Group 4 champion Middletown South was projected seventh in Class A North last year and finished tied for fifth. Class A North breeds contenders and this year is no different.
Marlboro is on a mission to finish off a tournament championship run, and the path to the postseason runs through the always-difficult Shore Conference Class A North division.
Shore Conference division rivals square off in two of the four Central Jersey sectional championship games, while Long Branch looks to end a 24-year title drought.