Three matchups announced for 2025 Battle at the Beach Classic

The 2025 edition of the Battle at the Beach Classic in Ocean City, N.J. is set to feature three big-time matchups that will garner national attention at the beginning of the high school football season.

Highlighting the event will be a top-notch national showdown between Bergen Catholic (N.J.) and East St. Louis (Ill.). After defeating Bergen at last year’s Battle at the Beach, IMG Academy (Fla.) will return to take on Winslow Township (N.J.). An in-state clash between Millville and Rancocas Valley is also on the docket, according to Friday’s announcement.

Official dates are yet to be finalized. Last year’s Battle at the Beach took place during the final weekend of August, kicking off the 2024 season.

Bergen Catholic vs. East St. Louis

The top-ranked team in New Jersey this season, Bergen Catholic finished with a 12-1 record, winning out after dropping its season-opener to IMG Academy at the last Battle at the Beach.

The Crusaders won their fourth consecutive NJ non-public state title and finished as the No. 9 team in the nation, according to the On3 Composite Rankings. The likes of five-star Ohio State wide receiver signee Quincy Porter and Rutgers offensive lineman signee Chris Vigna won’t return in 2025, but they’ll return a pair of blue-chip prospects for their senior seasons: four-star defensive lineman Jermaine Kinsler and four-star athlete Jordan Thomas.

East St. Louis claimed another Illinois state title, finishing the year with a 12-1 record — its lone loss also came at the hands of IMG Academy. The Flyers cruised through in-state action and finished as the nation’s No. 17 team and top-ranked team in Illinois. They’ll lose top seniors in Missouri safety signee Charles Bass and Kent State running back signee TaRyan Martin.

IMG Academy returns to New Jersey

After losing its opening game of the season, IMG Academy went up to New Jersey and picked up a 27-14 win over Bergen Catholic, setting the tone for what turned out to be a 7-2 campaign for the Florida prep powerhouse.

The Ascenders finished as the No. 22 team in the nation and No. 4 team in Florida. They’ll once again return a loaded roster next season, highlighted by the likes of four-star offensive tackle Keenyi Pepe, four-star EDGE Jake Kreul, four-star safety Zech Fort and four-star defensive lineman Preston Carey.

Awaiting IMG will be Winslow Township, the 2024 Group 4 state champs in New Jersey. The Eagles out of Atco finished 2024 with an unblemished 15-0 record, checking in at No. 134 nationally and No. 4 in the state rankings. Headlining their 2025 roster will be three-star cornerback Julian Peterson and three-star wide receiver Nyqir Helton, among others.

2025 Battle at the Beach Classic Matchups

Dates and times will be finalized at a later date.

Bergen Catholic (N.J.) vs. East St. Louis (Ill.)
IMG Academy (Fla.) vs. Winslow Township (N.J.)
Millville (N.J.) vs. Rancocas Valley (N.J.)

The On3 Composite Rankings is a proprietary algorithm that compiles rankings listed in the public domain by respected High School media and data companies. It includes Massey, Max Preps, HSRatings (formerly Cal Preps), ESPN and SI, creating the industry’s most comprehensive and geographically balanced High School Team Ranking.