Atlantic Physical Therapy Final 2024 Shore Conference Football Top 12
Our final 2024 Shore Conference football rankings have arrived, and it should be no surprise which team finished at the top.
After completing its second 14-0 season in the last three years and winning an unprecedented third straight NJSIAA Group 5 state championship, Toms River North is the Shore Sports Insider Football Team of the Year. The Mariners went wire-to-wire atop the Atlantic Physical Therapy Center SSI Top 12 to continue an incredible run that officially stamped this era of Toms River North football as a dynasty.
Usually, a team going undefeated would make it a shoe-in for the top spot, but this season the Shore had two unbeaten state champions with Rumson-Fair Haven authoring the greatest season in program history with a 13-0 record and the Group 2 state title. The Bulldogs come in right behind the Mariners at No. 2.
Next are Point Boro and Brick Memorial, giving Class A South three teams ranked in the top four. The Panthers won the program’s fifth sectional title and their only losses were to Toms River North and Rumson. The Mustangs’ only regular-season losses came to Toms River North and Point Boro before falling to Millville in the Central Jersey Group 4 final.
After that, it gets a bit murky with several head-to-head triangles and other notable results. There were some minor adjustments from our final regular-season rankings as we accounted for a team’s complete body of work while also factoring in best wins, worst losses, and strength of schedule.
Thank you to everyone for following our coverage throughout the season. Without further delay, here is the final 2024 SSI Football Top 12, presented by Atlantic Physical Therapy Center.
Final 2024 Shore Conference Football Top 12 Rankings
1. Toms River North (14-0)
The Mariners won their third straight Group 5 state title and capped off an incredible three-year run with a dominant 41-14 victory over Union City at MetLife Stadium to complete a perfect season. Toms River North is 40-2 over the last three seasons with 19 straight wins overall, including 15 in the playoffs, plus 39 consecutive wins over public schools. The Mariners won the Class A South division title with key wins over No. 3 Point Boro and No. 4 Brick Memorial along with victories over No. 10 Donovan Catholic and No. 11 Howell. They had the Shore’s No. 1 scoring defense at 7.9 points per game with five shutouts and had the No. 2 offense in the Shore at 37.6 points per game. Senior quarterback T.J. Valerio threw for a school-record 2,427 yards and 30 touchdowns to pilot a star-studded offense that also featured running back Mordecai Ford, receivers Cam Thomas and Nasir Jackson, and quarterback/receiver Cole Garrison. Senior edge rusher Blaise Boland led the Shore in sacks (9.5) and tackles for loss (28.5) for a ferocious defense that was also loaded with playmakers, including senior edge Eddie Slosky and linebackers Jack Baker and Brady Ciacala. The Mariners will say goodbye to another all-time senior class in June but will return multiple standouts and have plenty of hungry underclassmen ready to step in and continue the dynasty. The crown is theirs until another team takes it.
2. Rumson-Fair Haven (13-0)
The third time was indeed the charm for Rumson, which finally secured the Group 2 state title after narrow defeats in the championship game in 2022 and 2023. At Rutgers University, the Bulldogs rallied late in the first half and then held on for a 26-24 win over Shabazz in the Group 2 title game to complete a 13-0 season and cement themselves as the greatest team in program history. Rumson rolled through the regular season and secured the Class A North division title thanks to a 26-11 win over archrival Red Bank Catholic, and also posted nondivisional victories over No. 3 Point Boro and No. 10 Donovan Catholic. Rumson beat No. 8 Wall to win the Central Jersey Group 2 sectional title, the program’s ninth in history, and then beat Point Boro 44-10 in the Group 2 semifinals. Rumson had the Shore’s top offense at 40.7 points per game led by senior quarterback Owen O’Toole, who threw for a school-record 2,893 yards with 25 touchdowns and just four interceptions. Senior wide receiver Jordan Angstreich set what is believed to be the Shore’s single-season record for receiving yards by catching 68 passes for 1,186 yards and 13 touchdowns. Junior running back Kellen Murray rushed for 1,581 yards and 32 touchdowns and senior wideout Nick Thomas caught 52 passes for 847 yards and nine scores. Rumson’s defense was No. 3 in the Shore allowing 13.4 points per game with senior linebackers Austin Kiernan and Jacob Tobias and senior defensive back Evan Ridgway leading the charge. The Bulldogs will graduate a tremendous senior class, including the school’s all-time leading passer, but with 11 sectional finals appearances and nine titles since 2010 there is little doubt Rumson will find a way to remain a championship contender.
3. Point Boro (10-3)
The Panthers put together their own season of redemption by going on the road and beating Camden, 15-7, to win the South Jersey Group 2 sectional title. It was Point Boro’s fifth title and first since 2021 after two heartbreaking playoff losses each of the past two seasons. They finished second behind No. 1 Toms River North in Class A South and took the Mariners to the brink in a 24-21 loss. Point Boro’s other two losses were to No. 2 Rumson-Fair Haven. The Panthers beat No. 4 Brick Memorial and also defeated No. 10 Donovan Catholic and No. 11 Howell. Their flexbone triple-option offense churned out 3,725 yards and 49 touchdowns to finish fourth in the Shore in scoring at 33.2 points per game. Senior fullback Dylan Reitmeyer rushed for 1,196 yards and 18 touchdowns, sophomore quarterback Jake Clayton ran for 915 yards and 17 touchdowns and threw for 350 yards and eight touchdowns, and sophomore slotback Nick Spanola ran for 697 yards and six touchdowns. On defense, the Panthers had a top-15 unit and were led by senior linebacker Colin Obser (129 tackles), Reitmeyer, and senior defensive linemen Lou DiBiase, Tanner Hynes and Nick Albanese. Key seniors like Obser, Reitmeyer, DiBiase, and Hynes will graduate but Point Boro brings back a strong core led by Clayton and Spanola, junior lineman George Walsh and junior fullback/linebacker Calvin Videon-Perino.
4. Brick Memorial (9-3)
The Mustangs advanced to their first sectional final since 2015 and finished third in the Shore’s toughest division behind No. 1 Toms River North and No. 3 Point Boro. Brick Memorial posted wins over No. 10 Donovan Catholic and No. 11 Howell as well as two wins over Jackson Memorial and another over Class B South co-champion Southern. The Mustangs had one of the top offenses in the Shore averaging 29.8 points per game. Junior quarterback Jason Lajara had a breakout season with 2,009 yards passing and 18 touchdowns plus 867 yards rushing and 17 touchdowns. Junior wide receiver Nyzier Matthews did the same with 31 receptions for 837 yards and nine touchdowns to set school single-season records for yards and touchdowns. Brick Memorial had the No. 10 scoring defense in the Shore with junior linebacker Trey Tallmadge and senior linebacker AJ Ehrmantraut leading the way. With a roster comprised mostly of juniors and sophomores, the Mustangs should be among the Shore’s best once again in 2025.
5. Holmdel (8-2)
The Hornets get the nod at No. 5 thanks to their body of work. Despite an early-season loss to No. 7 St. John Vianney, Holmdel won the outright Class C North division title and its other loss came in the playoffs to Mainland, which finished as the Group 3 runner-up. Their top wins were 35-14 over No. 8 Wall and 27-21 over a Manalapan team that was in and out of the rankings all season. Junior quarterback Jack Cannon continued his assault on the Hornets’ record book by throwing for 1,944 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushing for 1,075 yards and 18 touchdowns to lead an offense that was third in the Shore at 35.5 points per game. Seniors Frankie Serini and Matt Iulo delivered strong seasons on both sides of the ball and senior defensive lineman Cipriano Bodnar had a big season with eight sacks to lead the Holmdel defense. Several key seniors will graduate so Cannon and some promising underclassmen will try to lead Holmdel into contention when it moves up to Class A North next season.
6. Middletown North (8-2)
The Lions were No. 5 heading into the sectional semifinals but fell one spot in the final rankings after dropping their final two games of the season. Middletown North was 8-0 before losing to Shawnee 27-17 in the South Jersey Group 4 semifinals. The Lions then fell to unranked Middletown South, 32-22, on Thanksgiving. Their body of work is still strong, however. The Lions won the Class B North division title for the program’s first outright division championship since 1983. They also defeated No. 7 St. John Vianney, 41-22, for a marquee win that vaulted them up the rankings. Middletown North had the No. 6 scoring offense in the Shore at 30.5 points per game and the No. 4 defense at 13.5 points per game. Senior running back Shane Volante ran for 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns, junior quarterback Owen Robson threw for 1,749 yards and 16 touchdowns, and junior receiver Jack Viola had 662 yards and five touchdowns. On defense, seniors Brody Tooker, Joe Grasso, and Brian O’Donnell, and junior Ryan Clark led the way. Middletown North returns Robson, Viola, Clark, and junior linebacker Braden Marcotte but must replace a veteran group of linemen heading into next season when they move up to Class A North.
7. St. John Vianney (9-4)
The Lancers started the season strong, suffered a three-game losing streak in the middle, then closed with a flurry to finish 9-4 and reach the Non-Public B semifinals. A 33-19 win over No. 5 Holmdel in Week 2 stamped SJV as the Class C North favorite, but they dropped three straight to No. 8 Wall, Manalapan and No. 6 Middletown North to fall to 3-3. They responded with six straight wins to reach the state semifinals as the No. 10 seed, including a thrilling 31-27 win over Red Bank Catholic in the Non-Public B quarterfinals. Sophomore running back/safety Abdul Turay led the Lancers’ resurgence in their first year under head coach Bobby Acosta with a state-leading 2,517 yards rushing and 37 touchdowns. He was also tremendous on defense with 81 tackles, 4 sacks and 13 tackles for loss. Junior quarterback Zach LaBarca threw for 1,903 yards and 15 touchdowns and rushed for 750 yards and five scores, while seniors Dante Campagna and Jahmere James and junior Adam Urs had strong seasons at wide receiver. SJV was fifth in the Shore in scoring offense at 32.6 points per game. On defense, junior linebacker Danny Breen had a team-high 122 tackles and DJ Carter intercepted five passes. With Turay and LaBarca leading a strong cast of returners, St. John Vianney could be a major force in 2025.
8. Wall (8-3)
After back-to-back losing seasons, the Crimson Knights returned to contender status in 2024 by going 8-3 and reaching the Central Jersey Group 2 sectional final under veteran head coach Ed Gurrieri. Wall delivered wins over No. 7 St. John Vianney and No. 11 Howell and beat a solid Manalapan team in a key division game. They lost to No. 5 Holmdel, 35-14, in Week 4 and then fell to Manasquan on Thanksgiving, which caused them to miss out on earning a share of the Class C North division title. Wall’s other loss was to No. 2 Rumson, 38-14, in the Central Jersey Group 2 final. Defense was Wall’s strength as the Crimson Knights were No. 6 in the Shore at 14.5 points per game. Seniors Matteo Masotti and Joe Vaccaro and juniors Justin Davis, Dylan Cohen, Wyatt Capro and Thomas Plisky led a ferocious front seven that totaled 31 sacks. Sophomore quarterback Franny Scaramellino had a strong debut season with 1,048 yards passing and 12 touchdowns, senior Mason Adam led the team in rushing, and junior Heath Reinhardt became the team’s leading receiver after serving primarily as the team’s kicker and punter the last two years. Seniors Tony Credle and Derrick Boss were playmakers on offense, defense and special teams. Wall had a good mix of seniors and underclassmen this season, so while the graduating losses will hurt, many talented and experienced players will be back next season.
9. Red Bank Catholic (6-4)
After reaching three straight state finals from 2021 through 2023, it was a down year by the Caseys’ standards as they finished 6-4 and were eliminated in the quarterfinals of the state playoffs. They finished second in Class A North behind No. 2 Rumson-Fair Haven and earned wins over No. 10 Donovan Catholic and No. 12 Marlboro. Their defeats were to Middletown (Delaware), Non-Public A runner-up Don Bosco Prep, No. 2 Rumson, and No. 7 St. John Vianney. Senior quarterback Frankie Williams threw for 1,735 yards and 19 touchdowns and rushed for a team-high 425 yards and eight touchdowns to complete a great career in which he accounted for 6,222 yards and 74 touchdowns. Junior wideouts Daniel Zabora and Johnny Williams had strong seasons and freshman receiver Jason Berescky showcased his potential, as did sophomore running back Jordan Mosenthine. Senior linebackers Patrick McGonnell, Jamie Gutridge and Giorgio Olmo led the way on defense while junior Blake Caruso kicked a 46-yard field goal to highlight his great season. RBC was a very young team this season and will have to replace Williams and three standout linebackers heading into 2025, but when this program has been down it hasn’t lasted long. Expect the Caseys to return to championship contention sooner than later.
10. Donovan Catholic (2-7)
Yes, a two-win team ranked No. 10 in the Shore looks strange on the surface, but Donovan played in the toughest division in the conference and posted wins over No. 11 Howell and a Jackson Memorial team that was on the bubble of the top 12. The Griffins’ losses came to No. 1 Toms River North, No. 2 Rumson-Fair Haven, No. 3 Point Boro, No. 4 Brick Memorial, No. 9 Red Bank Catholic, and to state-ranked St. Augustine and Holy Spirit in nonconference games. Senior Michael Thomas III, who is signed to Rutgers, ran for 592 yards and eight touchdowns and added 228 receiving yards and one touchdown. Junior linebacker Jayden Nascimento led the Shore with 130 tackles. Thomas graduating leaves a huge void but the Griffins have several young standouts, including star offensive tackle Kai Pritchard, upon which to rebuild heading into 2025.
11. Howell (3-6)
Like Donovan, Howell’s ranking at No. 11 despite a 3-6 record illustrates the tremendous depth of Class A South. The Rebels played a great schedule with their conference losses coming to No. 1 Toms River North, No. 3 Point Boro, No. 4 Brick Memorial, No. 8 Wall and No. 10 Donovan Catholic. They lost 13-0 to Kingsway in the South Jersey Group 5 playoffs. The following week, Kingsway pushed No. 1 Toms River North in the first half before the Mariners rallied for a 21-14 win. The Rebels also beat three bubble teams to cement their spot with wins over Freehold Township, Jackson Memorial and Manalapan. Senior Vin Meehan had a strong all-around year with 1,260 yards of offensive and nine touchdowns between passing and rushing, plus 61 tackles and three interceptions on defense. Howell was a tough out this season in an unforgiving Class A South division. They move to Class B North next season
12. Marlboro (6-4)
The final spot in the rankings goes to Marlboro, which had a solid season to continue the program’s run of stability under head coach Jason Dagato. The Mustangs’ losses were to No. 2 Rumson-Fair Haven, No. 7 St. John Vianney, No. 9 Red Bank Catholic and to Central Jersey Group 4 champion Millville in the sectional semifinals. Wins over Middletown South, Freehold Township and Toms River South earned Marlboro the No. 12 ranking. Senior running back Christian LaFonte ran for 950 yards and 14 touchdowns, senior Luke Houston had 466 receiving yards and two touchdowns plus two interceptions on defense, and seniors Nick Diadema and Slav Kostenko and junior Jennaro Percodani led the way on defense. The Mustangs will once again lose several impact seniors to graduation so they will try to regroup and continue to contend in a new-look 2025 Class A North division.
Honorable Mention
Shore (10-1)
Central (8-2)
Manchester (8-3)
Southern (6-4)
Toms River South (5-5)
Manalapan (5-6)
Jackson Memorial (5-6)
Middletown South (4-7)
Freehold Township (5-5)
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