 14
This article originally appeared in the October 29-November 4, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
