N.J. football preview, 2024: A look at Shore Conference Class A South

The reincarnated Class A South division, an All-Ocean County league except for Howell, will have interesting matchups all season. The division features three teams that either won outright, or shared, league championships last fall – Point Pleasant Boro (co-champion in the Colonial), Jackson Memorial (co-champion in the Freedom) and Brick Memorial (outright winner in the Independence). Donovan Catholic and Toms River North finished second and third in the American Division last fall behind Red Bank Catholic. There are several natural rivalries here. Brick Memorial and Point Boro are separated by Route 70, Toms River North and Donovan Catholic by Route 37 while Jackson Memorial and Howell were Thanksgiving Day rivals for years. Making the division even more interesting is the comings and goings through the offseason. Point Boro and Brick Memorial will be breaking in new quarterbacks. Toms River North’s quarterback, TJ Valerio, was brilliant while starter Micah Ford was injured last season, but the Mariner offense still has to regroup after its two top receivers, top RB and Ford all graduated. Donovan Catholic’s brilliant runner, Najee Calhoun, transferred to Bergen Catholic. Jackson Memorial may have the Shore’s best RB in Jonah Glenn, but the Jags need to be more than a one trick pony on offense in 2024. The question, however, can anyone in the division beat two-time defending Group 5 champion, Toms River North? At least on paper, the answer is no.

Class A South

Division breakdown

Predicted order of finish

1-Toms River North; 2-Point Pleasant Boro; 3-Brick Memorial; 4-Jackson Memorial; 5-Donovan Catholic; 6-Howell.

Players to watch

Brick Memorial: Jason Lajara, QB/P, Jr.; Kevin Andrews, RB/DB, Sr.; Nazeer Whitaker, WR/DB, Jr.; Nyzir Matthews, WR/DB, Jr.; Jimmy Popp, WR, Sr.; Trey Tallmadge (TE/LB), Jr.

Joe Cunningham, DL, Sr.; Ricky Dillon, WR/DB, Jr.; AJ Ehrmantraut, LB, Sr.; Jaxon Figueora, RB/LB, Sr.; Jack Marotta, PK, So.; Erik Pedre, WR/RB/LB, Sr.; Ben Szuba, OL/DL, Sr.

Howell: Vincent Meehan, QB, Sr.; Juan DeJesus, RB, Sr.; Zach Padilla, WR, Sr.; Gavin Carr WR/TE/LB, Sr; Quincy Shaw, DB, Sr.; Ryan Cross, WR/DB, Sr.; Luke Allard, WR/PK, Sr.; Jason Borgia, WR/DB, Sr.; David Strouse, OT/DT, Sr.; Danny Robertozzi, OL/DL, Sr.; Corey Moses London, OL/DL, Sr.; Justin Diab, RB/DB/LB, Sr.

Donovan Catholic: Kyle Dow, QB, So.; Colin Johnson,WR/DB, Jr.; Ethan Nichols, RB/DB, So.; Jayden Nascimento, LB, Jr.; Luke Vernieri, RB/LB, Sr.; Michael Thomas III, WR/DB, Sr.; Kai Pritchard, OL/DL, Jr.; Isaac Corea, WR/DB, Sr.; James Aldrich, OL/DL, Sr.; Joe Czerwinski, LB/TE, Sr.; Ayden Iovino, OL, Sr.

Jackson Memorial: Ryan Nalewajko, OL, Sr.; Jacob Zapata, LB, Jr.; Ishmal Thompson, OL/DL, Sr.; Jonah Glenn, RB/DB, So.; Dennis Caswell, QB, Sr.; Harold Mee, OL/DL, Sr.; Vinnie LoPiccolo, OL/DL, Jr.; Eric Zebrowski, WR/DB, Sr.; Macus Simmelkjaer, LB, Sr.; Ajay Kabiri, WR/DB, Jr.; Jio Kabiri, LB/RB, Jr.; Matt Nice, DL, Sr.; Brock Babial, WR/DB, Sr.; Aidan Chornobroff, TE/LB, Jr.; Jayden Jones, DB, Sr.

Point Pleasant Boro: Slade Samaritano, DL, Sr.; Colin Obser, RB/LB, Sr; Dylan Reitmeyer, RB/LB, Sr. Tanner Hynes, OL/DL, Sr.; Paul Hagemeyer, OL/DL, Sr.; Jake Clayton, QB/RB/DB, So.; Nick Jankovich, DL, Sr.; Louis DiBiase, OL/DL, Sr.; Nick Spagnola, RB/DB, So.; Calvin Videon-Parino, RB/DB, Jr.; Logan Cooley, DL, Jr.; Brody Dapkins, LB, Jr.

Toms River North: Jaelyne Matthews, OL/DL, Sr.; Blaise Boland, LB, Sr.; Camryn Thomas, WR/DB, Sr.; Nasir Jackson, WR/DB, Sr.; Hathem Hooranyi, OL/DL, Sr.; Eddie Slosky, TE/LB, Sr.; Yianni Papanikolas, PK/TE, Sr.; Colin Keating, OL, Sr.; Hayden Moscinski, RB, Sr.; T.J. Valerio, QB, Sr.; Mordecai Ford, RB/DB, Sr.; Cole Garrison, WR/DB, So.); Jack Baker, TE/LB, So.; Brady Cicala, RB/LB, Jr.; Cam Alagna, RB/LB, Jr.; Declan Roonan, OL, Jr.; Cooper Durante, WR/DB, Jr.; Mekai Morse, WR/DB, Sr.; Tarrell Council, WR/DB, So.; Bryce Kazanowsly, TE, Jr.; Frank Bonich, DL, So.; Christian Davis-Joseph, DL, So.; Carter Tamaro, LB/PK, So.; Michael Facchini, LB/RB, Jr.; James Mauti, RB/LB, Jr.; Lucas Elias, RB/DB, So.; Alex Greene, RB/DB, So.; Zach Romano, WR/DB, Jr.; Michael Slaughter, TE/LB, Jr.; Patrick Williams, OL/DL, Fr.; Arlo Oliver, WR/DB, So.); Anthony Billotti, OL/DL, So; Wesley Tanner, RB/DB, So.); Isaiah Nash, WR/DB, So.; Logan Brill, QB, So.

Team-by-team previews

Brick Memorial

• · 2023 Playoff section: North, Group 1
• · Coach: Walt Currie, 18th season (97-79)
• · Last season: 10-1, 1st in Independence Division, lost in Central 4 final.
• ·Record last three years: 10-1, 6-5, 3-7.

2024 schedule

Oct. 29: at Allentown

Sept. 6: at Brick Township

Sept. 13: vs. Howell

Sept. 20: vs. Toms River North

Sept. 27: at Donovan Catholic Oct. 4: at Southern

Oct.18: at Toms River South Oct. 25: at Jackson Memorial

What to watch for: While Brick Memorial had record-setting quarterback Connor Dietz, the key to 2023, and the finest season in program history, was defense. In 2022, Memorial gave up 302 points. In 2023, it allowed only 175. Brick Memorial not only reduced the number of big plays it allowed, it also made a critical stop now and then. Defense will again be critical for Brick Memorial as it steps up in class and teams with traditionally back-breaking, physical running games like Jackson Memorial, Point Pleasant Boro and, of course, Toms River North. Even with a new starter at QB, Jason Lajara, Memorial appears to have enough offensive weapons to be effective on offense. Lajara was a QB for the U.S. National 17U Flag Football Team. The Trey Tallmadge-led defense needs to prove it can stop the run to compete for a divisional crown.

Donovan Catholic

• 2023 Playoff section: Non-Public A
• Coach: Dan Curcione, 8th season (48-24)
• Last season: 3-6, lost in South 5 quarterfinals
• Record last three years: 9-3, 6-4, 6-5

2024 schedule:

Aug. 30. at St. Augustine

Sept. 13: vs. Point Pleasant Boro

Sept. 20: vs. Howell

Sept. 27: vs. Brick Memorial

Sept. 20: at Donovan Catholic

Oct. 11: at Jackson Memorial Oct. 18: at Rumson-Fair Haven

Oct. 25: at Toms River North

Nov. 1: at Red Bank Catholic

What to watch for: Most of the talk this spring has been about the players who have left the Donovan Catholic program – RB Najee Calhoun (to Bergen Catholic), OL Louis DiBiase (to Point Boro); WR Emanuel Gerena (to Holy Spirit) and QB Zach LaBarca (to SJ Vianney). More attention should be paid to the players who stayed. While the numbers are down, Donovan still has one of the top offensive lineman in the state in Kai Stephenson and one of best wide receivers in the state in Rutgers commit, Michael Thomas III, and OL/DL James Aldrich. Opponents shouldn’t feel sorry for Donovan because the Griffins don’t feel sorry for themselves. Head coach Dan Curcione prepares as well as any coach in the state and he will get every drop out of the players he has. Donovan will be replacing a two-year starter at QB with a transfer from Brick Memorial, sophomore Kyle Dow. Jack Nascimento is the new offensive coordinator, replacing Chip LaBarca Jr. Look for Thomas to play at running back as much, if not more, than wide receiver to maximize his touches.

Howell

· 2023 Playoff section: South 5

· Coach: Bill Hill, 4th season (10-19)

· Last season: 3-6, lost in South 5 quarterfinals

· Record last three years: 6-3, 5-5, 2-7

2024 schedule:

Sept. 6: vs. Freehold Township

Sept. 13: at Brick Memorial

Sept. 20: at Donovan Catholic

Sept. 27: at Jackson Memorial Oct. 5: vs. Manalapan

Oct.10: vs. Toms River North Oct. 18: at Wall

Oct. 25: vs. Point Pleasant Boro

What to watch for: It’s been a so close, yet so far scenario the past couple of seasons for the Rebels, who finished 3-6 in 2023. Last season, it lost three games by six points – including a 21-20 setback to Wall. In 2022, Howell lost two, one-point games to Jackson Memorial and South Brunswick. There is a football adage that says the only way to win close games is to lose them first. Is this the season the Rebels graduate to winning some? Howell takes a significant step up in toughness of schedule. Last season only three teams in its division had winning records. This fall, every divisional foe had at least seven victories. The Rebels should be competitive on offense. They return starting QB, senior Vincent Meehan, who showed the ability to run and pass last fall. He had 166 rushing yards versus Wall in 2024. Also back is leading rusher Juan DeJesus and experienced receiver Vincent Padilla. While it has some holes to fill on defense, Howell has always been solid under head coach Bill Hill. Howell’s success will be determined by how it fares up front in a division with physical line play is a must.

Jackson Memorial

• 2023 Playoff section: South 4
• Coach: Vinnie Mistretta, 8th season (41-27)
• Last season: 7-2, lost in South 5 quarterfinals
• Record last three years: 7-2, 7-3, 3-6

2024 schedule

Aug. 30. vs. North Brunswick

Sept. 6: at Long Branch

Sept. 13: at Toms River North

Sept. 20: at Point Pleasant Boro

Sept. 27: vs. Howell Oct. 11: at Jackson Memorial Oct. 4: at Middletown South

Oct. 11: vs. Donovan Catholic

Oct. 18: vs. Brick Township

What to watch for: Those players who have waited in line for their turn to be starters will get the chance this season with the Jags’ coaching staff filling holes all over the place. How those newcomers do will be determined by the end of September. The Jaguars, who were 7-2 last season, open with telling, four-game stretch to open 2024 with Big Central heavyweight North Brunswick followed by three, consecutive road games against opponents expected to contend for division titles – Long Branch, Toms River North and Point Boro. Jackson Memorial returns one of the states finest running backs, sophomore and 1,500-yard rusher Jonah Glenn. Jackson knows what it has in Glenn, but so does every team on its schedule. Along with offensive line play, the development of senior QB Dennis Caswell is a key in 2024. Caswell was only a 46 percent passer last fall. Jackson needs Caswell to be efficient, not spectacular. Accuracy on short- and mid-range passes will decrease numbers in the box. The Jackson defense will be short on veterans, but not on ability.

Point Pleasant Boro

2023 Playoff section: South 2

Coach: Brian Staub, 7th season (36-21)

Last season: 9-2, lost in South 5 quarterfinals

Record last three years: 9-2, 9-1, 10-2

2024 schedule

Aug. 30. vs. Steinert

Sept. 6: @Rumson-Fair Haven

Sept. 13: @Donovan Catholic

Sept. 20: vs. Jackson Memorial

Sept. 27: vs. Toms River North Oct. 5: vs. Colts Neck Oct.11: at Brick Memorial

Oct. 18: vs. Manasquan Oct. 25: at Howell

What to look for: Any team hoping to defeat Point Pleasant Boro this fall will need to win the game in the trenches. The Panthers return a ton of experience up front on both sides of the ball, which should make breaking in a first-time starting quarterback far less concerning for head coach Brian Staub. Either senior Mike Ollendorf or three-sport star, sophomore Jake Clayton will be handed the keys to Staub’s super funky, flexbone, double-wing, option offense – one of the most difficult to defend in the Shore Conference. Tanner Hynes and Paul Hagemeyer are powerful and experience centerpeices on the offensive and defensive lines. After he completes his mandatory 30-day, Lou Dibiase, another muscle-bound lineman and a transfer from Donovan Catholic, will add even more power up front. Nicholas Jankovich will see more time on the line as well. On defense, leading tackler Colin Obser is back along with Dylan Reitmeyer at linebacker.

Toms River North

• 2023 Playoff section: South 5
• Coach: Dave Oizerowitz, 12th season (81-40)
• Last season: 7-2, lost in South 5 quarterfinals
• Record last three years: 12-2, 14-0, 6-4.

2024 schedule:

Aug. 30. at Downingtown East, Pa.

Sept. 6: vs. Toms River East

Sept. 13: vs. Jackson Memorial

Sept. 20: at Brick Memorial

Sept. 27: at Point Pleasant Boro Oct. 4: vs. Toms River South Oct. 10: at Howell

Oct. 18: at Southern

Oct. 25: vs. Donovan Catholic.

What to look for: Does Toms River North return the state’s finest and most dangerous quarterback? Does North return two dynamic, big-play wide receivers, who make it first and goal from anywhere? Does North return a 1,000-yard rusher? The answer to all three questions is no. However, that doesn’t make Toms River North any less capable or dangerous than its been the last two seasons when it went 26-2 and established itself as the best public school program in New Jersey. North returns QB T.J. Valerio, who steps into the biggest job opening anywhere. Valerio proved himself as a leader, passer and turned out to be a better runner than anyone expected. Mordecai Ford, one of the state’s fastest players, steps in at running back, and Camryn Thomas, a reserve last season, should be a featured member of the receiving corps. Even with 335-pound, two-time, First-Team All-State offensive tackle, Jaelyne Matthews, North will not be as bulky up front. However, the group still has the potential to be dominant. The are plenty of players, who waited in line the last two years, ready to take their shots. North also has players from an undefeated, and gigantic freshmen team, in the wings. Last year, opposing defenses knew which player was getting the ball 90 percent of the time. This season, they won’t – at least at the start. North opens against Downingtown East (Pa.). Downingtown, the preseason No. 13 in Pennsylvania, lost its season-opener to North Penn , 28-25. Downingtown was 11-1 last season with eight shutouts.

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Joe Zedalis covers Shore Conference football for NJ.com. He can be reached at jzedalis@njadvancemedia.com.

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