CHRIS LACHALL/USA TODAY NETWORK ATLANTIC GROUP / USA TODAY NETWORK
Winslow Township's head football coach Bill Belton takes to the field with his player prior to the Group 4 state semifinal football game between Winslow Township and Mainland played at Winslow Township High School on Friday, November 17, 2023.
Former Penn State running back Bill Belton has had plenty of big moments in his football career, including the game-winning touchdown in a four-overtime thriller against Michigan and a brief stint in the NFL.
However, it appears that none of them compare to his first win as the head coach of New Jersey high school football power St. Augustine Prep.
Since getting into coaching as the offensive coordinator at his alma mater, Winslow Township, in 2021, Belton has rapidly ascended through the coaching ranks. He became the school’s head coach one year later and landed the coveted St. Augustine job this past offseason.
On Friday, he picked up his first win with Hermits, downing Pennsylvania school Bonner Prendergast, 24-20, and in his excitement, Belton made a mistake that he won’t soon forget.
New Jersey HS Coach Bill Belton Immediately Knew He Tore His Achilles
When the final whistle blew, Belton jumped into the air to celebrate with his team. But when he came down, things went poorly.
“I was happy for the kid, jumped up in the air, felt the pop and said ‘Ah, definitely tore my Achilles,’” he told NJ.com. “Once I heard, I knew this isn’t good.”
Prior to the achilles tear, the game was crazy enough as is. St. Augustine muffed four kicks in the game, fumbled a snap, and had two touchdowns called back on penalties. So you can understand where all of Belton’s energy came from.
“Tonight was one of the craziest nights of my life by far, between the punts, the (Achilles), never had a night like this before,” he said. “It was crazy. Just happy for the kids.”
Belton was a four-star recruit in the high school class of 2011. He rushed for 1,652 yards and 14 touchdowns across four seasons with the Nittany Lions.