Washington Township's Andrew Osborn, left, and Washington Township's Ethan Binder react after Osborn recovered a fumble during the 3rd quarter of the Central Jersey Group 5 football semifinal playoff game between Washington Township and Rancocas Valley played at Washington Township High School on Friday, November 7, 2025. Washington Township defeated Rancocas Valley, 44-26.Tom McGurk, Cherry Hill Courier-PostTue, November 25, 2025 at 10:31 AM UTC·2 min readSouth Jersey will make its first-ever appearance in the state Group 5 championship on Friday.
Can Washington Township make it a successful trip?
More: Football 2025: Check out all of our content for the South Jersey high school season
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State Group 5 Final
Washington Township (13-0) vs. Passaic Tech (10-3)
When: Friday, 1 p.m.
Where: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford.
Coaches: Washington Township-Mike Schatzman; Passaic Tech-Matt Demarest.
How they got here: Washington Township-Howell, 41-0; Rancocas Valley, 44-26; Old 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 points scored by Washington Township this season. The Minutemen have held opponents to 142 in 13 games.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement22 – Touchdown passes for Washington Township’s Cole Aquino this season. It’s a school record for the senior as well as his 47 career TD throws. He’s thrown for 1,437 yards this season, raising his career total to 4,405. In his last four games, Aquino has thrown for nine touchdowns with only nine incomplete passes and no interceptions.
10 – Combined sacks for linebackers Andrew Osborn and Jaylen Robinson. Washington Township has 22 total sacks for the season.
2 - Runner-up finishes in the state for Passaic Tech. The Bulldogs were defeated by Toms River North in the state Group 5 final in 2022 and 2023.
14 – Touchdown passes for Passaic Tech quarterback Gabe Miles. The senior had to sit out the first four games following a transfer. He started his scholastic career at Paramus Catholic, transferred to Passaic Tech then moved to Nevada, before settling at Passaic Tech again this season.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement7 – Total touchdowns for junior wide receiver Ian McDuffie. Arguably Passaic Tech’s best athlete, he’s caught five T passes. He’s also rushed for one and thrown for one. He’s also a standout at linebacker with 87 total tackles, three sacks and three forced fumbles.
36 – Carries for Passaic Tech’s Kadir Younge over the last three weeks. The senior running back is the focal point of the Bulldog offense. He rushed for 149 yards last week, his second highest total of the season, and three touchdowns.
Predictions:
Tom Rimback: The Minutemen are looking for win No. 14 after two great matchups with Kingsway. Passaic Tech is a long way from their 3-3 start. Washington Township wins, 34-13.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementTom McGurk: Washington Township could be the most fundamentally sound football team in the state. Township doesn't make mistakes and pounces when the opponent does. On a team that doesn't have a superstar, the Minutemen show what a complete team can accomplish. Washington Township wins, 31-16.
Tom McGurk is a regional sports editor for the Courier-Post, The Daily Journal and Burlington County Times, covering South Jersey sports for over 35 years. If you have a sports story that needs to be told, contact him by email [email protected] Follow him on Twitter at @McGurkSports. Help support local journalism with a digital subscription.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Washington Township will play for the state Group 5 championship
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