The state sectional finals for the NJSIAA 2026 Tournament are finally here: the two teams representing the North Jersey, Section 1, Group 4 bracket are Northern Highlands and Middletown South, and they will be competing for the sectional title this Friday. This game will determine who will advance to the state semifinals next Friday, as well as who will claim the state sectional championship title.
This is the first time for Northern Highlands and Middletown South High School to be pitted against each other in a football game, making this a historic night for both towns. This is the biggest game of the season so far for these two teams; every game, whether it was a loss or win, has led up to this moment.
According to Shore Sports Insider, Manasquan High School is currently ranked number one in the Shore Conference based on having the most sectional titles with eleven. Middletown South currently has a record of ten sectional titles, ranking second below Manasquan High School. The sectional finals will determine if Midd South will be adding another sectional title and tie with Manasquan, or will it be taken by Northern Highlands?
In 2025, Midd South lost to their rival Middletown North, 28-19 in the quarter-final round. Middletown North is in the North Jersey, Section 2 Group 4 bracket, and they will compete against Chatham this evening as well. Middletown North and South competed once before in the state semifinals in their 2015 season, with the game ending with a score of 41-14, in favor of Midd South. If luck is on both these teams’ sides, the two long-time rivals will have their long-awaited face-off for a second time in the state semifinals next week.
Northern Highlands has only won four sectional titles so far, giving Middletown South an advantage in the number of sectional titles won. Ramapo downed Northern Highlands in last year’s sectional final, 28-27. This is the year of redemption for the Highlanders, giving themselves another chance to compete for the sectional title again and redeem themselves. The last time Northern Highlands secured a sectional title was in 2022 while Middletown South’s most recent sectional title came in 2015.
Midd South is led by their quarterback, Jack Schnieder. He has amassed a total of 1,371 passing yards so far this season, making him a player to look out for in this game. Northern Highlands running back, Tucker Kanning, has rushed for 1,122 rushing yards this season and his agility on the field is undeniable. It is undetermined if Tucker Kanning will be playing due to an injury in last week’s game against Morris Knolls. This raises speculation on how Northern Highlands will perform without him, and if his season is over.
The Eagles will be traveling up from the Jersey Shore to Highlands’ territory and Dean Moore Stadium with the game kicking off at 6:15 p.m. The teams competing in the NJSIAA 2026 Group 4 playoffs are in the North 1 and 2 bracket: Middletown North and Chatham; and Northern Highlands vs Middletown South. In the South and Central Group 4 brackets, Millville and Atlantic City; and Shawnee and Winslow Township will compete for sectional titles.
