Shore Regional, Long Branch Football Teams Open Seasons Today

Saturday marks the beginning of the varsity football season for Shore Regional High School and Long Branch High School.

Shore Regional will face B-Central opponent Keansburg on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Keansburg. The field is located at 140 Port Monmouth Road, Keansburg.

Keansburg is a young squad that finished last season without a win, but in turn, has a lot of starters coming back in 2011.

The Blue Devils are the returning NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I champions, but the offense lost a lot of great players to graduation, including quarterback Evan Ruane. He will be replaced by senior Brendan Dula, who will also play safety for Shore Regional.

Fortunately, the defense features several key returnees at the linebacker and secondary positions.

For a full season preview for Shore Regional .

Long Branch will have its home owner against Colts Neck on Saturday at 6 p.m. at the field on Indiana Avenue.

Colts Neck, a B-North divisional opponent for the Green Wave, finished the season at 2-8, but looks to be stronger this year. The Cougars have senior leadership at the quarterback, tailback and fullback positions, and eight starters returning on an underrated defense.

Long Branch will lean heavily on junior tailback Dwight Clark, who rushed for 1,000 yards last year. The team is starting a new quarterback in junior Avry Griffin this year after the graduation of Miles Shuler. Shuler accepted a scholarship at Rutgers earlier this year and is now playing wide receiver for the Scarlet Knights.

For a full season preview for Long Branch .