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Way-too-early Shore football Preseason Top 30 for the 2023 season

steven falk and bob jordan, asbury park press
·8 min read

Summer workouts and weightlifting sessions are going full steam and the countdown is on until New Jersey high school football teams can start having their first fullscale practices on Aug. 9. But we can't wait that long.

So here's our way-too-early Shore football Preseason Top 30 rankings. We'll have an "official" preseason Top 10 when we get closer to the first regular-season games but we're starting here. The teams are rated on recent performance, roster changes, traditional program performances - but mostly based on the buzz going around the Shore Conference. The teams being talked about are going to be up high in these rankings.

More: High school football summer snapshots: 2023 Shore season previews, players to watch

Here we go:

Shore Conference 7 on 7 Football Tournament at Manalapan High School on July 11, 2023.
Shore Conference 7 on 7 Football Tournament at Manalapan High School on July 11, 2023.

First 15

1. Toms River North (Last year’s record, 14-0)

TRN Micah ford gets a hug from one of his coaches as the clock ticks down on their State Championship. Toms River North Football vs Passaic Tech in NJSIAA Group 5 Final in Piscataway, NJ on December 4, 2022.
TRN Micah ford gets a hug from one of his coaches as the clock ticks down on their State Championship. Toms River North Football vs Passaic Tech in NJSIAA Group 5 Final in Piscataway, NJ on December 4, 2022.

Last year’s final ranking: No. 1. The Mariners return most of the team that stormed to the first NJSIAA Group 5 championship and outscored its opponents 660-115. The points scored was a state record for a single season. Among the returnees are standout senior quarterback/defensive back and Stanford University-recruit Micah Ford, junior offensive tackle and Penn State recruit Jaylene Matthews, junior wide receiver/defensive back Jeremiah Pruitt, junior wide receiver/defensive back Tareq Council and junior running back/defensive back Josh Moore. First game: Aug. 25 at the Battle of the Beach in Ocean City vs. Millville (12-2).

2. Red Bank Catholic (10-2)

Last year’s final ranking: No. 2. The Caseys lost some standout players to graduation, but they still return a lot of quality, led by senior wide receiver and Stanford University-recruit Emanuel Ross and senior linebacker and Pitt recruit Davin Brewton. Other key returnees are junior quarterback Frankie Williams, senior offensive tackle Tyler Burnham and lineman Lorenzo Portella. First game: Aug. 25 vs. Bergen Catholic (11-1).

3. Middletown South (9-2)

Last year’s final ranking: No. 3. A talented senior class should have Middletown South in contention for an NJSIAA group championship. Among the returnees is senior linebacker/running back Colin Gallagher, senior quarterback/defensive back/placekicker Jake Czwakiel and junior linebacker Luke Wafle. First game: Aug. 25 vs. No. 5 Rumson-Fair Haven (8-5).

4. Donovan Catholic (6-4)

Last year’s final ranking: No. 4. The Griffins young at a lot of positions last season. The year of experience should make them better Among the returnees are junior receiver and NCAA Division 1 FBS-recruit Michael Thomas III, sophomore running back Najee Calhoun, senior defensive lineman Zaeir Day and senior linebacker Hunter Johnson. First game: Aug. 25 vs. St. Augustine (6-5).

5. Rumson-Fair Haven (8-5)

Last year’s final ranking: No. 5. The Bulldogs return a lot of talent from the team that advanced to the first NJSIAA Group 2 championship game and gave unbeaten Caldwell all it could handle. Among the returnees is junior quarterback Owen O’Toole, senior receiver Nick Rigby and junior running back Alastair Orr. First game: Aug. 25 at No. 3 Middletown South (9-2).

RFH's Markus Brown celebrates a touchdown during the first half of the Wall vs. Rumson-Fair Haven football game at Rumson-Fair Haven High School in Rumson, NJ Friday, September 16, 2022.
RFH's Markus Brown celebrates a touchdown during the first half of the Wall vs. Rumson-Fair Haven football game at Rumson-Fair Haven High School in Rumson, NJ Friday, September 16, 2022.

6. Point Pleasant Boro (9-1)

Last year’s final ranking: No. 6. The Panthers were unbeaten and looked to be on their way to a second straight NJSIAA sectional championship before they were knocked off by Willingboro in a South Group 2 semifinal. Point Boro moves up to the Shore Conference Colonial Division, where it will compete against Colts Neck, Long Branch, Manalapan, Raritan and Red Bank. Among the returnees is senior quarterback Matt Oliphant and senior running back Jake Croce. First game: Aug. 25 vs. No. 8. Colts Neck (6-3).

More: High school football summer snapshot: This Group 2 power has unfinished business

7. Matawan (6-3)

Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked. The Huskies have been making steady progress in head coach Jay Graber’s five seasons. They return a lot of talent from the team that won the Shore Conference Liberty Division championship last season. Among the returnees are junior quarterback Am’ir Martinez, junior running back Colin Palumbo and sophomore receiver/running back Welman Crooms. Matawan will compete in the Independence Division with Barnegat, Brick, Brick Memorial, Freehold and Freehold Township. First game: Aug. 27 in the Battle at the Beach in Ocean City vs. Cedar Grove (4-7).

More: High school football summer snapshot: Matawan resurgence, Power 5 offers for top players

8. Colts Neck (6-3)

Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked. The Cougars, who shared the Shore Conference Constitution Division championship with Jackson Memorial last year, return senior running back Chris Scully, senior offensive linemen J.J. Cifelli and Charlie Whalen and senior defensive lineman Eric Loureiro. Colts Neck does move up to the Colonial Division. First game: At No. 6 Point Pleasant Boro (9-1).

9. Long Branch (7-4)

Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked. The Green Wave won six of their final seven games last season, including a win over then unbeaten Pennsauken in a NJSIAA Central Group 4 first-round game. They did graduate some key players, but they return senior quarterback Earnest Reevey and junior running back Zaheem Brown. First game: Sept. 1 at No. 4 Donovan Catholic (6-4).

10. Jackson Memorial (7-3)

Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked. The Jaguars did graduate quarterback Tai Mann from the team that shared the Shore Conference Constitution Division championship with Colts Neck, but do return receiver/defensive back/kick returner Albert D’Alessandro, wide receiver/defensive back Jaiden Hernandez, linebacker Brandon Bigelow and tight end Shaun Hubbard. The Jaguars will compete in the Shore Conference Freedom Division with Howell, Lacey, Marlboro, Middletown North and Southern. First game: Aug. 31 vs. Manalapan (3-7).

11. Red Bank Regional (7-4)

Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked. The Bucs have made steady progress in Shane Fallon’s three seasons as head coach. They return two-way lineman Griffin Egan and running backs Gunnar Eckerstrom and Jah’Cire Jones from the team that won the NJSIAA South Group 4 regional championship last season. Red Bank makes the move up to the Shore Conference Colonial Division. First game: Sept. 1 at Freehold Township (5-5).

12. Brick Memorial (6-5)

The Mustangs return one of the Shore’s most dynamic players in senior quarterback Connor Dietz. Dietz threw for 2,083 yards and 13 TDs and ran for 1,858 yards and 23 TDs. Junior running back Kevin Andrews is another key returning player. Inconsistency on defense was an issue last season. Brick Memorial will compete in the Independence Division. First game: Aug. 25 vs. Allentown (4-5).

More: High school football summer snapshot: Brick Memorial, Connor Dietz have window of opportunity

Brick Memorial’s Connor Dietz hands off to Nicco Maribo. Brick Memorial vs Ocean Township football. Ocean Township, NJFriday, September 16, 2022
Brick Memorial’s Connor Dietz hands off to Nicco Maribo. Brick Memorial vs Ocean Township football. Ocean Township, NJFriday, September 16, 2022

13. Middletown North (3-6)

The Lions ended last season with five straight defeats due to a tough end of season schedule and injuries. Being in the Freedom Division with Howell, Lacey, Jackson Memorial, Marlboro and Southern gives them a chance to rebound, as does the return of quarterback Luke Sheehan, running back Neno Morgan-Acker and receiver Dylan Briggs. First game: Aug. 25 at Freehold Township (5-5).

14. Wall (4-7)

Last year’s final ranking: Not ranked. The Crimson Knights, once they got away from the unforgiving Shore Conference American Division schedule, won the NJSIAA South Group 3 region championship last season for a four-game winning streak that began with a divisional win over Manalapan. Head coach Ed Gurrieri, who was highly successful at Manalapan, has had a full offseason to further implement his philosophies headed into his second season. Junior running back/defensive back Mason Adam and senior quarterback Andrew Olsen are among the returnees. The American Division schedule is still unforgiving. First game: Aug. 25 at Manalapan (3-7).

15. Marlboro (6-4)

Last year’s final ranking: No. 10. The Mustangs had their most noteworthy season in a generation last year as they qualified for the NJSIAA playoffs for the first time since 1999 and won a playoff game for the first time since 1994. They also had to overcome a season-ending injury to starting quarterback A.J. Schwartz in Week 4 and an injury to standout linebacker/running back Matt Cassidy in their come-from-behind win over Washington Township in the first round of the NJSIAA South Group 5 playoffs. Cassidy is among the returnees. Marlboro will compete in the Freedom Division with Howell, Jackson Memorial, Lacey, Middletown North and Southern. First game: Sept. 2 vs. St. John Vianney (5-5).

Next 15

16. Freehold Township

The Patriots went 5-0 and won the championship at the Freehold Regional 7 on 7 Tournament on July 18.

17. Manalapan

Class relief dropping from the Colonial to the American Division.

18. Howell

Winner of five games last year, the most for the program since 2017.

19. Ocean Township

The Spartans started last season on an 8-0 tear, their best start since also going 8-0 in 2019. But there are key spots to fill at QB and elsewhere.

20. Raritan

Only losses last season were quality (Point Pleasant Borough, Ocean Township, Rumson-Fair Haven in the playoffs).

21. Asbury Park

A new head coach arrives in Marquan Mutazz.

22. Pinelands

Winning seven games last season was most for program since 1991 when Bill Bruno was head coach.

23. St. John Vianney

Won five a in row in 2022.

24.Southern Regional

Head coach Chuck Donohue Sr. is entering his 26th season with the Rams.

25. Manasquan

Took a division co-championship in 2021 but fell a step back last year.

26. Shore Regional

Aiming for fourth straight winning season.

27. Monmouth Regional

A bit of a backslide last year. Rebound time?

28. Keyport

Consecutive 6-3 seasons after four non-winning years, the turnaround is real.

29. Brick Township

The Green Dragons have had three eight-win seasons under Len Zdanowicz.

30. Lacey Township

Lou Vircillo became only the second Shore Conference head coach to reach 300 career wins in 2001; legendary Brick coach Warren Wolf is the league’s all-time leader in wins with 364.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore NJ football preseason Top 30 rankings for 2023