Football: It's Deja Vu for Point Pleasant Beach

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) suffered their only loss of the season at the hands of Dunellen, which beat them 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 Point Beach beats Shore, the Gulls would face the winner of the game between fifth-seeded New Egypt and fourth-seeded Middlesex.