Prediction: Winslow Township (N.J.) repeats as public champs

The 2025 high school football season will be getting underway in a few short weeks, which means it’s officially preview season. Rivals is breaking down the nation’s top teams from coast-to-coast, and today we make our way back over to the Garden State to look at last year’s NJSIAA Public state champion Winslow Township Eagles. The Eagles are coming into the 2025 season with major expectations after winning a state crown and will face New Jersey’s top private school, Bergen Catholic, this fall. Can Winslow Township live up to the lofty goals they have in place for ’25?

Player Spotlight: WR Nyqir Helton

The fleet-footed wide receiver is coming off a strong junior campaign for the Eagles and looks to be the team’s go-to-target once again in the passing game. Helton, a Boston College commitment, last fall hauled in 47 passes for 852 yards and scored 13 touchdowns for the Eagles. Heading into his senior season and having already built a strong rapport with junior quarterback Jalen Parker, Helton is a prime candidate to go well over 1,000 yards this fall.

Others to watch: CB Julian Peterson, QB Jalen Parker, ATH KaRon Ali, ATH Ausar Heard, WR Quayd Hendryx, WR TJ Maddox, ATH Ka’ron Ceaser, EDGE Camaj Matthews

Season Prediction: 7-2

Now you’re looking at the season prediction after Winslow Township went undefeated at 14-0 last year and won it all, wondering how do the Eagles repeat? A brutal first half of the regular season schedule honestly helps Winslow Township in the long run of things. The Eagles in facing teams like Bergen Catholic, IMG Academy, Millville and St. Augustine Prep to start off the season definitely prepares Winslow Township in their ultimate goal of winning another state crown. Losses come against IMG and Bergen, but in the end we see the Eagles upend Millville again in the postseason and repeat as state champs.

Game-By-Game Predictions

Aug. 28 – IMG Academy (Fla.) Ascenders – L
The Eagles play the nationally-ranked Ascenders in the Battle at the Beach Classic at Carey Stadium. Winslow Township falls in the regular season opener against IMG Academy.

Sept. 5 – at Highland Regional (N.J.) Tartans – W
Winslow Township bounces back in Week 2 with a huge win over Highland Regional.

Sept. 12 – Bergen Catholic (N.J.) Crusaders – L
Private versus Public titans of New Jersey clash here, with the Crusaders upending the Eagles, handing them their second loss early on.

Sept. 19 – at St. Augustine Prep (N.J.) Hermits – W
In what looks like one of the most competitive games of the season, the Eagles come out on top by a touchdown.

Sept. 27 – Millville (N.J.) Thunderbolts – W
The first half of the season for Winslow Township is a gauntlet, but the Eagles come out above .500 with another narrow win here.

Oct. 4 – at Camden (N.J.) Panthers – W
Coming out of a difficult first half of the season, the Eagles begin the back end of the schedule with a rout of the Panthers.

Oct. 11 – at Eastside (N.J.) Tigers – W
Another road game and another blowout victory for Winslow Township.

Oct. 17 – Mainland Regional (N.J.) Mustangs – W
What looks like a better game on paper turns into a blowout win for the Eagles.

Oct. 24 – at Cherokee (N.J.) Chiefs – W
The Chiefs are no match for the Eagles in the regular season finale.