Battle at the Beach officials confirm second, third days of the event will be at Egg Harbor Twp. stadium; Schalick opens Friday schedule

By Al Muskewitz
Riverview Sports News

The final two days of this year’s Battle at the Beach will be played at Egg Harbor Twp. High School, event director John Emel confirmed Monday.

The series traditionally is played in Ocean City’s Carey Stadium, but a scheduling conflict with the Philadelphia Catholic League at the venue on Labor Day Weekend forced BATB officials to seek another option.

It was previously announced the games would move to Atlantic City High School. A window opened for the Aug. 29 BATB games to be played back in Ocean City with the final two days remaining in Atlantic City.

But negotiations broke down with the alternate site and the BATB went searching again. Other schools reached out to host and there were discussions with Rowan University, Emel said, before it was ultimately decided on Egg Harbor’s stadium for the games of the 30th and 31st.

“We wanted to keep it close to the beach,” said Emel, the former head coach at Penns Grove moving to West Deptford this fall. “I’d like to get back in one location for all three days. We’re going to sit down after this event this year and if we have to move it … I want all three days in the same location.”

Schalick kicks off the Egg Harbor Friday lineup at 10 a.m. against Cedar Grove. The other games that day are Washington Twp.-Northern Highlands (1 p.m.), Montclair-Winslow Twp. (4 p.m.), Holy Spirit-Millville (7 p.m.). Organizers are still working out some details on Saturday’s schedule.

“We are super excited to keep the event down the Shore,” the West Jersey Football Coaches Association wrote on its X page. “Egg Harbor Twp. facilities are second to none. We want to thank everyone involved in making this happen.”

As organizers searched for a new site, Schalick coach Mike Wilson was holding out hope for a Friday morning game at Ocean City.

“In all honesty, we’re just thrilled to be a part of the showcase weekend,” Wilson said. “We’ll play anybody, anywhere. The organization does a great job, so I’m just thrilled to be a part of it.”