South Jersey will make its first-ever look within the state Group 5 championship on Friday.
Can Washington Township make it a profitable journey?
Extra: Soccer 2025: Try all of our content material for the South Jersey highschool season
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This is a preview:
State Group 5 Closing
Washington Township (13-0) vs. Passaic Tech (10-3)
When: Friday, 1 p.m.
The place: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford.
Coaches: Washington Township-Mike Schatzman; Passaic Tech-Matt Demarest.
How they obtained right here: Washington Township-Howell, 41-0; Rancocas Valley, 44-26; Outdated Bridge, 38-7; Kingsway, 35-27. Passaic Tech-Morristown, 41-8; East Orange, 35-0; West Orange, 56-42; Bridgewater, 23-14.
State titles: Washington Township 0, Passaic Tech 0.
By the numbers
504 – Program-record factors scored by Washington Township this season. The Minutemen have held opponents to 142 in 13 video games.
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22 – Landing passes for Washington Township’s Cole Aquino this season. It’s a faculty report for the senior in addition to his 47 profession TD throws. He’s thrown for 1,437 yards this season, elevating his profession complete to 4,405. In his final 4 video games, Aquino has thrown for 9 touchdowns with solely 9 incomplete passes and no interceptions.
10 – Mixed sacks for linebackers Andrew Osborn and Jaylen Robinson. Washington Township has 22 complete sacks for the season.
2 – Runner-up finishes within the state for Passaic Tech. The Bulldogs have been defeated by Toms River North within the state Group 5 ultimate in 2022 and 2023.
14 – Landing passes for Passaic Tech quarterback Gabe Miles. The senior needed to sit out the primary 4 video games following a switch. He began his scholastic profession at Paramus Catholic, transferred to Passaic Tech then moved to Nevada, earlier than settling at Passaic Tech once more this season.
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7 – Whole touchdowns for junior broad receiver Ian McDuffie. Arguably Passaic Tech’s greatest athlete, he’s caught 5 T passes. He’s additionally rushed for one and thrown for one. He’s additionally a standout at linebacker with 87 complete tackles, three sacks and three pressured fumbles.
36 – Carries for Passaic Tech’s Kadir Younge during the last three weeks. The senior operating again is the focus of the Bulldog offense. He rushed for 149 yards final week, his second highest complete of the season, and three touchdowns.
Predictions:
Tom Rimback: The Minutemen are searching for win No. 14 after two nice matchups with Kingsway. Passaic Tech is a great distance from their 3-3 begin. Washington Township wins, 34-13.
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Tom McGurk: Washington Township may very well be probably the most essentially sound soccer workforce within the state. Township does not make errors and pounces when the opponent does. On a workforce that does not have a celebrity, the Minutemen present what a whole workforce can accomplish. Washington Township wins, 31-16.
Tom McGurk is a regional sports activities editor for the Courier-Publish, The Each day Journal and Burlington County Instances, overlaying South Jersey sports activities for over 35 years. You probably have a sports activities story that must be informed, contact him by e mail tmcgurk@usatodayco.com Comply with him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Assist assist native journalism with a digital subscription.
This text initially appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Publish: Washington Township will play for the state Group 5 championship
