2023 Shore Sports Network All-Shore Football Teams, presented by Jersey Mike’s
Shore Sports Network is proud to unveil its 2023 All-Shore football teams and season-ending award winners featuring the top performers from the 2023 Shore Conference football season.
Scroll down for bios and pictures of the First Team All-Shore selections and click on the link below for write-ups on the second- and third-team selections.
*All-Shore Second and Third Teams*
*All-Shore teams in list form*
*Offensive Player of the Year*
*Defensive Player of the Year*
2023 Shore Sports Network All-Shore Football Teams
FIRST TEAM
OFFENSE
QB – Micah Ford, Sr., Toms River North
The 2023 Shore Sports Network Most Valuable Player, Ford turned in another incredible season to lead the Mariners to a second straight NJSIAA Group 5 title and complete one of the greatest careers in Shore Conference history. Despite missing three games in the middle of the season and most of the regular-season finale due to an injury, Ford accounted for 2,569 yards of offense with 29 touchdowns to lead a high-powered Toms River North offense that averaged 35.9 points per game. He rushed for 1,700 yards and 14 touchdowns on an average of 8.6 yards per carry and completed 40 of 75 passes for 889 yards and 15 touchdowns with just four interceptions.
He had nine games rushing for 100 yards or more and played sparingly in the other two due to Toms River North being up by a large margin in the first half. He was amazing in the playoffs with 942 yards rushing and six touchdowns plus 423 yards passing and eight touchdowns in five games. Ford had a season-high 277 yards rushing in a 49-14 win over Washington Township in the Central Jersey Group 5 sectional final. He rushed for 222 yards and a touchdown on 41 carries and threw for 82 yards and a touchdown in a 23-13 win over Passaic Tech in the Group 5 state final. During the regular season, he rushed for 105 yards and a touchdown on just seven carries versus eventual Non-Public B champion Red Bank Catholic before leaving the game in the first quarter with an injury. Ford was also an exceptional defensive player in the secondary and posted 54 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 2 interceptions, both of which he returned for touchdowns.
A three-time First Team All-Shore selection, Ford concluded his career with 9,049 yards of offense and 115 total touchdowns. His 6,033 career rushing yards are the fourth-most in Shore Conference history behind fellow legends Kenny Cattouse (Keyport, 6,676 yards), Ashante Worthy (Freehold, 6,400), and Knowshon Moreno (Middletown South, 6,264). He added 3,016 yards passing and 40 touchdowns. On defense, he totaled 220 tackles with seven interceptions and three defensive touchdowns. Ford is verbally committed to Stanford University and is expected to sign his National Letter of Intent to continue his career with the Cardinal.
QB – Frankie Williams, Jr., Red Bank Catholic
After a promising sophomore season, Williams took a major step forward this fall to become one of the top quarterbacks in the state and lead the Caseys to the NJSIAA Non-Public B state championship and the No. 1 ranking in the Shore Conference. He had the fourth-most passing yards in the Shore with 1,631 yards and 19 touchdowns against just three interceptions and completed 63 percent of his passes. He was also RBC’s second-leading rusher with 449 yards and three touchdowns. He tossed two touchdown passes in a 14-7 win over DePaul in the state final to secure the Caseys’ fifth state crown and second in the last three seasons. His signature game came in RBC’s epic 35-28 win over Group 5 champion Toms River North in the regular-season finale when he threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns and led a game-tying drive by moving the Caseys 86 yards in 1:42 with no timeouts against one of the Shore’s best defenses. He also had three touchdown passes in a regular-season win over Middletown South and versus Holy Spirit in the Non-Public B semifinals. Following a season-opening loss to state No. 1 and Non-Public A champion Bergen Catholic, the Caseys won their final 10 games to finish 10-1. They won the American Division championship with wins over Group 5 champion Toms River North, Group 2 finalist Rumson-Fair Haven, and Non-Public A semifinalist Donovan Catholic. Williams holds a scholarship offer from Maryland and interest from several power-5 programs.
RB – Chris Scully, Sr., Colts Neck
Scully had the most rushing yards of any running back in the Shore Conference, was second in the conference in total points, and set multiple school records to close out one of the best careers in program history. In his third year as the Cougars’ starting tailback, the 5-foot-11, 210-pound senior ran for a school-record 1,702 yards and 25 touchdowns on an average of 7.2 yards per carry to be named co-Offensive Player of the Year in the Colonial Division. He ran for at least 150 yards in nine of 10 games with No. 1 Red Bank Catholic the only team to hold him under 100 yards. He ran for a season-high 253 yards and four touchdowns in a win over Raritan, rushed for 135 yards and a touchdown versus undefeated Group 4 champion Mainland, rushed for 155 yards and two touchdowns versus Central Jersey Group 2 finalist Point Boro, and ran for 185 yards and four touchdowns vs. Central Jersey Group 4 finalist Long Branch. Scully also returned a kickoff for a touchdown and had one interception on defense. His play helped Colts Neck go 6-4, tie for the Colonial Division title, finish No. 8 in the Shore, and reach the South Jersey Group 4 semifinals where they fell to Mainland. Scully concluded his career as Colts Neck’s all-time leading rusher with 3,820 yards while scoring 49 touchdowns and averaging 6.3 yards per carry.
RB – Najee Calhoun, So., Donovan Catholic
Calhoun followed up a very good freshman season with an even better sophomore year to emerge as one of the top underclassmen in New Jersey. He rushed for 1,110 yards and 20 touchdowns on an average of 5.9 yards per carry with six 100-yard games against a schedule that included Non-Public A champion Bergen Catholic, Non-Public B champion Red Bank Catholic, Group 5 champion Toms River North, Group 2 finalist Rumson-Fair Haven, and perennial powerhouse St. Joseph (Montvale). He ran for a season-high 171 yards and scored two touchdowns when Donovan upended Toms River North, 21-7, to snap the Mariners’ 17-game winning streak and knock them from the No. 1 ranking. Calhoun has rushed for 2,052 yards and 33 touchdowns in his first two seasons. He was a major reason why the Griffins went 9-3, finished No. 2 in the Shore, and reached the Non-Public A semifinals for the first time in program history.
RB – Jake Croce, Sr., Point Boro
Croce concluded his career as the Panthers’ all-time leading rusher by running for 1,002 yards and 13 touchdowns on an average of 8.4 yards per carry for the Shore Conference’s No. 1 scoring offense (41.1 ppg). He ran for over 100 yards five times, including a season-high 202 yards and a touchdown in a 42-28 win over Group 2 finalist Rumson-Fair Haven. He also had 182 yards and five touchdowns on just eight carries in a playoff victory over Spotswood. A four-year starter and a two-time First Team All-Shore selection, Croce finished his career with a school-record 3,517 yards rushing and scored 54 total touchdowns. His play helped the Panthers go 9-2, earn a share of the Colonial Division title, reach the Central Jersey Group 2 sectional final, and finish ranked No. 5 in the Shore.
RB – Jonah Glenn, So., Jackson Memorial
Glenn burst onto the scene this fall as one of the top young players in the Shore and the conference’s seventh-leading rusher. He had the third-most yards of any running back in the Shore by rushing for 1,454 yards and 14 touchdowns on an average of 7.8 yards per carry in nine games. He ran for over 100 yards six times and had over 200 yards four times, including a season-high 274 yards and four touchdowns versus Brick. He was the focal point of a Jaguars’ offense that helped the team go 7-2 and tie for Freedom Division championship.
WR – Emanuel Ross, Sr., Red Bank Catholic
The 2023 Shore Sports Network Offensive Player of the Year, Ross put together an electric senior season to help the Caseys go 10-1, win the American Division title, finish ranked No. 1 in the Shore Conference, and secure the NJSIAA Non-Public B state championship. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound game-breaker caught 48 passes for 718 yards and 11 touchdowns and ran for 380 yards and three touchdowns on just 22 carries for an RBC offense that averaged 27.1 points per game against a schedule that included Non-Public A champion Bergen Catholic, Group 5 champion Toms River North, Group 2 finalist Rumson-Fair Haven, and Non-Public A semifinalists Donovan Catholic and Seton Hall Prep. His most memorable performance came in RBC’s 35-28 overtime win over Toms River North when he caught eight passes for 170 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead touchdown in overtime. As amazing as Ross was at receiver, he was equally as impressive at cornerback where he had 27 tackles, an interception, a defensive touchdown, and a forced fumble. He delivered a key pass breakup in the end zone when the Caseys defeated DePaul, 14-7, to win the Non-Public B title. A two-time First Team All-Shore selection, Ross will continue his career at Stanford University.
WR – Michael Thomas III, Jr., Donovan Catholic
Thomas is a dynamic three-year starter at wide receiver with multiple scholarship offers from top FBS programs and earned his second First Team All-Shore selection by catching 38 passes for 458 yards and five touchdowns. He was also a dangerous option in the running game with 341 yards rushing and four touchdowns on an average of 9.5 yards per carry. Thomas caught five passes for 112 yards in a win over St. Augustine and had six catches for 67 yards and two touchdowns in a win over Central Jersey Group 4 finalist Long Branch. He ran for 109 yards and a touchdown in a win over Wall and caught six passes for 61 yards and two touchdowns in a victory over Group 2 finalist Rumson-Fair Haven. He was also a contributor on defense with 24 tackles, one interception, and three pass breakups as a cornerback. His play helped the Griffins go 9-3, finish ranked No. 2 in the Shore, and reach the Non-Public A semifinals for the first time in program history. Among his collegiate suitors are Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin, West Virginia, and Rutgers.
WR – Dylan Briggs, Sr., Middletown North
Briggs was second in the Shore in receptions and receiving yards by catching 53 passes for 959 yards and six touchdowns. He had at least 40 receiving yards in all 11 games and posted 100 or more yards three times. His top game was an eight-reception, 137-yard, 2-touchdown performance in a 28-21 win over South Jersey Group 5 finalist Marlboro. He had six catches for 121 yards in a win over Howell and caught six passes for 114 yards and a touchdown versus Middletown South on Thanksgiving. His play helped the Lions average 22.8 points per game, finish with a 6-5 record and ranked No. 13 in the SSN rankings, and reach the NJSIAA North 2, Group 4 playoffs.
WR – Mike Frawley, Sr., Pinelands
Frawley was the Shore Conference’s leading receiver with a 68 catches for a school-record 1,141 yards and seven touchdowns for a Wildcats team that contended for the Liberty Division championship. His yardage total was the most in the Shore since 2016. He had at least 44 yards in all 10 games, had five games of 100 or more yards, and closed his career with a record-setting 11 catch, 268-yard game versus Manchester. He had six or more receptions seven times and had double-digit catches in three games, including 11 versus Hopewell Valley and Manchester in the final two games of the season. In two seasons, Frawley had 109 catches for 1,883 yards and 17 touchdowns.
TE – Jackson Gallagher, Sr., Rumson-Fair Haven
A position change from quarterback to tight end during his junior year paid dividends as a senior when Gallagher blossomed into Rumson’s leading pass catcher and the Shore Conference’s top tight end. When top wide receiver Nick Rigby went down with an injury in the middle of the season, Gallagher stepped forward with a sensational final six games to finish with 32 receptions for 574 yards and nine touchdowns, which included three 100-yard games and three straight games with multiple touchdown receptions. He had three catches for 100 yards and a touchdown versus Group 5 champion Toms River North, caught four passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns in a playoff win over Delaware Valley, and caught three passes for 116 yards and two touchdowns in a playoff victory over Haddon Heights. He was a big-play threat, too, with touchdown receptions of 94 and 85 yards during the season. His efforts helped the Bulldogs go 8-5, win the South Jersey Group 2 sectional title, reach the Group 2 state final, and finish ranked No. 4 in the Shore.
OL – Jaelyne Matthews, Jr., Toms River North
One of the top offensive line recruits in the country, Matthews earned his second First Team All-Shore selection by leading a beastly Mariners offensive line that paved the way for an offense that averaged 35.9 points per game as Toms River North went 12-2 and won its second straight NJSIAA Group 5 state title. The 6-foot-7, 300-pounder helped the Mariners rush for 3,661 yards and 38 touchdowns on an average of 7.8 yards per attempt and pass for 1,371 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Mariners scored a Shore Conference-high 502 points in 14 games and were second in the Shore in points per game. Matthews was also a great defensive player for a Mariners’ unit that was third in the Shore allowing just 10.7 points per game. As a defensive lineman, Matthews recorded 79 tackles with 4.5 sacks and 15.5 tackles for loss. He has 18 FBS scholarship offers, including George, Michigan, Ohio State, Texas, Florida State, Penn State, Florida, Miami, Tennessee, and Colorado.
OL – Lorenzo Portella, Sr., Red Bank Catholic
The 6-foot-2, 270-pound senior (No. 76 pictured) was a mauling two-way lineman for the top-ranked team in the Shore and helped the Caseys go 10-1, win the American Division title, and claim the NJSIAA Non-Public B state championship. He helped lead a Caseys offense that rushed for 2,056 yards and 19 touchdowns on an average of 6.4 yards per attempt, passed for 1,631 yards and 19 touchdowns, and scored 27.1 points per game. Portella was a four-year starter along the offensive line and helped the Caseys win two Non-Public B championships. RBC once again had one of the Shore’s top defensive units (13.1 ppg) and Portella was a star on the Caseys’ defensive line with 73 tackles, 5 sacks, and 18 tackles for loss. He holds a scholarship offer from Sacred Heart and interest from several FCS programs.
OL – Adam Yevchak, Sr., Donovan Catholic
A 6-foot-4, 295-pound tackle on one of the top teams in New Jersey, Yevchak cleared a path for the Griffins to rush for 2,264 yards and 29 touchdowns on an average of 6.3 yard per carry, pass for 1,110 yards and 10 touchdowns, and finish No. 9 in the Shore in scoring offense at 24.2 points per game. That success came against a schedule that included Non-Public A champion Bergen Catholic, Non-Public B champion Red Bank Catholic, Group 5 champion Toms River North, Group 2 finalist Rumson-Fair Haven, and perennial powerhouse St. Joseph (Montvale). His play up front helped Donovan finish with a 9-3 record, ranked No. 2 in the Shore, and reach the Non-Public A semifinals for the first time in program history. Yevchak will continue his career at Fordham University.
OL – Justin Kaye, Sr., Toms River North
A two-time All-Shore selection, the 6-foot-7, 300-pound Kaye earned a First Team All-Shore selection this season by helping the Mariners average 35.9 points per game en route to going 12-2 and repeating as NJSIAA Group 5 state champions. Toms River North rushed for 3,661 yards and 38 touchdowns on an average of 7.8 yards per carry and passed for 1,371 yards and 23 touchdowns. The Mariners scored a Shore Conference-high 502 points and were second in the Shore in points per game. He has multiple FCS scholarship offers and interest from FBS programs Penn State, Rutgers, and Boston College.
OL – Matt Liggio, Sr., Colts Neck
Liggio was the top lineman for a Colts Neck offense that rushed for 2,341 yards and 32 touchdowns on an average of seven yards per carry and was sixth in the Shore averaging 30.4 points per game. He helped pave the way for Chris Scully to lead all Shore Conference running backs with 1,702 yards rushing as the Cougars went 6-4, tied for the Colonial Division championship, and reached the South Jersey Group 4 semifinals.
OL – Charles Davison, Sr., Point Boro
“Boom” Davison was a three-year starter and the top lineman for a Point Boro offense that averaged 41.1 points per game to finish No. 1 in the Shore in scoring average. The 6-foot-1, 275-pounder helped lead the way for the Panthers triple-option offense to rush for 3,750 yards and 50 touchdowns on an average of 9.5 yards per carry and pass for 530 yards and 11 touchdowns. His play helped the Panthers go 9-2, earn a share of the Colonial Division title, reach the Central Jersey Group 2 sectional final, and finish ranked No. 5 in the Shore Conference.
ATH – Connor Dietz, Sr., Brick Memorial
Dietz rewrote the Brick Memorial record book during his outstanding career and will graduate as the Mustangs’ all-time leading passer, rusher, and scorer after a tremendous senior season. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound dual-threat quarterback rushed for 1,797 yards and 25 touchdowns to finish second in the Shore in rushing yards and completed 70 percent of his passes for 1,199 yards and eight touchdowns against just three interceptions to power Brick Memorial to the No. 3 scoring offense in the Shore at 34.8 points per game. He threw for 170 yards or more in four games and had two 200-yard passing games, including going 8-for-10 for 214 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Barnegat. He eclipsed the 100-yard rushing plateau in nine of 11 games with a season-high 276 yards in a win over Freehold Township. He also had a 225-yard, 5-touchdown game in a season-opening victory over Allentown. Brick Memorial had one of the best seasons in program history with a 10-0 start that included the Independence Division championship before falling in the Central Jersey Group 4 semifinals. He was voted as the Independence Division Offensive Player of the Year. For his career, Dietz rushed for 5,040 yards and 66 touchdowns on an average of 8.9 yards per carry to finish sixth all-time in rushing yards in Shore Conference history. He added 4,031 yards passing and 26 touchdowns for a total of 9,408 yards of offense and 94 touchdowns. He also holds Brick Memorial records for points in a season, career and single-season rushing touchdowns, single-season passing and rushing yards, single-season completions and percentage, and career completion percentage.
ATH – Matt Oliphant, Sr., Point Boro
Quarterbacks in their second season as a starter in Point Boro’s triple-option offense have typically put up great numbers, and Oliphant certainly continued that trend by leading the Shore Conference’s No. 1 scoring offense to a 41.1 points per game average. The 6-foot-2 signal-caller rushed for 1,705 yards and 24 touchdowns on an eye-popping average of 10.7 yards per carry. He also refined his passing to become a legitimate dual-threat option with 530 yards and 11 touchdowns with just two interceptions while completing 68 percent of his passes. Oliphant was a starting slot back as a sophomore before taking over at quarterback and totaled 3,192 yards rushing and 54 touchdowns plus 830 yards passing and 13 touchdowns in three seasons. He was selected as the co-Offensive Player of the Year in the Colonial Division. His play helped the Panthers go 9-2, claim a share of the Colonial Division title, reach the Central Jersey Group 2 sectional final, and finish ranked No. 5 in the Shore. Oliphant has a college scholarship offer from Navy and interest from multiple programs.
ATH – Nazir Treadwell, Sr., Keyport
Already an FCS running back recruit before the season began with a verbal commitment to Holy Cross, the Red Raiders moved Treadwell to quarterback out of necessity and he delivered an electric senior season to lead Keyport to a division championship. Treadwell ran for 1,368 yards and 24 touchdowns on an absurd average of 11.8 yards per carry and completed 68 percent of his passes for 918 yards and 14 touchdowns with just two interceptions to be named the Patriot Division Offensive Player of the Year. He ran for at least 100 yards in eight of 10 games with a season-high 218 yards and three touchdowns in a win over Gateway. His top passing game came in a win over Lakewood when he went 8-for-8 for 157 yards and three touchdowns. Treadwell rushed for 2,879 yards and 43 touchdowns in three years as a starter. His play this season helped the Red Raiders to an 8-2 record and the Patriot Division championship.
K – Luke Rubin, Sr., Marlboro
Rubin was one of the highest-scoring kickers in the Shore this season with 43 points and was also incredibly clutch for a Marlboro team that put together its best season in 25 years. He converted 16 of 19 extra points and delivered a Shore Conference-high nine field goals with a long of 39 yards. He kicked a 37-yard field goal in a win over St. John Vianney and connected on a 39-yard field goal in a win over Howell. He kicked four field goals in three playoff games when Marlboro reached its first NJSIAA sectional final since 1994, delivering a 37-yard field goal and a 27-yard field goal in a 12-0 victory over Hillsborough in the South Jersey Group 4 semifinals. In the sectional final vs. Cherokee, Rubin kicked a 34-yard field goal in the third quarter and a 30-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter to send the game to overtime where Marlboro eventually fell, 19-13. Rubin’s play on special teams helped the Mustangs go 8-3, claim a share of the Freedom Division title for the program’s first division title since 1994, and reach the South Jersey Group 4 championship game.
DEFENSE
DL – Logan Graham, Sr., Red Bank Catholic
A crucial part of the Caseys’ formidable defensive line, Graham finished with 90 tackles, 19 tackles for a loss and 7 sacks for a defense that allowed 13 points per game against one of the state’s toughest schedules. The first-team All-American Division selection was at his best in the big moments for a team that won the Non-Public B title, repeated as American Division champions, and finished ranked No. 1 in the Shore and No. 3 in the state. He had 7 tackles, one for a loss, against the state’s No. 1 team, Bergen Catholic, 10 tackles and 3 TFLs against Group 2 finalist Rumson-Fair Haven, 12 tackles and a huge sack in overtime in a win over Group 5 champion Toms River North, a sack in a win over No. 2 Donovan Catholic, and a huge sack in the fourth quarter that sealed a 14-7 win over DePaul to win the Non-Public B title.
DL – Zaier Day, Sr., Donovan Catholic
Named a Tri-Defensive Player of the Year by the coaches in the loaded American Division, Day was the ferocious leader of one of the Shore’s best defenses. The Griffins allowed 16.7 points per game against a brutal schedule, but only 8 points per game against Shore Conference teams. They shut down Group 5 champion Toms River North in a 21-7 win, held top-ranked RBC to 14 points, and limited Group 2 finalist Rumson-Fair Haven to nine points. Day had 81 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss and 6 sacks, and that was with him missing a game for the 9-3 Griffins, who finished ranked No. 2 in the Shore and No. 8 in the state. Day also routinely tied up multiple blockers to let the Griffins’ linebackers run free to make plays. He had 12 tackles and 2 sacks against RBC and 6 tackles and a sack in the win over Toms River North. Day is a two-time, first-team All-Shore selection by SSN.
DL – Blaise Boland, Jr., Toms River North
One of the best pass rushers in the Shore, the hybrid edge rusher/linebacker was in the backfield all season for the two-time Group 5 champions, who allowed only 10.7 points per game. In just his first season as a starter, he was a first-team All-American Division selection by the coaches after finishing with 100 tackles, a Shore Conference-leading 29 tackles for a loss, and 10 sacks to go with two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He had 7 tackles and 3 TFL against sectional finalist Millville, 2.5 TFL in a win over Group 2 finalist Rumson-Fair Haven, 11 tackles and 1 TFL against Non-Public B champion RBC, and 4.5 sacks and 9.5 tackles for a loss during the Mariners’ playoff run.
DL – Mike Consolazio, Sr., Marlboro
Few players in the Shore got after the quarterback like Consolazio did this season as a hybrid edge rusher/linebacker. The first-team Freedom Division selection finished second in the Shore Conference with 14 sacks, including six in one game, to go with 71 tackles, 25 tackles for a loss (fourth in the Shore) and three forced fumbles. He was a crucial part of a Mustangs’ defense that allowed 11.3 points per game and helped them win their first division title since 1994, reach their first sectional final since 1994 and finish ranked No. 7 in the SSN Shore 16. Consolazio also stepped up in big games, finishing with 9 tackles and 2 sacks in an overtime loss to Cherokee in the South Jersey Group 5 final, and registering a sack and two tackles for a loss in a win over Jackson Memorial that sealed the Freedom Division title.
DL – Jackson Whitacre, Sr., Shore Regional
Whitacre was selected as the Constitution Division Defensive Player of the Year by the coaches after the Delaware recruit finished with 50 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss and 3.5 sacks in eight games for a Blue Devils team that finished seventh in the Shore in allowing 14 points per game and reached the Central Jersey Group I semifinals. Whitacre is a three-time All-Shore selection by SSN, making third team as a sophomore and second team last year.
LB – Davin Brewton, Sr., Red Bank Catholic
The 2023 Shore Sports Network Defensive Player of the Year, Brewton (No. 2 pictured) was the engine on one of the state’s best defenses. The Caseys allowed 13 points per game, including only 10.8 against Shore Conference opponents, on their way to winning their second Non-Public B title in three seasons, their second straight American Division title, and finishing No. 1 in the Shore. Brewton, a two-time first-team All-Shore selection, finished second in the Shore Conference with 132 tackles along with 16 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, two fumble recoveries, a fumble return for a touchdown, two interceptions and an interception return for a touchdown. The Pittsburgh recruit had 16 tackles and a sack against the state’s No. 1 team, Bergen Catholic, 10 tackles and a pick-six against Group 2 finalist Rumson-Fair Haven, 13 tackles in a win over Group 5 champion Toms River North, 14 tackles and a sack in a win over second-ranked Donovan Catholic, and nine tackles in the state final against DePaul. Brewton was also named Tri-Defensive Player of the Year by the coaches in the American Division and is a two-time, first-team All-Shore pick by SSN.
LB – Colin Gallagher, Sr., Middletown South
It was another incredible year for the Eagles’ star, who was named Tri-Defensive Player of the Year by the coaches in the stacked American Division. Gallagher, who was SSN’s 2022 Defensive Player of the Year, finished fourth in the Shore with 120 tackles, along with 18.5 tackles for a loss, 7.5 sacks, 5 forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. He had 20 tackles against Group 2 finalist Rumson-Fair Haven, 14 tackles and a tackle for loss against Group 5 champion Toms River North, and 14 tackles against second-ranked Donovan Catholic. The Delaware recruit also ran for a team-high 808 yards and 8 touchdowns for the Eagles, who finished ranked No. 6 in the SSN Shore 16. He ended his brilliant career with 268 tackles, 45.5 tackles for a loss and 19 sacks.
LB – Reed Elsas, Sr., Rumson-Fair Haven
A first-team selection by the coaches in the loaded American Division, Elsas was tied for fourth in the Shore Conference with 120 tackles along with 9.5 tackles for a loss and 1.5 sacks to help the Bulldogs return to the Group 2 final and win their eighth sectional title since 2010 and second in a row. Elsas had 13 tackles against Group 5 champion Toms River North, 10.5 tackles and 1.5 TFL against Non-Public B champion Red Bank Catholic, 12 tackles against sectional finalist Point Boro, and 10 tackles against second-ranked Donovan Catholic.
LB – Matt Cassidy, Sr., Marlboro
A two-time, first-team All-Shore pick by SSN, Cassidy has been the centerpiece in the best run of sustained success in Marlboro history. The Mustangs had three straight winning seasons for the first time in program history, won their first division title since 1994 and reached their first sectional final since 1994, and Cassidy was right in the middle of all of it on both sides of the ball. Named the Freedom Division Defensive Player of the Year by the coaches, Cassidy had a team-high 109 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, a sack, 2 pass break-ups and a forced fumble for a unit that allowed 11.3 points per game. He also ran for 1,169 yards and 13 touchdowns as the tailback. He ends his career as one of the best players in Marlboro history.
LB – Hunter Johnson, Sr., Donovan Catholic
A first-team selection in the American Division by the coaches, Johnson finished with 109 tackles, including 16 for a loss, and a team-high 7 sacks for one of the Shore’s toughest units. The Griffins, who finished No. 2 in the Shore and No. 8 in the state, allowed only 8 points per game against Shore Conference competition and 16.6 overall. Johnson had 9 tackles and 2 sacks in a loss to No. 1 Red Bank Catholic, 9 tackles and a pass break-up in a win over Group 2 finalist Rumson-Fair Haven, 17 tackles against the sixth-ranked team in the state, St. Joe’s-Montvale, 7 tackles in a win over Group 5 champion Toms River North, 11 tackles in a win over Central Jersey Group 4 finalist Long Branch, and 16 tackles and 3 sacks in a win over playoff quarterfinalist St. Augustine. He was also a third-team All-Shore pick by SSN as a junior.
LB – Trey Tallmadge, So., Brick Memorial
One of the top young defensive players in the Shore, Tallmadge was selected as the Defensive Player of the Year in the Independence Division by the coaches. He finished with a team-high 116 tackles, 20 tackles for a loss and three sacks for the division champs, who tied a school record with 10 wins and went undefeated in the regular season for the first time in program history. He also had 2 interceptions and 5 forced fumbles, including one that led to the game-winning touchdown return in the final seconds against rival Brick. Tallmadge was the leader of a much-improved defense that allowed 15.9 points per game to help the Mustangs reach the Central Jersey Group 4 semifinals. He had a season-high 17 tackles and 3 TFL in a playoff win over Moorestown and had 11 tackles, 4 for a loss, in the semifinals against Long Branch. The sophomore also had 11 catches for 192 yards and a touchdown as a tight end.
DB – Tareq Council, Sr., Toms River North
A two-time, first-team All-Shore selection by SSN, Council was a top cover cornerback for a defense that allowed 10.7 points per game for the two-time Group 5 champions. He had 32 tackles, a forced fumble, two interceptions and an interception return for a touchdown and was named first-team All-American Division by the coaches. He also had 18 catches for 306 yards and 5 touchdowns as a receiver, and returned two punts for touchdowns.
DB – Stephen Myers, Sr., Red Bank Catholic
Myers was an important member of the back end of RBC’s stout defense, which allowed 13 points per game and helped the Caseys win the Non-Public B title and repeat as American Division champions. Myers finished with a team-high 4 interceptions, which ranked fourth in the Shore, to go with 49 tackles and a tackle for loss. He had two interceptions against Group 2 finalist Rumson-Fair Haven, including one at the goal line. Myers was part of a secondary that limited DePaul standout quarterback Derek Zammit to 97 yards on 8-for-21 passing in the state final. He was a first-team all-division selection in the loaded American Division by the coaches.
DB – Albert D’Allessandro, Sr., Jackson Memorial
A second-team SSN All-Shore selection as a junior, D’Allessandro helped the Jaguars win a share of their second straight division title as part of their stout defense that only allowed 9.3 points per game. He finished with 79 tackles, two interceptions and a fumble recovery for a playoff team that finished ranked No. 12 in the SSN Shore 16. He was a first-team All-Freedom Division selection by the coaches and also had 13 catches for 210 yards as a wide receiver.
DB – Luke Houston, Jr., Marlboro
A ballhawk for one of the Shore’s best defenses, Houston was a first-team All-Freedom Division pick by the coaches. He led the Shore Conference with 7 interceptions and had 10 pass break-ups to go with 54 tackles for a defense that allowed 11.3 points per game. The Mustangs finished 8-3 for their best season since 1994, winning the Freedom Division title and reaching a sectional final before falling in overtime to Cherokee.
DB – Earnest Reevey, Sr., Long Branch
One of the leaders of the Green Wave team that made a run to the Central Jersey Group 4 final, Reevey played through a broken hand and tied for the team high with 79 tackles as a safety with 5 tackles for a loss and 2 interceptions. Reevey had a season-high 18 tackles in a win over St. John Vianney and had 7 tackles, 2 for a loss, in a playoff win over Jackson Memorial and 8 tackles in a playoff win over previously unbeaten Brick Memorial. He also was Long Branch’s quarterback, finishing with 581 yards and 5 touchdowns passing and 648 yards and 9 touchdowns rushing. He was a first-team Colonial Division selection by the coaches.
ATH – Jeremiah Pruitt, Sr., Toms River North
One of the most versatile players in all of New Jersey, Pruitt was a true do-it-all threat on both sides of the ball for a Toms River North team that went 12-2 and won its second straight NJSIAA Group 5 state championship. For the Shore’s No. 3 scoring defense (10.7 ppg), Pruitt recorded 95 tackles, 21 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 3 interceptions, six pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles, and had two defensive touchdowns. He was mostly a wide receiver on offense and caught 23 passes for 553 yards and 10 touchdowns while also rushing for 201 yards and four touchdowns and throwing a touchdown pass to help the Mariners average 35.9 points per game. He was also a part-time punter on special teams. Pruitt concludes his career as a two-time First Team All-Shore selection and one of the best players in school history.
ATH – Jake Toye, Sr., Brick
As the Dragons’ top overall player, the 6-foot-4, 220-pound senior excelled on offense as a dual-threat H-back and as one of the best linebackers in the Shore. On defense, he recorded 111 tackles with 50 solo stops, 9 sacks, 17 tackles for loss, 1 interception, 2 fumble recoveries, and a defensive touchdown. He was a powerful and versatile offensive weapon who caught 32 passes for 365 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for seven touchdowns as a short-yardage back. Toye made at least nine tackles in 10 of 11 games and posted a season-high 13 tackles in games versus Freehold, Barnegat, and Jackson Memorial.
P – V.J. Muscillo, Sr., Red Bank Catholic
Muscillo was a field position weapon for the Non-Public B champions, allowing the Caseys to play to their defense in crucial spots in big games by flipping the field. He averaged 43.8 yards per punt with a long of 60 yards this season. He hit a 48-yard punt and a 59-yard punt against the state’s No. 1 team, Bergen Catholic, and helped them win the field position battle in the state final against DePaul. The coaches selected him as the first-team punter in the American Division. In his two-year career as a starter, he had 17 punts downed inside opponents’ 20-yard line, including four downed inside the opposing 5-yard line. He also boomed eight punts of 50 yards or more.
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