Vinny Curry's Rush2Victory All-Shore Gridiron Classic Program

By Scott Stump

“This was like the Pro Bowl of high school football,” Curry said. “We were little guys getting autographs from (Matawan’s) Charlie Rogers and (Neptune’s) Scott Harley and (Red Bank’s) Eric McCoo. That was the closest thing a lot of us kids ever saw from an NFL and college standpoint, and the crowd was insane.”

Life has come full circle for Curry, as the former Neptune star and 11-year NFL veteran is now pairing up with the Shore Football Coaches Foundation for the latest edition of New Jersey’s oldest high school all-star football game. Curry’s Rush2Victory Foundation is the title sponsor of this year’s showdown between the Monmouth County and Ocean County senior all-stars, which is being run by the SFCF.

Chuck Donohue Sr., former Middletown South and Fairleigh Dickinson coach Rich Mosca, and Rumson-Fair Haven’s Jerry Schulte, the last of whom is being inducted into the SFCF Hall of Fame at this year’s game.

wants an alumni gathering to be a regular component of the game every year.

“My thing is these guys paved the way,” Curry said. “I took the torch, now I'm passing the torch. These kids need to understand how much fun we had playing in the Shore, and this is what makes the Shore Conference so special.”

The game is also part of his family’s history. His uncle, Robert Curry, a former standout running back for Neptune, played in the inaugural version of the all-star game at Wall Stadium in 1978.

The partnership between the SFCF and Curry’s Rush2Victory Foundation has resulted in some new wrinkles in the game’s 46th edition. This is the first year it’s ever been played at Monmouth University’s Kessler Stadium, and the players also spent two days staying overnight on Monmouth’s campus as they prepared for the game.

Curry’s vision aligns with that of the SFCF when it comes to football in Monmouth and Ocean counties.

“The whole concept of the foundation is to promote football, so that’s why this particular agreement coming together is the perfect scenario,” said Hall of Fame Lacey head coach Lou Vircillo, the game coordinator for the All-Shore Gridiron Classic and the founder trustee of the SFCF. Vircillo also called Emanuel Capers of the Rush2Victory Foundation "instrumental in coordinating this effort."

“Vinny Curry really wanted to jump into things with both feet, and he has a great desire to promote football, especially youth football.”

Vircillo also credits the hard work of his fellow SFCF trustees as crucial to the continuing success of the All-Shore Gridiron Classic. The group of Hall of Famers includes former Matawan coach Joe Martucci, Shore Regional’s Mark Costantino,

The SFCF is also grateful for the contributions of the 11 coaches involved in the game committee and 7-on-7 tournament, as well as Monmouth County head coach Jeremy Schulte (Rumson-FH), Ocean County head coach Vin Mistretta (Jackson Memorial) and their respective staffs.

The SFCF was formerly the Shore Conference Football Coaches Association before incorporating into a foundation to take over running the annual all-star game in the mid-2000s.

The SFCF also has a 7-on-7 tournament surrounding the All-Shore Gridiron Classic and holds an annual Academic All-Shore breakfast honoring the players who shine on and off the field.

They are excited to add the resources and energy of the charismatic Curry, 34, who has excelled at the highest level of football. He has 32.5 career sacks as a defensive end for three NFL teams and won a Super Bowl ring with the Philadelphia Eagles. He also was inducted into the Marshall University Athletics Hall of Fame last year for his decorated college career.

Curry wasn’t able to play in the 2006 All-Shore Gridiron Classic in his senior year because he had to leave early for prep school, but he wants it to be an annual gathering for those in the Shore Conference football brotherhood. He is having a barbecue area at the game for former All-Shore Gridiron Classic participants and

Curry’s foundation also held a youth camp a day before the game for more than 600 players from kindergarten through eighth grade. It’s the 11th year Curry has done a youth camp, and it’s the biggest one yet. He also is the father of a youth player, as his son, Noah, 6, is already crazy about the game. The camp at Monmouth University featured a host of NFL players who were once Shore Conference stars themselves. The luminaries included Chargers cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor (Brick), Steelers linebacker Chapelle Russell (Lakewood), Ravens quarterback Anthony Brown (St. John Vianney), Saints wide receiver Keith Kirkwood (Neptune) and former Jets and Giants safety Bennett Jackson (Raritan).

“We're pumping out all this NFL talent,” Curry said. “I want to give these guys their flowers while they're still in the league. We need to shed a light on what the Shore Conference has done in the National Football League, so I wanted to get involved with the conference (all-star) game.”

Players from this year’s All-Shore Gridiron Classic also were counselors at the camp.

“So far it's worked very well,” Vircillo said. “We’re doing a lot of new things, so we’re going to evaluate everything afterwards to see how the changes went.”

The combination of a homegrown star and a group of veteran coaches working hard to promote the tradition of the Shore Conference means the All-Shore Gridiron Classic is in good hands.

Vinny Curry can remember going to the All-Shore Gridiron Classic as a youth football player in hopes of seeing all his local heroes.

“This is what it’s all about,” Curry said. “It’s about giving back, sharing the platform, and never forgetting where you came from.”

“I just have so much passion for the Shore Conference,” Curry said. “I’m rooting for all these kids to make it.”

Standing, left to right (Cory Davies, Jason Glezman, Keith Kirkwood, Emanuel Capers, Dom Lepore, Gerard O’Donnell) Sitting left to right (Vinny Curry, Lou Vircillo, Joe Martucci)

By Scott Stump

Long before he became an 11-year NFL veteran and Super Bowl champion, Vinny Curry faced a crossroads in his football career.

Following his senior season at Neptune in 2005, Curry spent a year at a prep school in Cincinnati, where his play was good enough to get him a scholarship to Marshall University. However, his academic struggles meant that under the NCAA’s Proposition 48, he had to spend a year to get his grades up if he wanted to have a chance to be on the field a year later.

For the first time in his life, Curry couldn’t play in games and wasn’t even allowed to put on a uniform or stand on the sideline during Marshall’s 2007 season due to his Prop 48 status.

He could’ve thrown in the towel, dropped out and let his frustration derail his football dreams. Instead, he stayed on schedule with his classes and his workouts by bonding with fellow Proposition 48 teammates Brandon Bullock and Delvin Johnson.

“Once you get around people with the same goals as you, that can be an influence,” he said.

Curry persevered to earn his spot on the team, but only registered nine tackles in seven games while seeing limited playing time in 2008. He cried himself to sleep thinking maybe it was time to transfer, but he wouldn’t give up.

“I'm just blessed, and I thank God every day,” Curry said. “I've got to share this light. There might be somebody playing in this game that's going to be the next Vinny Curry.”

He made it a reality, earning 2011 Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year honors with 74 tackles and 11 sacks. Last year, he was inducted into the Marshall University Athletic Hall of Fame.

“Every time a door closes, another one opens, so when your opportunity comes, you have to take full advantage,” he said.

He also elevated himself to become one of the nation’s top pass rushers while enduring the heartbreak of losing his mother, who died in 2011. A year later, he was a second-round draft pick of the

Eagles on his way to a career that has spanned three NFL teams and included a Super Bowl ring with

The resilience he showed during that crucial period at Marshall served him well when he faced more obstacles and heart-wrenching loss during

In 2020, Curry grieved his beloved brother, Dr. Gerald Glisson, a principal at Paterson Eastside High School. Glisson died from COVID-19 in the early stages of the pandemic, which Curry wrote left him “lost”

A year later, Curry missed the entire season with the New York Jets in 2021 after a blood disorder he was born with caused a life-threatening ordeal that necessitated the removal of his spleen. Curry then rebounded to play 11 games for the Jets this past season.

He now hopes to impart everything he’s learned through all his trials to the next generation of Shore Conference stars. He has returned to his roots by sponsoring this year’s AllShore Gridiron Classic through his Rush2Victory Foundation. He envisions it as just the beginning of giving back to the Shore, where he has also run a series of youth camps for years.

The next wave of Shore standouts most likely won’t play 10-plus years in the NFL and win a Super Bowl, but they can take motivation from a player who was once in their shoes. He faced the hardest of obstacles and kept going.

“I had one goal on my mind,” Curry said. “I knew at an early age I wanted to be a college All-American, and I would do whatever it took to achieve that.”

COMMITTEES

SHORE

FOOTBALL COACHES FOUNDATION, INC

SFCF Active Trustees

LOU VIRCILLO - Game Coordinator All Aspects

JOE MARTUCCI - Oversight of Game Coordinator

MARK COSTANTINO - Oversight of Game Day/Officials, Rules

CORY DAVIES - Oversight all Ticket Sales

CHUCK DONOHUE - Oversight Staff/Sponsors Apparel

RICH MOSCA - Oversight Medical Staff

JERRY SCHULTE - Oversight Player Banquet & VIP Socia l

2023 TITLE SPONSOR

Vinny Curry’s Rush2Victory Foundation

EMANUEL CAPERS - Camp & Facilities Coordinator

SFCF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

JOHN BIRD - President

VIN MISTRETTA - Vice President

GAMES COMMITTEE

DOMINICK LEPORE

Game Week Coordinator/GM’s/Coaches/Players

GERARD O’DONNELL

Assist. Game Week Coordinator/ Player Tickets/Equipment

BILL HILL

Game Rules and Sam Mills Award

JASON GLEZMAN

Monmouth General Manager

JOHN TIERNEY

Ocean General Manager

ANOTHONY PETRUZZI & DAVE WENDEL

Monmouth Tickets

TOM FARRELL, JR. & JOSEPH ZACCONE

Ocean Tickets/Scholar Athlete Program

JEFF PAPCUN

All-Shore 7 0n 7

SHORE SPORTS NETWORK

OFFICAL PROGRAM SPONSOR TO THE SFCF

Scott Martin, Steven Meyer, Bob Badders, Matt Manley

VARSITYLINK IN ASSOCIATION WITH SHORE SPORTS NETWORK

LIVE BROADCAST

SHORESPORTSNETWORK.COM

Play-by-Play: Matt Harmon

Sideline: Ed Sarluca

Game stats & Coverage: Bob Badders

OFFICIALS

Chris SchalnatReferee

Dennis BacchettaUmpire

Geoff BuntLinesman

Sean FitzsimmonsLine Judge

Howard Dombroski,JrField Judge

Andrew RosenbloomSide Judge

Rudy GilbertECO

Russell GartzChain Crew

Jason ReidChain Crew

Dru KegreissChair Crew

AWARDS COMMITTE E

The SFCF Trustees, Joe Martucci (Chair)

Sam Mills Award, Bill Hill (Chair)

TEAM PHOTOGRAPHY

Rob Bolton - SPORTS SHOTS

HEAD TEAM PHYSICIAN AND CHIEF ORTHOPEDIC ADVISOR

Sundeep Saini, DO - Ocean Orthopedic Associates.

TEAM ORTHOPEDIC & SPORTS MEDICINE PHYSICIANS

OCEAN & MONMOUTH COUNTY:

Karl Blum, MD - Ocean Orthopedic Associates

Jess Alcid, MD - Ocean Orthopedic Associates

Michael Pensak, MD - Ocean Orthopedic Associates

Tom Ageson, MD - New Jersey Sports Medicine

MEDICAL ADVISORS ALL-SHORE GAME

Dino Espinelli, MD

OFFICIAL PROVIDER OF ATHLETIC TRAINERS & PHYSICAL THERAPY

Ron Lombardi, CEO, SportsCare Institute, Inc.

EMERITUS TEAM DOCTORS

OCEAN & MONMOUTH COUNTY:

W. Francis Kennard M.D.

Alfred Palmeri M.D.

MEDICAL DIRECTOR GSMC

Dharam Mann M.D.

ATHLETIC TRAINERS

Lee Emery, ATC - Lacey HS

Jake McCartney, ATC - Toms River East HS

Pete Fusco, ATC - Brick Twp HS

Anais Mixson, ATC - Marlboro HS

EMERITUS TEAM DOCTOR

Dan Fox, MD

TEAM RECORDS

n Largest margin of victory: Mon. - 36 pts (1994)

n Longest winning streak: Mon. - 4 yrs (2017-2019, 2022)

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 Most attempts: Ocean - 40 (1995)

n Most return yards: Ocean - 194 (1998)

n Most penalties: Mon. - 12 for 110 yards (2007)

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

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

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)

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

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

2012: Ed Gurrieri (Manalapan)

2013: Greg LaCava (Colts Neck)

2014: Rob Dahl (Brick)

2015: Walt Krystopik (Jackson Mem)

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)

2016: Dave Oizerowitz (TR North)

2017: Derek Sininsky (SJV)

2018: Dan George (Long Branch)

2019: Jerry Schulte (Rumson-Fair Haven)

2022: Steve Antonucci (Middletown South) Monmouth leads all time, 24-18-1

J J

ERRY SCHULTE

Schulte has a career record of 103-93-1 between head coaching stints at Mater Dei, Wall and Rumson-Fair Haven. During his head coaching tenure at Rumson from 2016-21, the Bulldogs went 50-15 and won two state titles, a regional championship and four division titles. They also reached the state finals in 2017, 2019 and 2021.

Also a member of the New Jersey Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, Schulte began his head coaching career at Mater Dei from 1980-84. He then served as Wall’s head coach from 1990-99, leading the Crimson Knights to six winning seasons.

Schulte is best known for his tenure at Rumson-Fair Haven, where he initially served as the defensive coordinator under former coaches Shane Fallon and Bryan Batchler during the Bulldogs’ rise to perennial state title contenders. He has been an assistant or head coach for all seven of Rumson’s state titles in its history, which have all come since 2010.

He became known for his masterful defensive game plans in state finals, including a 14-6 win over a previously unbeaten Weequahic team that came into the 2013 Central Jersey Group II championship game averaging 39.9 points per game. Schulte’s defense also held previously undefeated Matawan to 7 points in 2010 when the Bulldogs won their first state title.

In 2016, Rumson became just the third Shore Conference program to win four straight sectional titles.

Schulte’s son, Jeremy, took over as head coach of Rumson-Fair Haven this past fall and upheld the family’s winning tradition. Jeremy led the Bulldogs to the South Jersey Group II title and a berth in the inaugural NJSIAA Group II championship game in his first season with Jerry as one of his assistants.

Hall of Fame Continued on page 15

Photos by Richard O'Donnell

Jerry Schulte has been an indispensable part of the record-setting success at Rumson-Fair Haven in the past 15 years that has seen the Bulldogs become one of the premier public school programs in New Jersey.

ARL “ SPIKE ” OWNES

Earl Ownes was a central figure in a generation of Freehold Boro football, serving as the head coach of the Colonials for 24 years and then as the school athletic director for another 10 years

He coached one of the Shore Conference’s legendary running backs, Joe “The Jet” Henderson, as well as former Detroit Lions offensive lineman Scott Conover, who helped the Colonials go 10-1 and finish as Monmouth County’s top team in 1985. They won the Class C South title and reached the Central Jersey Group II championship game as part of a stretch where they went a combined 17-3 over two seasons.

Ownes began his coaching career with two seasons as an assistant at Princeton High School before moving on to Freehold Boro in 1969. He was an assistant for five seasons with the Colonials before ascending to the head coaching job.

He played his high school football at

Hamilton West before moving on to play for Trenton State, which is now The College of New Jersey.

Ownes also served as an assistant three times in the All-Shore Gridiron Classic over the years and was a two-time Shore Conference Coach of the Year.

The retired coach and administrator has a pair of sons, Earl Jr. and Daniel, with his wife, Janet, and is a grandfather of four.

Hall of Fame Continued on page 16

S

SAM TURNER

A coach synonymous with success at Matawan High School, Sam Turner was a fixture under fellow Shore Football Coaches Foundation Hall of Famer Joe Martucci during a 20-year run at one of the Shore Conference ’ s most storied programs.

Turner is best known for serving alternately as the defensive coordinator and offensive line coach for Huskies teams that were perennial playoff contenders and won six state titles during his tenure from 1983 to 2016. In five of the state championship victories, the Huskies held their opponents to 14 points or less, including a 3-0 win over Rumson-Fair Haven in the 2011 Central Jersey Group III final. Matawan also reached state finals in 1984 and 2010.

As a player, Turner began his career at Elizabeth High School and won a pair of state championships under legendary coach Frank J. Cicarell. He went to play offensive line at Rutgers University, where he was a three-year letterwinner during his career from 1970-74.

His coaching career started at Jackson Memorial, where

he served as the offensive and defensive line coach from 1977-82. That was followed by his 20-year stint at Matawan, where he returned to coach the offensive line this past fall.

Turner, who is a member of the New Jersey Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame, coached as an assistant at Donovan Catholic in 2017, Brick Township in 2018, St. John Vianney in 201920, and Colts Neck in 2021. He also has had a tremendous career as Matawan’s track and field coach, leading the Huskies to multiple state titles during the indoor and outdoor seasons.

Hall of Fame Continued on page 19

Photo courtesy of USA Today High School Sports

E

ED HEFFERNAN

“Heff” was the defensive coordinator on some of the best teams in Lacey Township High School history under fellow Shore Football Coaches Foundation Hall of Famer Lou Vircillo. The Lions won seven titles in his 15 seasons, including either a division or state title every year from 1988 through 1993. Lacey won the program’s first state titles when it took home back-to-back NJSIAA sectional championships in 1988 and ’89 behind legendary running back Keith Elias.

Heffernan began his career in 1973-74 as the freshman coach at Red Bank Catholic under head coach Tom Lalli and then became the freshman coach at Toms River South in 1975-76. He joined the varsity staff as the linebackers coach under legendary head coach Ron Signorino Sr. in 1978, and the Indians won the Class A South title and the NJSIAA South Jersey Group IV championship.

He was the defensive coordinator at Toms River South in 1980 and ’81 before serving in the same position for three seasons at rival Toms River North and then moving on to a successful run at Lacey.

Heffernan also coached at Donovan Catholic in 2000 and then completed his career as the running backs coach at Toms River South from 2001-08, which included a Constitution Division title in 2002.

The longtime coach was also inducted into the New Jersey Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2004 and had a decorated career as Toms River South’s track and field coach.

PREVIOUS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES:

2022 Jim Simonelli, Long Branch(Coach) Bob Grace, Wall Township(Coach)

Rich Mosca, Midd South/Monmouth(Coach)

Jack Bush, Brick Township(Coach)

2019 Ed Gurrieri, Long Branch(Coach)

Bob Zampelle,Keyport(Coach/Offical)

2018 Dan George, Long Branch(Coach)

Joseph J. Boyd, Central Regional(Coach)

Hugh Boyd Jr.(Contributor)

2017 Leon “Butch” Britton, Matawan(Coach)

Bob Spada, Brick Township(Coach)

2016 Steve Antonucci, Middletown South(Coach)

Kevin Callahan, Monmouth Univ.(Contributor)

Dick Brinster, Asbury Park Press(Contributor)

2015 Mark Costantino, Shore Regional(Coach) Chris Barnes, Wall/Jackson(Coach) Chris Christopher(Contributor)

2014 Bob Generelli, Midd. South/Raritan(Coach)

Bob Nani, Toms River North(Coach) Joe Adelizzi(Contributor) Ed Sarluca(Contributor)

2013 Chuck Donohue, Sr., Southern(Coach) Joe Martucci, Matawan(Coach)

Ron Emmert, Bob Strangia, George Jeck, Ken Turp (Contributors)

2012 Lou Vircillo, Red Bank/Lacey(Coach)

Mike Ciccotelli, Keyport(Coach) Kevin Williams(Contributor)

2011 Vic Kubu, Midd. North/Manasquan(Coach)

Harold “Hal” Schank, Freehold(Coach)

George Conti Jr., Ocean(Coach)

Chip LaBarca Sr., Keansburg/TR South(Coach)

2010 Russ Wright, Lakewood(Coach)

Arnie Truex, Middletown(Coach)

Ron Signornino Sr., TR South(Coach)

John Amabile, Wall, Neptune, SJV(Coach)

2009 Al Saner, Point Boro(Coach)

William “Butch” Bruno, Asbury Park(Coach)

Amedeo “Army” Ippolito, Long Branch (Coach)

Barry Rizzo, Matawan(Coach)

2008 Warren Wolf, Brick/Lakewood(Coach)

Any coach who has won championships will tell you that his staff is a crucial part of success. Ed Heffernan was an integral part of a host of winning teams in Ocean County during his 30-plus years as an assistant coach in the Shore Conference.

B B

OB MUSSARI

A Shore Conference coach for more than 40 years as an assistant and head coach, Bob Mussari molded a generation of players who have gone on to become coaches and educators themselves. His personal story has also served as an inspiration to former players dating back to the 1970s.

Mussari served as the head coach at Monsignor Donovan, now known as Donovan Catholic, from 1985-87 and then again from 1994-96. He was the head man at the now-defunct Admiral Farragut in 1990 and then returned to the head coaching ranks to lead Allentown from 2004-07.

Mussari also worked as an assistant at multiple schools, including Howell and Asbury Park, on his way to being inducted into the New Jersey Football Coaches Association Hall of Fame as an assistant.

A Pennsylvania native, Mussari joined the U.S. Marine Corps after playing football at Olyphant High School. During his service as a Marine in the Vietnam War, he gained worldwide attention after being hit by a live 82-millimeter round in 1968 in defense of the combat base at Khe Sanh. He received Meritorious Military Service recognition after saving the lives of fellow Marines and was also awarded the New Jersey Distinguished Service Medal by

SSTACY WHITE

The ongoing success of the state’s oldest all-star football game couldn’t be achieved without outstanding support staff like Stacy White.

She has become a regular sight caring for athletes on the sidelines at the All-Shore Gridiron Classic after working as an athletic trainer for 22 editions of the game dating back to 1992.

White will enter her 32nd year as Middletown South’s athletic trainer in the fall. The Eagles’ football program has won eight state titles and 16 division titles during her time as the athletic trainer under multiple head coaches, which includes a Shore Conference-record 43-game winning streak from 2003-06.

A 1987 graduate of Lacey Township High School, White earned her degree from Kean University in 1992 before joining the staff at Middletown South.

She has also worked as the head athletic trainer for the Shore Conference Tournament in boys and girls basketball and for 20 NJSIAA district and region wrestling tournaments involving Shore Conference teams.

White has been involved for years as the athletic trainer at the state level for various NJSIAA playoff events across track, softball, baseball, basketball and lacrosse.

In 2018, she was honored with the Shore Conference Professional Service Award, and she was named the Middletown Educational Services Professional of the Year in 2019.

White lives in Toms River with her son, Garrett.

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 18

1990: Ocean 22, Monmouth 21

1991: Monmouth 15, Ocean 14

1992: Monmouth 20, Ocean 0

1993: Ocean 20, Monmouth 18

1994: Monmouth 36, Ocean 0

1995: Monmouth 16, Ocean 9

1996: Ocean 10, Monmouth 3

1997: Ocean 15, Monmouth 13

1998: Monmouth 27, Ocean 13

1999: Monmouth 21, Ocean 20

2000: Monmouth 23, Ocean 0

2001: Ocean 6, Monmouth 3

SHORE FOUNDATION FOOTBALL MEMBER SCHOOLS

Asbury Park HS - Marquan Mutazz

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:

Brick Twp. – 10

Toms River North – 9

Wall – 6

Toms River East – 5

Ocean Township – 4

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

Matawan HS - Jay Graber

Middletown North HS - Steve Bush

Middletown South HS - Steve Antonucci

Monmouth Reg. HS - Dan Wendel

Neptune HS – Mike Seber

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

ALL-TIME RECORD ATTENDANCES:

7. 4,200 (1979)

8. 4,000 (1993)

9. 3,800 (2007)

10. 3,500 (1981) (1984) (1989) (2011)

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

2022: Monmouth 14, Ocean 7

Monmouth leads all-time, 24-18-1

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 WINNINGEST COACHES

1.Warren Wolf (Brick) 5 wins

2.Lou Vircillo (Lacey) 3 wins

3.(tie with 3 wins) George Conti (Ocean, Asbury Park); Mike Ciccotelli (Keyport)

Steve Antonucci (Midd. South)

6. 4,300 (1980)

STADIUMS / FIELDS PLAYED BY YEAR

1978: Wall

1979: Wall

1980: Toms River North

1981: Toms River North

1982: Wall

1983: Toms River East

1984: Wall

1985: Toms River East

1986: Wall 1987: Toms River East

1988: Wall

1989: Toms River East

1990: Ocean Township

1991: Toms River North

1992: Ocean Township

1993: Brick

1994: Ocean Township

1995: Brick

1996: Toms River North

1997: Brick

1998: Ocean Township

1999: Toms River North

2000: Toms River North

2001: Toms River East

2002: Toms River North

2003: Raritan

2004: Brick

2005: Brick

2006: Middletown South

2007: Brick

2008: Brick

2009: Brick

2010: Matawan

2011: Toms River North

2012: Holmdel

2013: Toms River North

2014: Brick

2015: Long Branch

2016: Central Regional

2017: Shore Regional

2018: Brick Memorial

2019: Long Branch

2022: Brick Township

2023: Monmouth University

Cheerleader # 1Cheerleader # 2Cheerleader # 1Cheerleader # 2

Asbury Park Juna WeedonTiviana Kenney

Freehold Twp.Alyssa WenrichJulia Mascolo

HolmdelMaddie BeinhackerLauren Todd

HowellCaitlin PrendergastJayda Evans

Keyport Morgan SavickyLynell Pena

KeansburgJaelyn UrgeloniaShania Gochez

Long BranchMisa King

ManalapanJessica PalmieriAlyssa Schraub

ManasquanMargaret Pierciey

MarlboroBrooke BulinskiKyla Bradley

MatawanKyeloni SylvesterMelina Dicristina

WallKayla GottschalkCourtney Wenzel

CoachesStaci Shalkowski (SJV)Coach Supp (RBC)

BarnegatHailey GoldApril Zeleznok

Brick Mem.Tianna DodsonEma Monaghan

Brick Twp.Mia ZdanowiczAlexandria Ranello

Central Reg.Bella MarcheseAlyssa Schastny

Donavan Cath.Mia SiragusaMarchella Povoa

Jackson Mem.Katie TolmachewichGianna Prados

LaceyGianna ChristinaMadelyn James

ManchesterAngeli Pascual Sha'Mareah Gordon

Point BoroKatie FierstChloe Frank

Southern Rebecca DeOliveria Olivia Williams

TR South Sarah Merklin

TR NorthAlexandria SocolowMikaela Burns

TR EastMeghan LordTaylor Malgeri

Coaches Christine WolfmanBrittany Fontenelli

JEREMY SCHULTE

eight of its next 10 games, including a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Raritan, 34-27 in double overtime, to win the South Jersey Group 2 sectional championship, its seventh sectional title alltime. It also marked the ninth straight season RFH has reached a sectional final. Rumson then played a near-perfect game to take down Central Jersey Group 2 champion Willingboro, 42-6, in the state semifinals. It took an undefeated team with the state's longest active winning streak to halt the Bulldogs' postseason run as Caldwell won 1814 in the Group 2 final.

After taking the reins of Rumson-Fair Haven’s program from his father, Jerry, the younger Schulte led the Bulldogs to the South Jersey Group 2 sectional title and a trip to the inaugural Group 2 state final. Rumson finished 8-5 on the season playing in the Shore Conference American Division, rebounding from an 0-2 start to win another championship and solidify its status as one of the top public-school

After consecutive losses to Toms River North and Donovan Catholic to open the

Rumson received a huge rookie season from sophomore quarterback Owen O'Toole, who burst onto the scene to lead the Shore Conference with 2,161 yards and 25 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. Senior wide receiver Scott Venancio caught 38 passes for 685 yards and 11 touchdowns and junior wideout Nick Rigby posted 61 receptions for 789 yards and seven touchdowns. Junior running back Alastair Orr led the rushing attack with 592 yards and 12 touchdowns. Defensively, senior linebacker Luke Mikolajczyk recorded a team-high 137 tackles plus 13 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 2 interceptions, junior defensive end Markus Brown had a team-best seven sacks, and Ryan Kalman (66 tackles, 6 INTs) and Beau Kemler (48 tackles, 3 INTs) provided excellent play in the secondary.

Rigby, kicker/punter Oliver Lorraine, junior defensive lineman Cooper Bunnell, and Kalman earned First Team All-Shore distinction while O’Toole, Venancio, Mikolajczyk, and Kemler were Second Team AllShore picks.

Schulte and members of the RFH football staff will lead Monmouth County for the 2023 All-Shore Gridiron Classic, which will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 9 at Monmouth University’s Kessler Stadium. Jeremy and Jerry Schulte are believed to be the first father-son duo to serve as head coaches for the All-Shore Gridiron Classic. Jerry coached Monmouth County to 21-6 victory in the 2019 Gridiron Classic.

Rumson-Fair Haven players scheduled to participate in the game include Venancio, Lorraine, and defensive lineman Julien Devlin.

Before being elevated to head coach prior to the 2022 season, Schulte was Rumson’s defensive coordinator under his father and was an assistant for several years before that. After his high school playing career at Ocean Township concluded, Schulte began his coaching journey under former Rumson and current Red Bank head coach Shane Fallon in 2006, volunteering as a freshman coach during his college years. He continued to work his way up the ranks, becoming a varsity assistant in 2011 and helping Rumson win sectional titles in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2018, and 2022.

MONMOUTH COUNTY COACHING STAFF

JEREMY SCHULTE: Head Coach

JERRY SCHULTE: Defensive Coordinator

JOHN CORNELISEUN: Offensive Coordinator

JOHN BELLAVANCE: Defensive Backs

GLENN GRAINGER: Defensive Backs

KYLE MARINELLI: Defensive Line

CHRIS QUINN: Wide Receivers

JOE MURPHY: Offensive Line

SHANE FALLON: Quarterbacks

MIKE BRANDOW: Defensive Line

MATT DEMPSEY: Offensive Line

JOHN ANDL: Running Backs

JIM REID: Linebackers

JASON GLEZMAN: General Manager

JEFF PAPCUN: 7-on-7 Tournament

t took only one season for Jeremy Schulte to join the revered list of Shore Conference coaches who have guided their teams to an NJSIAA state sectional

VINNY MISTRETTA

ince being hired as Jackson Memorial’s head coach in 2017, Vinny Mistretta has guided the Jaguars to four winning seasons, two division titles, and a trip to a sectional final, continuing the program’s legacy as an annual championship contender and one of Ocean County’s flagship football programs.

This past season, Jackson went 7-3 and earned a share of the Shore Conference Constitution Division title with Colts Neck, delivered a ranked win over Marlboro, and defeated playoff teams Freehold Township and Manalapan. The Jags reached the South Jersey Group 4 semifinals and held a halftime lead before ultimately falling to top-seeded Millville, which went on to win the overall Group 4 state championship.

Senior quarterback Tai Mann threw for 1,002 yards and six touchdowns and ran for 873 yards and 10 touchdowns to lead an offense that averaged 21 points per game. Senior running back Aidan Sweeney ran for 746 yards and eight touchdowns and junior wide receiver Albert D'Alessandro caught 31 passes for 502 yards and four touchdowns.

Jackson had the No. 9 scoring defense in the Shore at 15.3 points per game with two shutouts. Linebacker Brandon Bigelow was sixth in the Shore with 132 tackles, Sweeney led the team with four sacks, and D'Alessandro was third in the Shore with five interceptions.

Mann was a First Team All-Shore selection for his two-way abilities, D’Alessandro was a Second Team All-Shore pick at defensive back, and junior Jaiden Hernandez was a Third Team All-Shore selection at defensive back.

Mistretta and members of the Jackson Memorial football staff will lead Ocean County in the 2023 All-Shore Gridiron Classic, which will take place at 3 p.m. on Sunday, July 9 at Monmouth University’s Kessler Stadium. The Ocean County roster includes Jackson Memorial standouts Mann Sweeney offensive lineman Ryan Fischer, and kicker Alexey Tselichtchev. In six seasons, Mistretta has a 34-26 record that includes the American Division title in 2018 and the co-Constitution Division crown last season. The Jaguars won eight games in 2019 and reached the South Jersey Group 4 title game.

Mistretta had deep roots in Jackson as a player and an assistant coach prior to becoming the Jaguars’ 10th head coach in program history. He was a wide receiver and defensive back for the Jags from 2002-2005 and was a member of the 2005 team that finished 12-0 and won the Central Jersey Group 4 championship with an epic 30-28 victory over Brick Memorial.

Mistretta graduated from Rowan University and began his coaching career at Metuchen as an assistant under his uncle, Sal, who was a longtime coach in Middlesex County, including the head coach at Sayreville in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He came back home in 2013 as a defensive assistant and was a part of Jackson’s fourth and fifth sectional championship teams, including the defensive coordinator for the 2015 team. Mistretta was the defensive backs coach at Sayreville in 2016 and helped the Bombers return to glory by winning the Central Jersey Group IV title with a 41-14 win over Middletown North.

OCEAN COUNTY COACHING STAFF

VINNY MISTRETTA: Head Coach

KEITH ANDERSON: Def Coordinator/Quarterbacks

PAT KILMURRAY: Offensive Line

BOB KILMURRAY: Offensive Line

JOE ZACCONE: Wide Receivers

SAL GIGLIO: Wide Receivers

SAM MISTRETTA: Running Backs

CHRIS RASH: Defensive Tackles

MIKE M C CARTHY: Defensive Tackles

NICK CIPOT: Defensive Ends

SAL MISTRETTA: Defensive Ends

ARNELL COZART: Linebackers

TOMMY FARRELL: Linebackers

KHANI GLOVER: Defensive Backs

ALEXIS TORRES Lakewood KEYON TIMS Lakewood ALEXEY TSELICHTCHEV Jackson Memorial

MIKE HALL Pinelands JOSH KAYE Toms River North

Following the completion of the 2023 All-Shore Gridiron Classic, 24 teams will battle for supremacy at the annual Shore Conference

7-on-7 Tournament

on Tuesday, July 11 at Manalapan High School.

The event is presented by the United States Marines, Jersey Mike’s Subs, and Shore Sports Network. Jersey Mike’s will be providing food for all players and coaches following the Gridiron Classic and during the 7-on-7 Tournament.

The action begins at 4 p.m. with teams competing round-robin style in six four-team divisions. The winners of each division will then move onto the single elimination bracket culminating with the championship game.

4:00 – Monmouth vs. Midd. North

4:30 – Pinelands vs. Keansburg

5:00 – Keansburg vs. Monmouth

5:30 – Pinelands vs. Midd. North

6:00 – Midd. North vs. Keansburg

6:30 – Monmouth vs. Pinelands

ALL-SHORE GAME SUMMARIES

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.

1991 - Monmouth 15, Ocean 14

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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 ( cont ’ d )

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 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.

2022 – Monmouth 14, Ocean 7

Highlights : Middletown South wide receiver Ryan St. Clair caught a touchdown pass from Howell quarterback Stephen Jardim and a 2point conversion from Long Branch quarterback Christian Rodriguez to be selected as Offensive MVP when Monmouth County set a Gridiron Classic record with its fourth straight victory.

Marlboro’s Andrew Bulinsky was selected as Monmouth’s Defensive MVP for recording two tackles for loss, a quarterback hit, and multiple backfield pressures. Rodriguez also threw a touchdown pass to Howell wide receiver Nick Vecchiarelli while St. John Vianney defensive end Mason Shenk had two sacks and a tackle for loss. Holmdel running back Jaden Gallo ran for a team-high 48 yards, St. Clair caught four passes for 48 yards and a touchdown, and Jardim completed all five of his passes for 67 yards and a touchdown.

Donovan Catholic running back Nunes Bukula IV ran for a game-high 49 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries to be named Ocean County Offensive MVP and Lacey's John Dodaro had a sack, a fumble recovery, and a tackle for loss to be selected as Ocean County's Defensive MVP.

The Sam Mills Award winners were Asbury Park’s Knasir Alston and Brick Township’s Darian Newcomb.

By Bob Badders Managing Editor

SINCE THE SHORE SPORTS NETWORK TOP 10 MADE ITS 2022 DEBUT WITH THE PRESEASON RANKINGS BACK ON AUG. 26, THE TOP TWO TEAMS STAYED THE SAME HEADING INTO THE FINAL WEEKEND OF THE SEASON. NO. 1 RED BANK CATHOLIC, NO. 2 TOMS RIVER NORTH .

The Caseys held the edge since they started the season No. 1, were coming off a state championship with several key returners, and played in the American Division with four additional top-10 teams. But Toms River North kept building its case week by week with blowout victory after blowout victory. It was going to come down to the postseason, and in this case, the very last day of the entire season.

Red Bank Catholic finished the season 10-2, holding onto the No. 1 spot through a 17-0 regular-season loss to Seton Hall Prep in Week 5. The Caseys then won their next five games to return to the NJSIAA Non-Public B state championship game but were defeated by DePaul, 19-17.

That left the door open for Toms River North, but the Mariners had to finish the job in the Group 5 final. Did they ever.

In the final game of the 2022 New Jersey high school football season, Toms River North defeated Passaic Tech, 28-7, to win the inaugural Group 5 state championship and finish with a perfect 14-0 record, the first team in state history to accomplish such a feat. They broke the state record for points in a season behind an overpowering rushing attack that no opponent was able to stop.

TOMS RIVER NORTH (14-0)

The word historic has been used a lot to describe Toms River North's 2022 season, and rightfully so. The Mariners became the first team in state history to finish 14-0 by closing out a dominant season with a 28-7 victory over Passaic Tech in the inaugural NJSIAA Group 5 state championship game. They set a state record with 660 points on an average of 47.1 points per game led by a devastating running game that rushed for 4,352 yards and 62 touchdowns. Toms River North also had the No. 1 defense in the Shore Conference allowing just 8.2 points per game with four shutouts and holding 10 of 14 points to seven points or less. Their final point differential was 545 points. The Mariners outscored their Colonial Division opponents by 253-13 and dominated the playoffs by outscoring their five postseason opponents by a 209-48 margin.

Junior quarterback Micah Ford turned in an award-winning season with 3,563 yards of offense and 50 total touchdowns. He was second in New Jersey with 2,360 yards rushing and scored 33 touchdowns on an average of exactly 10 yards per carry, and threw for 1,203 yards and 17 touchdowns. Junior running back Josh Moore added 1,053 yards rushing and 12 touchdowns on an average of 9.7 yards. Toms River North's offensive line was big, mean, athletic, and overwhelming to all 14 opponents who tried to slow them down.

As incredible as Ford was this season - he added 77 tackles and four interceptions as a safety on defense - Toms River North was loaded with standouts all over the field with players like senior linebacker/tight end Ty Kazanowsky, wide receiver/running back/defensive back Jeremiah Pruitt, wide receiver/defensive back Tareq Council, and Moore, who also played in the secondary.

Toms River North finished ranked No. 2 in the state by NJ.com behind Non-Public A champion Bergen Catholic.

It's wild to realize the Mariners will graduate just seven seniors. While they will be greatly missed, the core of the team returns next year and should once again be among the best teams in New Jersey.

RED BANK CATHOLIC ( 10-2 )

It was another great season for the Caseys that had everything but a state championship. RBC went undefeated in the rugged American Division with wins over Middletown South, Donovan Catholic, Rumson-Fair Haven, Manalapan, and Wall to claim the division title. They rolled through the first two rounds of the postseason to return to the Non-Public B state championship game, but were denied a chance at becoming the first Shore Conference non-public school to win back-to-back state titles when DePaul eked out a 19-17 victory.

Red Bank Catholic had the No. 3 scoring offense in the Shore at 33.9 points per game and was led by standout senior running back Sabino Portella, sophomore quarterback Frankie Williams, senior wide receiver Najih Rahman, junior wide receiver Emanuel Ross, and one of the Shore's best offensive lines. Portella ran for 1,150 yards and

18 touchdowns and Williams threw for 1,625 yards and 20 touchdowns. Ross caught 29 passes for 615 yards and 10 touchdowns and Rahman caught 45 passes for 542 yards and six touchdowns.

RBC's defense was No. 2 in the Shore allowing 10.9 points per game. Junior linebacker Davin Brewton posted 108 tackles, 4 sacks and 15 tackles for loss to lead a unit that also featured Portella at safety, senior linebacker Michael Palmieri, senior defensive end Aidan Donohue, and junior defensive end Logan Graham.

RBC finished the season ranked No. 11 in the state by NJ.com.

Multiple standouts will leave the program via graduation including Portella, Rahman, Donohue, Palmieri, senior wide receiver/defensive back Robert Stolfa, senior running back Torin Harmon, and senior defensive back Christian Ungemah. The Caseys have been able to develop players through their program and continue to contend for championships at the conference and state level, and with Williams, Ross, Brewton, Graham, running back/linebacker Luke Wassef, and linemen Lorenzo Portella and Tyler Burnham still underclassmen, RBC isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

MIDDLETOWN SOUTH ( 9-2 )

For the second straight season and the 12th time in 25 years under head coach Steve Antonucci, Middletown South won nine games and continued its legacy as one of New Jersey's flagship public school programs. The Eagles finished second to Red Bank Catholic in the American Division, earned wins over Donovan Catholic and Rumson-Fair Haven, a 41-10 victory over Liberty Division champion Matawan, and a playoff win over a talented Winslow team. Their two defeats came to RBC and to Mainland, 34-24, in the Central Jersey Group 4 sectional final.

Middletown South's offense averaged 24.2 points per game and was led by junior quarterback Jake Czwakiel, senior running backs Donovan Summey and Colin Gallagher, senior wide receiver Logan Colleran, and a physical offensive line anchored by senior Tommy Whyte. Czwakiel threw for 935 yards and four touchdowns and ran for 633 yards and nine touchdowns, Summey ran for 707 yards and eight touchdowns, and Gallagher ran for 522 yards and nine touchdowns.

The Eagles' defense was once again among the best in the conference and finished seventh in points per game (14.5). Gallagher was one of New Jersey's best linebackers this season with 149 tackles, 10.5 sacks, and 27 tackles for loss, Czwakiel picked off four passes in the secondary, and sophomore linebacker Luke Wafle had a breakout season with seven sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss.

Of the players mentioned above just Colleran and Whyte are seniors, and while they aren't the only impact players who will graduate from this year's team, an outstanding junior class will be back next year to have the Eagles in championship contention.

DONOVAN CATHOLIC ( 6-4 )

With a young, inexperienced team and an unforgiving schedule, the 2022 season looked to be a transition year for Donovan Catholic. The Griffins still finished with another winning season and as a top-5 team in the Shore and are loaded with talented underclassmen.

Donovan was third in the American Division behind Red Bank Catholic and Middletown South and the Griffins' other two losses were to St. Joseph (Montvale) and Bergen Catholic, the latter of which won the Non-Public A state title and finished as the No. 1 team in New Jersey. Donovan shut out Group 2 finalist Rumson, 21-0, in Week 2 and also earned a win over Constitution Division co-champion Jackson Memorial.

The Griffins have a young star at running back in freshman Najee Calhoun, who rushed for 942 yards and 13 touchdowns. Sophomore wide receiver Michael Thomas III caught 43 passes for 544 yards and 4 touchdowns and junior quarterback Todd Lambertson threw for 1,232 yards and 12 touchdowns. On defense, Donovan was eighth in the Shore allowing 14.7 points per game. Senior linebacker Dante Vernieri led the Shore with 174 tackles and added 4 sacks, and junior defensive lineman Zaeir Day had a breakout season with 101 tackles, 3 sacks, and 12 tackles for loss.

Along with Calhoun, Thomas III, Lambertson, and Day, the Griffins also return several underclassmen including outside linebacker Hunter Johnson, defensive end Sam Rock III, offensive lineman Adam Yevchak, defensive back Roman Moyers, linebacker JJ Correa, and two-way lineman Louis DiBiase.

RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN ( 8-5 )

How and where Rumson concluded its season is no surprise given the program's championship pedigree, and rebounding from an 0-2 start to reach the inaugural Group 2 championship game only solidified the Bulldogs' status as one of the Shore Conference's elite

After consecutive losses to Toms River North and Donovan Catholic to open the season, Rumson won eight of its next 10 games, including a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback to defeat Raritan, 34-27 in double overtime, to win the South Jersey Group 2 sectional championship, its seventh sectional title all-time. It also marked the ninth straight season RFH has reached a sectional final. Rumson then played a near-perfect game to take down Central Jersey Group 2 champion Willingboro, 42-6, in the state semifinals. It took an undefeated team with the state's longest active winning streak to halt the Bulldogs' postseason run as Caldwell won 18-14 in the Group 2 final.

Rumson received a huge rookie season from sophomore quarterback Owen O'Toole, who burst onto the scene to lead the Shore Conference with 2,161 yards and 25 touchdowns against just seven interceptions. Senior wide receiver Scott Venancio caught 38 passes for 685 yards and 11 touchdowns and junior wideout Nick Rigby posted 61 receptions for 789 yards and seven touchdowns. Junior running back Alastair Orr led the rushing attack with 592 yards and 12 touchdowns. Defensively, senior linebacker Luke Mikolajczyk recorded a team-high 137 tackles plus 13 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, and 2 interceptions, junior defensive end Markus Brown had a team-best seven sacks, and Ryan Kalman (66 tackles, 6 INTs) and Beau Kemler (48 tackles, 3 INTs) provided excellent play in the secondary.

A number of important seniors graduate such as Mikolajczyk, Venancio, Kalman, Kemler, two-way lineman Julien Devlin, defensive lineman Marshall Halfacre, tight end Will Rehder, running back Brayden Dill, defensive back Nick Costello, kickers Ollie Lorraine and Dominic Panke, and more. But with multiple key players still underclassmen, this could be just the start of another string of championships for the Bulldogs.

POINT BORO (9-1)

It was no doubt a stunning and disappointing ending to the season for a Point Boro team that had state title aspirations. Nonetheless, it was still a season in which the Panthers earned a championship and resided in the top five for most of the season. Point Boro won the Independence Division title and averaged 42.1 points per game before falling to Willingboro in the Central Jersey Group 2 semifinals. Along the way, they dominated their division schedule and posted five shutouts heading into the playoffs.

The Panthers' triple-option offense rushed for 3,041 yards and 60 touchdowns on an average of 9.3 yards per carry, and finished No. 2 in the Shore in points per game. Junior running back Jake Croce ran for 1,042 yards and 17 touchdowns, junior quarterback Matt Oliphant ran for 970 yards and 19 touchdowns, and senior running back Connor Cilento ran for 644 yards and nine touchdowns to lead the way. Senior lineman Cole Skinner, an FBS recruit who is committed to Temple, anchored the offensive line along with junior Charles Davison.

Point Boro's defense was lights out for most of the season and finished third in points per game at 11.9. Senior defensive end Connor Reynolds led the team with 76 tackles and 8 sacks.

The Panthers will lose some integral players to graduation with an impactful group of seniors set to graduate, led by Skinner, Reynolds, Cilento, running back linebacker Tyler Gordon, defensive end Aidan Ward, linebackers JJ Bennett and Sam Muraglia, wide receiver/defensive back Brian Orio, defensive lineman Maddox Samaritano, and more Anchoring the group of returners for 2023 will be Oliphant, Croce, Davison, and sophomore defensive lineman Slad Samaritano as the Panthers look to continue their winning ways.

OCEAN (8-1)

The Spartans were undefeated during the regular season and won the Freedom Division championship but were eliminated in the first round of the Central Jersey Group 3 playoffs. Ocean's best win was a 34-13 win over South Jersey Group 2 finalist Raritan.

Senior quarterback Tyler Douglas, who is verbally committed to Temple University, did not play in the playoff game due to an injury, underscoring his value as a top player in the Shore Conference. Douglas finished a phenomenal senior season with 1,257 yards passing, 13 touchdowns, and one interception plus 1,031 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns on an

average of 10.3 yards per carry. Senior CJ Flannigan totaled eight touchdowns between receiving and rushing and senior wide receiver Mateo Andrews caught 20 passes for 572 yards and seven touchdowns as the Spartans finished fourth in the Shore at 31.9 points per game. On defense, Willie Canavan recorded a team-high 83 tackles and Ben Trench had 3.5 sacks.

Douglas's impending graduation will leave a huge void at the quarterback position and Ocean will also lose Trench, Flannigan, Andrews, defensive tackle/tight end Shane Garrett, running back/cornerback Caleb Thompson, and defensive end Jayceon Webster to graduation. Two-way lineman Nick Caruso, linebackers Ben Girard, Willie Canavan, Stephen Falco and Michael Ponoris, and cornerback James Sobieski comprise the core of underclassmen.

RARITAN (8-3)

Raritan's season came to a heartbreaking end in the South Jersey Group 2 sectional final when Rumson-Fair Haven rallied for a 34-27 win in double overtime, halting a five-game winning streak that earned the Rockets the No. 1 seed in the sectional playoffs. Raritan's three losses were all to ranked teams - No. 5 Rumson, No. 6 Point Boro, and No. 7 Ocean - and they picked up wins over Matawan, Manasquan, and St. John Vianney to highlight their season.

Senior running back Kieran Falzon was third in the Shore in rushing yards and first among running backs with 1,667 yards and 21 touchdowns. He also returned two kickoffs for touchdowns. Quarterback Logan Goldsberry threw for 720 yards and nine touchdowns and senior slotback Dan Calicari totaled 803 yards and six touchdowns between rushing and receiving plus a defensive touchdown and two kick return touchdowns. The Rockets finished tied for ninth at 27.5 points per game.

Falzon, Calicari, and many other of Raritan's top players are seniors so head coach Anthony Petruzzi and staff will aim to develop the next group and keep the Rockets contending for championships.

JACKSON MEMORIAL (7-3)

The Jaguars shared the Constitution Division championship with Colts Neck and own a ranked win over Marlboro along with victories over playoff teams Freehold Township and Manalapan. They reached the South Jersey Group 4 semifinals and held a halftime lead before ultimately falling to top-seeded Millville, which went on to win the Group 4 state title.

Senior quarterback Tai Mann threw for 1,002 yards and six touchdowns and ran for 873 yards and 10 touchdowns to lead an offense that averaged 21 points per game. Senior running back Aidan Sweeney ran for 746 yards and eight touchdowns and junior wide receiver Albert D'Alessandro caught 31 passes for 502 yards and four touchdowns.

Jackson had the No. 9 scoring defense in the Shore at 15.3 points per game with two shutouts. Brandon Bigelow was sixth in the Shore with 132 tackles, Sweeney led the team with four sacks, and D'Alessandro was third in the Shore with five interceptions.

Mann, Sweeney, and two-way lineman Ryan Fischer will be big losses to graduation but the bulk of the team returns for the Jags next season.

MARLBORO (6-4)

The Mustangs had their best season in over two decades by qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 1999 and winning their first playoff gams since 1994.

They also showed tremendous resiliency after senior quarterback AJ Schwartz was injured for the season in Week 4 and standout junior running back Matt Cassidy was injured in the first round of the playoffs (a game Marlboro rallied to win, 21-17 over Washington Township). Marlboro was third in the Constitution Division behind Colts Neck and Jackson but beat Colts Neck late in the season after beating Manalapan for the first time in 28 years the week prior.

Junior running back/linebacker Matt Cassidy ran for 850 yards and 11 touchdowns and led the team with 81 tackles. Senior wide receiver/linebacker Ryan Mendes caught 30 passes for 366 yards and two touchdowns and made 50 tackles and 4 sacks on defense. Cassidy added three sacks, Lucas McEvoy recorded 14 tackles for loss, and Jake Houston (4 INTs) and Nick Scaff (3 INTs) led a ball-hawking secondary.

Marlboro was a senior-heavy team so graduation will take its toll, but having Cassidy back to lead the group of returnees is a good place to start for a program looking to establish a consistent winning culture

QB – Micah Ford, Jr., Toms River North

QB – Tyler Douglas, Sr., Ocean

RB – Sabino Portella, Sr., Red Bank Catholic

RB – Kieran Falzon, Sr., Raritan

RB – Jake Croce, Jr., Point Boro

RB – Josh Moore, Jr., Toms River North

WR – Emanuel Ross, Jr., Red Bank Catholic

WR – Najih Rahman, Sr., Red Bank Catholic

WR – Michael Thomas III, So., Donovan Catholic

WR – Nick Rigby, Jr., Rumson-Fair Haven

OL – Josh Kaye, Sr., Toms River North

OL – Jaelyne Matthews, So., Toms River North

OL – Lorenzo Portella, Jr., Red Bank Catholic

OL – Tommy Whyte, Sr., Middletown South

OL – Cole Skinner, Sr., Point Boro

OL – Nikolaus Winzer, Sr., Matawan

ATH – Connor Dietz, Jr., Brick Memorial

ATH – Jeremiah Pruitt, Jr., Toms River North

ATH – Jake Czwakiel, Jr., Middletown South

ATH – Kyle Verriest, Sr., St. John Vianney

ATH – Tai Mann, Sr., Jackson Memorial

ATH – Sekou Kamau, Sr., Long Branch

K/P – Oliver Lorraine, Sr., Rumson-Fair Haven

SHORE SPORTS NETWORK 2022 ALL-SHORE FOOTBALL TEAMS

FIRST TEAM

DL – Zaeir Day, Jr., Donovan Catholic

DL – Aidan Donohue, Sr., Red Bank Catholic

DL – Jack Lopez, Sr., Middletown North

DL – Peter Dempsey, Sr., Middletown North

DL – Cooper Bunnell, Jr., Rumson-Fair Haven

LB – Colin Gallagher, Jr., Middletown South

LB – Davin Brewton, Jr., Red Bank Catholic

LB – Ty Kazanowsky, Sr., Toms River North

LB – Dante Vernieri, Sr., Donovan Catholic

LB – Matt Cassidy, Jr., Marlboro

DB – Tareq Council, Jr., Toms River North

DB – Shamar Williams, Sr., Long Branch

DB – Ryan Kalman, Sr., Rumson-Fair Haven

SECOND TEAM

QB – Owen O'Toole, So., Rumson-Fair Haven

QB – Frankie Williams, So., Red Bank Catholic

RB – Chris Scully, Jr., Colts Neck

RB – Donovan Summey, Jr., Middletown South

RB – Colin Palumbo, So., Matawan

WR – Scott Venancio, Sr., Rumson-Fair Haven

WR – Kevin Maloney, Jr., Howell

WR – Mateo Andrews, Sr., Ocean

WR - Jeremiah Crispin, Sr., Brick Memorial

TE – Damian Padilla, Sr., Howell

OL – Adam Yevchak, Jr., Donovan Catholic

OL – Tyler Burnham, Jr., Red Bank Catholic

OL – Corey Shanin, Sr., Marlboro

OL – Griffin Egan, Jr., Red Bank

OL – Nick Caruso, Jr., Ocean

ATH – Connor Cilento, Sr., Point Boro

ATH – Matt Oliphant, Jr., Point Boro

ATH – Dan Calicari, Sr., Raritan

ATH – CJ Flannigan, Sr., Ocean

ATH – Ryan Mendes, Sr., Marlboro

K/P – Gian Carlo Dautaj, Sr., Red Bank

DL – Connor Reynolds, Sr., Point Boro

DL – Billy Carr, Sr., Wall

DL - Luke Wafle, So., Middletown South

DL – Jackson Whitacre, Jr., Shore

DL – Shane Garrett, Sr., Ocean

LB – Luke Mikolajczyk, Sr., Rumson-Fair Haven

LB – Anthony Rodriguez, Sr., Toms River North

LB – Will Surdez, Sr., Colts Neck

LB – Jake Toye, Jr., Brick

LB – Matt Agar, Sr., Raritan

DB – Albert D'Alessandro, Jr., Jackson Memorial

DB – Thomas Clark-Glasco, Sr., Manalapan

DB – Lamar Hicks, Sr., Red Bank

DB – Beau Kemler, Sr., Rumson-Fair Haven

Third TEAM

QB – Earnest Reevey, Jr., Long Branch

QB - Brett Patten, Sr., Manasquan

RB – Nazir Treadwell, Jr., Keyport

RB – Najee Calhoun, Fr., Donovan Catholic

RB – Julian Jones, Sr., Monmouth

WR – Mike Frawley, Jr., Pinelands

WR – Ralee Stephens, Jr., Asbury Park

WR – Ky'Yam Martin, Sr., Red Bank

TE - Joe Nolan, Sr., Brick Memorial

OL – Julian Santo, Sr., Manalapan

OL – Tyler Addonisio, Sr., Middletown South

OL – Charles Davison, Jr., Point Boro

OL – Justin Kaye, Jr., Toms River North

OL – Charlie Whalen, Jr., Colts Neck

ATH – Jhamier Howard, Sr., Manasquan

ATH – Kevin Andrews, So., Brick Memorial

ATH – Jack Dettlinger, Sr., Manasquan

K/P – Michael Calton, Sr., Malanapan

DL – Nick Baiocco, Sr., Toms River North

DL – Logan Graham, Jr., Red Bank Catholic

DL - Mike Hall, Sr., Pinelands

DL – Artem Reinikov-Jouk, Sr., Manalapan

DL - Sam Rock III, Jr., Donovan Catholic

DL - Armando Sanchez, Sr., Southern

LB – Joe Beley, Sr., Point Beach

LB - Hunter Johnson, Jr., Donovan Catholic

LB – Michael Palmieri, Sr., Red Bank Catholic

LB – Ty Boland, Sr, Toms River North

LB – Christian Buchanan, Sr., St. John Vianney

LB - Deondre Banks, Sr., Neptune

DB – Mike Ford, Jr., Keyport

DB – Owen Richter, Jr., Middletown South

DB – Michael Hall, Sr., Long Branch

DB – Caleb Thompson, Sr., Ocean

DB - Jaiden Hernandez, Jr., Jackson Memorial

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 ceremo ny as part of the 46th Annual All-Shore Gridiron Classic.

Special thanks to coaches Anthony Petruzzi (Raritan) and Len Zdanowicz (Brick) for coordinating the academic program.

The 2023 Academic All-Shore Team:

Barnegat

yle Eslinger

Max Giaccone

Brick Twp.

Colin Wilson

Tyson Lopez

Brick memorial

Ben Woolley

Joe Nolan

Central Regional

Scott Nico

Adam Onello

Colts Neck

William Surdez

Jack Tormey

Donovan Catholic

Thomas Meehan

Eric Valentin

Freehold

Alex D'Antonio

Freehold Twp.

Cody Wohlrab

Nick Benjamino

Holmdel

Ryan Hammer

Jack Podesta

Howell

Sam Mele

Jason DeMichele

Jackson Liberty

Brendan Gallagher

Theodore Wojtaszek-Grasso

Jackson Memorial

Michael Cipriano

Aidan Sweeney

Keansburg

Michael Menture

Patrick Smit

Keyport

Logan Blanks

Kevin Fitzgerald

Lacey

Zach Brewer

Nick Locha

Lakewood

Keyon Tims

Alexis Torres

Long Branch

Moises Meza

Bryce Gorden

Manalapan

ANTHONY DITOTA

DANIEL SAPERSTEIN

Manasquan

Jack Dettlinger

Matthew Klangasky

Manchester

Tito Sobayo

Calvin Spicer

Marlboro

AJ Schwartz

Anthony LaFonte

Matawan

Nikolaus Winzer

Joseph Bodin

Middletown North

Jack Lopez

Jack LaBruno

Middletown South

Tyler Addonisio

Luigi Massagli

Monmouth Regional

Nicholas Huisman

Justin May

Neptune

De’Ondre Banks

Anthony Banks

Ocean

Shane Garrett

Ben Trench

Pinelands

Andrew Hoffman

Jack O'Brien

Point Beach

Chris Valente

David Fant

Point Boro

Sam Muraglia

Connor Cilento

Raritan

Joseph Murphy

Nicholas Godkin

Red Bank Catholic

Najih Rahman

Armando Melendez

Red Bank Regional

PIERCE OLSEN

BRENDAN LAUGHLIN

Rumson-Fair Haven

Cole Cashion

Zachary Iwan

St. John Vianney

Timothy O’Dowd

Joseph Rendina

Shore Regional

Aidan O'Brien

Walker Hunter

Southern

Andy Falletta

Dom Crisalli

Toms River East

Michael Bruno

Joseph Rome

Toms River North

Josh Kaye

Ty Kazanowsky

Toms River South

James King

Matt Martin

Wall

Bill Carr

Pat Donahue