Shore Conference Football 2026 Preseason Top 12 Rankings

It’s time. 

The 2026 Shore Conference football season is ready to kick off, which means conducting the annual crapshoot of producing a Preseason Shore Sports Insider Top 12. 

While the top two teams appear to be clear, it’s a free-for-all after that. Red Bank Catholic and Donovan Catholic have the most loaded rosters in the Shore and the expectation to make it to MetLife Stadium for the Non-Public B final, but it’s a logjam following those two non-public powers. 

There’s a large group of teams that all return with talent, but still have question marks either at key skill positions or with inconsistency issues. It feels like anybody could beat anybody out of the next group of 10 to 15 teams, which should make for plenty of excitement every week. 

Good luck to all the Shore Conference teams this season as we get ready to kick off Week Zero. We’re looking forward to covering all the action along the way and having fun doing it. 

 

1. Red Bank Catholic – Last year’s final ranking: No. 1. 

The Caseys start right where they left off as the Shore Conference’s top-ranked team. They will once again be the favorite in the Class A North race after winning the division title last year. The sophomore duo of quarterback Rahmir Rivera and running back Gabe Kemp is coming off record-setting freshman seasons and should only be even more electric this fall. They also should have a dominant defensive line led by Navy recruit Lorenzo Tartamella, junior Asher Cummins and two-way All-Shore lineman Jordan Key. RBC has also added more weapons, with St. Peter’s Prep transfer and Monmouth University recruit Kyle Wise set to be a major addition to the secondary, and junior Ethan Kennedy joining All-Shore star Jason Berecsky to add an FBS prospect to the receiving corps after missing last year with injury. On top of all that, All-State kicker Simon Picinich is only a sophomore and gives them elite special teams. The goal is what it always is in Red Bank: Win the Non-Public B title. Both of their losses last year were to Paramus Catholic, so they will have to find a way to turn the tide against the Paladins and others. They can stamp themselves as the favorite immediately when they face rival DePaul, the defending Non-Public B champion, in the season opener. First game: Thursday vs. DePaul at Rowan University. 

2. Donovan Catholic – Last year’s final ranking: 4. 

The Griffins grabbed a share of the Class A South title last season while weathering a tough stretch of injuries before falling in the Non-Public B quarterfinals. Now they have a team stacked with talent and experience that looks to break through to win Donovan’s first state title since 1976, when it was known as St. Joseph High School. They return an experienced quarterback in Columbia-bound senior Kahden Davis, two playmaking running backs in seniors Ethan Nicolas and Alex Staten, and one of the state’s top offensive line recruits in sophomore Xavier Fowlkes. Defensively, UConn recruit Jason Madden and East Carolina recruit Jael Hester lead the defensive line and secondary for a team that returns 16 starters in all. The Griffins start the season as the Class A South favorite, and the goal is to still be playing in December. First game: Thursday vs. Kingsway at Rowan University. 

3. Toms River North – Last year’s final ranking: No. 10. 

Graduation caught up with the Mariners’ last season after a historic run of three straight NJSIAA Group 5 titles, but all those young guys being thrown into the fire should pay dividends this fall. Senior Cole Garrison, an All-Shore safety, is stepping in at quarterback after splitting time with senior Logan Brill last year. Just about everyone is back on offense, including an experienced offensive line, which bodes well for that side of the ball. Duke recruit Jack Baker, a two-time, first-team All-Shore selection, leads a rugged defense that also features All-Shore sophomore linebacker Finn Boland and All-Shore junior linebacker Kam’ron Morse. If the Mariners can ratchet up the offense against top opponents, they will once again be a championship contender. They will be tested right away against one of the North Jersey’s best public school programs. First game: Friday at Northern Highlands.

4. Rumson-Fair Haven – Last year’s final ranking: No. 7. 

The Bulldogs’ record-setting run of 11 straight sectional final appearances came to an end in a loss to Wall, but they have the ingredients to return to their lofty perch in the Shore Conference. Yale recruit Ryder Izzo should be one of the Shore’s top two-way talents at running back and linebacker, three-year starter Ben Gredell, a Harvard recruit, anchors the defensive line and All-Shore senior Aidan Lane leads the offensive line. The defense only returns three starters, led by linebacker Carmine Florio, but Rumson has shown time and again that it has the ability to reload. The main question mark is how much the passing game has improved. Junior Brady Williams returns at quarterback after playing the majority of snaps last season while splitting time with senior Casey Moore. Williams is a Tim Tebow-style punishing runner, but it was struggles in the passing game that limited Rumson in big spots last year. They are challenging themselves right away with a perennial power from Staten Island. First game: Thursday vs. Tottenville (N.Y.). 

5. Brick Memorial – Last year’s final ranking: No. 2. 

It was a banner season for the greatest senior class in Brick Memorial history, as the Mustangs won their first NJSIAA sectional title in 17 years and a share of the Class A South crown. They graduated some of the greatest players they have ever had, led by SSI Offensive Player of the Year Jason Lajara at quarterback, SSI Defensive Player of the Year Trey Tallmadge at linebacker, record-setting All-Shore receiver Nyzier Matthews and All-Shore running back Na’Zeer Whittaker. However, the cupboard is far from bare. The Mustangs return All-Shore talents Shawn Fowler (WR/DB), Joe Livio (TE/DE), Jaxon Pacheco (OL/DL), and Jaxon Ellis (OL). Senior Tyler Pierce has the unenviable task of following Lajara at quarterback, but he saw some time last season and is ready for his shot under new head coach James Mahoney, the team’s former offensive coordinator. If Pierce and a new backfield can help keep the points coming, the Mustangs should once again be in the title mix. First game: Friday vs. Wall. 

6. Holmdel – Last year’s final ranking: No. 3. 

The greatest season in Hornets history included the program’s first NJSIAA sectional title and a record-setting campaign from SSI Most Valuable Player Jack Cannon last year. While the star quarterback has moved on to Dartmouth, there is still plenty of talent to keep the Hornets among the Shore’s top teams. The offense returns All-Shore WR Anthony Serini and Michael Todisco, an All-Shore defensive back who also is a playmaker on offense. Senior running back Matt Scheinman is also a rushing and receiving threat, and sophomore Tyler Carri should also see more carries after standing out on defense as a freshman. The three biggest questions for the Hornets are untested new sophomore quarterback Tommy Fletcher, a defense that struggled mightily against top competition last season and an offensive line that has to replace four starters. The offensive line has shown the last few years that it can sustain a high level despite graduation losses. Fletcher is already drawing some FCS attention, so he just has to prove it in real games, while a defense led by Todisco, Serini, Scheinman, Carri and senior linebacker Joey Berardi will have something to prove against a tough schedule. First game: Thursday vs. Hightstown. 

7. Manalapan – Last year’s final ranking: Unranked. 

Is this the year the Braves put it all together? They lost to Wall and Donovan Catholic by a combined four points last year and were stunned 20-14 in the state playoffs by Middletown North. A few plays here and there, and the Braves could have been a major story in the Shore Conference. If they can finish those close games, they absolutely have the talent to be a top four team in the Shore with 10 starters returning. Senior quarterback Cameron Desfosse, RB/LB Nick Palmieri, DE Ethan Fogelstrom and LB Donnie Rocco Sosa lead a Braves team that will face a much more challenging schedule after being realigned into Class A North. They have shown they can play with any top team in the Shore, and they can lose to anyone on a given night. If they can iron out that inconsistency, it could be a big season for the Braves. First game: Thursday vs. Hillsborough. 

8. Middletown North – Last year’s final ranking: No. 12. 

The Lions graduated a two-year starter at quarterback and a star wide receiver, but they return 13 starters, including one of the Shore’s top running backs in senior Matt Belenko, and three starters on the offensive line. Senior linebacker Kade Little should be one of the Shore’s best for a team that has a challenging nondivisional schedule in addition to Class B North, but won’t be daunted by anyone after playing in the powerhouse Class A North last season. First game: Sept. 3 at Lacey. 

9. Southern. Last year’s final ranking: No. 5. 

The Rams are back in their customary home in the highly competitive Class A South after wrecking Class B South to win the title last season. Legendary head coach Chuck Donohue Sr. has retired and been replaced by longtime defensive coordinator Matt Abbato. He leads a team that features a Defensive Player of the Year candidate in junior linebacker Niko Iliescu, plus another stellar talent in his twin brother, Lukas Iliescu. Senior quarterback Carson Abbato, the son of the head coach, is back along with All-Shore wide receiver Chris Raub and All-Shore kicker Cole Celeste. Southern has to replace some talent up front on both sides of the ball, but has what it takes to be a strong contender in Class A South. First game: Saturday vs. Bridgeton at Ocean City. 

10. Matawan – Last year’s final ranking: Unranked. 

The Huskies broke through for a winning season that included a playoff victory with a sophomore-laden team in 2025. That whole core is now back, and this team has the potential to be a top-four squad in the Shore if they can play with more consistency. Junior Cayson Williams is one of the Shore’s most dominant wide receivers and an FBS prospect, while junior quarterback BlairCarter Gagneron is also back after putting up more than 2,000 yards of offense last year. Senior Kevin Auguste, an FCS prospect, should be one of the Shore’s top linebackers, and junior Sean Euell is also a returning starter at linebacker and running back. This has been a steady build under head coach Matt Walsh, and the Huskies have the talent to make the leap. Can they do it after being realigned up a division into Class B North? First game: Thursday vs. River Dell. 

11. Wall. Last year’s final ranking: No. 6. 

The Crimson Knights graduated some of the Shore’s best players in RB/LB Dylan Cohen, TE/LB Justin Davis and WR/DB/K Heath Reinhardt after reaching a sectional final, but have enough back to once again be in the hunt. They were realigned into one of the Shore’s toughest divisions, Class A North, but should be good up front on both sides of the ball to help deal with a relentless schedule. All-Shore senior Gus Stedronsky and All-Division senior Nick Rogers anchor the offensive line, while junior Jesse Roth should be one of the Shore’s best defensive linemen. Senior Franny Scaramellino steps back in at quarterback after starting as a sophomore and only playing on defense last season, so they have a playmaker at a key spot. It’s mainly replacing the offensive production of Cohen, Davis, Reinhardt and quarterback Brian McKenna that should determine how high this team can go. They also will be playing on a brand new turf field and refurbished facility this fall, so they would like to christen it with another banner season. They open the season with a chance to make a statement that there will be no drop off from last year. First game: Friday at No. 4 Brick Memorial. 

12. Point Boro – Final ranking last season: No. 9. 

If the Panthers can just keep their knee ligaments intact after a voodoo-curse level of injuries last season, they should be a contender in Class A South and the state playoffs. Senior quarterback Jake Clayton, a three-year starter and four-year varsity player, is back to lead the flexbone triple option offense along with senior slotback Nick Spanola, who was one of the unfortunate group of Panthers who tore their ACLs last season. All those injuries meant they played a ton of young players, who should combine with veterans like FB/LB DJ Albanese to help fuel a bounceback season. They also welcome a talented freshman class that should make an immediate impact, as well as RBC transfer Julius Reeves as another option at fullback. First game: Thursday vs. Sterling. 

Keep an eye on: 

Neptune: Coming off their first overall division title since 1998, the Scarlet Fliers and star quarterback Caleb Brown-Mason are now up in Class C North and look to continue their rise. 

St John Vianney: The Lancers have one of the Shore’s toughest schedules, but that also means they have plenty of chances to make a statement that they belong among the elite behind senior running back Corleii Thomas, linebacker Isaiah Shade and FBS prospect Noah Fitzpatrick at wide receiver. 

Freehold Township: The Patriots return quarterback Dakota Lasater and All-Shore receiver Jake Schultzel to their Air Raid passing attack and should be right in the mix for the program’s first division title in history. 

Central: The Golden Eagles return versatile Monmouth recruit CJ Yates and star linebacker Gus Copes after finishing No. 11 in last year’s rankings. They look to be a favorite in the Class B South race. 

Middletown South: The Eagles have two Division 1-caliber linemen and Lehigh recruit Justin Rosato at running back. Combine that with a move to a more manageable schedule in Class B North, and the door is open for them to return to glory at a program used to winning championships. 

Howell: The Rebels have 16 starters back, led by pass rusher Ivan Padilla, and should be right there in the hunt for the Class C North title. 

Shore Regional: All-Shore running back Cole Torres and the Blue Devils have been consistently competitive as a Group I school steadily moving up divisions, and they will look to do it again in Class B North before making a run at a sectional title. 

Scott Stump is the football editor and a reporter for Shore Sports Insider. He first started covering Shore Conference football in 1999. 

Email: scottstump25@gmail.com