Inside Toms River North's win over Millville in matchup of Top 2 football teams in state

OCEAN CITY – Dueling defending state champions.

No. 1 vs. No. 2.

What more could you ask for on Opening Day of the high school football season?

How about a game-sealing interception in the final two minutes of a one-score, heavyweight battle?

Nasir Jackson’s end-zone pick with 1:22 remaining in regulation delivered Toms River North, the top-ranked program in the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey first-ever Top 20 public-school poll, a 14-7 triumph over No. 2 Millville at the Battle at the Beach at Ocean City on Friday evening.

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“It felt like last year, it felt like heaven,” said Jackson, who also had the clinching interception in Toms River’s win over Washington Township at last year’s Battle at the Beach. “I thank God for that.”

It wasn’t the contest many fans envisioned, not with Mariners quarterback Micah Ford and Thunderbolts receiver Lotzeir Brooks – arguably the two most explosive players in the state – sharing the field. However, while those two had their highlights, it was the defenses that stole the show, and in the end, it was Jackson’s interception that finished the job.

“This is a statement game,” Ford said. “We proved to everybody that we are the No. 1 public school in the state.”

What it means

Toms River North is New Jersey’s public school to beat. The reigning Group 5 champions thwarted one of the most dynamic offensive groups in the state for more than three quarters before Millville got on the scoreboard.

Key plays

Jackson’s interception won the Mariners the game, but there were two other key moments in their victory.

The first came at the tail end of the first half. Toms River North was up 7-0 and faced 3rd-and-4 at its own 28-yard line with 1:05 left. Josh Moore took the ensuing handoff 57 yards, and Ford found Jeremiah Pruitt for a 15-yard score on the next snap to go up 14-0 with 35 seconds remaining before the break.

“That was big,” Ford said. “I know my team had it in us, it was just a matter of when and how.”

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The second key sequence came when momentum was clearly on Millville’s side.

Brooks had taken a short pass 42 yards to pay dirt to narrow the gap to 14-7, and the Thunderbolt defense backed that up by forcing a punt.

Millville was set up on Toms River’s 44-yard line with 7:02 left in the game, but Blaise Boland dropped quarterback Jacob Zamot for an 11-yard sack, and junior lineman Ja’Elyne Matthews brought Zamot down for a 12-yard loss two plays later to end the drive.

“The mindset of the defensive unit is to shut ’em down and lets go win a football game,” Matthews said. “Offense wins games, defensive wins state championships.”

Game balls

Ford – It wasn’t Ford’s best game, but he got tough yards when he needed to and had Millville’s defense on edge the entire contest. He had 32 carries for 171 yards and a touchdown and was 3-of-7 passing for 40 yards and another score.

Jackson – If a game-sealing interception doesn’t deserve a game ball, what does?

Boland – Two key sacks, including a big one in the fourth quarter.

Matthews – Also had two sacks, and his play on the offensive line helped pave the way to 294 yards on the ground.

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What if?

That’s what Millville was saying to itself following the loss.

The Thunderbolts had multiple opportunities to take control of the game but were unable to consistently solve Toms River’s defense.

They had six drives reach plus territory and only came away with seven points.

“We got to be better on offense,” head coach Humberto Ayala said.

The defense did its job in the second half, limiting the Mariners to 110 yards from scrimmage. Toms River didn’t score less than 28 points all last season.

“I thought we played a heck of a game defensively,” Ayala said. “We had every opportunity from the beginning of the game to the end of the game to put ourselves in a position to tie it or even go up, but we didn’t capitalize on those moments. We didn’t capitalize on those moments. Our offense needs to be better.”

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They said it

“I think the kids loved it. I wasn’t too crazy about playing someone that good that early. I think most coaches want to play a team like this middle of the year, but I think it’s a character builder. It’s a gut check. You find out what your team’s about. I think Millville found out they’re a really good team too.”

– Toms River North head coach Dave Oizerowitz

“I don’t think the moment defines us.”

– Millville head coach Humberto Ayala

What’s next

Toms River North goes for its 16th consecutive victory when it visits Toms River East on Friday at 6 p.m.

Millville will try to rebound against Irvington, No. 11 in the opening rankings, on Friday at 6 p.m. Location is still to be determined.

Josh Friedman has produced award-winning South Jersey sports coverage for the Courier Post, The Daily Journal and the Burlington County Times for more than a decade. If you have or know of an interesting story to tell, reach out on Twitter at @JFriedman57 or via email at jfriedman2@gannettnj.com. You can also contact him at 856-486-2431. Help support local journalism with a subscription.

This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Toms River North beats Millville 14-7 at Battle at the Beach