With eight starters returning on both sides of the ball, including its quarterback, tailback and a veteran offensive line, Manalapan has its sight set on division and state championships in 2019.
Defending champion Point Boro headlines the eight-team field in Class B South, but Lacey is hot on their heels in search of its first division title since 1999.
Returning Group 5 finalist Southern leads the way with Brick Memorial, Jackson Memorial and Toms River North looking to take the crown in the A South gauntlet.
Raritan and St. John Vianney are expected to duke it out for the division crown while Holmdel hopes to build off a breakout season and Rumson looks to emerge.