Week 1 Thursday Night Football Games of the Week Presented by Sansone Jr’s Kia

Shore Conference football once again takes center stage under the lights Thursday night, and Shore Sports Insider will be on hand with coverage of two Week 1 matchups.

Tonight’s Shore Conference Thursday Night Football coverage is presented by Sansone Jr’s Kia, including Sansone Jr’s 66 Kia in Neptune and Sansone Jr’s Keyport Kia.

Manasquan (1-0) crosses the inlet to play rival Point Boro (1-0) at 6:30 p.m. as each team looks to improve to 2-0. Shore Sports Insider’s Dave Smith will be at Al Saner Field with coverage of the Warriors and Panthers.

Raritan (1-0) travels to Matawan (0-1) in another rivalry game at 6 p.m. Shore Sports Insider’s Dan Yeserski will be on the scene as the Rockets and Huskies go to battle.

Shore Sports Insider will have coverage from both games throughout Thursday night and afterward on ShoreSportsInsider.com.

Below, we take a closer look at both matchups with an expanded preview of Manasquan at Point Boro and Raritan at Matawan.

Raritan at Matawan, 6 p.m.

Series Record: Matawan Leads 39-18-2

1962	Matawan 21, Raritan 12
1963	Matawan 0, Raritan 0
1964	Raritan 19, Matawan 18
1965	Matawan 33, Raritan 12
1966	Raritan 7, Matawan 6
1968	Matawan 21, Raritan 7
1969	Raritan 20, Matawan 15
1970	Matawan 35, Raritan 0
1971	Matawan 14, Raritan 12
1972	Matawan 28, Raritan 6
1973	Matawan 28, Raritan 8
1974	Matawan 14, Raritan 6
1975	Matawan 18, Raritan 13
1976	Matawan 14, Raritan 9
1977	Matawan 34, Raritan 0
1978	Matawan 7, Raritan 6
1979	Raritan 14, Matawan 0
1980	Matawan 27, Raritan 7
1981	Matawan 17, Raritan 17
1982	Raritan 17, Matawan 0
1983	Matawan 40, Raritan 14
1984	Matawan 34, Raritan 7
1985	Matawan 33, Raritan 15
1986	Matawan 34, Raritan 0
1987	Matawan 50, Raritan 6
1988	Matawan 21, Raritan 9
1989	Matawan 28, Raritan 7
1990	Matawan 20, Raritan 0
1992	Matawan 35, Raritan 33
1992	Matawan 47, Raritan 36 (playoffs)
1993	Raritan 35, Matawan 14
1994	Matawan 17, Raritan 0
1995	Matawan 21, Raritan 14
1996	Raritan 38, Matawan 0
1997	Matawan 35, Raritan 13
1998	Matawan 48, Raritan 7
1999	Matawan 19, Raritan 14
2000	Matawan 55, Raritan 7
2001	Matawan 12, Raritan 6
2002	Matawan 41, Raritan 13
2003	Raritan 46, Matawan 13
2004	Raritan 18, Matawan 7
2005	Raritan 55, Matawan 28
2008	Raritan 25, Matawan 17
2009	Matawan 30, Raritan 7
2009	Matawan 46, Raritan 7 (playoffs)
2010	Matawan 45, Raritan 6
2011	Matawan 20, Raritan 3
2013	Matawan 20, Raritan 0
2014	Matawan 26, Raritan 21
2014	Matawan 27, Raritan 6 (playoffs)
2015	Raritan 40, Matawan 3
2016	Raritan 35, Matawan 14
2017	Raritan 31, Matawan 22
2018	Raritan 49, Matawan 6
2019	Raritan 33, Matawan 7
2020	Raritan 31, Matawan 7
2024	Raritan 31, Matawan 23
2025	Matawan 37, Raritan 14

Preview

The Rockets are riding high after a dominant 41-0 victory over Madison on opening night, while Matawan will look to bounce back from a frustrating loss to River Dell. The Huskies got the better of Raritan in last season’s matchup, rolling to a 37-14 victory.

For Raritan to flip last year’s result, it starts with containing standout junior wide receiver Cayson Williams. Williams has the ability to win contested catches against just about anyone, making it crucial for the Rockets to provide help over the top and prevent him from creating explosive plays downfield. That responsibility will fall on a secondary that made plenty of plays in Week 0, including senior safety Brennan Spengler, who recorded two interceptions, and junior cornerback Zahir Jones, who added another.

On the flip side, Raritan’s triple-option attack presents plenty of challenges of its own. Senior slotback Eric Berg was explosive in the opener, rushing for 107 yards and two touchdowns on just five carries. While containing Berg and the Rockets’ ground game will be a priority, the Huskies cannot afford to get caught with their eyes in the backfield. Senior quarterback Parker Needham threw two touchdown passes on just eight attempts last week, putting added pressure on senior safety Zach Johnson and the rest of the Matawan secondary to remain disciplined against play-action.

Predictions

Stump- Matawan

Smith- Matawan

Crouthamel- Matawan

Yeserski- Matawan

Manzo- Matawan

 

Manasquan at Point Boro, 6:30 p.m.

Series Record: Manasquan Leads 36-12

1970	Manasquan 26, Point Boro 0
1971	Manasquan 14, Point Boro 12
1972	Manasquan 39, Point Boro 6
1973	Manasquan 26, Point Boro 0
1974	Manasquan 16, Point Boro 0
1975	Manasquan 19, Point Boro 12
1976	Manasquan 21, Point Boro 6
1977	Manasquan 14, Point Boro 10
1978	Point Boro 34, Manasquan 8
1979	Point Boro 17, Manasquan 14
1980	Manasquan 21, Point Boro 0
1981	Point Boro 27, Manasquan 7
1982	Manasquan 25, Point Boro 6
1983	Manasquan 48, Point Boro 6
1984	Manasquan 10, Point Boro 0
1985	Manasquan 14, Point Boro 3
1986	Manasquan 21, Point Boro 0
1987	Manasquan 13, Point Boro 10
1988	Point Boro 14, Manasquan 7
1989	Point Boro 13, Manasquan 9
1990	Manasquan 34, Point Boro 0
1991	Manasquan 48, Point Boro 8
1992	Manasquan 24, Point Boro 14
1993	Point Boro 20, Manasquan 19
1994	Manasquan 33, Point Boro 19
1995	Manasquan 14, Point Boro 6
1996	Manasquan 26, Point Boro 0
1997	Manasquan 27, Point Boro 0
1998	Manasquan 48, Point Boro 7
1999	Manasquan 46, Point Boro 0
2000	Manasquan 19, Point Boro 13
2001	Manasquan 21, Point Boro 14
2002	Manasquan 40, Point Boro 12
2003	Point Boro 13, Manasquan 10
2006	Manasquan 42, Point Boro 6
2007	Point Boro 9, Manasquan 0
2008	Manasquan 3, Point Boro 0
2009	Manasquan 13, Point Boro 10
2010	Manasquan 21, Point Boro 11
2011	Manasquan 46, Point Boro 28
2017	Point Boro 27, Manasquan 6 (playoffs)
2018	Manasquan 42, Point Boro 28
2020	Manasquan 42, Point Boro 7
2021	Manasquan 35, Point Boro 30
2022	Point Boro 39, Manasquan 13
2023	Point Boro 35, Manasquan 7
2024	Point Boro 49, Manasquan 14
2025	Manasquan 14, Point Boro 10

Preview

One of the biggest challenges when facing a Flexbone team is adjusting to the speed and efficiency with which the offense operates. Point Boro adds another dimension with a level of physicality and heavy tight end sets that are not often seen in traditional triple-option offenses. Manasquan’s front seven, featuring players such as senior defensive lineman Lucas Kubu and senior linebacker Luke Barry, will need to be assignment-sound while matching the physicality of a stout Panthers offensive line led by junior center Travis Scully and sophomore guard Nico Cangiano, in order to slow down senior quarterback Jake Clayton, who rushed for 101 yards and two touchdowns last week and the rest of the offense.

On the other side of the ball, the Panthers will have to prepare for a much different Manasquan offense than the one they saw a year ago. Traditionally a run-heavy team operating out of its patented I-Formation, the Warriors leaned on the passing game in Week 0, with senior quarterback Kyle Dow throwing for 195 yards and two touchdowns. Junior wideout Connor Lalli emerged as his top target, hauling in seven receptions for 94 yards and a touchdown. Point Boro’s best chance to disrupt that passing attack will be generating pressure up front, led by senior defensive linemen Aidan Dombrowsky, who recorded 1.5 sacks last week, and Mason Morris, who added one sack.

Predictions

Stump- Point Boro

Smith- Point Boro

Crouthamel- Manasquan

Yeserski- Point Boro

Manzo- Point Boro