By, Kyle Ferreira
I’ve been thinking about football a lot lately. For months, I have been eagerly waiting for those crisp fall nights to return.
In the build up to the 2026 season at each level of the sport, the offseason was truly otherworldly. College football continued to make headlines in arguably its most chaotic era while the NFL had many unfortunate moments occur off the gridiron.
With so many unnecessary plotlines occurring at those levels, it became depressing. That’s why my appetite for some positive news from the high school level grew tremendously over the last few months.
My excitement level for this 2026 New Jersey high school football season has been through the roof. The more I keep reading about great players, matchups and storylines, the more I start to believe that this season will be amazing. It may in full honesty be historic as well.
In the Super Football Conference (SFC) alone, the amount of incredible superstars found in this league is remarkable.
As expected, the star-studded private schools have their primetime players. Notable names include five-star offensive lineman Olu Olubobola (St. Peter’s Prep), a talented edge rusher in Aidan O’Neil (Don Bosco Prep) and running back Chukwuma Odoh (Paramus Catholic).
The public ranks have their guys too and all across the northern half of the state, the names are well known. From Old Tappan’s hard-working quarterback Zach Miceli up in Bergen County to a relentless back in West Morris Central’s Deacon Frayne, these are true ballers.
The state’s best player, however, comes from the West Jersey Football League (WJFL) in Xavier Sabb. The future Oregon man was the Gatorade New Jersey Football Player of the Year in 2025 and he helped Glassboro to another Group 1 state championship as well. Like any leading role in a blockbuster film, Sabb is the main attraction and everyone will be finding ways to watch him live this fall.
Then, there are the stellar matchups unfolding throughout the season. Some of the biggest games taking place are against teams from other states and New Jersey’s best are ready for the challenge. This includes a tantalizing matchup between St. Joseph’s Prep (PA) and Bergen Catholic and a nationally televised game between St. Joseph (Montvale) and Mount Carmel (IL).
However, look towards the western side of Morris County and it is beautiful. West Morris Central, Mount Olive and Roxbury are all expected to be fantastic in 2026 and all their meetings will surely be cinema.
9/18 – Roxbury vs West Morris Central
10/16 – Mount Olive vs Roxbury
10/23 – West Morris Central vs Mount Olive
Truly, for any fans of this great sport, attending all three of these games are a must. With names like the aforementioned Frayne, Roxbury’s tough as nails quarterback Frankie Falco and Mount Olive’s untackable Brayden Longo, why wouldn’t you go?
Division changes have also occurred and to a degree, the alterations were a mixed bag. In fairness, some of the changes that were made created a few awesome matchups. The Liberty Red division in the SFC, in particular, will be fantastic to watch this season.
SFC – Liberty Red:
Northern Highlands
Old Tappan
Ramapo
Wayne Hills
Wayne Valley
This division was tailor made for those die hard fans and it’s going be an obligation to go see them all play. Anyone interested in another massive battle between Northern Highlands and Ramapo?
Down south in the WJFL, please enjoy this monster of a division.
WJFL – Classic:
Camden
Cedar Creek
Glassboro
Holy Spirit
Mainland
Ocean City
It wasn’t only teams making changes during the offseason. Many familiar players and coaches landed in new locations over the past few months.
The moves of former Winslow Township names in quarterback Jalen Parker and head coach Bill Belton may have been the biggest in the state. Parker will be suiting up for the 2025 Group 5 champs in Washington Township and Belton will now be leading St. Augustine Prep.
Another massive change occurred in Oradell as former Bergen Catholic defensive star Jackson Vaughn transferred and is now in Florida playing for the prestigious IMG Academy.
It just goes to say that this season may be a special one in New Jersey. Football brings communities together and the 2026 season will hopefully bring lasting memories to everyone on and off the field.
