Johnson, Strickland Power SBHS to Victory in 'Battle of the Brunswicks'

While the South Brunswick High School football team fell short of its dream of winning back-to-back Group 5 State Championships this year, the Vikings did cap of the season with a victory in the annual Thanksgiving Day showdown of rivals, known as the "Battle of the Brunswicks."

SBHS (7-4) defeated North Brunswick (1-9) 34-13 in the season finale, as the Vikings have won four in a row and five of the last six in the series against North Brunswick. The Vikings were led by running back Dontae Strickland and quarterback Amir Johnson, who torched the North Brunswick defense for the victory.

Strickland rushed for 179 yards on just 12 carries, including a 44-yard touchdown run for the game's first score. Johnson collected 119 rushing yards on 12 carries, including a 42-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, which blew the game open for SBHS at 28-0.

Johnson also went 3-for-4 with 26 yards through the air. Drew Fehte also scored  two touchdowns, and Matt Golden ran for a touchdown as well to power South Brunswick.

The rivalry between SBHS and NBHS dates back to 1975, with the inception of the North-South trophy, after the creation of the Bicentennial Athletic Conference. South Brunswick won the trophy that year under the leadership of the late Mike Elko, and finished the season with a total of six wins and three losses.
The trophy was later re-named the Mike Elko Memorial Trophy after the passing of Coach Elko in the Spring of 1977. 

Despite the dominance of SBHS in recent years, North Brunswick still leads the series overall at 23-15-1.