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    • Previews of South, Central Group 4 high school football championship games
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    Previews of South, Central Group 4 high school football championship games

    Harry Posted on

    Two of New Jersey’s top teams in Group 4 appear to be headed for a state semifinal matchup.

    But first Winslow and Millville will need to capture regional championships to renew their acquaintances in the next round.

    Shawnee and Brick Memorial are the underdogs but will try to pull off the upset.

    Here’s a preview:

    More: Football 2024: Check out all our coverage of the South Jersey high school season

    South Jersey Group 4 Final

    (3) Shawnee (8-3) and (1) Winslow (11-0)

    When: Saturday, 13:00

    Coaches: Shawnee-Tim Gushue; Winslow-Bill Belton.

    Regional championships: Shawnee 9 (2002, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2013, 2014, 2017, 2018, 2019); Winslow 2 (2021, 20023).

    Last meeting: Winslow won 27-14 on September 22, 2023.

    How they got here: Shawnee: (6) 21-7 over Middletown South and 27-17 over Middletown North; Winslow: (8) 69-6 over Princeton and (4) 49-8 over Manalapan.

    By numbers:

    5 – Consecutive victories for the Shawnee. The Renegades caught fire, losing three of four games in late September and early October.

    28 – Quick goals to Shawnee. The team finished with 2,330 yards receiving, with the bulk of the work carried out by junior Brett Lundberg (1,206 yards) and freshman Cole Anderson (843).

    5 – Sacks for Shawnee linebacker Joey Cleaver. The youngster also has three interceptions, including one to pick up the 6.

    11 – It’s a program record for wins in a season for Winslow. The Eagles are the only undefeated team left in South Jersey.

    479 – The points earned for Winslow this season are a program record and tops in the Garden State. Cedar Grove is in second place with 470 points. The Eagles have scored 118 points in two playoff games this season.

    58 – Career goal by Winslow point guard Jalen Parker. This is a top program and breaks the state record for most sophomores.

    Central Jersey 4th Group Final

    (2) Brick Monument (9-2), (1) at Millville (8-2)

    When: Friday, 18.00.

    Coaches: Brick Monument-Walt Currie; Millville-Humberto Ayala.

    Regional championships: Brick Monument 2 (2003 2008); Millville 4 (1975, 2016, 2021, 2022).

    Last meeting: First date.

    How they got here: Brick Memorial: (7) 56-0 vs. Northern Burlington and (6) 41-21 vs. Jackson; Millville: (8) 49-6 over Red Bank and 53-0 over Marlboro.

    By numbers:

    97 – The Mustangs’ total points in two postseason games this season. The team has 350 points for the season, which ranks third in the conference (Shore A South).

    34 – Brick Memorial quarterback Jason Lajara scores. The junior passed for 1,799 yards and 17 touchdowns, while rushing for 861 yards and 17 more scores.

    17 – A popular number for Brick Memorial, who had 17 sacks and 17 takeaways on defense.

    102 – The Thunderbolts’ total points in two postseason games this season. The team collected 370 points in 10 matches.

    3 – Consecutive 1,000-yard receiving seasons for Millville’s Lotzeir Brooks. According to football historian Chuck Langerman, he is the only receiver to achieve this feat. Brooks came close to achieving the feat all four years, just missing the total in his freshman season (.971).

    17 – Team’s best tackle in a total loss for Millville’s Shermar Collins. The junior also has two sacks, two fumble recoveries and a dig.

    Tom McGurk is the regional sports editor for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for more than 35 years. If you have a sports story that needs telling, contact him via email. [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.

    Harry
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