Atlantic City Ends 27-Year Title Drought

Vikings defeat Millville 35-14 behind four touchdown passes from Marvin Burroughs, advancing to a state semifinal showdown with Winslow Township.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — For the first time since 1999, Atlantic City High School is celebrating a sectional football championship.

The Vikings defeated Millville High School 35-14 Friday night, November 13, capturing the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4 championship and ending a 27-year title drought for one of South Jersey's most recognizable high school football programs.

The victory represents a major milestone for head coach Keenan Wright and a team that came close to winning a championship in recent seasons but had been unable to finish the job.

This time, Atlantic City delivered.

Junior quarterback Marvin Burroughs threw four touchdown passes, including two each to Kenai Austin and Don'Taye Thompson, as the Vikings improved to 8-3 and earned a place in next week's Group 4 state semifinals.

Burroughs Leads Championship Performance

Atlantic City's offense was powered by Burroughs, whose ability to make plays through the air helped the Vikings take control of the championship game.

Austin caught touchdown passes of 25 and 24 yards, while Thompson added scoring receptions of 18 and 12 yards.

Running back Ahmad Chambers provided another major highlight with a 65-yard touchdown run early in the second half.

Atlantic City held a 7-0 halftime advantage before Chambers broke loose in the third quarter, extending the lead to 14-0.

Burroughs then connected with Austin for another touchdown as the Vikings began pulling away.

The offensive production, combined with a strong defensive performance, proved too much for Millville, which entered the championship game after upsetting top-seeded Brick Memorial in the semifinals.

The Thunderbolts finished their playoff run with a 6-5 record.

A Championship 27 Years in the Making

The last time Atlantic City High School won a sectional football championship was in 1999, when Bobby Weiss was the Vikings' head coach.

That team established a standard that subsequent Atlantic City teams spent more than two decades trying to match.

Under Wright, the Vikings have steadily worked their way back into championship contention.

Atlantic City reached the sectional championship game last season but suffered a 38-21 loss to Kingsway in the South Jersey Group 5 final.

That disappointment became part of the motivation for this year's team.

The Vikings also overcame a difficult start to the 2026 season, losing three of their first four games before finding their rhythm.

One of the turning points came September 25, when Atlantic City defeated Winslow Township 36-30.

The victory helped launch the turnaround that ultimately brought the Vikings back to a sectional championship game.

This time, they finished the job.

Championship Celebration for Atlantic City

The victory was celebrated throughout the Atlantic City High School community.

Atlantic City Superintendent La'Quetta Small and High School Principal Constance Days-Chapman were among those celebrating the championship, according to coverage by WPG Talk Radio.

For the school's students, athletes, coaches and alumni, the victory represents more than another entry in the football record books.

It marks the end of a championship drought that stretched across generations of Atlantic City High School students.

The accomplishment also gives the Vikings an opportunity to pursue something even bigger: a state championship.

Next Stop: Winslow Township

Atlantic City's postseason journey continues with a Group 4 state semifinal against Winslow Township, the South Jersey Group 4 champion.

Winslow advanced Friday night with a 26-23 victory over Shawnee, setting up a rematch between two teams that already played one of South Jersey's notable games earlier this season.

Atlantic City defeated Winslow 36-30 on September 25.

But the stakes will be considerably higher when the teams meet again.

Winslow enters the matchup with an 8-3 record and is pursuing a third consecutive Group 4 state championship.

Atlantic City, also 8-3, will be seeking its first appearance in a public-school state championship game under the current NJSIAA playoff format.

The semifinal is expected to take place Friday, November 20, with the winner advancing to the Group 4 state championship.

The exact game arrangements should be confirmed through the NJSIAA.

A Season That Has Already Made History

Whatever happens next, Atlantic City's 2026 football team has accomplished something no Vikings team had done in 27 years.

The championship has brought together current students, alumni and longtime supporters of a program with a rich football history.

For Wright and his players, however, the season is not over.

After ending the sectional championship drought, Atlantic City now has an opportunity to take another step toward the biggest prize in New Jersey high school football.

And for the first time since 1999, the Vikings can call themselves sectional champions.