Shore Conference Football Top 20: Who is No. 1? Who is ranked where?

The 2023 New Jersey scholastic football season is in the books.

It was an exciting season in the Shore Conference, highlighted by two state championship teams in Red Bank Catholic (Non Public B) and Toms River North (Group 5).

It is now time to see who made the cut in the final Asbury Park Press Top 20 of the season.

1. Red Bank Catholic (10-1): Last ranking: No. 1.

The Caseys won the NJSIAA Non Public B championship with a 14-7 win over DePaul. It was Red Bank's second NJSIAA championship in three seasons, fourth since 2010 and fifth overall. The Caseys also won the Shore Conference American Division championship with wins over NJSIAA Non Public A semifinalist Donovan Catholic and an overtime win over two-time Group 5 state champion Toms River North. Red Bank Catholic finished ranked No. 3 in the first USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Non Public Top 10.

More: Red Bank Catholic football wins NJSIAA Non-Public B championship behind its defense

2. Donovan Catholic (9-3): Last ranking: No. 2.

The Griffins advanced to the NJSIAA Non Public A semifinal before they were defeated 42-13 by eventual Non Public A champion Bergen Catholic. Donovan Catholic also had a 21-7 win over Toms River North on Sept. 15 and tied the school record for wins in a season. The Griffins finished ranked No. 5 in the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Non Public Top 10.

3. Toms River North (12-2): Last ranking: No. 3.

The Mariners became the first public school in the two seasons the NJSIAA has been playing out to public school group championships to win two state group championships with a 23-13 win over then unbeaten Passaic Tech in the Group 5 championship game. They also finished ranked No. 1 in the first USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Public School Top 20. Toms River North went 26-2 the last two seasons, 26-0 against public schools.

More: Another football state title: Toms River North makes its case for No. 1 public school in NJ

More: NJ football rankings: Who's No. 1 in the final Statewide Public Top 20?

4. Rumson-Fair Haven (8-5): Last ranking: No. 7.

The Bulldogs advanced to the NJSIAA Group 2 championship game for the second straight season. They were defeated 21-20 in overtime by unbeaten Westwood in the Group 2 final. It was the second straight season Rumson-Fair Haven was defeated in heart-breaking fashion in the Group 2 championship. The Bulldogs won their South Group 2 championship for second consecutive sectional title and eighth overall - all since 2010. Rumson-Fair Haven gets the nod over Point Pleasant Borough even though it was defeated by Point Borough during the regular season because it advanced to the state final and defeated Willingboro in the state semifinal and Willingboro defeated Point Borough in the Central Grou[ 2 final. The Bulldogs finished ranked No. 15 in the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Public School Top 20.

5. Point Pleasant Borough (9-2): Last ranking: No. 6

The Panthers advanced to the NJSIAA Central Group 2 championship game before they were defeated by Willingboro. Point Pleasant Borough also shared the Shore Conference Colonial Division championship with Colts Neck for their thirds straight divisional title and had a win over Group 2 finalist Rumson-Fair Haven.

6. Middletown South (5-5): Last ranking: No. 8.

The Eagles get the nod here because they defeated Middletown North and Middletown North defeated Marlboro. Four of Middletown South's defeats were to Red Bank Catholic, Donovan Catholic, Toms River North and Rumson-Fair Havens. The Eagles also had a win over Colts Neck.

7. Marlboro (8-3): Last ranking: No. 10.

The Mustangs advanced to the NJSIAA South Group 5 championship game before they were defeated in double overtime by Cherokee. It was Marlboro's first appearance in a sectional final since 1994, when they won Central Group 4. Marlboro also shared the Shore Conference Freedom Division championship with Jackson Memorial for their first divisional title since 1994. Marlboro defeated Jackson Memorial.

8. Holmdel (9-1): Last ranking: No. 5.

The Hornets, after going 1-8 last season, won their first nine games, recorded six consecutive shutouts and rolled to the Shore Conference Constitution Division championship for their first divisional title since 2018. The 9-0 start was their best since they started 2007 9-0. Holmdel advanced to the NJSIAA Central Group 3 semifinal before it was defeated by state-ranked Camden. T

9. Colts Neck (6-4): Last ranking: No. 9.

The Cougars shared the Colonial Division championship with Point Pleasant Borough for their second consecutive divisional title and advanced to the NJSIAA South Group 4 semifinal before they were defeated by unbeaten and eventual Group 4 state champion Mainland. Colts Neck also had a resounding win over Central Group 4 finalist Long Branch.

10. Long Branch (7-5): Last ranking: No. 12

The Green Wave, once they had all their best players completely healthy, made a run to the NJSIAA Central Group 4 championship with road wins at Jackson Memorial and then unbeaten Brick Memorial before they were defeated by state-ranked Winslow.

11. Brick Memorial (10-1): Last ranking: No. 4.

The Mustangs won their first 10 games for the best start in their history and went unbeaten in the regular season for the first time before they were defeated by Long Branch in the Central Group 4 semifinal. Brick Memorial also won the Shore Conference Independence Division championship for its first divisional title since 2015.

12. Jackson Memorial (7-2): Last ranking: No. 13.

The Jaguars shared the Shore Conference Freedom Division championship with Marlboro for their second consecutive divisional championships. They were defeated 13-0 by Long Branch in a NJSIAA Central Group 4 quarterfinal. Jackson Memorial's other defeat was to Marlboro. It defeated Middletown North.

13. Middletown North (6-5): Last ranking: No. 14.

The Lions finished with a winning record for the first time since 2016, when they advanced to the NJSIAA Central Group 4 championship game. They also defeated Marlboro and denied the Mustangs the outright Shore Conference Freedom Division championship and had a season opening win over Freehold Township.

14. Freehold Township (7-4): Last ranking: No. 11.

Freehold Township recorded just the second playoff win its history when it rallied from a 13-point third quarter deficit and defeated then unbeaten North Brunswick 21-20 in a NJSIAA Central Group 5 quarterfinal. They were then defeated by two-time Group 5 state champion Toms River North in the Central 5 semifinal.

15. Toms River South (6-3): Last ranking: No. 15.

Toms River South, after going 1-9 last season, won the outright Shore Conference Liberty Division championship for its first divisional title since 2002. It also qualified for the playoffs before it was defeated by Colts Neck in a South Group 4 quarterfinal.

16. Howell (3-6): Last ranking: No. 16.

Howell, after starting the season 0-4, qualified for the NJSIAA South Group 5 playoffs by winning three of its final four regular season games. It was Howell's first playoff berth since 2017. Howell also had a win over Manalapan.

17. Manalapan (4-5): Last ranking: No. 17.

An up and down season was highlighted by a 24-23 win over then unbeaten Point Pleasant Borough on Oct. 6. Manalapan also qualified for the NJSIAA South Group 4 playoffs before it was defeated by Mainland in the quarterfinal. Manalapan opened the season with a win over Wall.

18. Wall (4-7): Last ranking: Not ranked.

The Crimson Knights closed their season with a dramatic 21-20 overtime win over Manasquan on Thanksgiving Day. Wall went 4-2 outside the brutal American Division schedule with wins over Howell and Manasquan.

19. Matawan (4-6): Last ranking: No. 19.

The Huskies won four of their final six games after an 0-4 star and qualified for the NJSIAA Central Group 3 playoffs before they were defeated by Holmdel in the quarterfinal. Matawan also had a win over Brick.

20. Brick (6-5): Last ranking: No. 20.

The Green Dragons concluded their season by winning the NJSIAA South Group 4 regional championship with convincing wins over Hamilton East and Clearview to record their first winning season since 2018.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore Football: Who is No. 1; Who is where in the final top 20?