According to his coach this week, Long Branch quarterback and defensive back Christian Rodriguez is the favorite to win MVP, but he'll have plenty of competition from within his own team.
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.