2022 All-Shore Gridiron Classic Football All-Star GameDay Program by Shore Sports Network Journal

COMMITTEES SHORE SPORTS NETWORK OFFICAL MEDIA PARTNER TO THE COACHES ASSOCIATION

OCEAN GENERAL MANAGER

HEAD TEAM PHYSICIAN

Frank Papalia

Daniel E. Fox, M.D.

Kevin Williams, Steven Meyer, Bob Badders, Matt Manley & Matt Harmon

MONMOUTH GENERAL MANAGER

TEAM ORTHOPEDIC & SPORTS MEDICINE PHYSICIANS

John Bird

Lou Vircillo

OCEAN & MONMOUTH COUNTY: Tom Agesen, M.D. Jess Alcid, M.D. Andrew Trontis M.D. Sundeep Saini D.O. Karl Blum, M.D.

SHORE SPORTS NETWORK LIVE BROADCAST SHORESPORTSNETWORK.COM Kevin Williams & Matt Harmon

SITE GAME AFFAIRS

MEDICAL ADVISORS ALL-SHORE GAME

Joe Martucci

Ted Ende, D.O.

CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

Cory Davies

AND CHIEF ORTHOPEDIC ADVISOR

SHORE FOOTBALL COACHES FOUNDATION, INC

Chuck Donohue Sr.

Ron Lombardi, CEO, SportsCare Institute, Inc.

Mark Costantino

EMERITUS TEAM DOCTORS

OFFICIALS LIAISON

OCEAN & MONMOUTH COUNTY: W. Francis Kennard M.D. Alfred Palmeri M.D.

Al DeSantis

MEDICAL DIRECTOR GSMC

TICKET SALES

Dharam Mann M.D.

Gerard O’Donnell

ATHLETIC TRAINERS

HALL-OF-FAME COMMITTEE

Ocean County: Lee Emery, ATC - Lacey HS

The SFCF Trustees, Joe Martucci (Chair)

Brennan Stands Alone Foundation Lt. Brian Brennan

Samir Jani M.D.

GAME SOCIAL DIRECTOR

Mark Costantino

Bryan DeNovellis - Holmdel High School

CHARITY

OFFICIAL PROVIDER OF ATHLETIC TRAINERS & PHYSICAL THERAPY

OFFICIALS & RULES

GAME ANNOUNCER

Pete Fusco, ATC - Brick Twp. HS David Katz, ATC - Independent Monmouth County: Stacey White - Midd. South HS

Board of Trustees Steve Antonucci Steve Bush Mark Costantino Cory Davies Chuck Donohue Sr.

Dan George Joe Martucci Rich Mosca Jerry Schulte Lou Vircillo John Wagner- Board Liaison

SFCF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Rob Davis - President

John Bird - Vice President

SCHOLAR PROGRAM COMMITTEE Anthony Petruzzi

OFFICIALS Steve Ramseur Brian Fyfe Rich Fernandez Chris Elliot John Devaney

Referee Umpire Linesman Line Judge Field Judge

Terrence King Jim Foligno Joe Valentino Matt Fernandez Nick Sacco

Side Judge ECO Chain Crew Chain Crew Chair Crew

Amanda Stump - Raritan HS Danielle Kanski - Midd. North HS

TEAM RECORDS n Largest margin of victory: Mon. - 36 pts (1994) n Longest winning streak: Mon. - 3 yrs 3 yard (1998-00, ’03-’05, ’17-19) n Most points scored: Mon. - 36 (1994) n Most points in a quarter: Mon. - 23 (Second quarter, 2009) n Most points in a half: Mon. - 29 (First half, 1994) n Most ﬁrst downs: Mon. - 21 (1994) n Most rushing yards: Mon. - 250 (1994) n Most rushing attempts: Mon. - 48 (1986) n Most passing yards: Mon. - 240 (2005) n Most completions: Mon. - 20 (2005)

WINNING COACHES BY YEAR 1978: Warren Wolf (Brick) 1979: Gary Chapman (Manasquan) 1980: Al Saner (Point Boro) 1981: George Conti (Asbury Park) 1982: Ron Emmert (Southern) 1983: John Amabile (Wall) 1984: Warren Wolf (Brick) 1985: Leroy Hayes (Asbury Park) 1986: Lou Montanaro (RBC) 1987: George Bessette (Lakewood)

n n n n

Most attempts: Ocean - 40 (1995) Most return yards: Ocean - 194 (1998) Most penalties: Mon. - 12 for 110 yards (2007) Most yards of total offense: Mon. - 455 (1994)

INDIVIDUAL RECORDS n Rushing: 168 yards, Cameron Caorsi (Marlboro), 2017 n Passing: 240 yards, Maurice Turpin (Long Branch), 2005 n Receiving: 141 yards, Mike Mercier (Mater Dei), 1990

n Longest ﬁeld goal: 52 yards, Kurt Wieboldt (Brick), 1990; and Gil Gutierrez (St. John Vianney), 1989 n Most ﬁeld goals: 3, Kurt Wieboldt (Brick), 1990 n Most touchdown passes: 3, Alex Zarrillo (TR East), 1993; Marc Dennis (Long Branch), 2019 n Most rushing touchdowns: 3, Eric McCoo (Red Bank), 1998 n Longest interception return for a touchdown: 98 yards, Shawn Murray (Brick Memorial), 1998

n Longest scoring pass: 80 yards, Adam Burtnieks (Lakewood) to Pat Connolly (Point Beach), 1991

n Longest punt return for a touchdown: 70 yards, Kurt Loftus (Brick), 2008

n Longest scoring run: 63 yards, Joe Henderson (Freehold), 1986; and Billy Gee (Lakewood), 1987

n Longest fumble return for a touchdown: 80 yards, Mike Bland (Long Branch), 2004

1988: Jim Roe (Manalapan) 1989: Lou Vircillo (Lacey) 1990: Jim Calabro (Brick Memorial) 1991: Vic Kubu (Manasquan) 1992: Bob Generelli (Midd. South) 1993: Warren Wolf (Brick) 1994: George Conti (Ocean Twp.) 1995: Larry Zdilla (Marlboro) 1996: Bob Nani (TR North) 1997: Warren Wolf (Brick) 1998: Mark Costantino (Shore)

1999: Mike Ciccotelli (Keyport) 2000: Craig Cicardo (Mater Dei) 2001: John Gardi (Central) 2002: Warren Wolf (Brick) 2003: Chris Barnes (Wall) 2004: Steve Antonucci (Midd. South) 2005: Mike Ciccotelli (Keyport) 2006: Game ended in a tie 2007: Lou Vircillo (Lacey) 2008: Chip LaBarca Jr. (TR North) 2009: Mark Ciccotelli (Freehold)

2010: Joe Martucci (Matawan) 2011: Lou Vircillo (Lacey) 2012: Ed Gurrieri (Manalapan) 2013: Greg LaCava (Colts Neck) 2014: Rob Dahl (Brick) 2015: Walt Krystopik (Jackson Mem) 2016: Dave Oizerowitz (TR North) 2017: Derek Sininsky (SJV) 2018: Dan George (Long Branch) 2019: Jerry Schulte (Rumson-Fair Haven) Monmouth leads all time, 23-18-1

J IM SIMONELLI Behind every great head coach and every championship-winning program are assistant coaches who go about their business with relative anonymity while simultaneously being indispensable. Jim Simonelli is one of those coaches.

For the past 51 seasons, Simonelli has been a Shore Conference assistant coach at three programs with their fair share of championship history - and he didn't have to travel far from his Long Branch roots to do so. A 1965 graduate of Long Branch High School, Simonelli returned to Westwood Avenue immediately after graduating college and began his coaching career in 1971 under Ken Schrock, coaching the linebackers and running backs for two seasons. Then, from 1973-1976, Simonelli was an assistant coach at Shore Regional under Scott Quinlan and then Pete Scriabba. The Blue Devils went 8-1 and won the Shore Conference Class D division title in 1973. His time in West Long Branch was brief, and it wasn't long before Simonelli was back east wearing the green and white once more. His second stint as an assistant at Long Branch spanned the 1977 season through the 2011 season and came under five different head coaches Frank Glazier (1977), Jack Levy (1978-90), Bob Biasi (1991-94), Fred Sprengel (1995-98), and Dan George (1999-2011). Simonelli coached linebackers, tight ends, the secondary, running backs, and was the defensive coordinator and special teams coordinator during his 34 years at Long Branch. The Green Wave won seven Shore Conference division titles during that time frame and captured NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 3 titles in 1986 and 1999. The 1986 team coached by the late, great Jack Levy went 11-0 and is the only Long Branch team to go undefeated during the NJSIAA playoff era (1974-present). Following the 2011 season, Simonelli began coaching at Ocean Township High School where he is still an assistant under Spartans' head coach Don Klein. Last season, Simonelli was the special teams coordinator and defensive backs coach. During his time at Ocean, he has also coached the linebackers and been the defensive coordinator. The Spartans won division titles in 2013 and 2019 with the 2013 team going 10-1 to become the fourth team in program history with 10 or more wins. Simonelli was a team co-captain during his playing days at Long Branch before playing collegiately at Widener University in Chester, Pa. He graduated in 1971 after a standout career in which he was a team captain and a three-time all-conference selection. He is a member of both the Long Branch High School Athletic Hall of Fame and the Long Branch High School Academic Hall of Fame. He is a veteran of the Gridiron Classic, as well, having served as an assistant coach five times. Simonelli has been married to his wife, Rosanna Notaro, for 52 years and together they have two daughters: Jenna and Cara, plus six grandchildren: Joseph, Michael, Anthony,

Kayla, James, and Evan.

Hall of Fame Continued on page 14

B OB GRACE From humble beginnings as an assistant coach to a decadelong stint as an athletic director, Bob Grace has been a fixture of Shore Conference high school football for the past 53 years One of the most respected coaches in the Shore Conference, Grace has been a part of four different state championship teams as a player and coach since he was a captain on the 1964 Madison Township (Middlesex County) team that won the Central Jersey Group 4 state title. He was an All-Middlesex County selection that season and graduated in 1965 before embarking on a career at Montclair State University where he was a fouryear varsity player. Grace became a coach immediately after graduating from Montclair State and got his start at Cedar Ridge High School, which had just opened in 1968 to alleviate crowding at the former Madison Township HS, which by then was renamed Madison Central High School. Grace was an offensive line coach from 1969 to 1970 at Cedar Ridge before returning to his alma mater as an offensive backfield coach from 1971 to 1976. In 1972, Madison Central claimed the Central Jersey Group 3 sectional title. Grace left Madison Central after the 1976 season and headed into Monmouth County to become the head coach at Freehold Township High School. This began a 43-yearand-counting coaching career in the Shore Conference. Freehold Township was a relatively new school with just five seasons as a varsity program when Grace took over. In his second season, the Patriots posted their highest win total in program history (3), and in 1980 the Patriots went 6-3 for the program's first winning season. Grace coached Freehold Township through the 1985 season when he left to become the head coach at Point Pleasant Beach High School and have the opportunity to coach his sons Keith and Kyle. He led the Garnet Gulls from 1986 through 1993 and was also hired as Point Beach's Athletic Director in 1991. Grace stepped down from his post as football coach following the 1993 season

PREVIOUS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES: 2019 Ed Gurrieri , Long Branch Bob Zampelle,Keyport 2018 Dan George, Long Branch Joseph J. Boyd, Central Regional Hugh Boyd Jr. 2017 Leon “Butch” Britton, Matawan Bob Spada, Brick Township 2016 Steve Antonucci, Middletown South

(Coach) (Coach/Offical) (Coach) (Coach) (Contributor) (Coach) (Coach) (Coach)

Kevin Callahan, Monmouth Univ.

(Contributor)

Dick Brinster, Asbury Park Press

(Contributor)

Hall of Fame

Continued from page 12

but continued as the school's AD until 2001. Point Beach was competitive throughout Grace's years, including a high-water mark of 6-2-1 in 1990. Grace was selected as the 19992000 Ocean County Athletic Director of the Year and in 2010 was inducted into the Directors of Athletics Association of New Jersey Hall of Fame. in 2003 after a couple of seasons away from the sidelines, Grace returned to coaching as an assistant at Wall under head coach Chris Barnes. He became a staple on the Crimson Knights' coaching staff for the better part of the next two decades as the offensive backfield coach from 2003 to 2021. Grace helped the Crimson Knights win four Shore Conference division titles (2003, 2007, 2011, 2019) and win state sectional titles in 2016 and 2019. In 2016 under head coach Dan Curcione, Wall went 102 and defeated Delsea to win the South Jersey Group 3 championship. In 2019, Wall went 121, won the Central Jersey Group 3 title, and became the first team in program history to win 12 games. During the pandemic-shortened 2020 season, Wall went 7-0, defeated Donovan Catholic in an epic unofficial Shore Conference championship game, and finished ranked as the No. 1 team in New Jersey. Grace will return to the sidelines again this season and will do so back at Point Pleasant Beach where he will serve as an assistant for head coach Joe Zaccone. Grace and his wife Ann have been happily married for 53 years and have two sons, Keith and Kyle, who both played for their father at Point Beach. Keith is currently a third-grade teacher at the Ocean Road School in Point Pleasant Boro and Kyle is a Captain in the Point Pleasant Beach Police Department. If you've been around Shore Conference football for even a short period of time, there's a good chance you've run into Bob Grace. And if so, you are a better person for it. Shore Sports Network in conjunction with the Shore Football Coaches Foundation offers our congratulations on entry into the SFCF Hall of Fame.

2015 Mark Costantino, Shore Regional Chris Barnes, Wall/Jackson Chris Christopher

(Coach) (Coach) (Contributor)

2014 Bob Generelli, Midd. South/Raritan Bob Nani, Toms River North Joe Adelizzi Ed Sarluca

(Coach) (Coach) (Contributor) (Contributor)

2013 Chuck Donohue, Sr., Southern Joe Martucci, Matawan Ron Emmert, Bob Strangia, George Jeck, Ken Turp 2012 Lou Vircillo, Red Bank/Lacey Mike Ciccotelli, Keyport Kevin Williams

(Coach) (Coach) (Contributors) (Coach) (Coach) (Contributor)

2011 Vic Kubu, Midd. North/Manasquan Harold “Hal” Schank, Freehold George Conti Jr., Ocean Chip LaBarca Sr., Keansburg/TR South

(Coach) (Coach) (Coach) (Coach)

2010 Russ Wright, Lakewood Arnie Truex, Middletown Ron Signornino Sr., TR South John Amabile, Wall, Neptune, SJV

(Coach) (Coach) (Coach) (Coach)

2009 Al Saner, Point Boro William “Butch” Bruno, Asbury Park Amedeo “Army” Ippolito, Long Branch Barry Rizzo, Matawan

(Coach) (Coach) (Coach) (Coach)

2008 Warren Wolf, Brick/Lakewood

(Coach)

R ICH MOSCA

Rich Mosca embodies the term "football lifer" better than nearly anyone else so it is only fitting that as part of the 2022 All-Shore Gridiron Classic, the Shore Football Coaches Foundation Hall of Fame is recognizing Mosca with a Lifetime Achievement Award. Mosca's career as a player and coach spans parts of seven different decades and has taken him from the high school level to Division 1 and Division 3 college football. He's been a head coach, an assistant coach, a program builder, and a valued caretaker. He's seen it all in his 51 years coaching football in New Jersey. Two years out of college, Mosca was hired as an assistant coach at Keyport High School under Tom Karlo in 1970 and also coached under George Conti Jr. in 1971 and 1972. Mosca then became the head coach in 1973 and through the 1975 season led the Red Raiders, including an 8-3 record and the Shore Conference Class D division title in 1975. The following year, a new high school in Monmouth County needed a head football coach and Mosca was hired for the job. That school was Middletown South, and for the next nine seasons, Mosca would lay the foundation upon which the Eagles would later blossom into one of the most successful programs in Shore Conference history. In 1981, Middletown South had its first big season by going 8-3 and reaching the Central Jersey Group 4 championship game. Following the 1984 season, Mosca stepped down and took a job as the offensive coordinator at Fairleigh Dickinson University. He stayed in that role for four seasons through 1988 before heading back to the Shore Conference. Mosca was the defensive coordinator at Monmouth Regional in 1989 and was then hired as the head coach prior to the 1990 season. He spent the next five seasons leading the Falcons and helped the team rebound from consecutive winless seasons in 1988 and 1989. His teams won at least three games every season, including going 5-4 in both 1991 and 1995. College came calling again, however, and in 1996 Mosca returned to the collegiate ranks as an assistant at Monmouth University under head coach Kevin Callahan. He spent the next four seasons in West Long Branch where he coached the tight ends, running backs, and offensive line, and was a special teams assistant and a recruiter. After the 1999 season, Mosca returned to Fairleigh Dickinson. He was the offensive coordinator in 2000 and 2001 before becoming the team's head coach for the 2002 season. He shepherded the program for the next 10 seasons and during that tenure was awarded the Maddy Award for service and decision

J ACK BUSH

If you are involved in Shore Conference football you probably know "The Bush Man". Jack Bush has enjoyed a long and distinguished career as a football coach dating back to the late 1960s when legendary Brick Township head coach Warren Wolf gave Bush a chance as an unpaid volunteer coaching the running backs and secondary. The Green Dragons had become an instant powerhouse with six state titles in their first nine seasons as a varsity program, and for Bush, it was an opportunity he could not pass up. That 1968 season was the beginning of a coaching career that is still ongoing for Bush, who has done everything from positional coaching to scouting and running video operations at Brick, Toms River North, Woodrow Wilson, St. Joseph's (now Donovan Catholic), Jackson Memorial, Toms River East, Barringer, and Lacey. Bush spent three seasons with Wolf at Brick from 1968 to 1970 as the Dragons went 21-6 and won a Class A division title in 1970. When Toms River North head coach Dick Patton was looking for an assistant coach to fill out his staff during the Mariners' third varsity season in 1971, he turned to Bush and offered a paid position to coach the running backs and defensive backs. Bush spent one season at Toms River North before accepting a position at his alma mater, Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden. Bush was the assistant defensive coordinator and head of scouting under head coach Joe Corbi and also served as the school's track and field coach. After three seasons back in Camden, Bush returned to the Shore at St. Joseph's High School in Toms River where he was the running backs/secondary coach under Bob Fiacco for the 1974 and 1975 seasons. Bush was also the school's head athletic trainer and head track and field coach. From 1976 through the 1978 season, Bush was an assistant at Jackson Memorial under head coach Bill Ruddy and also an assistant track and field coach under Bill Riva. Additionally, he served as Jackson Township Recreation Director. After bouncing around between five schools in a 10-year span, Bush took a spot on the inaugural coaching staff at Toms River East under Hall of Fame head coach George Jeck for the 1979 season. Bush would make his home on Raider Way for the next 20 seasons under Jeck (1979-1984), Ken Snyder (1985-1997), and Frank D'Alonzo (19981999). Bush again coached the running backs and defensive backs and was an assistant track and field coach (sprints, hurdles, jumps) under Al Zulewski Bush headed north to Newark in 2000 and was an assistant at Barringer High School under Tom Basile from 2000 through 2003. He served as the assistant head coach, head of scouting, and coached the receivers, defensive backs, and offensive linemen. Bush was also the head track and field coach for those three seasons. Bush's career came full circle in 2004 when he rejoined Wolf's staff at Brick 36 years after his first coaching gig. The Dragons won the Constitution Division title in 2008 in Wolf's 51st and final season as Brick's head coach.

to FDU in 2006 and also honored for contributions to the FDU Athletic Department. Mosca retired from FDU following the 2011 season and returned to Monmouth Regional High School as the team's defensive coordinator. On the day training camp started in 2013, Mosca was named Falcons head coach for a second time. His second stint in Tinton Falls lasted through the 2016 season. He was then an assistant for one season each at Red Bank Regional (2017) and Neptune (2018) before joining Jerry Schulte's staff at RumsonFair Haven. From 2019 through 2021, Mosca was part of a tremendous RFH staff as a defensive line coach and helped the Bulldogs go 21-9 and reach two NJSIAA state sectional championship games. Mosca played football and baseball at Red Bank Regional High School from 1962 through 1965. He was a guard and linebacker at Concord College in West Virginia in 1966 when the team went 9-1 and captured the West Virginia Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship. A knee injury ended his playing career in 1968 when he was attending West Liberty State College. In addition to coaching, Mosca is a proud veteran of the United States Army Reserve in which he served from 1970 through 1976. He was a teacher at Henry Hudson Regional High School and Keyport High School before teaching history for 24 years at Middletown South before his retirement in 2000.

Since 2009, Bush has served as an assistant coach at Lacey under Hall of Fame head coach Lou Vircillo, running the scouting department and serving as the head of videography. During his 12 seasons at Lacey, the Lions have won four division titles and in 2010 went 12-0 and captured the South Jersey Group 3 state sectional championship. Bush is a 1963 graduate of Woodrow Wilson High School in Camden and attended Fredrick Military Academy in Portsmouth, Va. in 1964. He lettered in football and track and field at FMA, which was undefeated and the No. 1 ranked prep school in the country. Bush ranked third nationally in kick return and punt return average. He also ran track in the spring of 1964 competing in the 100 (9.7 sec.), 200 (21.5 sec.), and 400 (48.5 sec.). He accepted a scholarship to Temple University for both football and track but ended up transferring to the College of New Jersey where he majored in health and physical education. Bush was a four-year football starter for the Lions and in track set the school record in the 400 at 47.5 seconds. He was a captain for both the football and track teams during his senior year. Bush is a member of the TCNJ Alumni Association and was inducted into the school's Health and Physical Education Hall of Fame in 2018. He is an active Jack & Janet Bush member of IAABO #194 as a basketball official and was presented with a 50-year outstanding service award. Bush is also a member of the NJSIAA in track and field with a 45-years service award. Jack and his wife, Janet, will be celebrating their 55th wedding anniversary in December. They have two children; Jill, who is a professor at the College of New Jersey married to Luke Wallace, and Justin, who is the VP of Uthra Sundaram Pharmaceuticals and married to Heather. Jack and Janet have three granddaughters: Kate, Lucy, and Clare. Jack would like to thank the induction committee for awarding him this prestigious honor.

Jill, Luke & Katie Wallace

Justin, Heather, Lucy & Clare Bush

ALL – TIME SERIES: 1978: Ocean 21, Monmouth 7 1979: Monmouth 7, Ocean 6 1980: Ocean 15, Monmouth 10 1981: Monmouth 22, Ocean 16 1982: Ocean 17, Monmouth 16 1983: Monmouth 19, Ocean 0 1984: Ocean 7, Monmouth 0 1985: Monmouth 14, Ocean 12 1986: Monmouth 22, Ocean 9 1987: Ocean 22, Monmouth 20 1988: Monmouth 28, Ocean 7

1989: Ocean 23, Monmouth 1990: Ocean 22, Monmouth 1991: Monmouth 15, Ocean 1992: Monmouth 20, Ocean 1993: Ocean 20, Monmouth 1994: Monmouth 36, Ocean 1995: Monmouth 16, Ocean 1996: Ocean 10, Monmouth 1997: Ocean 15, Monmouth 1998: Monmouth 27, Ocean 1999: Monmouth 21, Ocean

18 21 14 0 18 0 9 3 13 13 20

2000: Monmouth 23, Ocean 0 2001: Ocean 6, Monmouth 3 2002: Ocean 10, Monmouth 7 (OT) 2003: Monmouth 8, Ocean 2 ( Game ended at halftime due to lightning) 2004: Monmouth 28, Ocean 21 2005: Monmouth 19, Ocean 14 2006: Ocean 7, Monmouth 7 (No OT, game ended in tie)

2007: Ocean 11, Monmouth 10 2008: Ocean 27, Monmouth 20 2009: Monmouth 30, Ocean 13

2010: Monmouth 12, Ocean 10 2011: Ocean 6, Monmouth 3 2012: Monmouth 28, Ocean 7 2013: Monmouth 19, Ocean 7 2014: Ocean 17, Monmouth 14 2015: Ocean 27, Monmouth 7 2016: Ocean 14, Monmouth 7 2017: Monmouth 17, Ocean 8 2018: Monmouth 28, Ocean 14 2019: Monmouth 21, Ocean 6 Monmouth leads all-time, 23-18-1

SHORE FOUNDATION FOOTBALL MEMBER SCHOOLS Asbury Park HS - Lamar Davenport Barnegat HS - Paul Covine Brick Memorial HS - Walt Currie Brick Twp. HS - Len Zdanowicz Central HS - Jarrett Pidgeon Colts Neck HS – Matt Ahearn Donovan Catholic HS – Dan Curcione Freehold Boro HS - Dave Ellis Freehold Twp. HS - Cory Davies Holmdel HS - Jeff Rainess Howell HS - Bill Hill

Jackson Liberty HS - Jim Sharples Jackson Memorial HS – Vinnie Mistretta Keansburg HS - James Reid Keyport HS - Jason Glezman Lacey Twp. HS - Lou Vircillo Lakewood HS - L.J. Clark Long Branch HS - Chad King Manalapan HS - Dominick Lepore Manasquan HS - Jay Price Manchester HS - Tommy Farrell Marlboro HS - Jason Dagato

MOST GAMES PLAYED BY FIELD/STADIUM: Toms River North – 9 Brick Twp. – 10 Wall – 6 Toms River East – 5 Ocean Township – 4

Matawan HS - Jay Graber Middletown North HS - Steve Bush Middletown South HS - Steve Antonucci Monmouth Reg. HS - Dan Wendel Neptune HS – Brian Duffy Ocean HS - Don Klein Pinelands HS - John Tierney Point Pleasant Beach HS - Joseph Zaccone Point Pleasant Boro HS - Brian Staub Raritan HS - Anthony Petruzzi Red Bank Catholic HS - Mike Lange

Red Bank Reg. HS - Shane Fallon Rumson-Fair Haven HS - Jeremy Schulte St. John Vianney HS - Jeff Papcun Shore Reg. HS - Mark Costantino Southern Reg. HS - Chuck Donohue Sr. Toms River East HS - Kyle Sandberg Toms River North HS - Dave Oizerowitz Toms River South HS - Matt Martin Wall HS - Ed Gurrieri

ALL-TIME RECORD ATTENDANCES:

ALL-TIME WINNINGEST COACHES

1. 8,112 (1978) 2. 6,500 (1994) 3. 6,135 (2006) 4. 5,000 (2004), 2005) 5. 4,700 (2002) 6. 4,300 (1980)

1. Warren Wolf (Brick) 5 wins

7. 4,200 (1979) 8. 4,000 (1993) 9. 3,800 (2007) 10. 3,500 (1981) (1984) (1989) (2011)

2. Lou Vircillo (Lacey) 3 wins 3. (tie) George Conti (Ocean, Asbury Park); Mike Ciccotelli (Keyport) 2 wins.

STADIUMS/FIELDS PLAYED BY YEAR 1978: Wall

1989: Toms River East

2000: Toms River North

2011: Toms River North

1979: Wall

1990: Ocean Township

2001: Toms River East

2012: Holmdel

1980: Toms River North

1991: Toms River North

2002: Toms River North

2013: Toms River North

1981: Toms River North

1992: Ocean Township

2003: Raritan

2014: Brick

1982: Wall

1993: Brick

2004: Brick

2015: Long Branch

1983: Toms River East

1994: Ocean Township

2005: Brick

2016: Central Regional

1984: Wall

1995: Brick

2006: Middletown South

2017: Shore Regional

1985: Toms River East

1996: Toms River North

2007: Brick

2018: Brick Memorial

1986: Wall

1997: Brick

2008: Brick

2019: Long Branch

1987: Toms River East

1998: Ocean Township

2009: Brick

2022: Brick Township

1988: Wall

1999: Toms River North

2010: Matawan

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460 steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com 18

JAHMEARAH JOHNSON

DIAMOND MARCUS

AMANDA BARBESH

EMILY HAMILTON

RILEY RUSSO

Asbury Park

Freehold

Holmdel

A. CALCATERRA

HANNAH DAHSE

MELANNY SANTOS

JADA BUSSEY

NATALIE SYMONOWICZ

Holmdel

Keansburg

Long Branch

Manasquan

ERIKA TILTON

SAMMANTHA DEVINO

JACQUELLNE TAMBURRINO

SAMANTHA REAMER

MACKENSIE BOE

Manasquan

Marlboro

Matawan

CHRISTINE KARBOWSKI

ALYSSA ESTRADA

MAIA VALERIO

LILY KATICH

Middletown South

Rumson-Fair Haven

S TACI S HALOWSKI

- ST

JO HN

VIA NNEY

K ELLY S UPP -

R E D B A N K CA T H O L I C

Head Coach

STEVE ANTONUCCI Middletown South hen discussing the coaching legends of Shore Conference football one name that must come to mind is Middletown South's Steve Antonucci.

Upon grabbing the reins of the Eagles in 1998, Antonucci took an already established program with a championship pedigree and pushed it to another level, winning six NJSIAA sectional championships and reaching the championship game six additional times. The Middletown South 'S' is recognized statewide and garners respect and admiration from the mountains of Sussex County to the shores of Cape May. This past season, Middletown South went 92, reached the North 2, Group 4 sectional championship game, and finished No. 4 in

touchdowns, and intercepting a pass on defense. Senior linebacker Jack Willi was a Second Team AllShore selection and senior running back Dan Primiano was a Third Team All-Shore selection. Middletown South also had a pair of outstanding sophomores earn All-Shore distinction. Linebacker Colin Gallagher quickly established himself as one of the best pass rushers in the conference and led the Shore with 12 sacks plus 83 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 3 forced fumbles. Jake Czwakiel was a standout on defense and special teams for the Eagles, tying for the conference lead with five interceptions and posting 45 tackles and 5 pass breakups. He was also one of the Shore's best kickers, converting 25 of 27 extra points and kicking five field goals with a long of 31 yards. Antonucci will begin his 25th season this fall, but before that he will lead the Monmouth County allstars for the 43rd annual All-Shore Gridiron Classic. Monmouth has won the last three meetings after its 21-6 victory in the 2019 game. A victory during this season's game on Wednesday, July 13 at Brick Township High School would set a Gridiron Classic record for consecutive wins. In 2015 Antonucci was inducted into the Shore Football Coaches Foundation Hall of Fame and since then his teams have continued to compete at a high level. In 24 seasons, Antonucci has an incredible career record of 206-61 (.772 winning percentage) along with six sectional titles and 12 total appearances in the final. He is the sixth Shore Conference coach to reach 200 career wins and his six sectional titles are tied with Brick's Warren Wolf and Keyport's Mike Ciccotelli for the second-most in Shore Conference history. His teams have won 10 or more games eight times, including undefeated seasons in 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, and 2015. The Eagles' most recent state championship team also finished No. 1 in New Jersey. From 2001 through 2006, Middletown South was the Shore's most dominant team and a state powerhouse. The Eagles won four straight state titles from 2003 through 2006 and during that stretch authored a Shore Conference record 43-game winning streak. Antonucci was also Middletown South's baseball coach for 15 years, winning three state titles and two divisional titles. "Nooch" played his high school football at Keyport under Hall of Fame head coach Mike Ciccotelli, graduating in 1988 before moving on to Montclair State University. Antonucci and several members of his coaching staff will lead a Monmouth County squad that includes Middletown South standouts Jack Willi and Ryan St. Clair.

the Shore Sports Network Top 10. The Eagles also captured the Colonial Division title, the program's 12th during Antonucci's tenure. Middletown South's talented roster featured a total of seven SSN AllShore selections, led by First Team picks Jack Latore, Jake Williamson, and Tom Schork. Latore was a dominant edge presence with 5.5 sacks, 25 tackles for loss, 89 total tackles, and three fumble recoveries. Williamson was the top lineman for an Eagles team that rushed for 187 yards per game and was also an impact player on defense with 36 tackles, 3 sacks, and 6 tackles for loss. Schork was an invaluable two-way leader for Middletown South as the Eagles' quarterback and standout cornerback, throwing for 802 yards and four touchdowns, rushing for 453 yards and seven

M O N M O U T H C O U N T Y C O A C H I N G S TA F F STEVE ANTONUCCI: Head Coach AL BIGOS: Linebackers STEVE ROBERTS: Linebackers JOE TREZZA: Off. Coordinator MARC TOMO: Def. Coordinator

MATT WALSH: Receivers ROD MURCHIE: Special Teams TUCK ISHERWOOD: Quality Control JEFF MARTIN: Running Backs TIM HEANEY: Def. Line

MARK COSTANTINO: Running Backs BOB GENERELLI: Off. Line KEITH COMEFORO: Def. Backs JOHN ANDL: Quarterbacks RICH MOSCA: Def. Line

TOMMY ANTONUCCI: Def. Backs ADAM SCHRECK: Receivers KEVIN HIGGINS: Strength & Cond NICK TREZZA: Off. Line

KNASIR ALSTON

NICK ATCHISON

RA’SUN BANKS

MIKAL BRAITHWAITE

LYDELL BROWN

ANDREW BULINSKY

RYAN BURNS

MARIO CHIERCHIA

Asbury Park

Ocean

Neptune

Keansburg

Asbury Park

Marlboro

Manasquan

Manalapan

CORBETT CIMINI

ZIVON CRANK

ALEX DEKIS

ISRAEL DELGADILLO JR.

MATT DENGLER

JAYDEN FARMER

STANLEY FEDEROVITCH

RYLAN FEGAN

R BC

Keyport

Raritan

Long Branch

R BR

Long Branch

Howell

Shore

JADEN GALLO

TOMMY GIANNONE

BRIAN HADDOW

KYLE HALLIBURTON

JOSHUA HANDY

MIKE HECKEL

BENJAMIN HUTCHINS

MATT IOANNIDES

Holmdel

Midd. North

Matawan

Asbury Park

Manalapan

Raritan

Howell

STEPHEN JARDIM

JOSEPH JUAREZ

JOHN MANOS

ELIJAH MARQUEZ

JAMIE MAZZACCO

RYAN M C PHERSON

ZACHARY MENDES

PETER PEZZULLO

Howell

Freehold twp.

Colts Neck

Manalapan

Shore

R BC

Marlboro

SJV

LOUKAS PLASTERAS

CHRISTIAN RODRIGUEZ

LIAM ROSA

THOMAS SARDO

MASON SHENK

JEFFREY SPENGLER

RYAN ST.CLAIR

DJ THOMSON

Monmouth

Long Branch

Shore

Holmdel

SJV

Raritan

Midd. South

Keyport

KA’JION THORNE

JASON TROTTA

NICK VECCHIARELLI

TYLER WALKER

JACK WILLI

PATRICK WOODFORD

Long Branch

Raritan

Howell

Manalapan

Midd. South

Manasquan

No. Player Name

Pos.

School

College Attending

No. Player Name

Pos.

School

College Attending

JEFFREY SPENGLER

RARITAN

JACK WILLI

MIDDLETOWN SOUTH

WASHINGTON & LEE

MIKAL BRAITHWAITE

KEANSBURG

PETER PEZZULLO

SJV

UNIV. OF ST. THOMAS

ELIJAH MARQUEZ

MANALAPAN

STEVENSON UNIV.

RYAN ST.CLAIR

MIDDLETOWN SOUTH

FORDHAM UNIVERSITY

RYAN MCPHERSON

RBC

ASSUMPTION COLL.

CORBETT CIMINI

RBC

SPRINGFIELD COLLEGE

KA’JION THORNE

LONG BRANCH

RYLAN FEGAN

SHORE

UNDECIDED

JAYDEN FARMER

LONG BRANCH

KING’S COLLEGE

RA’SUN BANKS

NEPTUNE

UNDECIDED

LYDELL BROWN

ASBURY PARK

TIFFIN UNIVERSITY

RYAN BURNS

MANASQUAN

TOMMY GIANNONE

MIDDLETOWN NORTH

STEVENSON UNIV.

KYLE HALLIBURTON

UTL

MATAWAN

MIKE HECKEL

MANALAPAN

PACE UNIVERSITY

PATRICK WOODFORD

MANASQUAN

KNASIR ALSTON

ASBURY PARK

LIAM ROSA

SHORE

ZACHARY MENDES

MARLBORO

BROOKDALE

ISRAEL DELGADILLO JR.

LONG BRANCH

DJ THOMSON

KEYPORT

EAST STROUDSBURG UNIV.

MARIO CHIERCHIA

MANALAPAN

PACE

NICK VECCHIARELLI

HOWELL

MARIST COLLEGE

NICK ATCHISON

OCEAN

KEAN

MATT DENGLER

RBR

TCU

MATT IOANNIDES

HOWELL

SALISBURY UNIV.

BENJAMIN HUTCHINS

RARITAN

SALISBURY UNIV.

ANDREW BULINSKY

MARLBORO

JAMIE MAZZACCO

UTL/QB

SHOREL

WILLIAMS COLLEGE

JOSHUA HANDY

ASBURY PARK

CHRISTIAN RODRIGUEZ

LONG BRANCH

UNDECIDED

STANLEY FEDEROVITCH

HOWELL

LOUKAS PLASTERAS

MONMOUTH

UNDECIDED

JOSEPH JUAREZ

FREEHOLD TWP.

TYLER WALKER

MANALAPAN

UNIV. OF NEW HAVEN

JASON TROTTA

RARITAN

UNIV. OF NEW HAMPSHIRE

ZIVON CRANK

KEYPORT

WILLIAM PATERSON

MASON SHENK

SJV

BINGHAMTON (LAX)

JADEN GALLO

HOLMDEL

UNDECIDED

ALEX DEKIS

RARITAN

STEPHEN JARDIM

HOWELL

UNDECIDED

THOMAS SARDO

HOLMDEL

BRIAN HADDOW

MIDDLETOWN NORTH

JOHN MANOS

COLTS NECK

STAEVENSON UNIV. THE CATHOLIC UNIV. OF AMERICA

ITHACA COLLEGE BROOKDALE SALVE REGINA UNIV.

KEAN UNIVERSITY GREENSBORO COLLEGE

BLOOMSBURG

No. Player Name

Pos.

School

SAVON MYERS

MANCHESTER

RYAN DEAN

TR NORTH

GAVIN MIGLIORI

TR SOUTH

D'MAARI BROWN

CHARLIE VITALE

College Attending

COVENANT PREP

No. Player Name

Pos.

School

College Attending

NATE COMMITTEE

SOUTHERN

BELLARMINE (LAX)

ANTHONY MUSSO

CENTRAL

KUTZTOWN UNIV.

DELAWARE VALLY UNIV.

ALEX BECHTLE

CENTRAL

MANCHESTER

FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON

PADRAIC BANFIELD

LACEY

UTL

POINT BORO

OCC

JOE KUDLACIK

LACEY

MICHAEL RAPOLLA

CENTRAL

SAM AZZARETTI

BRICK MEM.

DANNY MORRIS

CENTRAL

MOUNT UNION

LAMIR CLARK

LAKEWOOD

NOAH BRUNATTI

LACEY

ROWAN

LOGAN DOHERTY

Southern

MYAN RUSH-ESDAILE

UTL

DONOVAN CATH.

CLARKE UNIV.

ROBERT MADISON

DONOVAN CATH.

GAETANO DIMIELE

UTL

LACEY

OCC

ERIC IBE

JACKSON MEM.

MICHAEL ABODE

LACEY

WILLIAM PATERSON

DARIAN NEWCOMB

BRICK

JOHN DODARO

LACEY

UNIV. AT ALBANY

SEAN ROWLAND

SOUTHERN

SCOTT STEVENS

LACEY

JUSTIN TUZZOLINO

POINT BORO

COOPER YORKE

UTL

JACKSON LIB.

ROWAN

AARON CROOMS

DONOVAN CATH.

EDINBORO UNIV.

NICK MEDINA

TR EAST

KEAN

MIKE DOWD

TR NORTH

FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON

ROBERT PANEQUE

UTL

JACKSON MEM.

CONNER DARMSTATTER

BARNEGAT

SHIPPENSBURG UNIV.

RILEY BELL

D UTL

BRICK

TODD DUDLEY

CENTRAL

JUSTIN KURC

BRICK

TCNJ

JUSTIN KOZAK

TR SOUTH

TYLER WEISNECK

BRICK

AIR FORCE

LUKE WILSON

POINT BORO

ANDRE PEACE

LAKEWOOD

FAIRLEIGH DICKINSON

AARON JOSA

CENTRAL

KOLE LEVY

UTL

SOUTHERN

CALDWELL UNIV.

PEYTON DASTI

CENTRAL

SEAN HURLEY

K/P

CENTRAL

ST. ANSELM

JASON GLASS

BRICK

DOM FRAULO

CENTRAL

TCNJ

JEFF BREWER

NUNES BUKULA IV

ROWAN

US MARINE CORPS

KING’S COLLEGE

OCC

LACEY RB

DONOVAN CATH.

WAGNER

Head Coach

JARRETT PIDGEON Central Regional High School

entral Regional's Jarrett Pidgeon has established himself as an up-and-coming coaching standout in just two seasons as a head coach, and now he'll get the prestigious opportunity to lead his county in the All-Shore Gridiron Classic.

After completing his second season as the head coach and leading the Golden Eagles to a division title, Pidgeon was selected to lead the Ocean County all-stars for the 43rd annual AllShore Gridiron Classic. After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Gridiron Classic returns this year on Wednesday, July 13, at Brick Township High School's Keller Memorial Field. Pidgeon took over as Central's head coach during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic when programs experienced challenges like never before. He coached the Golden Eagles to a 3-4

with 1,825 yards rushing and scored 25 touchdowns on an average of eight yards per carry. He finished second in the Shore with 156 total points and was selected as the Liberty Division Offensive Player of the Year. Gumbrecht was a Shore Sports Network Second Team All-Shore selection. Senior linebacker Anthony Musso was selected as the Liberty Division Defensive Player of the Year for a season in which he had 108 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, and two forced fumbles. Musso was a Third Team All-Shore selection. Another Third Team All-Shore standout for the Eagles was senior offensive lineman Todd Dudley, who helped pave the way for Central to rush for a total of 2,623 yards (325 yards per game). Additionally, senior Sean Hurley was the Frist Team All-Shore kicker/punter for connecting on all 36 of his extra-point attempts, converting field goals of 38 and 31 yards, booming 18 touchbacks, and averaging 46.7 yards per punt. Central finished the season with the No. 7 scoring offense in the Shore (26.4 ppg) and the No. 5 scoring defense in the Shore at 12.8 points per game. The Eagles recorded four total shutouts and had a plus136 point differential. Joining Pidgeon as assistant coaches for the Gridiron Classic will be multiple members of his Golden Eagles' staff: Frank Papalia (OC/OL), Jeff Schmidt (DC/LB), Bill Wilde (QBs), Kyle Watson (WR), Frank Backle (asst. OL), Will Wowkanyn (DL), Dennis Pidgeon (defensive asst), and James Plummer (OLB). Brick Memorial assistant Rob Brown will coach the secondary and Jackson Memorial assistant Keith Anderson will coach the running backs. Ocean County has lost three straight Gridiron Classics and this year will try to snap the skid and prevent Monmouth County from setting a record with four straight wins.

record in 2020 but the team was able to set the foundation for what would be a championshipwinning 2021 season. Central raced out to a 6-0 start to lock up the Shore Conference Liberty Division in dominant fashion, outscoring division opponents 146-6 with three shutouts. The division championship was Central's first since sharing the Class A South title in 2017 and the program's first outright division title since 1994.

Pidgeon had been an assistant coach at Central for six seasons, including as the Golden Eagles' defensive coordinator in 2016, before being hired as head coach. He is a 2009 graduate of Southern Regional High School where he was a standout linebacker, helping the Rams go 10-2 and reach the program's first sectional championship game in 2008. Pidgeon then attended Bloomsburg University where he was a captain and a threeyear starter for the Huskies.

A breakout season by Central junior running back Chase Gumbecht was a major reason why the Golden Eagles won a division title. He led the Shore Conference

O C E A N C O U N T Y C O A C H I N G S TA F F

JARRETT PIDGEON: Head Coach

KYLE WATSON: Wideouts

ROB BROWN: Secondary

FRANK PAPALIA: Offensive Coordinator/OL

FRANK BACKLE: Asst. Offensive Line

JAMES PLUMMER: Outside Linebackers

BILL WILDE: Quarterbacks

WILL WOWKANYN: Defensive Line

KEITH ANDERSON: Running Backs

JEFF SCHMIDT: Linebackers/DC

MICHAEL ABODE

SAM AZZARETTI

PADRAIC BANFIELD

ALEX BECHTLE

RILEY BELL

JEFF BREWER

D'MAARI BROWN

NOAH BRUNATI

Lacey

Brick Mem.

Lacey

Central

Brick

Lacey

Manchester

Lacey

LAMIR CLARK

NATE COMMITTEE

AARON CROOMS

CONNER DARMSTATTER

PEYTON DASTI

RYAN DEAN

GAETANO DIMIELE

Lakewood

Southern

Donovan Cath.

Barnegat

Central

T R North

Lacey

JOHN DODARO

LOGAN DOHERTY

MIKE DOWD

TODD DUDLEY

DOM FRAULO

JASON GLASS

SEAN HURLEY

ERIC IBE

Lacey

Southern

T R North

Central

Brick

Central

Jackson Mem.

AARON JOSA

JUSTIN KOZAK

JOE KUDLACIK

JUSTIN KURC

KOLE LEVY

ROBERT MADISON

NICK MEDINA

Central

SAVON MYERS

T R South

Lacey

Brick

Southern

Donovan Cath.

T R East

Manchester

NUNES BUKULA Donovan Cath.

GAVIN MIGLIORI

DANNY MORRIS

ANTHONY MUSSO

DARIAN NEWCOMB

ROBERT PANEQUE

ANDRE PEACE

MICHAEL RAPOLLA

SEAN ROWLAND

T R South

Central

Brick

Jackson Mem.

Lakewood

Central

Southern

MYAN RUSH-ESDAILE

SCOTT STEVENS

JUSTIN TUZZOLINO

CHARLIE VITALE

TYLER WEISNICK

LUKE WILSON

COOPER YORKE

Donovan Cath.

Lacey

Pt. Boro

Brick

Pt. Boro

Jackson Lib.

RAEHEL PULIG Baregat

BRYANNA LYNCH

ANDRAYA BEVACQUA

SARA FIGUEROA

ALYSSA POOLE

JULIE GERMINARIO

LARA SANTOS

Baregat

Brick Twp.

Central

Donovan Catholic

OLIVIA LECHER

MADDY LANG

JORDAN CLARKE

HANNA KELLY

ERIKA GRECO

SARA JULIANO

Donovan Catholic

Jackson Liberty

Jackson Memorial

Lacey

JALINA RODRIGUES

JENIAH LONGSWORTH

HAILEY SOLLAS

ALAINA CIANCIA

ARIANA MATIAS

SAMMANTHA SPINA

Manchester

Pt. Pleasant Boro

Southern

TORRIE FERRARA

PAIGE RITCHEY

HANNA AROMANDO

ANGELINA GRUSZECKI

MADELINE CAPELLI

ARIANNA QUIROS

T R East

T R North

T R South

C HRISTINE W OLFMAN

- M A N C H ES T E R

A L L- S H O R E G A M E S U M M A R I E S strength of the running of Matawan’s Terry Underwood and the passing of Rumson-Fair Haven’s Pete Graham. Southern’s Mike Grant threw for 225 yards in the loss for Ocean. 1986 - Monmouth 22, Ocean 9 Highlights: Behind a Classic-record 161 yards rushing by Freehold’s Joe “The Jet’’ Henderson that included touchdown runs of 44 and 63 yards, Monmouth took a 5-4 lead in the series and became the first team to win back-to-back games. 1987 - Ocean 22, Monmouth 20 Highlights: The Jackson Memorial combination of quarterback Tom Tarver and tight end Steve Carr clicked on a 10-yard scoring pass with three seconds left in regulation for the game-winning touchdown to even series at five apiece. 1988 - Monmouth 28, Ocean 7 Highlights: Freehold Township quarterback Brian Gilbert triggered a 21point third quarter with a five-yard touchdown run that was followed by an 85-yard interception return for a touchdown by Matawan’s Eric Bellamy to help Monmouth roll to the win. 1989 - Ocean 23, Monmouth 18 Highlights: Brick’s Todd Durkin threw touchdown passes to Lacey’s Carl Tarricone and Toms River South’s Chip LaBarca Jr. to help even the series at six. LaBarca finished with six catches for 119 yards in the win, and St. John Vianney’s Gil Gutierrez kicked a Classic-record 52-yard field goal. 1990 - Ocean 22, Monmouth 21 Highlights: Brick kicker Kurt Weiboldt tied Gutierrez’s record with a 52yard field goal and kicked a Classic-record three field goals in the win, including the game-winner from 28 yards with no time remaining to give Ocean its first two-game winning streak in the series. Lacey running back Keith Elias added 147 yards rushing and a touchdown catch.

1978 - Ocean 21, Monmouth 7 Highlights: Toms River South’s George Scribellito picked off an errant lateral in the fourth quarter to seal the inaugural All Shore Classic.

1991 - Monmouth 15, Ocean 14 Highlights: A 10-yard touchdown run late in the fourth quarter from Neptune’s Bruce Pugh and a two-point conversion run by Ocean Township’s Doug Rossback put Monmouth over the top.

1979 - Monmouth 7, Ocean 6 Highlights: Neptune’s Bob Lubischer hit Howell’s Vinnie Zambetti with a 35-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter, and Monmouth held on as Ocean scored with 15 seconds left in the game but failed on a twopoint conversion attempt.

1992 - Monmouth 20, Ocean 0 Highlights: Middletown North quarterback Mike Hallard ran for an 11yard touchdown and threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to James Stanton to help Monmouth roll to the win. Monmouth defensive tackle Ty Watkins and end Choppy Taylor led a defense that limited Ocean to a Classicrecord minus-20 yards rushing.

1980 - Ocean 15, Monmouth 10 Highlights: Southern’s Cliff Walters scored on a 2-yard run and threw a 45-yard touchdown pass to Toms River North’s Cal Cassidy to put Ocean back in control of the series, 2-1. 1981 - Monmouth 22, Ocean 16 Highlights: Monmouth wiped out a 9-0 deficit behind 147 yards rushing on 21 carries by Asbury Park’s Doug Johnson, including a 25-yard touchdown run. Howell’s Randy Radecki threw a 45-yard scoring pass to Manasquan’s Tony Fleming near the end of the first half. 1982 - Ocean 17, Monmouth 16 Highlights: Toms River South’s Tom Forrester threw touchdown passes to teammate Brian Bienkowski and Point Boro’s Carlo Colombino, and Toms River South’s Jeff Lawton booted a 35-yard field goal to help Ocean hold off Monmouth. In the loss, Manasquan’s Everett Morgan nailed a 35-yard field goal and was just short on a potentially gamewinning 45-yard attempt as time expired. 1983 - Monmouth 19, Ocean 0 Highlights: Middletown North running back Chris Barnes scored two touchdowns, Wall’s Art Petracco ran for 120 yards and a touchdown, and Long Branch defensive lineman Keith Farrow led a Monmouth defense that earned the first shutout in Classic history by limiting Ocean to just 37 yards rushing. 1984 - Ocean 7, Monmouth 0 Highlights: Monsignor Donovan’s Rob Gould scored on a 3-yard run with 6:10 left in the game as Ocean earned its first shutout victory in the series. 1985 - Monmouth 14, Ocean 12 Highlights: Monmouth built a 14-0 lead and held on for the win on the

1993 - Ocean 20, Monmouth 18 Highlights: Toms River South’s Chris Pagano blocked a 50-yard field goal attempt by Monmouth on the final play of the game as Ocean evened the series at eight apiece. Toms River East quarterback Alex Zarrillo had three second-half touchdown passes, two to Mike Citta. 1994 - Monmouth 36, Ocean 0 Highlights: Ocean Township’s Eddie Conti fired touchdown passes to Middletown South’s Matt Cuccia and Holmdel’s Brian Carpenito during a 29-point first half in the most lop-sided win in Classic history. Cuccia finished with six catches for 126 yards and two touchdowns. 1995 - Monmouth 16, Ocean 9 Highlights: Matawan’s Charlie Rogers ran for 117 yards and a touchdown, Middletown South’s Jeff Martin added a touchdown and Raritan’s Frank Aresta kicked a 46-yard field goal as Monmouth opened up a 16-0 lead in the fourth quarter. 1996 - Ocean 10, Monmouth 3 Highlights: Toms River North quarterback Ron Sermarini threw an 8yard touchdown pass to Point Beach’s Dan Frangione in the first quarter en route to breaking Monmouth’s two-game winning streak. Interceptions by Lakewood’s Greg Porzio and Toms River North’s Doc Rose helped stop Monmouth’s attack. 1997 - Ocean 15, Monmouth 13 Highlights: Second-half touchdowns by Brick’s Will Bell and Demetrius Dunn overcame a 7-0 halftime deﬁcit to help Ocean tie the series at 10-10. 1998 - Monmouth 27, Ocean 13 Highlights: Red Bank running back Eric McCoo rushed for 105 yards and scored a Classic-record three touchdowns, one on a 60-yard punt return, to lift Monmouth to an 11-10 advantage in the series. Brick Memorial’s Shawn

Murray had a Classic-record 98-yard interception return for a touchdown in the loss for Ocean. 1999 - Monmouth 21, Ocean 20 Highlights: Marlboro defensive lineman Dan Klecko blocked an extrapoint attempt with 27 seconds left in the game to give Monmouth the win after Ocean had scored on a touchdown pass by Toms River South’s Bill Rankin to teammate Torey Morris. 2000 - Monmouth 23, Ocean 0 Highlights: Long Branch’s David Rodriguez threw for touchdowns of 24 and 30 yards, and Raritan’s Glenn Nicholl threw for 100 yards in the first half as Monmouth put together the first three-game winning streak in the history of the game. 2001 - Ocean 6, Monmouth 3 Highlights: Toms River East’s Colin Gaynor booted field goals of 29 and 18 yards and Lakewood defensive end Thomas Carroll helped stop the Monmouth attack as Ocean stopped Monmouth’s three-game winning streak. 2002 - Ocean 10, Monmouth 7 (OT) Highlights: The first overtime game in the history of the series was decided when Lacey’s Carl Pennauchi kicked a 35-yard field goal on Ocean’s first overtime possession after a quarterback sneak by Middletown South’s Brendan Kennedy had tied the game in the fourth quarter. 2003 - Monmouth 8 - Ocean 2, (Game ended at halftime due to inclement weather) Highlights: With five seconds left in the first half, Matawan running back Tom Corley scored on a one-yard run and then Manalapan quarterback Mike Gaeta hit Raritan’s Mike Fabozzi for the two-point conversion to give Monmouth an 8-2 lead before the game abruptly ended. 2004 - Monmouth 28, Ocean 21 Highlights: Long Branch defensive end Mike Bland returned a fumble for an 80-yard touchdown and Keyport running back Ken Cattouse ran for a pair of touchdowns to give Monmouth the win. 2005 - Monmouth 19, Ocean 14 Highlights: Long Branch quarterback Maurice Turpin threw for a Classicrecord 240 yards and one touchdown while also running for a touchdown to give Monmouth its third straight win. 2006 - Ocean 7, Monmouth 7 (No OT, game ended in a tie) Highlights: Now known as the Shore 44 game, the first tie in the history of the series occurred when Manalapan’s Anthony Mujica scored to give Monmouth the lead and then Southern’s Josh Midili helped tie the game with a two-yard run in the fourth quarter. Both teams missed potentially game-winning field goals in the final minutes of regulation and the game ended in a tie. 2007 - Ocean 11, Monmouth 10 Highlights: Toms River East quarterback Jared Morris scored from four yards out on fourth down in the fourth quarter to help end Monmouth’s four-game unbeaten streak in the 30th game of the series. 2008 - Ocean 27, Monmouth 20 Highlights: Ocean won its second straight game as Brick wide receiver Kurt Loftus had a Classic-record 70-yard punt return for a touchdown for a 27-13 lead in the third quarter. Lacey quarterback Warren Smith ran for a 4-yard touchdown and also threw a 34-yard touchdown pass to Toms River North’s Adam Carey. Rumson wide receiver Ryan Kirchner had a pair of touchdown catches in the loss for Monmouth. 2009 - Monmouth 30, Ocean 13 Highlights: Manalapan running back Jimmy Gilburn ran for touchdowns of one yard and 49 yards, and Asbury Park defensive back Will Johnson had a 55-yard interception return for a touchdown as Monmouth ended a three-game winless streak against Ocean with a convincing victory at Brick. Freehold quarterback Nick Tyson threw for a game-high 116 yards, including a 36-yard touchdown pass to Freehold teammate Brandon Brown, who had six catches for 78 yards. Middletown North's Dylan Maresca added a 25-yard field goal for Monmouth. Chris Castronuova, the first Jackson Liberty player to ever participate in the Classic, had a 20-yard touchdown catch in the loss for Ocean. Lacey's Justin Pandorf also had a 6yard touchdown run for Ocean.

ALL SHORE GAME SUMMARIES 2010 - Monmouth 12, Ocean 10 Highlights: A 42-yard touchdown pass from St. John Vianney’s Joe Carlucci to Long Branch wide receiver Ezra Kelly midway through the fourth quarter gave Monmouth County a comeback victory. Howell wideout Phil Adamo added a 14-yard touchdown catch from teammate Jimmy Ryan in the first quarter that was set up by a forced fumble by Middletown South defensive end Nick Bricker. Toms River South’s Rob Whitfield had an 83-yard kickoff return that set up a touchdown run by Toms River East’s Nico Steriti in the loss. Lacey defensive lineman Mike Stuppiello added three tackles for a loss and a sack for Ocean. 2011 - Ocean 6, Monmouth 3 Highlights: A 22-yard field goal by Lacey’s Jarrod Molzon snapped a 3-3 tie with 7:39 left in the game to send Ocean County to victory in the lowest-scoring Gridiron Classic since 2001. Lacey head coach Lou Vircillo picked up his third win as a head coach in the Gridiron Classic, second behind only fellow Hall of Famer Warren Wolf. Ocean’s defense held Monmouth to 105 total yards, and Lacey linebacker Brian Mykoliw had an interception that set up Molzon’s winning field goal. Toms River East punter Joey Clarizio was named Ocean’s defensive MVP, while Lacey quarterback Craig Cicardo earned offensive MVP honors. Keyport defensive tackle Greg Velasco won the defensive MVP for Monmouth, and Rumson-Fair Haven quarterback Mike Villapiano was named offensive MVP. 2012 - Monmouth 28, Ocean 7 Highlights: St. John Vianney quarterback Anthony Carlucci went 5for-6 for 91 yards and threw two touchdown passes to earn offensive MVP honors in Monmouth’s victory. Manalapan running back John Sieczkowski ran for 100 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries in the win, and Red Bank’s Tyheem Crawford and St. John Vianney’s Anthony Pante each had touchdown catches. Manasquan linebacker Kodie McNamara was the defensive MVP for Monmouth, which held Ocean to 111 total yards. Lacey defensive end Jordan Powell was Ocean’s defensive MVP with three sacks, and Brick quarterback Brandon Kieslor, who ran for a 2-yard touchdown, was Ocean’s offensive MVP. 2013 - Monmouth 19, Ocean 7 Highlights: Monmouth won its second straight Classic behind Colts Neck wide receiver Tim Vangelas, who earned offensive MVP honors with 6 catches for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns. Neptune quarterback Ajee Patterson went 6-for-9 passing for 65 yards and two touchdowns and also ran for 45 yards on four carries. Colts Neck quarterback Mike Campbell finished 8-for-15 for a game-high 120 yards passing and threw a touchdown pass to Vangelas. Neptune defensive end David Calderon earned defensive MVP honors for Monmouth with four sacks to lead an effort that limited Ocean County to 125 total yards. Brick Memorial quarterback Ryan Cieplenski earned offensive MVP honors for Ocean by throwing for 44 yards and the team's only touchdown, a 29yard strike to Point Beach's Andre Cochran. Brick defensive end Dan Watson was Ocean's defensive MVP with a pair of sacks. 2014 - Ocean 17, Monmouth 14 Highlights: Ocean ended Monmouth’s two-game winning streak in the Classic with a storybook ending as Brick kicker Anthony Starego, who has autism, booted two extra points and the game-winning 20yard field goal with 5:21 left in the game on his home field. Southern defensive back Logan Sheehan then made a game-sealing interception with 1:11 remaining. Starego earned offensive MVP honors for Ocean, while Southern linebacker Mason Fazekas was the defensive MVP with three hits for a loss and a blocked punt. Colts Neck running back Anthony Gargiulo ran for 51 yards and a touchdown to earn offensive MVP honors for Monmouth, and Matawan defensive end Nick Tomkins had multiple sacks to be named the defensive MVP. Manchester’s Shaquille Benjamin had a 71-yard touchdown return of a blocked field goal for Ocean, Donovan Catholic’s Vinny Grasso added a 26-yard fumble

return for a score, and Brick’s Drew Scott had an interception return that set up Starego’s winning field goal. 2015 - Ocean 27, Monmouth 7 Highlights Ocean won its second straight over Monmouth with a balanced offense centered around a standout passing attack. Quarterbacks Carmen Sclafani (Brick), Joe DeMaio (Jackson Memorial) and Conor Davies (Lacey) each threw touchdown passes while Brick Memorial’s Karl Kumm kicked a pair of field goals despite not being the Mustangs kicker during the season. The Ocean County defense held Monmouth’s offense to just 161 total yards. Jackson Memorial’s Matt Castronuova was named Ocean County’s offensive MVP after catching five passes for 63 yards and two touchdowns. Toms River South defensive lineman Joe Odebode earned defensive MVP for Ocean County with a sack and a tackle for a loss. Rumson-Fair Haven running back Charlie Volker ran for 84 yards on 14 carries, had one catch for 12 yards and scored his teams’s only touchdown on his way to being selected as Monmouth County’s offensive MVP. Holmdel linebacker Frank Condito was the Monmouth defensive MVP. Kumm kicked field goals of 25 and 43 yards and also caught a 45-yard touchdown pass. 2016 – Ocean 14, Monmouth 7 Highlights: A ferocious defensive effort led Ocean County to its record-tying third straight win in the all-time series, holding Monmouth County to minus-2 rushing yards and 158 yards overall. Point Boro’s Noah Husak threw a 54-yard touchdown pass to Brick’s Matt Schleifer and Central’s Mike Miserendino tossed a 4-yard touchdown pass to Southern’s Pat Walker. Middletown South’s Matt Mosquera threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Raritan’s Nick Pasquin for Monmouth’s score. Jackson Memorial defensive end Tyler Towns was named Ocean County’s defensive MVP thanks to a crucial stop on a fourth-and-1 play early in the fourth quarter that preserved Ocean County’s 7-0 lead. Towns also had a batted pass that resulted in an interception by Brick Memorial defensive lineman Chris Hayes. Miserendino was selected as Ocean County’s offensive MVP for leading the nine-play, 86-yard drive that resulted in his touchdown pass to Walker with 8:30 to play in the game. Miserendino also had a game-high 48 yards rushing. Brick defensive lineman Jordan Keefe added a fumble recovery and Barnegat linebacker Josh Bowen blocked a field goal attempt. Middletown North defensive lineman Matt Dombrowski had a fumble recovery that led to Monmouth’s touchdown and was selected as their defensive MVP. Pasquin was named offensive MVP with his touchdown reception. Freehold quarterback Jake Curry had a game high 110 yards on 9 of 13 passing. Freehold’s Todd Burger also had a fumble recovery and Ocean’s Greyson Stoothoff had an interception. 2017 – Monmouth 17, Ocean 8 Highlights: Marlboro running back Cameron Caorsi rushed for 168 yards and a touchdown to break the Gridiron Classic single-game rushing record and lead Monmouth County to victory, snapping Ocean County’s three-game winning streak. Caorsi ran for 92 yards on 14 carries in the first half and added 76 yards on 11 carries over the final two quarters to break the old mark of 161 yards set by legendary Freehold running back Joe “The Jet” Henderson in 1986. St. John Vianney quarterback Matt DeGennaro threw a 5-yard touchdown pass to Asbury Park running back Paul Reed and Freehold Township’s Tyler Schulman kicked a 29-yard field goal. Caorsi was selected as Monmouth County’s offensive MVP while Keyport defensive end Zack Frick was named Monmouth County’s defensive MVP with a sack, a tackle for loss and a fumble recovery. Red Bank Catholic defensive back Max Hazard also had a standout game with two interceptions, one of which led to Monmouth’s first touchdown. Brick quarterback Anthony Costanza tossed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Point Boro wide receiver Hayden Frey, then connected with

( c o n t’ d )

Central running back Mike Bickford for the 2-point conversion to account for Ocean County’s points. Lakewood wide receiver Adi Palmer was the offensive MVP for Ocean County with six receptions for 68 yards and Lacey defensive back Chase Stephensen had a fumble recovery to be selected as the Ocean County defensive MVP. 2018 – Monmouth 28, Ocean 14 Highlights: Freehold quarterback Ashante Worthy concluded his record-breaking career by accounting for 155 total yards and two touchdowns en route to being selected as the game’s Most Valuable Player as Monmouth County won its second straight Gridiron Classic to extend its lead in the all-time series. Worthy ran for a team-high 94 yards and a 16-yard touchdown on 10 carries and threw for 61 yards and a touchdown, connecting with Red Bank Catholic wide receiver Brandon Lombana on a 15-yard screen pass. Red Bank Catholic running back Zack Bair added 51 yards rushing and a touchdown and Marlboro wide receiver Justin Marcus caught three passes for 26 yards, including a 5-yard touchdown reception from Long Branch quarterback Juwan Wilkins. Monmouth County opened a 21-0 halftime lead and stretched its advantage to 28-0 in the third quarter to put the game away. Long Branch’s Kevin Porch was selected as Monmouth County’s defensive MVP thanks to a key pass breakup in the first quarter and a timely recovery of a squib kick in the second half. Ocean County prevented the shutout when Lacey running back Jason Giresi scored on a 6-yard run early in the fourth quarter, which was set up by a 41-yard run by Manchester running back Jalen Glenn. Point Boro quarterback James Fara ran for a game-high 100 yards on 14 carries while Glenn ran for 79 yards and a touchdown and caught three passes for 19 yards to be selected as Ocean County’s offensive MVP. Jackson Liberty’s Nick Johnson was selected as Ocean County’s defensive MVP with two tackles for loss.

2019 – Monmouth 21, Ocean 6 Highlights: Long Branch quarterback Marc Dennis tied a Gridiron Classic single-game record by tossing three touchdown passes on his way to being selected as the game’s Most Valuable Player and leading Monmouth County to its third straight win. Dennis, who helped lead Long Branch to consecutive NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 4 sectional championships, closed out his career by completing 10 of 16 passes for 177 yards and touchdown passes to Ocean’s Alex Bryant (2) and Long Branch teammate Matt Clarke. Monmouth jumped out to a 14-0 lead after the first quarter thanks to a pair of 9-yard touchdown passes by Dennis, the first of which went to Clarke and the second to Bryant. The lead grew to 21-0 in the second quarter when Bryant got behind the defense and hauled in a 50-yard scoring strike from Dennis. Freehold Township’s Colin Taptich converted all three of his extra points and Monmouth went to halftime leading by three touchdowns. After a scoreless third quarter, Ocean County was able to avoid being shut out when Brick’s Cole Groschel threw a 19-yard touchdown pass to Toms River North’a Aaron Craig. In addition to Dennis’s 177 yards passing, Bryant finished with a game-high 87 yards on four receptions and Clarke caught three passes for 65 yards. Keansburg’s Liam Ricks led the Monmouth County ground attack with 30 yards rushing on just three carries. Monmouth County’s defense held Ocean County to just 199 yards of offense, including three yards in the first half. Asbury Park safety Kharod Young and Red Bank Catholic linebacker Steve Cmielewski each had interceptions and Manalapan defensive end Da’Shon Taylor earned Monmouth’s Defensive MVP. Groschel was selected as Ocean County’s Offensive MVP and Manchester defensive end Eric Cowan was Ocean’s Defensive MVP. The Sam Mills Award winners were Red Bank Catholic’s Jaden Key and Central Regional’s Troy Warren.

FOR ADVERTISING INFORMATION Contact: Steven Meyer 732-233-4460 steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com 32

A great senior class that includes Bauman, Brown, offensive linemen Vince Carpenter, Ashton Mejias and Michael Conneely, running back/linebacker Rajahn Cooper, defensive end Ryan McPherson, defensive backs Joe Diorio and Corbett Cimini, wide receiver Jaidin Hayes, and defensive lineman Connor Wanagiel will graduate but the Caseys have a very strong group of juniors and sophomores returning led by Sabino Portella, linebacker Davin Brewton, wide receivers Najiah Rahman and Emanuel Ross, offensive linemen Lorenzo Portella and Tyler Burnham, running back/linebacker Torin Harmon, linebacker Michael Palmieri, defensive lineman By Bob Badders

Managing Editor

T HE DEBATE RAGED ON FOR WEEKS. WHO WAS THE NO. 1 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL TEAM IN THE SHORE CONFERENCE? Three suitors emerged throughout the season but neither stood head and shoulders above the others thanks to a triangle between the three powerhouses. Separating the trio was not nearly as simple as looking at head-to-head results. Each team had a legitimate argument to be ranked No. 1. In the end, one team made a case too strong to overlook. The team that finishes the 2021 season atop the rankings and as the Shore Sports Network Team of the Year is Red Bank Catholic. Following a Week 9 loss to Donovan Catholic, the Caseys rebounded by winning the NJSIAA Non-Public B state championship with a 13-8 victory over DePaul. The victory secured a state title, gave RBC an 11-1 season record, and delivered the final point of reference that pushed the Caseys over the top. This was not an easy decision until RBC traveled to MetLife Stadium and defeated a team that was ranked No. 3 in New Jersey entering the game. Donovan Catholic had risen to No. 1 thanks to its 28-7 victory over RBC during a Week 9 nor'easter. That created a triangle between Donovan, RBC, and Rumson-Fair Haven. In Week 2, Rumson defeated Donovan, 14-0. Then, in Week 7, RBC beat Rumson 21-14. The Caseys needed a special postseason to overtake the Griffins and that is exactly what they produced, beating Morris Catholic and St. Joseph Academy (Hammonton) in the first two rounds before the resounding win over a superb DePaul team in a great championship game. The difficult decisions didn't end with No. 1, either. Rumson owns a win over Donovan Catholic but with the Griffins being the No. 1 team up until this final ranking it didn't seem right to use only the head-to-head victory from Week 2 as the barometer. The Griffins had a great season on the field with a 9-2 record (they were officially 6-5 because of three forfeits for using an ineligible player), losing to Rumson and then to Bergen Catholic, 28-7, in the Non-Public A quarterfinals. Bergen Catholic went wire-to-wire as the No. 1 team in the state and completed an undefeated season by winning the Non-Public A championship. That is how we came to our decision on the final top 10. Not everyone will agree with it, but such is the nature of trying to rank the 10 best teams in a 42-team conference. We would like to thank everyone for following our coverage throughout the season. Congratulations to all the division winners, South Jersey Group 2 sectional champion Point Boro, Non-Public B state champion Red Bank Catholic, and every team that attacked their goals right up until the final whistle.

2021 FINAL SHORE SPORTS

NETWORK TOP I0

Aidan Donohue, wide receiver/defensive backs Robert Stolfa and Christian Ungemah.

DONOVAN CATHOLIC (6-5, 9-2 on the field) Donovan was overtaken by Red Bank Catholic in the final ranking, but that wasn't any fault of the Griffins. Donovan beat RBC in Week 9 before its season came to an end two weeks later at the hands of state No. 1 Bergen Catholic. A cloud hung over Donovan's program for a bit after the NJSIAA ruled the team had used an ineligible player and changed their first three wins to forfeit losses, but the Griffins' players soldiered on and delivered another great season on the field. Donovan earned wins over No. 1 RBC, No. 5 Wall, No. 6 Toms River North, won by at least three touchdowns in all nine of its victories, and allowed a touchdown or less in seven of 11 games. Their nine wins this season tied a program record set in 1992 and equaled in 2019. This is the Griffins' fourth straight year with seven or more wins, the longest such streak in program history. The Griffins' offense was third in the Shore averaging 32.6 points per game and led by senior quarterback Jalin Butler, senior running back Nunes Bukula IV, senior wide receiver Kyree Drake, and a punishing offensive line led by seniors Caron McNair, Nico Ippolito, Aaron Crooms, and Rob Madison. The Griffins' defense was No. 4 in the Shore allowing 11.5 points per game. Senior linebacker Nat Iannello recorded a state-leading 172 tackles, junior linebacker Dante Vernieri had 132 tackles and five interceptions, senior defensive end Levi Wilkins recorded six sacks, and senior defensive back Mysun Rush-Esdaile had a strong season in the secondary. A ton of talent will leave the program as Butler, Iannello, Bukula, Drake, Wilkins, Rush-Esdaile, McNair, Ippolito, Madison, Crooms, and linebacker Connor Farrell are set to graduate, but the Griffins have several key returns with Vernieri, freshman wideout Michael Thomas III, sophomore linebacker/tight end Hunter Johnson, sophomore defensive back Ethan Mathieu, freshman lineman Louis Dibiase, sophomore running back/defensive lineman Zaeir Day back next season.

RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN (9-2) The Bulldogs had another successful season near the top of the Shore Conference even if it ended without a sectional title, which has become the program's standard over the past decade. Rumson won the American Division title with wins over No. 2 Donovan Catholic, No. 5 Wall, and No. 6 Toms River North and also defeated No. 4 Middletown South and No. 9 Long Branch. The Bulldogs' defeats came to No. 1 Red Bank Catholic and to Woodrow Wilson in the Central Jersey Group 3 sectional final. Rumson's defense was fantastic and finished No. 1 in the Shore Conference allowing just 6.8 points per game with four shutouts. Senior linebacker John Lista was excellent with 136 tackles and 10 sacks to earn SSN Defensive Player of the Year honors, senior defensive end Aiden Moriarty had 102 tackles and nine sacks, and senior linebacker Ryan McKay made 126 tackles to lead the way. Offensively, Rumson was led by senior quarterback Geoff Schroeder (1,085 yards rushing and 14 TDs) and senior quarterback Colin Kennedy (889 yards passing, 444 yards rushing, 21 total TDs), and an offensive line featuring seniors Charlie Pearson, Christian Smith, Patrick Malpass, George Clough, Dan Gredel, and Griffin Volk. Rumson loses a ton to graduation but has proven it can reload on the fly and remain a championship contender. Defensive backs Beau Kemler and Ryan Kalman, wide receivers Nick Rigby and Markus Brown, defensive end Julien Devlin, and defensive tackles Marshall Halfacre and Cooper Bunnell lead the group of underclassmen who will be back in 2022.

MIDDLETOWN SOUTH (9-2) The Eagles won the Colonial Division championship, reached the NJSIAA North 2, Group 4 sectional final, and won nine games for the 12th time since Steve Antonucci became head coach in 1998. Middletown South posted victories over No. 7 Manasquan and No. 10 Manalapan to highlight its schedule while its losses came to No. 3 Rumson-Fair Haven and to Irvington in the sectional championship game. Defense was yet again the calling card for Middletown South. The Eagles were No. 2 in the Shore in scoring defense at 10.1 points per game and were led by senior defensive end Jack Latore, senior linebacker Jack Willi, sophomore linebacker Colin Gallagher, senior defensive tackle Jake Williamson, senior defensive backs Tom Schork and Matt Grab, and sophomore defensive back Jake Czwakiel. The unit posted two shutouts and allowed 14 points or less in nine of 11 games. Offensively, senior running back Dan Primiano ran for 1,027 yards and 10 touchdowns and Schork totaled 1,255 yards and 11 touchdowns between passing and rushing.

RED BANK CATHOLIC (11-1) The Caseys defeated DePaul, 13-8, to capture the NJSIAA Non-Public B state championship and ﬁnish 11-1, earning the program's fourth state title and its third since 2014. RBC also won the Constitution Division title, which included a victory over No. 7 Manasquan. The Caseys also defeated No. 3 Rumson-Fair Haven, No. 5 Wall, No. 10 Manalapan, and Central Jersey Group 2 ﬁnalist Raritan. RBC had several standouts put together banner seasons. Senior Alex Bauman, the SSN MVP, was a two-way force at tight end and defensive end, senior quarterback Alex Brown, the SSN Offensive Player of the Year, had a phenomenal season with just under 2,400 combined yards and 32 combined touchdowns, and junior Sabino Portella had a breakout year as a running back and defensive back to lead the way. RBC had the No. 2 scoring defense (32.7 ppg) and the No. 3 scoring defense (11.4 ppg) in the Shore.

Middletown South will graduate an impactful senior class that includes Schork, Primiano, Grab, Latore, Williamson, Willi, lineman Dante Miranda, linebacker Tyler Carey, wide receiver/defensive back Ryan St. Clair, and wide receiver Anthony Brasco. Key returns for next season include Gallagher, sophomore Czwakiel, sophomore running back Donovan Summey, junior lineman Tyler Addonisio, and junior defensive back wide receiver/defensive back Logan Colleran.

WALL (6-4) Wall's season started with two straight losses and ended abruptly when a still-ongoing investigation into hazing involving members of the football team forced the cancelation of a playoff game and the team's Thanksgiving game. It was a somber end for a fantastic senior class that led Wall to two straight No. 1 finishes in the SSN Top 10, including a sectional title in 2019 and a mythical Shore Conference championship in 2020. The Crimson Knights had won six of seven games when their season was cut short before the South Jersey Group 3 semifinals and their on-field losses came to No. 1 Red Bank Catholic, No. 2 Donovan Catholic, and No. 3 Rumson-Fair Haven. Wall earned wins over No. 6 Toms River North, Colts Neck, Lenape, Middletown North, St John Vianney, and Hopewell Valley.

See

2 0 2 1 To p T e n

Page 40

2 0 2 1 To p Te n

C o n t in u e d f r o m p a g e 3 8

The future of Wall's football program is very uncertain at the moment given who graduates and the fact that members of the coaching staff are currently on administrative leave. A large and impactful senior class includes linebackers Charlie Sasso and Colin Riley, defensive end Blake Rezk, quarterback/defensive back Jake Davis, running back/defensive back Matt Dollive, wide receiver Jackson Coan, linebacker Lou Pilla, and linemen Brian Byrne, Max Oakley, and Joe Sommers.

TOMS RIVER NORTH (7-4) A young and inexperienced Mariners squad lost their first four games in the rough-and-tumble American Division but found its way down the stretch to make a run to the South Jersey Group 5 championship game. After falling to Colts Neck, No. 2 Donovan Catholic, No. 5 Wall, and No. 3 Rumson-Fair Haven in consecutive games (the Donovan loss was later changed to a forfeit victory), Toms River North rattled off six straight wins to reach the sectional final where it ultimately fell to Kingsway, 21-14, in the final minute. Sophomore quarterback Micah Ford emerged as one of the Shore's best with 1,451 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns plus 944 yards passing and eight touchdowns. Fellow sophomores, wide receivers Tareq Council and Jeremiah Pruitt, and running back Josh Moore, also burst onto the scene and established themselves as dangerous playmakers. On defense, junior linebackers Ty Kazanowsky and Ty Boland anchored the unit. Senior two-way lineman Mike Dowd was one of just a few senior starters for the Mariners, who have a very bright future with several juniors, sophomores, and even a freshman coming back next year after starting this season.

MANASQUAN (8-3) It was another winning season on Broad Street for one of the Shore's most storied programs. A change in offensive philosophy designed to better suit its personnel paid dividends as the Warriors won eight games and reached the semifinals of the Central Jersey Group 3 playoffs. Manasquan posted signature wins over No. 8 Point Boro, which went on to win the South Jersey Group 2 sectional title, as well as Central Jersey Group 2 finalist Raritan. All three of Manasquan's losses came to top teams; No. 1 Red Bank Catholic, No. 4 Middletown South (15-12) and Central Jersey Group 3 champion Woodrow Wilson. Junior quarterback Brett Patten and senior

wide receiver Cole Kozlowski formed the Shore's most productive duo with Patten throwing for 1,594 yards and 25 touchdowns and Kozlowski catching 42 passes for 750 yards and 10 touchdowns. Junior running back Jhamir Howard, senior wide receiver Robert Pendergist, and senior running back Patrick Woodford were also key contributors for an offense that was tied for fifth in the Shore averaging 27.7 points per game. Seniors Ryan Burns and JJ Cavanagh led the way for a defense that was 11th in the Shore in scoring average. Manasquan was a senior-heavy team but have Patten and Howard leading the group of returners along with junior wide receiver/kicker Jack Dettlinger, and junior linebacker Cael Driscoll.

POINT BORO (10-2) After three consecutive sub.-500 seasons, the Panthers returned to championship form by going 10-2, winning the Patriot Division title, and taking home the NJSIAA South Jersey Group 2 sectional title, the program's fourth overall and first since 2005. Along the way, Point Boro scored wins over South Jersey Group 1 semifinalist Shore Regional, National Division champion Monmouth Regional (twice), Middletown North, and Willingboro. The Panthers' losses were to No. 8 Manasquan (35-0) and Haddonfield (28-27) in a Group 2 regional championship game. Point Boro's flexbone triple-option offense had the No. 1 scoring unit in the Shore at 35.5 points per game with four standouts in the backfield and a physical offensive line. Sophomore fullback Jake Croce ran for 1,101 yards and 10 touchdowns, senior quarterback Charlie Vitale ran for 961 yards and 16 touchdowns and threw for 512 yards and 7 touchdowns, junior slotback Connor Cilento ran for 623 yards and seven touchdowns on an average of 11.9 yards per carry, and sophomore slotback Matt Oliphant ran for 515 yards and 11 touchdowns. Up front, seniors Luke Wilson, Mike Meccia, and Justin Tuzzolino, junior Cole Skinner, and sophomore Charles Davison paved the way for Point Boro to rush for 3,682 yards on an average of 7.2 yards per carry. The Panthers also played tough defense, finishing sixth in the Shore at 13.7 points per game. Linebackers Connor Reynolds, Tyler Gordon, JJ Bennett, Aiden Ward, Sam Muraglia, and Thomas Welch helped lead the way. Only a handful of senior staters graduate so Point Boro should be a title contender again in 2022.

LONG BRANCH (8-2) The final season for longtime head coach Danny George was a successful one as the Green Wave went 82, won the Freedom Division title, and advanced to the semifinals of the South Jersey Group 4 playoffs. The Green Wave had a pair of wins over Freehold and also defeated St. John Vianney to highlight their schedule. Long Branch's losses came to No. 3 Rumson-Fair Haven and to an undefeated Ocean City team in the sectional semifinals. Senior quarterback Christian Rodriguez threw for 1,464 yards and 19 touchdowns and ran for 406 yards and five touchdowns to lead an offense that tied for fifth in the Shore averaging 27.7 points per game. Seniors Jayden Farmer, Jyshon Presley, and Deiondre McCullers, and juniors Sekou Kamau, Michael Hall, Ka'Jion Thorne, Shamar Williams, Josh Duval, and Luke Tracey were key contributors on both sides of the ball as the Green Wave had the No, 10 scoring defense (16.9 ppg) in the Shore. It will be interesting to see what the future holds for Long Branch's football program now that George has retired from his post. The Green Wave will be looking for a new head coach for the first time since 1999 but have several key players coming back next year.

MANALAPAN (6-3) The Braves shook off a rare losing season to return to the top 10, finishing 6-3 and earning notable wins over Southern Regional, Freehold, and Central Regional along the way. Manalapan's losses came to No. 4 Middletown South, No. 1 Red Bank Catholic, and to Edison in the state playoffs. A balanced offense was led by senior quarterback Mike Heckel, senior running back Elijah Marquez, junior wide receiver Alex Dille, and senior wideouts Tyler Walker and Michael Bimonte. The Braves had the No. scoring defense in the Shore at 16.1 points per game and were led by senior defensive lineman Mario Chierchia, senior linebacker Jordan Gravesande in the front seven along with Dille, Walker, and senior Paul Wojciechowski in the secondary. Manalapan will graduate a large senior class but is a program that more often than not finds a way to contend regardless. Dille, juniors Preston Birnie and Thomas Clark, and sophomore Anthony Macchio are among the top returners for next season.

SHORE SPORTS NETWORK 2021 ALL-SHORE FOOTBALL T E A M S

FIRST TEAM

S E C ON D T E A M

THIRD TEAM

QB – Christian Rodriguez, Sr. Long Branch

QB – Stephen Jardim, Sr., Howell

QB – Tommy Giannone, Sr., Midd. North

QB – Savon Myers, Sr., Manchester

RB – Chase Gumbrecht, Jr. Central

RB – Tyler Weisneck, Sr., Brick

RB – Kieran Falzon, Jr., Raritan

RB – Jake Croce, So., Point Boro

RB – Geoff Schroeder, Sr. RFH RB - Pete Pezzullo, Sr. SJV WR – D'Maari Brown, Sr. Manchester WR – DJ Thomson, Sr. Keyport

QB – Alex Brown, Sr. RBC

DL – Aiden Moriarty, Sr. RFH

TE – Loukas Plasteras, Sr., Monmouth OL – Lorenzo Portella, So., Red Bank Catholic

OL – Dan Volpe, Sr. Colts Neck

OL – Todd Dudley, Sr., Central

OL – Aaron Crooms, Sr. Donovan Cath.

OL – Peter Thomas, Sr., Red Bank OL – Justin Kozak Sr., Toms River South

OL – Charles Pearson, Sr. RFH

RB – Jaden Gallo, Sr. Holmdel

DL – Levi Wilkins, Sr. Donovan Cath.

OL – Jason Trotta, Sr. Raritan

RB – Jaiden Brown, Sr. Southern

LB – John Lista, Sr. RFH

WR – Kyree Drake, Sr. Donovan Cath.

LB – Nat Iannello, Sr. Donovan Cath.

UTILITY – Rajahn Cooper, Sr. RB/LB, RBC

WR – Cole Kozlowski, Sr. Manasquan

LB – Ryan McKay, Sr. RFH

UTILITY – Zach Mendes, Sr. RB/LB, Marlboro

UTILITY – Kamore Gill, Sr. QB/RB/WR, Freehold UTILITY – Mikal Braithwaite, Sr. QB/LB, Keansburg

UTILITY – Colin Kennedy, Sr. QB, RFH

WR – Najih Rahman, Jr. RBC

LB – Tyler Ochojski, Sr. Freehold

TE – Alex Bauman, Sr. RBC

LB – Charlie Sasso, Sr. Wall

OL – Caron McNair, Sr. Donovan Cath.

DB – Sabino Portella, Jr. RBC

OL – Vince Carpenter, Sr. RBC

DB – Shamar Williams, Jr. Long Branch

OL – Ashton Mejias, Sr. RBC

DB – Tom Schork, Sr. Midd. South

DL – Ryan McPherson, Sr., RBC

OL – Jake Williamson, Sr. Midd. South

DB – Brian Haddow, Sr. Midd. North

DL – Jack Lopez, Jr., Middletown North

DL– Nate Committee, Sr., Southern DL – Mason Shenk, Sr., SJV

LB – Dante Vernieri, Jr., Donovan Cath. LB – Davin Brewton, So., Red Bank Cath. LB – Colin Gallagher, So., Middletown South

Utility – Jamie Mazzacco, Sr. Shore

LB – Thomas Sardo, Sr., Holmdel LB – Jack Willi, Sr., Middletown South DB – Beau Kemler, Jr., RFH

Utility – Charlie Vitale, Sr. Point Boro

DB – Matt Dollive, Sr., Wall

Utility – Micah Ford, So. TR North

DB – Yah-Sin Calhoun, Sr., Freehold

K/P – Sean Hurley, Sr. Central

DB – Jake Czwakiel, So., Middletown South

Who Supplied the GREAT PHOTOS Seen in Our Publications & Website 42

OL – Makel Davis, Jr., St. John Vianney UTILITY – Connor Dietz, So., QB, Brick Memorial UTILITY – Jashawn Carter, So., RB/WR, Asbury Park UTILITY – Mysun Rush-Esdaile, Sr., WR/DB, Donovan Cath. UTILITY – David Onuoha, Sr., RB/LB, Matawan UTILITY – Tyler Douglas, Jr., QB/DB, Ocean K – Cody Wohlrab, Jr., Freehold Township

K – Michael Calton, Jr. Manalapan

OL – Cole Skinner, Jr. Point Boro

PHOTOGRAPHERS

WR – Kevin Maloney, So., Howell

OL – Brian Byrne, Sr. Wall

DL – Blake Rezk, Sr. Wall

to all the

WR – Levi Wilson, Sr., Middletown North WR – Kyle Verriest, Jr., St. John Vianney

RB – Nunes Bukula IV, Sr. Donovan Cath.

SPECIAL THANKS

WR – Matt Dengler, Sr., Red Bank

TE – Zac Searight, Sr. Midd. North

DL – Jack Latore, Sr. Midd. South

Utility – Brett Patten, Jr. Manasquan

RB - Dan Primiano, Sr., Middletown South

WR – Nick Vecchiarelli, Sr. Howell

QB – Jalin Butler, Sr. Donovan Cath.

OL – Christian Smith, Sr. RFH

RB – Julian Jones, Jr., Monmouth

DL – Nico Ippolito, Sr., Donovan Catholic DL – Mario Chierchia, Sr., Manalapan DL – J.J. Cavanagh, Sr., Manasquan DL – Darian Newcomb, Sr., Brick DL – Jackson Whitacre, So., Shore Regional DL – De'ondre Banks, Jr., Neptune LB – Connor Reynolds, Jr., Point Boro LB – Alex Dekis, Sr., Raritan LB – Ryan Burns, Sr., Manasquan LB – Connor Farrell, Sr., Donovan Catholic LB – John Dodaro, Sr., Lacey LB – Anthony Musso, Sr., Central DB – Joe Diorio, Sr., Red Bank Catholic DB – Brian Doherty, Sr., Rumson-Fair Haven DB – Jake Davis, Sr., Wall DB – Justin Kurc, Sr., Brick DB – Jeremiah Pruitt, So., Toms River North DB – Matt Cassidy, So., Marlboro

ACADEMIC ALL-SHORE HONOREES TO BE SALUTED THE

SHORE FOOTBALL COACHES FOUNDATION WILL PAY TRIBUTE TO GRADUATED SENIOR FOOTBALL PLAYERS WHO STOOD OUT NOT ONLY ON THE FIELD BUT IN THE CLASSROOM AND COMMUNITY.

Two members from each Shore Conference school were selected by their coaches and will be presented plaques in a pre-game ceremony as part of the 43rd Annual SSN All-Shore Gridiron Classic. Special thanks to coaches Anthony Petruzzi (Raritan) and Len Zdanowicz (Brick) for coordinating the academic program.am. The 2022 Academic All-Shore Team: ASBURY PARK Joshua Handy Knasir Alston

DONOVAN CATHOLIC Connor Farrell Levi Wilkins

JACKSON MEMORIAL Thomas Widawsky Donovan Zapata

MANALAPAN Josh Debner Joseph Fratacci

MIDDLETOWN SOUTH Jack Latore Jack Willi

POINT BORO Charlie Vitale Luke Wilson

SHORE REGIONAL Andrew Decker Rylan Fegan

BARNEGAT Keean Paul Kurt Bonin

FREEHOLD Anthony Lombardi Tyler Goldstein

KEANSBURG Michael Morro Jon Beattie

MANASQUAN Dylan LeBlanc Robert Marks

MONMOUTH REGIONAL Loukas Plasteras Brandon Ligon

RARITAN Joseph Campanella Ben Hutchins

SOUTHERN Steve Abt John Bruther

BRICK TWP. Brendan Kalp Justin Kurc

FREEHOLD TWP. Ethan Kessler Giacomo Calamita

KEYPORT Andrew Obando George Mitchell

MANCHESTER D’Maari Brown Wyatt Cervenak

NEPTUNE Anthony Banks Ah’mere Booze

RED BANK CATHOLIC Alex Bauman Ashton Mejias

TOMS RIVER EAST Anthony Encarnacion Nino Scala

BRICK MEMORIAL Evan Gillen Jake Gallo

HOLMDEL Nicholas DiBlasi Jaden Gallo

LACEY John Scott Stevens Jeffrey Brewer

MARLBORO Joseph Weiss Michael Giancaspro

OCEAN Anthony Didario Ethan Brandimarte

RED BANK REGIONAL Gus DalPra Dylan Goldberg

TOMS RIVER NORTH Michael Dowd Justin Smith

CENTRAL REGIONAL Alex Bechtle Michael Rapolla

HOWELL Darien Reyes Stephen Jardim

LAKEWOOD Lamir Clark Jaylen London

MATAWAN Dennis Buonagura David Onuoha

PINELANDS Christopher Caravano Daniel McNemer

RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN Ryan McKay Charles Pearson

TOMS RIVER SOUTH Terrell Kelly Gavin Migliori

COLTS NECK Aidan Maher Thomas Fallon

JACKSON LIBERTY Connor Gallagher Cooper Yorke

LONG BRANCH Joshua Vann Anthony Santana

MIDDLETOWN NORTH Daniel Cody Ryan DeMedici

POINT BEACH Dalton Brady Kyle Simpson

ST. JOHN VIANNEY Troy Dey Michael Abel

WALL Joseph Buono Maxwell Oakle

A DVERTISING OPPORTUNITIES AVAILABLE For The

Kevin WILLIAMS Shore Sports Network Director

2022 FOOTBALL PREVIEW

kevin.williams@townsquaremedia.com

Steve MEYER Shore Sports Network Director High School Division steve.meyer@townsquaremedia.com

732-233-4460 Managing Editor BOB Badders // bob.badders@townsquaremedia.com

Senior Content Provider MATT Manley // mat.manley@townsquaremedia.com

Shore Sports Network Journal is published by: Townsquare Media 8 Robbins Street Toms River, NJ 08753

Show your support for the Shore Conference football programs with an ad in our special 2022 Football Preview issue coming out 9/6/22. This special issue includes indepth team previews, feature stories, top 10 rankings and directions to all the fields, making it the perfect keepsake. This issue has been a huge success in the past years with support from coaches, players, parents and local businesses throughout the Shore Conference. The preview will also be distributed to all 42 high schools as well as local businesses throughout Monmouth and Ocean counties

CALL TODAY 732-233-4460