The 2026 high school football season in New Jersey is shaping up to be one of the most anticipated in recent memory, with 25 marquee matchups scheduled across the state. These games include interstate showdowns, rematches of recent state championships and rivalries that will have a direct impact on conference standings and playoff positioning.
Early‑season tests and Labor Day kick‑offs
The season opens with a high‑profile test on August 29, when Camden, the defending NJSIAA Group 2 champion, travels to Pennsylvania to face Imhotep Charter. A week later, St. Augustine Prep, under a new head coach, hosts Keenan Wright’s Vikings in a private‑public clash that pits tradition against fresh leadership. The rivalry between St. Joseph Regional and Mount Carmel (IL) also begins on August 28, featuring two programs that have each captured recent state titles.
Rematches of championship finals
Several of the marquee contests are direct rematches of last year’s title games. Millville, led by Michael Schatzman, will host Washington Township on September 4 in a repeat of the Group 5 final, while DePaul Catholic and Paramus Catholic are slated to meet again in the NJSIAA Non‑Public B championship on October 23. The clash between Bergen Catholic and St. Peter’s Prep on September 18 will also be a sequel to a recent overtime thriller, adding extra intrigue to the schedule.
Private‑public and out‑of‑state rivalries
Private schools continue to dominate the conversation, with Paramus Catholic and Iona Preparatory (NY) meeting in September, and St. Thomas More (CT) traveling to face St. Peter’s Prep on Labor Day. These matchups often feature transfers that become storylines, such as the movement of key players between Bergen Catholic and St. Joseph Regional, which could shift the balance of power in the coming weeks.
Playoff implications and conference battles
Beyond individual rivalries, the slate is designed to test teams against a variety of competition levels. Winslow Township, under new head coach Jamal White, will test its mettle against St. Augustine Prep on September 18, while Washington Township, the 2025 Group 5 champion, is set to meet St. Augustine Prep again on October 23, aiming to capitalize on its perfect 14‑0 season. The final weeks will see Kingsway and Atlantic City rematch in the Group 5 final on October 23, and Northern Highlands will host Ramapo in an early‑October clash that mirrors their 2025 sectional final.