Vikings Head to Rutgers for Championship Game Saturday

The South Brunswick High School football team will have their sights firmly set on making history Saturday night as they travel to Rutgers University for the Group V Sectional Championship.

Standing in the way of the 9-2 Vikings are the undefeated Manalapan Braves, who rolled through the season with a record of 11-0. SBHS advanced to the championship game in the state playoffs with a tough 14-7 win at home against Old Bridge last week.

Dahrae Ford led the way for South Brunswick with 140 rushing yards and a touchdown. Quarterback T.J. Perkowski completed 8 of 10 passes for 155 yards.

SBHS came out of halftime with a 7-0 lead after Ford's touchdown, but Old Bridge was able to tie the score early in the fourth quarter. After a 50-yard Ford run, Dion Hooper finished the drive to put the Vikings up for good.

Manalapan advanced to the championship game with a 17-7 win last week over Hunterdon Central. The Braves and the Vikings shared two common opponents this year. 

SBHS soundly defeated East Brunswick by a score of 34-0 in the season opener on Sept. 7. Manalapan crushed East Brunswick by a score of 55-12 on Oct. 12.

Against Monroe, SBHS survived a tough comeback effort before going on to win 35-32 on Sept. 14. Manalapan defeated Monroe 39-7 in the first round of the playoffs on Nov. 16.

The game will be played on Saturday at 7 p.m. in the huge venue of High Point Solutions Stadium in Piscataway, the home of the Rutgers University Scarlet Knights.

The Vikings are the “Visitors” on game day and fans should park in the Field Parking lot (Yellow Lot). It's suggested fans arrive at least one hour before game time. Seating will be the first level between the 30-yard lines. The end zone and upper level will be closed.

Tailgating is prohibited as per the NJSIAA rules and procedures. No alcoholic beverages, no cans, bottles or containers are to be brought to the stadium. No banners, streamers or decorative materials are allowed. One representative school banner may be hung on the wall immediately behind the bench. 

Fans should not bring large bags or backpacks into Rutgers Athletic Facilities.  All items brought will be inspected, including small bags such as purses and diaper bags. Rutgers regulations prohibit bottles, cans, alcoholic beverages, coolers, noise-making devices, balloons, laser pointers, balls, fireworks, weapons, stick/poles containers, pets and any other items deemed dangerous and/or inappropriate from being brought into the facility.