Atlantic Physical Therapy Shore Conference Football Top 12, 11/18/25
Two Shore Conference squads brought home state sectional titles last week, and the conference’s top-ranked team is still in play for one of its own.
The top three teams in the Shore Sports Insider rankings are still standing as we enter the Group semifinal round for the public teams and the semifinals of the Non-Public brackets this week.
Holmdel won its first state sectional title in program history by knocking off Seneca in Central Jersey Group 3, while Brick Memorial ended a 17-year drought of state titles with a convincing win over Middletown North in Central Jersey Group 4. Red Bank Catholic remains in the hunt for the Non-Public B title after steamrolling its first two opponents in the bracket.
The rankings are just about settling into stone, but there still could be some movement depending on this week’s playoff results and the two Thanksgiving games on the schedule.
1 Red Bank Catholic (11-1). Last week: No. 1.
Senior Dan Zabora and RBC are one win away from their fourth state final appearance in five seasons. (Photo by Steve Meyer)
The Caseys routed Paul VI 36-0 in the Non-Public B quarterfinals for their third straight shutout and fifth of the season. They have not allowed a point in their last 14 quarters. Freshman quarterback Rahmir Rivera threw two touchdown passes, freshman running back Gabe Kemp had two rushing touchdowns and senior WR/DB Dan Zabora scored two touchdowns to power the victory. Rivera also cracked the 2,000-yard passing mark as a freshman. Next up is a chance to avenge their only loss of the year and advance to their fourth Non-Public B final in the last five seasons. Next game: Friday at Paramus Catholic (5-6) in the Non-Public B semifinals.
2 Brick Memorial (10-2). Last week: No. 2.
Brick Memorial and quarterback Jason Lajara celebrated their first state sectional title in 17 years. (Photo by Patrick Olivero)
The Mustangs fulfilled their destiny and won their first state sectional title since 2008 with a 28-0 victory over Middletown North in Central Jersey Group 4. Senior quarterback Jason Lajara ran for a pair of touchdowns, including an electrifying 39-yard run in the final seconds of the first half, and senior Nazeer Whittaker ran for a score and returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown. The defense posted its first shutout of the season. Brick Memorial has won seven in a row as it tries to shock the state by taking down the top public squad in New Jersey and the defending Group 4 champions. Next game: Saturday at Winslow Township (10-2) in the Group 4 semifinals.
3 Holmdel (9-2). Last week: No. 3.
Holmdel brought home the program’s first state sectional title. (Photo by Tom Smith/tspimages.com)
The Hornets made history with a 41-20 win over Seneca in Central Jersey Group 3 to win their first state sectional title. Senior quarterback Jack Cannon threw for 187 yards and two touchdowns, ran for 113 yards and two touchdowns, picked off a pass on defense, caught a 12-yard pass and recovered an onside kick in the win. Senior wide receiver James Murphy had four catches for 129 yards and a touchdown in the win, and junior Matt Scheinman had a rushing and a receiving touchdown as well as a big sack on fourth down on defense. Holmdel will now try to take its dream season one step further with another win at Bob Roggy Memorial Field. Next game: Friday vs. Cedar Creek (10-2) in the Group 3 semifinals.
4 Donovan Catholic (8-4). Last week: No. 4.
The Griffins’ season ended with a heartbreaker as they fell 34-27 to Holy Spirit in the Non-Public B quarterfinals on a 1-yard touchdown pass with 10 seconds left in the game. Junior quarterback Kahden Davis ran for one score and threw for another, and sophomore running back Alex Staten had a pair of touchdowns in the loss. Donovan Catholic should be in the mix for the No. 1 ranking in the Shore next season with almost its entire team returning, including Davis, Staten, junior running back Ethan Nicolas, junior wideout Aidan Kelly and almost everyone on defense. Next game: Season complete.
5 Southern (9-2). Last week: No. 5.
Season complete.
6 Wall (8-3). Last week: No. 6.
The Crimson Knights battled top-seeded Camden for a half before their playoff run came to an end with a 43-7 loss in the Central Jersey Group 2 final. Senior quarterback Brian McKenna threw a touchdown pass to senior tight end Justin Davis as the Crimson Knights went into halftime tied 7-7 before the Panthers pulled away. Wall can still pick up one more ranked win with a victory on Thanksgiving. Next game: Nov. 27 vs. No. 8 Manasquan (8-2).
7 Rumson-Fair Haven (6-4). Last week: No. 7.
Season complete.
8 Manasquan (8-2). Last week: No. 8.
The Warriors have a shot to potentially jump to the No. 6 spot in the final rankings if they can win their annual Thanksgiving game. Next game: Nov. 27 at No. 6 Wall (8-3).
9 Point Boro (4-5). Last week: No. 9.
Season complete.
10 Toms River North (5-6). Last week: No. 10.
Season complete.
11 Central (8-2). Last week: No. 11.
Season complete.
12 Middletown North (5-5). Last week: No. 12.
The Lions’ impressive playoff run came to an end with a 28-0 loss to No. 2 Brick Memorial in the Central Jersey Group 4 championship game. They still have a chance at a winning season if they can pick up a second win over rival Middletown South, which is eager for revenge after Middletown North knocked the Eagles out of the state playoffs in the first round. Next game: Nov. 27 vs. Middletown South (4-6).
Scott Stump is the football editor and a reporter for Shore Sports Insider. He first started covering Shore Conference football in 1999 and has covered basketball, baseball and seemingly every other Shore Conference sport at some point.
Email: scottstump25@gmail.com
