Matt and Jayden Hodge combined for all by 10 of St. Rose's points and a stifling Purple Roses defense was too much for Red Bank in the Buc Classic final.
In front of a packed home gym, St. Rose sent shockwaves through the Shore by knocking off No. 1 Manasquan and setting itself up for a long-awaited jump to No. 1 at the Shore.
Matthew Hodge is the headline player among St. Rose's six transfers, but it was younger brother Jayden who came up big Thursday for the Purple Roses vs. RBC on opening night.
Manasquan and St. Rose could be on a Shore Conference Tournament championship collision course, but first, they will headline the loaded Class C North division.
St. Rose took three-time defending Non-Public B champion Gill St. Bernard's into penalty kicks in the state final -- a worthy performance to cap a resurgent season for the Purple Roses.
St. Rose will play for its first state championship in 12 years Saturday and the team standing in the way is the most dominant program in Non-Public B.
St. Rose has waited 12 years to raise a sectional championship trophy and it has been 21 years for Bishop Eustace. One of those teams will end their drought Wednesday.
St. Rose has reclaimed the its perch atop Class B Central after a decade-long battle to get back and will now defend its spot against some up-and-coming challengers.