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Millville’s Lotzeir Brooks makes state history at Battle at the Beach Classic
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On August 30, 2024, Thunderbolt #1 Lotzier Brooks catches a pass and runs across the field for a touchdown during the match between Millville High School and Holy Spirit High School during the Battle at the Beach Football Classic , held at the Egg Harbor Township High School Stadium.
- Matthew Strabuk Staff Photographer
On August 30, 2024, Thunderbolt #1 Lotzier Brooks catches a pass and runs across the field for a touchdown during the match between Millville High School and Holy Spirit High School during the Battle at the Beach Football Classic , held at the Egg Harbor Township High School Stadium.
- Matthew Strabuk Staff Photographer
On August 30, 2024, Spartan #40 Jahcere Ward on the run during the matchup of Millville High School against Holy Spirit High School during the Battle at the Beach Football Classic , held at the Egg Harbor Township High School Stadium.
- Matthew Strabuk Staff Photographer
On August 30, 2024, Spartan #1 Emmanuel Gerena jumps up for a reception during the match between Millville High School and Holy Spirit High School during the Battle at the Beach Football Classic , held at the Egg Harbor Township High School Stadium.
- Matthew Strabuk Staff Photographer
On August 30, 2024, Spartan #1 Emmanuel Gerena tries to bring his catch down for a touchdown but steps out of bounds during the first quarter of the Millville High School match against Holy Spirit High School during the Battle at the Beach Football Classic , held at the Egg Harbor Township High School Stadium.
- Matthew Strabuk Staff Photographer
On August 30, 2024, Thunderbolt #8 Shemar Collins makes this catch during the Millville High School match against Holy Spirit High School during the Battle at the Beach Football Classic , held at the Egg Harbor Township High School Stadium.
- Matthew Strabuk Staff Photographer
On August 30, 2024, Thunderbolt #8 Shemar Collins finds room to run down the sideline during the Millville High School match against Holy Spirit High School during the Battle at the Beach Football Classic , held at the Egg Harbor Township High School Stadium.
- Matthew Strabuk Staff Photographer
On August 30, 2024, Thunderbolt #4 Jaden Everrett scoops a fumble and runs it in for a touchdown during the Millville High School match against Holy Spirit High School during the Battle at the Beach Football Classic , held at the Egg Harbor Township High School Stadium.
- Matthew Strabuk Staff Photographer
On August 30, 2024, Thunderbolt #4 Jaden Everrett scoops a fumble and runs it in for a touchdown during the Millville High School match against Holy Spirit High School during the Battle at the Beach Football Classic , held at the Egg Harbor Township High School Stadium.
- Matthew Strabuk Staff Photographer
On August 30, 2024, Spartan QB #5 Ty Costabile at the snap during the Millville High School match against Holy Spirit High School during the Battle at the Beach Football Classic , held at the Egg Harbor Township High School Stadium.
- Matthew Strabuk Staff Photographer
Mike McGarry
EGG HARBOR TOWNSHIP — Lotzeir Brooks introduced himself to New Jersey high school football at the Battle at the Beach Classic as a freshman three years ago.
On Friday at the same season-opening event, Brooks made history.
The Millville High School senior wide receiver/defensive back caught three TD passes and set the state record for career TD catches as the Thunderbolts beat Holy Spirit 35-0 at Egg Harbor Township.
Brooks finished the game with 54 career TD catches, breaking the state mark of 52 set by 2015 Westwood High School graduate Nolan Borgerson.
“I’m still the same guy at heart,” Brooks said when asked about the difference between him now and when he was a freshman. ‘“Different ballplayer. Better ballplayer. I just do everything at 100%. No plays off. Blocking, catching, anything.”
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Brooks did it all Friday. The Alabam—recruit caught five passes for 200 yards and intercepted a pass.
“That’s why he’s going where he’s going,” Millville coach Humberto Ayala said. “He’s amazing. We’re enjoying it. He’s a generational talent. We’re fortunate.”
The Battle at the Beach is a showcase event that features many of South Jersey’s top teams. The event continues Saturday at Egg Harbor Township.
The Millville/Holy Spirit matchup was one of the most anticipated of the weekend. Millville is ranked No. 1 in The Press Elite 11. Holy Spirit is No. 6.
Brooks made his high school debut at the 2021 Battle at the Beach. He wowed fans by returning a kickoff 65 yards for a TD and catching an 86-yard TD pass as Millville beat Union 31-28.
“I came out nervous,” Brooks said of that night. “It was my first high school game. I was very nervous.”
Was he nervous Friday?
“Nah,” he said with a laugh.
Brooks’ first TD came on a broken play. Quarterback Robert O’Connor scrambled out of the pocket. He dumped the ball off to Brooks at the Holy Spirit 31-yard line. Brooks ran down the sideline, but at the 15 he cut all the way across the field and sprinted to the end zone for a 32-yard TD that gave Millville a 14-0 second-quarter lead.
Brooks set the state record with a 44-yard TD catch in the third quarter. On that play, he caught a slant pass, planted his feet, turned back to the outside and sprinted down the sidelines for the score.
His final TD came later in the third quarter. Millville faced a third-and-13 from its own 2. Brooks caught a short pass near the Millville sideline, somehow stayed in bounds and then sprinted into the clear.
Between all his TD catches, he intercepted a pass at the Millville 6 to stop a third-quarter Spartans scoring drive. On that pick, Brooks deflected the ball into the air and caught it while he was practically flat on his back.
“I can’t do it without my team,” Brooks said. “I give them a lot of credit. We all ball as one.”
Brooks' performance overshadowed an outstanding effort by the Millville defense. The Thunderbolts not only shut Spirit out, but it also scored. Defensive back Jaden Everrett returned a fumble 14 yards for a TD to give Millville a 7-0 first-quarter lead.
“We have a great defensive staff,” Ayala said. “The kids buy in and believe in what’s being asked of them on a consistent basis. We just play with a different grit. They love to play defense. It’s Millville football.”
Millville won the state Group IV title in 2022. The Thunderbolts lost to Mainland Regional in last year’s South Jersey Group IV final.
Millville has made no secret that its goal is to again be state champions.
“It felt great,” Brooks said of setting the state record for career TD catches. “But I want that end goal. That state championship ring.”
Millville 7 7 21 0 - 35
Holy Spirit 0 0 0 0 - 0
FIRST QUARTER
MV - Everett 14 fumble return (Lewis kick)
SECOND QUARTER
MV - Brooks 32 pass from O’Connor (Lewis kick)
THIRD QUARTER
MV - Brooks 44 pass from O’Connor (Lewis kick)
MV - Brooks 98 pass from O’Connor
MV - Wallace 25 run (Lewis kick)
Contact:609-272-7209
MMcGarry@PressofAC.com
Twitter @ACPressMcGarry
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