Football: It's Deja Vu For Shore In State Playoffs

Point Pleasant Beach and Shore Regional have been making a habit of this.

For the last four years, the Shore Conference Class B Central football rivals have duked it out twice a season. First during the regular season, then again in the playoffs.

According to official NJSIAA playoff pairings on NJ.com, the two teams are set to open the Central Jersey Group I playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday at Shore Regional in West Long Branch.

Last year, it was the Garnet Gulls (5-4) who came out on top in the playoffs, beating Shore 12-7 in the sectional final for Beach’s first championship on its second trip to the final and 11th trip to the playoffs.

The Blue Devils (7-1) are making their 19th trip to the state playoffs. They have reached the sectional final 10 times, winning five titles.

Shore suffered its only loss of the 2014 season at the hands of Dunellen, which beat the Blue Devils 16-7. Shore clinched the Class B Central division title by beating Point Pleasant Beach 17-0 two weeks ago. The Gulls lost running back Mike Frauenheim for the season in that game, which could continue to hurt them Friday night.

But the history and rivalry between these teams means anything is possible.

If Shore beats Point Beach, the Blue Devils would face the winner of the game between fifth-seeded New Egypt and fourth-seeded Middlesex.