Manalapan is latest Shore Conference football team to shut down due to COVID-19 exposure

Manalapan High School's varsity and junior varsity football teams have been shut down for two weeks due to COVID-19 exposure, principal Adam Angelozzi confirmed to Shore Sports Network on Monday morning.

Angelozzi said the school was notified on Saturday, Oct. 10 that a member of the team tested positive for COVID-19 but that student was not present at the varsity football game between Manalapan and Howell on Friday, Oct. 9.

As a result, the Braves' football activities for varsity and JV will be suspended through at least Wednesday, Oct. 21. The player who tested positive was last with the team on Oct. 7, so the 14-day quarantine for members who were in close contact with the player runs through Oct. 21.

Manalapan was scheduled to host Freehold Township on Friday, Oct. 16 and host Wall on Friday, Oct. 23. Whether those games will be rescheduled or canceled has yet to be determined.

Manalapan is the third Shore Conference team forced to suspend team activities since the start of the regular season on Oct. 2. Matawan had its first game canceled and second game postponed but has since resumed practices and is set to open its season this coming Friday vs. St. John Vianney. Jackson Liberty's program is currently in quarantine, which forced the cancelation of the Lions' Week 2 game against Point Boro. Liberty's Week 3 game against Neptune is still on and has been moved to Monday, Oct. 19.

Managing editor Bob Badders can be reached at bob.badders@townsquaremedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @Bob_Badders. Like Shore Sports Network on Facebook and subscribe to our YouTube channel for all the latest video highlights.