Turnover on the rosters and on the sideline makes Class B North one of the most balanced, intriguing divisions in the Shore Conference for the coming season.
Howell failed to score for the second straight game, but its defense and penalty-kick prowess has the Rebels headed back to the SCT semifinals for the first time in 12 years.
Some of the best teams in the NJSIAA Group II field will first duke it out for the Class A Central title, with frontrunner Rumson-Fair Haven looking to build on its first ever championship season.
Howell, Middletown North, Rumson-Fair Haven and Point Beach will try to fill half the spots in the state finals with Shore teams by surviving Monday's Group Semifinals in South Jersey.
Down to its last strike against three straight batters, Rumson-Fair Haven rallied in stunning fashion, with Charlie Tallman delivering the game-winner in the Central Group 2 Final.