Point Boro Football has been back, and over the last two seasons, their renewed dominance has been on full display. This season however, after the graduation of the ‘22 class, the Panthers cemented themselves as more than the product of a golden year or generation, but instead as the resurrection of the program itself. PPBHS has built a culture, a brand of football that will continue to dominate the shore conference for years to come, not only fueled by a certain few talented players, but instead because of what the program has become.
This year’s Panthers team was doubted to say the least. Headlined by three returning three year starters, the ‘24 class had experienced and gone through more success in two seasons than most classes had gone through in their entire high school career. However, before the season, much about the Panthers was up in the air. Graduation was a huge hit to the team, with less than half of the starters returning, while many inexperienced players were getting their first real varsity experience. On top of the new starters, this was perhaps the most difficult schedule in the history of the program. The Panthers responded by going 7-1 in the regular season, with their only loss being by one point at Manalapan, where the Panthers had an opportunity to come back and win, but a tip ball interception sealed their fate. Despite this heartbreaking loss, they responded by outscoring their opponents a combined 92-7 over the final two games of the regular season. Despite coming up short in the sectional final game, it was an improvement over the season prior, where they had lost in the Sectional semi final.
The Panthers scored the second most total points in the Shore Conference, with 452 total points, which was second to only Toms River North (the Panthers also broke their own school record for most total points in a season, the record previously being 426). However, they averaged the most points per game, with 41 per game on average, while only allowing 15 per game. The Panthers scored 35 or more points in every game but two, the two being the two they lost. On top of that, for the first time in school history, there were two 1,000 yard rushers in the same season, those being Matt Oliphant and Jake Croce. Jake Croce also cemented his legacy as the all time leading rusher in the history of the Point Boro Football program. Other notable player accolades include divisional Co-Offensive player of the year Matt Oliphant and Co-Defensive player of the year Colin Obser. The First team players were Matt Oliphant (QB), Jake Croce (RB), Zach Larr (OL), Charles ‘Boom’ Davison (OL), Brayden Forfar (K), Owen Dewysockie (LB), Tanner Hynes (DL), and Colin Obser (UT). The Second team players included Paul Hagemeyer (OL), Jake Clayton (RB), Brian Simoes (UT), Slade Samaritano (DL), and Nick Jankovich (DL). On top of this, Jake Croce, Charles ‘Boom’ Davison, and Matt Oliphant were all selected as first team all shore players. Brayden Forfar and Colin Obser were selected to the second team, and Tanner Hynes was selected to the third team. In terms of total recognition, the Panthers racked up two division players of the year, 13 all division players (players could only be recognized on one side of the ball), 6 All-Shore players, a Jersey Mikes team of the week (week 5), a Shore Savages team of the week (week 5), and a Shore Savages ‘Pancake Platoon’ of the week (week 0).
This ‘24 senior class was a special one to say the least. Three straight division titles, a 28-5 overall record, program records, two sectional final appearances and a sectional final title, with 6 playoff wins and the resurrection of the program back to its winning ways. This class set the standard for what Point Boro must be in order to continue this excellence in the future, which the classes to follow, the ‘25s especially, will be eager to pursue. Although the season just ended, coming to its end in a heartbreaking loss in the sectional final, 21-26, we can still look forward to next season. The Panthers project to move divisions again after their third straight division title, and will look to cement themselves as perennial contenders in the NJ group two bracket. The ‘25 class had big contributors this year, with a multitude of returning starters on both sides of the ball. However, the biggest questions appear at the QB and RB positions, with the Panthers needing to replace over 2,700 rushing yards between the two. Despite their losses, the Panthers project to be a dominant force again in 2024, as they look to avenge their loss to end this season.
This 2023 Panthers team was one of the most talented and accomplished groups in the history of the program, and have shown the rest of the shore that Point Boro Football is here to stay.
