Atlantic Physical Therapy Week 0 Shore Conference Football Previews and Picks

The 2026 Shore Conference football season is here, and that means it’s time for Shore Sports Insider’s Week 0 football picks and previews.

We are thrilled to welcome Dave Manzo of Atlantic Physical Therapy as the fifth member of our picks squad.

With more than 30 convenient locations throughout New Jersey, Atlantic Physical Therapy Center provides personalized, patient-focused care to help people of all ages recover from injuries, manage pain and get back to doing what they love. Their licensed physical therapists offer individualized treatment along with services such as sports rehabilitation, dry needling, cupping, kinesiology taping, concussion management and a variety of wellness and performance programs designed to help athletes recover, perform and stay healthy.

Whether you’re working your way back from an injury or looking to perform at your best, Atlantic Physical Therapy Center is committed to helping you come back stronger and more confident than before.

We thank Atlantic Physical Therapy Center for its support of Shore Conference football and Shore Sports Insider.

Now, onto our Week 0 picks and previews.

 

	Stump	Smith	Crouthamel	Yeserski	Manzo
THURSDAY
SJV vs. Cedar Creek	Cedar Creek	Cedar Creek	Cedar Creek	Cedar Creek	SJV
Donovan vs. Kingsway	Donovan	Donovan	Donovan	Donovan	Donovan
RBC vs. DePaul	RBC	RBC	DePaul	DePaul	RBC
Manchester at TR East	TR East	TR East	TR East	TR East	TR East
Freehold Twp. at Central	Freehold Twp.	Freehold Twp.	Central	Central	Central
Jackson at Ocean	Jackson	Jackson	Ocean	Jackson	Ocean
Colts Neck at Marlboro	Marlboro	Marlboro	Marlboro	Marlboro	Marlboro
Red Bank at Shore	Shore	Red Bank	Red Bank	Red Bank	Shore
Newton at Asbury Park	Newton	Newton	Newton	Newton	Newton
Barnegat at Absegami	Barnegat	Barnegat	Barnegat	Absegami	Absegami
Allentown at Brick	Brick	Brick	Brick	Allentown	Brick
Lawrence at Lacey	Lacey	Lacey	Lacey	Lawrence	Lacey
Hillsborough at Manalapan	Manalapan	Manalapan	Manalapan	Manalapan	Manalapan
River Dell at Matawan	Matawan	Matawan	Matawan	River Dell	Matawan
Midd South at Cherokee	Midd South	Cherokee	Midd South	Midd South	Cherokee
Tottenville (NY) at RFH	RFH	RFH	RFH	RFH	RFH
Hightstown at Holmdel	Holmdel	Holmdel	Holmdel	Holmdel	Holmdel
Sterling at Point Boro	Point Boro	Point Boro	Point Boro	Point Boro	Point Boro
Madison at Raritan	Raritan	Madison	Madison	Madison	Madison
Monmouth at Spotswood	Monmouth	Monmouth	Spotswood	Spotswood	Monmouth
Friday
Manasquan vs. Westwood	Westwood	Westwood	Westwood	Manasquan	Manasquan
TR North at No. Highlands	TR North	No. Highlands	TR North	No. Highlands	TR North
Freehold Boro at TR South	TR South	TR South	TR South	TR South	Freehold Boro
Wall at Brick Memorial	Brick Memorial	Brick Memorial	Brick Memorial	Brick Memorial	Wall
Long Branch at Hammonton	Long Branch	Hammonton	Long Branch	Hammonton	Hammonton
New Egypt at Buena	Buena	New Egypt	New Egypt	New Egypt	Buena
Saturday
Southern vs. Bridgeton	Southern	Southern	Southern	Southern	Southern
Pinelands vs. Collingswood	Collingswood	Pinelands	Pinelands	Pinelands	Pinelands
Neptune vs. Winslow	Neptune	Winslow	Neptune	Neptune	Winslow
Manville at Keansburg	Manville	Manville	Keansburg	Manville	Manville
Atlantic Tech at Lakewood	Atlantic Tech	Atlantic Tech	Atlantic Tech	Atlantic Tech	Atlantic Tech
Point Beach vs. South River	Point Beach	Point Beach	Point Beach	Point Beach	Point Beach
Last week	0-0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0-0
Season record	0-0	0-0	0-0	0-0	0-0

 

Previews

St. John Vianney vs. Cedar Creek, Thursday at 10 a.m. (at Ocean City High School)

The Lancers return to the “Battle at the Beach” for the first time since 2023, when they suffered a 35-0 loss to Hammonton. Their return will be no easy task, as Cedar Creek enters the matchup as the defending Group 3 state champion.

One thing working in the Lancers’ favor is the amount of production the Pirates lost to graduation. Departed quarterback Frenchmon Bethea and running back Aamir Dunbar combined for 4,705 yards through the air and on the ground last season. While Cedar Creek must replace much of its offensive firepower, it returns a stalwart in the trenches in 6-foot-4, 250-pound defensive lineman Elias Blocker, who holds offers from several FCS schools including Wagner and Delaware State.

St. John Vianney has plenty of production to replace as well. Still, the Lancers return several experienced skill players, including senior running back Corleii Thomas, senior receiver Brayden Delavega and junior receiver Noah Fitzpatrick, who holds an offer from Temple. They also have a behemoth of their own in the trenches in 6-foot, 310-pound tackle Lucas Faas. A potential battle on the line between Faas and Blocker could be one of the most intriguing individual matchups of the game.

Donovan Catholic vs. Kingsway, Thursday at 5:30 p.m. (at Rowan University)

The Griffins will take part in the inaugural “Battle in the Boro,” where they will square off with Kingsway in a rematch of last season’s 20-7 Dragons victory. Despite the loss, Donovan Catholic did a strong job containing Kingsway’s rushing attack in that matchup, holding the Dragons to just 50 yards on 25 carries. The Griffins had far more trouble defending the pass, however, surrendering 236 yards through the air.

The good news for Donovan Catholic is that David Oravetz, who accounted for all 236 of those passing yards, has graduated, leaving the Griffins to face a new starting quarterback. Kingsway’s top returning weapon is senior running back Cole DeNick, who rushed for more than 1,100 yards last season but was held to just eight yards by the Griffins.

With a large group of returners led by senior quarterback Kahden Davis, Donovan Catholic enters this year’s matchup as the favorite. Kingsway struggled to contain Davis on the ground last season, as he rushed for 134 yards and scored the Griffins’ only touchdown of the game. Senior linebacker Diondre Foendoe also made his presence felt in last year’s meeting, recording eight tackles and a sack.

Red Bank Catholic vs. DePaul, Thursday at 8:00 p.m. (at Rowan University)

The Caseys are one of the few teams that have consistently gotten the better of the Spartans in recent meetings. Red Bank Catholic has won two of the last three matchups, with the most recent victory coming in the 2023 Non-Public B state championship, when the Caseys defeated DePaul 14-7 at MetLife Stadium.

This time, instead of meeting in East Rutherford, the two Non-Public B powers will head south to Glassboro. It will be quite the trip for both programs, with Red Bank Catholic traveling 103 miles and DePaul making the 130-mile trek.

DePaul enters the season as the defending Non-Public B state champion and returns several FBS prospects, including 6-foot-5, 275-pound offensive lineman Paul Corrado Jr.

Watching Corrado battle Red Bank Catholic edge rusher and Navy commit Lorenzo Tartamella could be worth the drive to Glassboro by itself. Add in rising sophomore quarterback Rahmir Rivera and sophomore running back Gabe Kemp returning for an encore, and this matchup has all the makings of a Week 0 classic. Beyond the star power and recent history between the two programs, there are early-season stakes attached as well: The winner will immediately establish itself as the team to beat in Non-Public B.

Manchester at Toms River East, Thursday at 5 p.m.

Last year’s matchup between the Hawks and Raiders is remembered for much more than what happened on the field. Toms River East head coach Kyle Sandberg and his program showed a touching act of compassion toward Manchester head coach Tommy Farrell and his family.

On the field, Toms River East earned a 22-6 victory behind a dominant rushing attack that piled up 205 yards. The Raiders controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball, holding Manchester to just 22 rushing yards on 16 carries and forcing the Hawks into a one-dimensional passing attack.

Senior linebacker Colin Heale was one of the standouts for the Raiders, recording a team-high seven tackles and a sack. Heale will take on an even larger role this season, handling duties on both sides of the ball as he takes over at running back behind a veteran offensive line.

Senior center Justyce Garcia anchors a Manchester offensive line that returns three starters and will be looking to flip the script in the trenches after Toms River East controlled the matchup up front a year ago.

Freehold Township at Central, Thursday at 6 p.m.

One of the more intriguing games of the week has the potential to turn into an aerial showcase. Freehold Township’s patented Air Raid offense, led by senior quarterback Dakota Lasater and senior wideout Jake Schultzel, will test an athletic Central secondary headlined by seniors CJ Yates and Zyshun Carroll.

On the other side, first-year starting quarterback Isaiah Troiano will have no shortage of weapons at his disposal. The junior signal-caller can lean on Yates, Carroll and senior wideout Dominic Prasad as he takes the reins of the Golden Eagles’ offense.

The biggest difference between the two teams a year ago came on the ground. Central rushed for more than 1,600 yards, doubling Freehold Township’s total of roughly 800. If the Golden Eagles can establish the run, control the clock and keep the Patriots’ high-powered passing attack on the sideline, it could go a long way toward securing a victory.

Jackson at Ocean, Thursday at 6 p.m.

This is a meaningful early-season matchup for two programs looking to bounce back from disappointing seasons. Ocean finished 5-5 a year ago, while Jackson went 3-7 in its first season following the merger of Jackson Memorial and Jackson Liberty.

Senior quarterback Jake Garrett takes over as Ocean’s full-time starter after transferring into the program from Red Bank Catholic midway through last season. He will be joined in the backfield by a potential breakout player in sophomore Brayln Thompson, who rushed for 350 yards as a freshman.

Jackson, meanwhile, has plenty of production to replace after graduating running backs Jonah Glenn and Jio Kabiri, along with quarterback Mason Ciccariello. The Jaguars will at least have some continuity up front, where seniors Jomar Rodriguez, Marc Lovacco and Gavin Wolf return along the offensive line. That experience in the trenches could prove crucial as Jackson breaks in a new group of playmakers.

Colts Neck at Marlboro, Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Marlboro has dominated this district rivalry in recent years, winning each of the last three meetings in 2022, 2024 and 2025. Last year’s matchup was particularly one-sided, as the Mustangs rolled to a 34-6 victory behind a dominant rushing attack that piled up 264 yards.

Senior running back Zach Mojares was at the center of that success, rushing for a game-high 100 yards and three touchdowns while also making an impact defensively with two sacks. His ability to affect the game on both sides of the ball makes him the player Colts Neck will need to account for on every snap.

For the Cougars to flip the script in this year’s rematch, it starts with limiting Mojares and winning the battle in the trenches. That defensive effort will be led by junior linebacker Mike Arminante, who will also take on a significant role in the backfield for Colts Neck.

Red Bank at Shore, Thursday at 7 p.m.

Red Bank squeaked past Shore 14-13 last season in a game that came down to a failed two-point conversion. The two teams will look vastly different this time around, as Red Bank lost the majority of its offensive production outside of senior quarterback Brett Laude and slot receiver Kaden Jackson. At the same time, Shore returns just five starters, led by senior running back Cole Torres and senior quarterback Logan Clark.

Laude was particularly effective in last year’s matchup, throwing for 91 yards and two touchdowns to account for both of the Bucs’ scores. Red Bank also did a solid job containing Torres, holding him to 60 yards on 11 carries — an impressive effort considering he went on to rush for 1,651 yards last season.

With both teams replacing so many key contributors, this year’s matchup carries plenty of uncertainty. Familiar faces like Laude, Torres and Clark will be counted on to provide stability as two relatively inexperienced groups try to establish their identities early in the season.

Newton at Asbury Park, Thursday at 4 p.m.

Sophomore quarterback Braylon Johnson will make his debut under center against a Newton team that finished 5-4 a year ago before falling to eventual North Jersey Group 1 sectional champion Westwood, 33-22, in the sectional quarterfinals. Newton has consistently fielded a competitive team in recent years, making this a stiff test for the Blue Bishops.

Fortunately for Asbury Park, the Blue Bishops return 15 starters, giving them one of their most experienced teams in years. The biggest question is how they replace the production of graduated All-Shore running back Amiere Massie, who accounted for 1,600 rushing yards last season.

Rather than relying on one player to fill Massie’s shoes, Asbury Park’s best bet may be replacing his production by committee. With an experienced group surrounding a first-year starting quarterback, spreading the workload could help ease Johnson into his new role while giving the Blue Bishops multiple ways to move the football.

Barnegat at Absegami, Thursday at 5 p.m.

The Bengals return 14 starters, led by senior two-way lineman Patrick Small, and will enter the matchup as the favorite against an Absegami team that finished 3-7 a year ago. There are some Shore Conference ties on the opposite sideline, as former Lacey standout quarterback and offensive coordinator Warren Smith enters his second season as Absegami’s head coach.

The Braves were extremely one-dimensional offensively last season, finishing with just 269 passing yards and relying heavily on their rushing attack. That should make Barnegat’s defensive game plan relatively straightforward.

If Small, senior linebacker Nick Malinowski and the rest of the Bengals’ defense can contain the Absegami ground game and force the Braves to win through the air, Barnegat will have a strong chance to come away with an opening-night victory.

Allentown at Brick, Thursday at 6 p.m.

This matchup features a fun subplot, with Brick head coach Jay Graber facing an Allentown program he once guided to its first sectional championship in 2016. Ironically, that title came against Brick in a 41-6 rout. The Dragons got their revenge the following season in 2017, shutting out Allentown 28-0 in the sectional quarterfinals.

Both programs find themselves in much different places nearly a decade later. Brick is looking to take a step forward after finishing 5-5 last season, while Allentown is hoping to turn things around following a difficult 1-9 campaign.

For the Dragons, the path forward starts with a veteran linebacker corps led by seniors Rowan Foy, Cian Foy and Owen Maffei. Brick will lean on that experienced trio to set the tone defensively and help bring a physical brand of football back to the program.

Lawrence at Lacey, Thursday at 6 p.m.

Fans of both teams were robbed of what could have been a terrific running back showdown when Lacey senior Joey Davis suffered a torn ACL in the spring. Davis was set to go head-to-head with Lawrence senior James Lyons, who rushed for 1,044 yards a year ago and, like Davis, enters his senior season with more than 2,000 career rushing yards.

Without Davis, the Lions will turn to a next-man-up approach in the backfield. Seniors Jake Sturman and Sean Vargas will be tasked with carrying the load as Lacey looks to replace the production and experience of one of the Shore Conference’s most accomplished returning backs.

Hillsborough at Manalapan, Thursday at 6 p.m.

One of the opening week’s best under-the-radar matchups features Manalapan against a Hillsborough program looking to bounce back from a 4-6 season. While the Raiders were down a year ago, this is a program accustomed to being in the postseason mix. Hillsborough most recently went undefeated in 2021, capturing a regional championship in the final season before state championships were introduced.

Manalapan enters the matchup with a significant edge in returning production. Senior quarterback Cameron Desfosse is back to lead the offense alongside senior running back Nick Palmieri, giving the Braves valuable experience at the skill positions. If Desfosse and Palmieri can pick up where they left off, Manalapan has a chance to make an early statement against a traditionally strong Hillsborough program.

River Dell at Matawan, Thursday at 6 p.m.

Armed with a junior-heavy roster that flashed plenty of potential as sophomores, along with several key seniors, Matawan has the pieces to begin a return to prominence. The Huskies have been searching for their first sectional title since 2014, and opening night should provide an early indication of just how high their ceiling could be.

River Dell represents a quality first test after finishing 7-4 last season, with three of its four losses coming against eventual sectional champions Old Tappan and Westwood.

For Matawan, much of the excitement centers on the return of the connection between junior quarterback Blair Carter Gagneron and junior wideout Cayson Williams. After showing plenty of promise together last season, the duo has the potential to take another significant step forward and lead a resurgent Huskies offense.

Middletown South at Cherokee, Thursday at 6 p.m.

This is a rematch the Eagles have been waiting for a full year. Middletown South fell to Cherokee 27-26 last season, surrendering a 58-yard rushing touchdown to Brendan Markovsky in the fourth quarter that helped swing the game in the Chiefs’ favor. Markovsky returns for his senior season after leading Cherokee with more than 500 rushing yards, making him a focal point for the Eagles’ defense to contain. Cherokee also brings back dual-threat quarterback Cooper Burti, who threw for more than 900 yards and rushed for just under 500 last season.

The Eagles have weapons of their own, led by senior running back Justin Rosato, who rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown in last year’s meeting. Middletown South struggled to generate much through the air in that matchup, making the performance of new senior starting quarterback Jack Schneider one of the biggest factors in the rematch. If Schneider can provide another dimension offensively, it could be enough to flip last year’s one-point result.

Tottenville (NY) at Rumson-Fair Haven, Thursday at 6 p.m.

Tottenville opened its 2025 campaign by knocking off a pair of Shore Conference opponents, edging Manalapan 36-35 before holding off Wall 20-15. Those victories were the start of an impressive season for the Pirates, who went on to finish 12-1 and ended the year ranked No. 10 in New York.

That track record makes this a difficult opening test for Rumson-Fair Haven, particularly on defense. The Bulldogs return just three defensive starters and will have to rely on an inexperienced unit against a program coming off a 12-win season.

Offensively, however, Rumson-Fair Haven has plenty of reasons for confidence. Senior running back Ryder Izzo and junior quarterback Brady Williams return behind an offensive line that remains completely intact. That continuity could be crucial in helping the Bulldogs control the game and take some pressure off their young defense.

Hightstown at Holmdel, Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

All eyes will be on Holmdel as the Hornets take the field for the first time in the post-Jack Cannon era. Sophomore quarterback Tommy Fletcher has earned the confidence of head coach Noel Kavanagh and his teammates and will get his first opportunity to show he is ready to take the reins of the offense.

Fletcher will benefit from an experienced group of skill players around him, including senior Michael Todisco and junior Anthony Serini. With much of its supporting cast returning, Holmdel has an opportunity on opening night to make a statement that the program is ready to continue its success without Cannon.

Hightstown finished 4-6 last season, making Holmdel the presumptive favorite on paper. Still, with a new quarterback leading the offense, the opener should provide an early look at what the next chapter of Hornets football will look like.

Sterling at Point Boro, Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

The most exciting part of opening night for Point Boro might be that the Panthers are finally healthy. After a season in which they lost standout slotback Nick Spanola, quarterback Jake Clayton for multiple games, and several other key contributors to injuries, the Panthers return to the field at full strength.

They will square off with a Sterling team that finished 9-1 last season, albeit against a schedule that left some questions about just how strong the Silver Knights were. Point Boro, meanwhile, was forced to play numerous freshmen and sophomores while navigating a brutal Class A South schedule. That trial by fire could pay dividends now that those young players have another year of experience under their belts.

Sterling returns running back Jermaine Stewart, who rushed for more than 800 yards last season and will be a focal point for the Point Boro defense. With a healthy roster and a young core that was tested early in their careers, the Panthers should have an opportunity to show that last season’s adversity made them a stronger team heading into 2026.

Madison at Raritan, Thursday at 6:30 p.m.

Raritan elected to test itself right out of the gate. After struggling to a 3-7 record a year ago, the Rockets will open against a Madison program that finished 7-4 and advanced to the North Jersey Section 2, Group 2 sectional final. It is a bold opening-night challenge for Raritan in Chris Damian’s first season as head coach.

Despite its success last season, Madison appears to have graduated much of its production. That stands in contrast to Raritan, which brings back several key offensive pieces, including its leading receivers in senior Eric Berg and junior Louis Zweidinger.

The biggest boost could come from the return of senior quarterback Parker Needham, whose season was cut short by injury a year ago. With Needham healthy and an experienced group of playmakers around him, the Rockets have an opportunity to make an immediate statement in Damian’s debut.

Monmouth at Spotswood, Thursday at 7 p.m.

After improving to 5-5 last season, Monmouth enters this fall looking to take the next step. The Falcons will get an intriguing opening-night test against a Spotswood team that finished 8-2 a year ago but narrowly missed the state playoffs.

The Chargers have a major hole to fill after graduating do-it-all quarterback Se’mir Tolbert-Brimage, who accounted for more than 1,500 yards of offense and 22 touchdowns through the air and on the ground. However, his replacement will inherit an experienced group of weapons, as Spotswood returns its three leading receivers in juniors Ryan Foster and Malcolm Ballard and senior Vinny Young.

That makes the matchup in the secondary one of the biggest keys to the game. Fortunately for Monmouth, the Falcons return a pair of three-year starters at safety in senior Sal Bruno and junior Liam Faulkner. Their experience could be a major asset against a talented group of Chargers receivers.

Manasquan vs. Westwood, Friday at 2:30 p.m. (at Northern Highlands High School)

Coming off a resurgent 8-3 season, Manasquan opted to test itself immediately, opening against defending North Jersey Section 1, Group 2 champion Westwood as part of the Jim Grasso Classic.

The Cardinals return plenty of firepower, led by junior quarterback Bruno Vega, who combined for more than 1,600 yards through the air and on the ground last season. He will also have the benefit of an experienced receiving corps, with seniors Tyler Hanson, Nick Klein and Ed Rasmussen all returning.

Manasquan’s best defense against Westwood’s offensive weapons may be its own ground game. If senior running back Dax Klein and the Warriors’ offensive line can consistently move the chains and put together long, clock-killing drives, they can limit Westwood’s possessions and keep Vega and company on the sideline.

Toms River North at Northern Highlands, Friday at 6:15 p.m.

After a rare down season, Toms River North returns the majority of its starters with its sights set on getting back into the state championship hunt. The Mariners will find out quickly where they stand, opening against North Jersey power Northern Highlands as part of the Jim Grasso Classic. The Highlanders finished 8-3 last season, falling 28-27 to Ramapo in the North Jersey Section 1, Group 4 sectional final.

Northern Highlands brings back a proven weapon in senior running back Tucker Kanning, who rushed for just under 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns last season. Slowing him down will be priority No. 1 for a Toms River North front seven led by senior Jack Baker, junior Kam’ron Morse and sophomore Finn Boland.

If the Mariners can control the box and prevent Kanning from dictating the game on the ground, it would go a long way toward starting their bounce-back season with a statement win.

Freehold Boro at Toms River South, Friday at 6 p.m.

The Colonials and Indians combined for just five wins last season, making this an important opportunity for both programs to start 2026 on the right track. An opening-night victory could provide some much-needed momentum for two teams looking to turn the page.

Freehold Boro has reason for optimism with sophomore quarterback Adam KrKuti, who came on strong late last season and finished with just under 800 passing yards as a freshman. If the Colonials can keep KrKuti upright and give him time to operate, their passing attack could be in position for a productive night.

That makes the battle up front one of the biggest keys to the game. Toms River South will lean on a defensive line led by seniors Javier Burns, Anthony Marrano and Tommy Reed to pressure the young quarterback. If the Indians can make KrKuti uncomfortable and force him into mistakes, it could swing the matchup in their favor.

Wall at Brick Memorial, Friday at 6:30 p.m.

The highest-profile matchup between two Shore Conference teams this week will see Wall travel to Brick Memorial looking to avenge a 35-7 loss to the Mustangs in last season’s opener.

Brick Memorial enters the rematch with plenty of production to replace after graduating all-time leading passer Jason Lajara, all-time leading receiver Nyzier Matthews and all-time leading tackler Trey Tallmadge. With significant turnover at the skill positions, the Mustangs will lean heavily on their experience in the trenches, where seniors Jaxon Pacheco and Jaxon Ellis, along with tight end Joe Livio, lead a strong returning group.

Wall lost plenty of star power as well with the graduations of Justin Davis, Dylan Cohen and Heath Reinhardt. One major difference from last year’s matchup will be the presence of senior quarterback and defensive back Franny Scaramellino, who missed the first four games of last season due to the NJSIAA transfer rule.

The Crimson Knights also return experience up front, led by seniors Gus Stedronsky and Nick Rogers. With both teams replacing several high-profile playmakers, the battle in the trenches could go a long way toward deciding which side comes out on top.

Long Branch at Hammonton, Friday at 6 p.m.

The last time Long Branch opened its season at Hammonton, it proved to be a good omen. The Green Wave rolled to a 41-14 victory over the Blue Devils, setting the tone for a 12-1 season that culminated in a sectional title and regional championship.

After finishing 0-9 in 2025 and carrying a 13-game losing streak dating back to 2024, Long Branch will be looking to start a new chapter with a win. Hammonton enters the season in a similar position after going 1-9 last year, with its lone victory coming on opening night against Franklin. The Blue Devils also lost starting quarterback Cole Landicini, who transferred to Cedar Creek during the offseason.

Hammonton reached double digits in scoring just three times last season, giving Long Branch an opportunity if it can generate enough offense. Sophomore quarterback Brice Rhoden will get the start under center as the Green Wave debuts its new flexbone attack.

New Egypt at Buena, Friday at 6 p.m.

The Warriors last faced the Chiefs in 2024, coming away with a 20-7 victory. New Egypt will make the hour-plus trip to Atlantic County to take on a Buena team looking to improve upon a 3-5 season last year.

Highly touted sophomore Zach Cohen is Buena’s top returning player after an impressive freshman season in which he rushed for 482 yards and three touchdowns while leading the team with 73 tackles and adding an interception on defense.

Slowing down Cohen will be New Egypt’s top priority. That job will fall on the front seven, which outside linebacker Liam Truszkowski will lead. On the other side of the ball, Nick Johnson and the offensive line will have to do a solid job getting off double teams to ensure that they get a hat on Cohen in the run game.

Southern vs. Bridgeton, Saturday at 10 a.m. (at Ocean City High School)

New head coach Matt Abbato will make his debut against a former NFL player turned coach on the opposite sideline. Bridgeton head coach Dominique Williams was a standout running back at Bridgeton and Wagner before spending time in the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings and several other organizations.

The Bulldogs finished 6-3 last season, though their strength of schedule left plenty to be desired. Southern, meanwhile, was far and away the best team in its division and was tested outside of divisional play, earning victories over Toms River North and Jackson while also suffering a narrow loss to Brick Memorial.

Junior running back Vascell McCoy is Bridgeton’s top returning offensive weapon after rushing for more than 800 yards and eight touchdowns as a sophomore. Southern lost plenty of production to graduation, but linebacker remains a major strength with twin brothers Lukas and Niko Iliescu returning after wreaking havoc on opposing offenses last season.

Pinelands vs. Collingswood, Saturday at 2:30 p.m. (at Rowan University)

The Wildcats will have their run fits and tackling tested from the opening whistle as they try to slow down senior running back Terrance Goffney, who rushed for 1,200 yards and nine touchdowns last season. The Panthers eclipsed 2,000 rushing yards as a team but finished 5-5, allowing 31 or more points in four of their five losses.

Junior linebacker Paul Veneri will be one of the key players tasked with containing Goffney after recording 99 tackles last season. Fellow junior Montrell Carter will also play a major role after finishing with 85 tackles of his own a year ago.

Pinelands returns plenty of offensive firepower of its own, with starting quarterback JJ Jenkins, running back RJ Clark and leading receiver Dom Colosi all back from last season. If the Wildcats can build an early lead and force Collingswood away from its ground game and into the air, they will put themselves in prime position to come away with a win.

Neptune vs. Winslow, Saturday at 8 p.m. (at Rowan University)

A few months ago, the entire New Jersey football community might have thought Neptune head coach Mike Seber was crazy for scheduling this game. Winslow is coming off back-to-back Group 4 state championships and tested itself against national powerhouse IMG Academy last season, trailing by just one touchdown entering the fourth quarter before ultimately falling 35-14.

A lot has changed since then. Winslow head coach Bill Belton departed for St. Augustine, while a large contingent of the Eagles’ top players scattered to programs across the state. Despite those losses, the cupboard is far from bare. Winslow still features three Division I commits in senior safety Karon Caesar (Penn State), senior linebacker Benjamin Carter (Monmouth) and senior wide receiver Andrew Kratee (Toledo), along with several other college prospects.

Seber’s willingness to schedule the matchup speaks to his confidence in a Neptune program that made a significant leap last season, finishing 9-2. The Scarlet Fliers return standout quarterback Caleb Brown along with a variety of weapons and will get an immediate opportunity to measure themselves against one of the state’s most high-profile programs.

Manville at Keansburg, Saturday at 11 a.m.

The excitement is building at Keansburg, where the Titans are set to debut their biggest offensive line since 1994. The five-man unit of center Aiden Alt (6-3, 320), left tackle David Mount (6-6, 320), left guard Brian LeComte (6-2, 300), right tackle Jahrell Gordon (6-0, 265) and right guard John Carmine Rodriguez (6-0, 250) averages 291 pounds per player. That’s imposing size for any high school offensive line and especially rare for a Group 1 public school.

The Manville team the Titans will face on opening day is coming off a 10-1 season but was hit hard by graduation, losing much of its production from a year ago. All eyes will be on the trenches, where Keansburg will look to impose its will up front and create running lanes for Taurian Black.

Point Beach vs. South River, Saturday at 2 p.m. (at Keansburg High School)

A once-proud South River program that produced NFL legends Joe Theismann and Drew Pearson has fallen on hard times in recent years. The Rams have endured five consecutive losing seasons, including a 1-9 campaign last year. These two teams also met a season ago, with Point Beach rolling to a 37-6 victory, making the Garnet Gulls a heavy favorite in the rematch.

Point Beach is coming off a strong 7-3 season in which it advanced to the Central Jersey Group 1 semifinals, and the Garnet Gulls return 16 starters from that team. Their biggest loss is record-setting quarterback Matthew Rossi, who graduated after a standout career. One of the biggest things to watch in the opener will be how the passing game looks with new quarterback Billy Cavanaugh taking over under center.

Atlantic Tech at Lakewood, Saturday at Noon

New head coach Cliff Orwick will make his debut against one of New Jersey’s newest football programs. Atlantic Tech enters its third varsity season after finishing 2-6 in its inaugural campaign and improving to 3-5 last year.

It’s a good opening-day matchup for a Lakewood team that will be breaking in plenty of young talent. The Piners do have several experienced players they can lean on, however, including junior running back Jahkir Brooks and junior wide receiver Tyreese Jones.