Freedom Gold Division Preview
The 2026 New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association football season will begin with the Freedom Gold Division’s opening week on August 27, marking the start of a competitive slate that promises fresh storylines across the conference.
Brearley, coming off a 0‑10 campaign in 2024, has already shown a dramatic rebound, winning five of six games in 2025 and capping the turnaround with a 10‑7 road victory over Dayton. Senior defensive end Rocco Federico anchored that resurgence with a league‑leading 14.5 sacks last year.
Dayton, meanwhile, finished the 2025 regular season at 7‑2 and secured its first playoff berth since 2012, driven by the return of quarterback Adrian Bernknopf, who will look to build on a 48‑0 playoff win over Dunellen.
Highland Park, which snapped a 51‑game winless streak two years ago, has settled into a more consistent mindset under coach Shawn Harrison, posting a 9‑9 record over the past two seasons and aiming to translate that momentum into a stronger 2026 campaign.
J.P. Stevens, after enduring a winless 0‑10 season in the Patriot Gold Division, is back in the Freedom Gold and will be led by senior quarterback Mak Khawaja, who is expected to bring added poise to the offense.
Roselle Park returns first‑team All‑Division running back Nick Salas, who amassed 946 rushing yards and 14 touchdowns in 2025, giving the Panthers a potent ground attack to lean on.
South River’s offense will be anchored by a veteran line featuring Junior Funez and Connor Chandler, as the Rams plan to employ a physical, old‑school smash‑mouth style that could wear down opponents.
Week Zero matchups will pit Brearley against Wallington, Dayton against Governor Livingston, and several other teams in early tests that could set the tone for the division’s race to the postseason.
Key Players to Watch
Federico’s pass‑rushing prowess, Nelson’s transition to starting quarterback, Bernknopf’s experience under center, Khawaja’s senior leadership, Salas’s breakout speed, and the combined force of Funez and Chandler on the line are all expected to shape the division’s outcome.
With schedules set and rosters refined, the Freedom Gold Division enters a season that could redefine traditional power balances, as each program leans on a mix of proven talent and fresh faces to chase playoff glory.