The action will unfold at Ocean City's Carey Stadium.
There will be plenty of star power both on and off the field Thursday in Ocean City during the Battle at the Beach football showcase featuring some of the top high school players and teams in the country.
Former New England Patriots coach and six-time Super Bowl champ Bill Belichick is expected to be among the thousands of fans watching the action at Ocean City High School’s Carey Stadium.
Belichick gave Battle at the Beach a shout-out last year on ESPN during host Pat McAfee’s NFL draft show by touting the headline matchup between national powerhouses IMG Academy of Florida and Bergen Catholic of Oradell, N.J.
“If we want to see a great high school game next year, I’m telling you what, IMG against Bergen Catholic, August 29th in Ocean City, New Jersey,” he said while noting he’ll be there to watch.
Considered one of the premier high school football events in the county, the Battle at the Beach is returning to Ocean City this year after a hiatus in 2023 caused by a scheduling conflict.
Former New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick is expected to be at the Battle at the Beach for the IMG-Bergen Catholic game. (Photo credit: Fox News)The tournament will include a total of 14 games stretching over three days from Thursday to Saturday. The first four games, including a 3:30 p.m. kickoff Thursday between Ocean City and Cinnaminson, will take place at Carey Stadium.
The tournament switches to Egg Harbor Township High School for Friday and Saturday’s games.
As noted by Belichick, the marquee matchup will feature IMG Academy and Bergen Catholic, considered two of the premier high school football teams in the country. The game is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. Thursday at Carey Stadium.
Advance tickets for each game can be purchased at gofan.co at $12 each, plus a $1.60 service fee.
Ticket prices increase to $15 online and at the gate once the tournament begins. Tickets for fans 60 and older will be $10 at the gate. Children 10 and under will be admitted for free.
Following is the schedule for all of the Battle at the Beach games:
Thursday at Ocean City High School's Carey Stadium:
West Deptford vs. Manchester Township, 10 a.m.
Mainland vs. Atlantic City, 12:45 p.m.
Ocean City vs. Cinnaminson, 3:30 p.m.
IMG (Fla.) vs. Bergen Catholic, 7 p.m.
Friday at Egg Harbor Township High School:
Schalick vs. Cedar Grove, 9:30 a.m.
Washington Township vs. Northern Highlands, noon
Cherokee vs. Middletown South, 2:30 p.m.
Winslow vs. Montclair, 5 p.m.
Millville vs. Holy Spirit, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday at Egg Harbor Township High School:
Highland vs. Southern, 9:30 a.m.
Pascack Valley vs. Rancocas Valley, noon
Oakcrest vs. Hammonton, 2:30 p.m.
Cedar Creek vs. Camden Eastside, 5 p.m.
Egg Harbor vs. West Windsor-Plainsboro North, 7:30 p.m.
