Battle at the Beach 2026 Day Two Recap

Members of the West Deptford High School football team pose after a 49-3 win over Kinnelon at the sixth annual Battle at the Beach Classic on the grounds of Ocean City High School in Ocean City, New Jersey on Friday, August 28, 2026. Dahmir Hart for D2 Sports Network

OCEAN CITY (N.J.) - Day two of the prestigious annual showcase in Ocean City was a wet one filled with weather delays and lots of points scored. The opening contest was cut short due to weather, but the game was out of reach at the time it was declared official. After it was all said and done, the final day of the opening weekend for New Jersey high school football was in the wake of lots of action the prior 48 hours.

Eagles Fly High

The West Deptford High School football team found itself competing for a victory in less than ideal conditions. Despite the weather, the Eagles dominated from the literal start. On the first play of the game, Zamir Davis took a handoff 80 yards to paydirt, opening the scoring and giving West Deptford a lead it would not surrender.

Davis would find the end zone later in the game as well, but not before being joined by backfield battery mate Cole Paskiewicz in the end zone for a trio of touchdowns himself. Michael Joseph also caught a touchdown pass from Tim Holmes to add to the scoring effort. Vincent Busbee put the final nail in the coffin with a 55-yard scamper into the end zone, completing a 49-3 thumping of Kinnelon.

The Real Valley

History has been kind to the Rancocas Valley Regional High School football team when the Red Devils participate in the annual Battle at the Beach in Ocean City. RV raised its record to 3-1 in the showcase with flexing of its muscles over Wayne Valley. The Red Devils controlled the trenches with their elite defensive line play from the likes of David Ogunsola, Michael Beasley, and Thomas Ajasin controlling the line of scrimmage.

On offense, Malcom Harrison caught almost every pass thrown his way within a mile radius. JJ Stewart commanded the run game on the ground after an injury to Hakim Theresa thrust Stewart into the bell cow back role. From start to finish, Rancocas Valley set the tempo and ran at their own pace to victory, starting the 2026 season off on the right foot.

First Time Winners

The Shawnee High School football team had never participated in the Battle at the Beach showcase in Ocean City before this year. The Renegades came away victorious in their first bout by the beach, toppling Old Bridge, 43-35.

After a slugfest first half, Shawnee pulled away late in the third quarter and somewhat left no doubt. After Cole Anderson's second visit to the end zone with 5:15 left to play in regulation, the game seemed out of reach with the score sitting at 43-21. Despite the deficit, Old Bridge attempted to storm back thanks to a long scurry by Aiden Rios to crawl closer. Rios then connected with Christopher Ventarola to make things a little hairy for Shawnee. The Renegades recovered the onside kick and officially iced the game on a first-down run by Anderson. Niko Fifis, who threw a pair of touchdowns earlier in the game, then knelt the clock out, and Shawnee walked away triumphant in their first time showcasing their talent in the Battle at the Beach showcase.

Paladins Prove Powerful

The Paramus Catholic High School football team booked a trip to Ocean City to open its season against the number one team in Pennsylvania, La Salle College Prep. Lots of questions swirled around the Paladins about who would play where and how they'd perform with the heap of transfers acquired.

One of New Jersey's top sophomores, Walker Snee, guided the Paramus offense on the ground, rushing for 131 yards on the ground with a pair of touchdowns. Penn State-bound Chukwuma Odoh paced the ground game, with Snee adding in a pair of touchdowns and 183 yards on 14 attempts. Rashawn Mangan added a defensive score, recovering a fumbled interception in the end zone. With the likes of St. Joe's Montvale and Bergen Catholic dropping their season openers, Paramus Catholic can seize a prime opportunity to jump up in the state rankings over their counterparts.