You can still feel it when you walk into Detwiler Stadium on a Friday night. It’s a specific kind of energy, a mix of salt air from the Barnegat Bay and decades of grit. For folks around here, Toms River South football isn't just a high school program. It is a generational handshake.
Honestly, if you grew up in Ocean County, you know the deal. You’re either Maroon and White or you’re someone else. The "Hitting Indians" moniker isn't just a mascot; it's a personality trait that was forged in the 1960s and refused to die out, even as the town around it exploded into a suburban maze.
The Impossible Dream and the Signorino Shadow
To understand why people get so fired up about this team, you have to go back to 1969. That was the year of "The Greatest Game Ever Played at the Jersey Shore." Coach Ron Signorino Sr. had taken a struggling program and turned it into a powerhouse.
They faced Middletown in a mythical state championship. 10,000 people crammed into the stands. It was freezing.
South won, and that 9-0 season became the "Impossible Dream."
That era set a standard that every kid putting on the pads today still feels. It’s a lot of pressure. Imagine playing in the shadow of a guy like Signorino Sr., who patrolled those sidelines for decades across two different stints. His son, Ron Signorino Jr., eventually took the reins too, keeping the family business alive until 2022. It’s that kind of deep-rooted history that makes a 5-5 season feel like a tragedy and a state title feel like a holiday.
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The "Civil War" and the North-South Split
Let's talk about the rivalry. If you aren't from the area, the "Civil War" sounds dramatic, but for Toms River, it's just life.
The rivalry with Toms River North started in 1972. In the beginning, South absolutely owned it. They won 20 of the first 21 matchups. But things have shifted. Lately, the Mariners from North have been a juggernaut, including a pretty rough 35-0 shutout against South in October 2025.
Total heartbreak for the Maroon faithful.
The series is now tied up at 26-26-1. That’s over 50 years of football and we are literally dead even. You can’t make that up. Every year, this game is the sun that the rest of the season orbits around. It doesn't matter if one team is 0-9 and the other is undefeated; when they meet, the whole town picks a side.
Recent Struggles and the Rebuilding Grind
The last few years have been... well, they've been a test of character.
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Matt Martin took over as head coach in 2022, and he’s been tasked with the hardest job in town: rebuilding a legend. In 2024, the team finished 5-5. Not bad, but not the "Hitting Indians" dominance of the '70s or '90s.
The 2025 season was a gauntlet.
- A tough 27-0 loss to Manasquan right out of the gate.
- The frustration of a 35-0 loss to North.
- The bright spots, like a gritty 14-10 win over Toms River East.
That win against East showed that the spark is still there. Beating your cross-town rivals is the fastest way to save a season. They also managed a late-season 27-13 win against Egg Harbor, proving that this squad doesn't quit when the weather turns cold and the playoff hopes dim.
Why the Culture is Different Here
A lot of schools try to manufacture tradition. At South, it's just in the brickwork.
You have players like Rip Scherer, Harry Walters, and more recently, guys like Tymere Berry who went on to star at Monmouth. These aren't just names on a wall; they are the benchmarks. When you talk to the alumni—the guys in their 70s who still have their varsity jackets—they don't talk about stats. They talk about discipline. They talk about Coach Signorino teaching them how to be men.
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It’s about the "razzle-dazzle" plays of the '70s and the overtime field goals in 1983 that secured a sectional title.
People think high school football is just a game. In Toms River, it’s how the town remembers who it is. As the town changes and more people move in from North Jersey or New York, South remains the anchor to the "old" Toms River.
What’s Next for the Indians?
If you’re following the team into the 2026 season, keep an eye on the trenches.
Coach Martin has been preaching a "next man up" philosophy, trying to find that defensive identity that earned them the "Hitting" nickname. The schedule isn't getting any easier, especially with the Shore Conference being as competitive as it’s ever been.
To get back to the 2015 levels—when they shocked everyone to win the South Jersey Group V title—they need more than just talent. They need that 1969 "Impossible Dream" mindset.
Actionable Steps for Fans and Parents
If you want to support the program or get involved, here is how you actually do it:
- Attend the "Civil War" early. Don't try to roll up at kickoff. The North-South game is a logistical nightmare for parking. Get there 90 minutes early if you want a seat that isn't behind a pole.
- Join the Booster Club. This isn't just for money; it’s for keeping the history alive. They handle the banquets and the scholarships that keep the alumni connected to the kids.
- Watch the Documentary. If you haven't seen Sandra Levine’s South Football’s Impossible Dream, find a screening. It’s the closest you’ll get to understanding why your grandfather still wears his 1968 championship ring.
- Support the Youth Programs. The talent pipeline starts at the Toms River Little Indians level. If that foundation isn't strong, the high school program feels the effects three years down the line.
The road back to a state championship is long. It might take another few seasons of 5-5 or 4-6 to get the right pieces in place. But as long as Detwiler Stadium is standing and the Maroon and White are on the field, Toms River South football is going to be the heartbeat of this town.