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POINT PLEASANT BEACH — For most people, Point Pleasant Beach is synonymous with Jenkinson's Boardwalk, its beaches, the aquarium and the amusement rides that line the oceanfront.
Just a mile inland, however, sits the smallest school in the Shore Conference with a football program - a program that showed last fall how good it is at overcoming obstacles.
Point Pleasant Beach High School doesn't have the enrollment numbers of many of its Shore Conference rivals but that didn't stop the Garnet Gulls from becoming one of the league's biggest surprises in 2025, finishing with their best record since 2019 - winning seven games, capturing the D South title and advancing to the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 1 semifinals before falling to Shore Regional.
Replacing second-team All-Shore quarterback Matthew Rossi, who passed for 2,264 yards and 24 touchdowns before moving on to Farleigh Dickinson-Florham, won't be easy. But with six returning All-Division players, including third-team All-Shore linebacker Gage Boyle, Point Beach believes last season was the beginning, not the peak, as it moves up to the more challenging C South division and looks to prove its breakthrough season was no fluke.
While Rossi leaves behind one of the best passing seasons in program history, Point Beach isn't starting from scratch.
Junior Billy Cavanaugh takes over at quarterback after seeing limited varsity action in 2025, but the Garnet Gulls already know what he can do under pressure. When Rossi left with an injury against Monmouth Regional last season, Cavanaugh entered the game and immediately found his older brother, Danny, for a touchdown. Point Beach went on to win by five points, preserving a season that eventually resulted in a Division South championship.
"Billy's a competitor," head coach Joseph Zaccone said. "The kids believe in him. He's a natural leader, and he's somebody we can rely on. He stepped in when we needed him last year, threw that touchdown against Monmouth Regional and wasn't afraid of the moment."
Standing at 6-foot-4, Cavanaugh gives the Garnet Gulls another athletic option under center. While he'll have to replace Rossi's production, he won't have to do it alone. Point Beach returns an experienced backfield that fits perfectly into Zaccone's Wing-T offense, a run-heavy scheme built on misdirection and multiple ball carriers, making it difficult for defenses to key on one player.
Coach: Joseph Zaccone
Career record: 28-39
Offensive scheme: Wing-T
Defensive scheme: Multiple
Team record last five seasons:
2025: 7-3
2024: 6-4
2023: 2-9
2022: 3-6
2021: 3-7
2026 Division: C South
NJSIAA Group Classification: Central Jersey Group 1
Key returnees: Gage Boyle (Jr. RB/LB), Danny Cavanaugh (Sr. WR/DB), Jalen Kreiger (So. TE/LB), Tommy Aiosa (Jr. RB/DL), Allan Micheletti (Sr. OL/DL), Lucas Adams (Sr. OL/DL), Danny Neal (Sr. RB/LB), C.J. Engelhardt (Sr. OL/DL), Jack Snyder (Sr. OL/LB)
Breakout candidates: Billy Cavanaugh (Jr. QB/DB), Carson Pfeifer (Sr. TE/DL), Tyler Preston (Sr. WR/DB), CJ Krupa (Jr. OL/DL), Max Reme (Jr. RB/LB), Thomas Hennessy (Jr. RB/LB)
Gage Boyle headlines that group after earning D North Defensive Player of the Year honors as a sophomore. He'll be joined by junior Tommy Aiosa, senior Danny Neal and sophomore Jalen Kreiger, giving Point Beach four backs with different skill sets.
"That's the best thing about the Wing-T," Zaccone said. "You can't really key on one guy. A lot of people are going to see Gage's name and key on him because he's the fullback, but our wings are going to be special. We have four guys who all have different skill sets that you've got to worry about."
Boyle, who is entering his junior season, believes the backfield is the strength of the team because of the experience it returns.
"The backs have the most experience," Boyle said. "They have more IQ and knowledge than everybody else."
While Boyle totaled more than 400 all-purpose yards and six rushing touchdowns offensively, he made an even bigger impact on defense, setting the school record with 136 tackles as a sophomore. More impressively, he accomplished both feats in just nine games after missing the season opener against South River with a broken collarbone suffered during the summer of 2025.
Zaccone expects an even bigger season from his standout linebacker, noting Boyle is finally healthy after battling through last offseason's injury.
"He's definitely opened up some eyes," Zaccone said. "When you have that many tackles and you're the anchor of the defense as a sophomore, more are coming. He's still growing, too. He's gotten a little taller, filled out a little bit more, and this is going to be a full, healthy Gage Boyle for the whole year. We can only imagine where he's going to take us."
Despite the individual accolades, Boyle insists Point Beach's success is built on its collective effort.
"Just being a whole," Boyle said. "Everyone's combined at once. There's no individuals on this team at all. We're just all one group."
Although the Garnet Gulls graduated first-team All-Division utility player Elijah Ives and lost first-team All-Division playmaker Blaise Shoelander to Shore Regional via transfer, the offense still features plenty of proven talent.
Danny Cavanaugh returns after hauling in 593 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, tying for the team lead in scoring receptions. The senior is one of the Shore Conference's most versatile players, serving as Point Beach's top receiver, starting free safety and kicker. He converted 21 of 25 extra points a season ago.
"Danny's our do-it-all guy," Zaccone said. "He's our free safety out there making calls, he's a leader, and it's very hard to guard his size and length. He does all the little things, and he's the kid everyone looks to."
Kreiger, who added more than 300 receiving yards last season, is expected to see an expanded role in the passing game, while Tyler Preston gives the Garnet Gulls another athletic weapon after starring as the starting point guard on Point Pleasant Beach's basketball team.
Like many Group 1 schools, Point Beach depends on multi-sport athletes to compete with larger programs, and Preston's addition provides another playmaker capable of making an impact in multiple phases.
Up front, senior captain Allan Micheletti anchors an offensive line that returns four of five starters. A second-team All-Division selection, Micheletti has already begun drawing Division III interest thanks to his combination of size and experience, in addition to his high academics in the classroom.
"Allan's been doing it since he was a sophomore," Zaccone said. "He's somebody we can leave on the field and know exactly what we're getting. He's like another coach out there. He's helping the younger guys, making calls and just calming everybody down."
Fellow second-team All-Division lineman Lucas Adams also returns, along with C.J. Engelhardt and Jack Synder on the offensive line. Junior C.J. Kruppa is expected to step into the starting center role.
Micheletti said the experience throughout the roster has the Garnet Gulls embracing the challenge of moving into the Constitution Division, where they'll face larger schools such as Freehold Borough and Lakewood.
"I think we're all really confident in our positions," Micheletti said. "We know what we're doing, and I think we're ready for a bigger challenge. I think we're ready for big things this season."
That confidence extends throughout the locker room, where the Garnet Gulls believe last year's success has established a new standard rather than a one-year breakthrough.
"We have a great vibe right now," senior Danny Neal said. "Everyone's working hard and carrying over what we did last year. Even though we lost Matt, it's not going to change much. We have Billy ready to go, and we have a plan already."
Rather than trying to duplicate what last year's team accomplished, the returning veterans are focused on writing the next chapter.
"I think just build off of last year and not get too hung up on what we were last year and make our own story this year," senior wide receiver Danny Cavanaugh said.
The challenge will be greater than ever. After winning the D South championship in 2025, the Garnet Gulls will square off against larger schools on a weekly basis. For most Group 1 programs it may be intimidating.
Not for Point Beach.
Zaccone knows replacing an All-Shore quarterback and navigating a tougher schedule won't be easy, but he believes the culture his players have built gives them a chance to compete with anyone.
"We're the smallest school in the Shore Conference, and we kind of wear that as a badge of honor," Zaccone said. "The kids that come out for football are tough. We don't have a lot of kids in the school to pick from, so coming out for football really means something. Winning the division last year meant a lot to us, but with this group, if we stay healthy, we feel like we can do it again and make an even longer playoff run."
Aug. 29: South River, 2 p.m. at Keansburg HS (Group One Showcase)
Sept. 4: At Shore, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11: At New Egypt, 6 p.m.
Sept. 19: At Keyport, 12 p.m.
Sept. 25: Freehold Boro, 6 p.m.
Oct. 9: Keansburg, 6 p.m.
Oct. 15: Manchester, 6 p.m.
Oct. 23: Lakewood, 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Small-enrollment Point Pleasant Beach enjoying giant football success
Continue reading...
Just a mile inland, however, sits the smallest school in the Shore Conference with a football program - a program that showed last fall how good it is at overcoming obstacles.
Point Pleasant Beach High School doesn't have the enrollment numbers of many of its Shore Conference rivals but that didn't stop the Garnet Gulls from becoming one of the league's biggest surprises in 2025, finishing with their best record since 2019 - winning seven games, capturing the D South title and advancing to the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 1 semifinals before falling to Shore Regional.
Replacing second-team All-Shore quarterback Matthew Rossi, who passed for 2,264 yards and 24 touchdowns before moving on to Farleigh Dickinson-Florham, won't be easy. But with six returning All-Division players, including third-team All-Shore linebacker Gage Boyle, Point Beach believes last season was the beginning, not the peak, as it moves up to the more challenging C South division and looks to prove its breakthrough season was no fluke.
Who replaces Matthew Rossi
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While Rossi leaves behind one of the best passing seasons in program history, Point Beach isn't starting from scratch.
Junior Billy Cavanaugh takes over at quarterback after seeing limited varsity action in 2025, but the Garnet Gulls already know what he can do under pressure. When Rossi left with an injury against Monmouth Regional last season, Cavanaugh entered the game and immediately found his older brother, Danny, for a touchdown. Point Beach went on to win by five points, preserving a season that eventually resulted in a Division South championship.
"Billy's a competitor," head coach Joseph Zaccone said. "The kids believe in him. He's a natural leader, and he's somebody we can rely on. He stepped in when we needed him last year, threw that touchdown against Monmouth Regional and wasn't afraid of the moment."
Standing at 6-foot-4, Cavanaugh gives the Garnet Gulls another athletic option under center. While he'll have to replace Rossi's production, he won't have to do it alone. Point Beach returns an experienced backfield that fits perfectly into Zaccone's Wing-T offense, a run-heavy scheme built on misdirection and multiple ball carriers, making it difficult for defenses to key on one player.
Point Pleasant Beach Football at a glance
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Coach: Joseph Zaccone
Career record: 28-39
Offensive scheme: Wing-T
Defensive scheme: Multiple
Team record last five seasons:
2025: 7-3
2024: 6-4
2023: 2-9
2022: 3-6
2021: 3-7
2026 Division: C South
NJSIAA Group Classification: Central Jersey Group 1
Key returnees: Gage Boyle (Jr. RB/LB), Danny Cavanaugh (Sr. WR/DB), Jalen Kreiger (So. TE/LB), Tommy Aiosa (Jr. RB/DL), Allan Micheletti (Sr. OL/DL), Lucas Adams (Sr. OL/DL), Danny Neal (Sr. RB/LB), C.J. Engelhardt (Sr. OL/DL), Jack Snyder (Sr. OL/LB)
Breakout candidates: Billy Cavanaugh (Jr. QB/DB), Carson Pfeifer (Sr. TE/DL), Tyler Preston (Sr. WR/DB), CJ Krupa (Jr. OL/DL), Max Reme (Jr. RB/LB), Thomas Hennessy (Jr. RB/LB)
Full season of Gage Boyle
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Gage Boyle headlines that group after earning D North Defensive Player of the Year honors as a sophomore. He'll be joined by junior Tommy Aiosa, senior Danny Neal and sophomore Jalen Kreiger, giving Point Beach four backs with different skill sets.
"That's the best thing about the Wing-T," Zaccone said. "You can't really key on one guy. A lot of people are going to see Gage's name and key on him because he's the fullback, but our wings are going to be special. We have four guys who all have different skill sets that you've got to worry about."
Boyle, who is entering his junior season, believes the backfield is the strength of the team because of the experience it returns.
"The backs have the most experience," Boyle said. "They have more IQ and knowledge than everybody else."
While Boyle totaled more than 400 all-purpose yards and six rushing touchdowns offensively, he made an even bigger impact on defense, setting the school record with 136 tackles as a sophomore. More impressively, he accomplished both feats in just nine games after missing the season opener against South River with a broken collarbone suffered during the summer of 2025.
Zaccone expects an even bigger season from his standout linebacker, noting Boyle is finally healthy after battling through last offseason's injury.
"He's definitely opened up some eyes," Zaccone said. "When you have that many tackles and you're the anchor of the defense as a sophomore, more are coming. He's still growing, too. He's gotten a little taller, filled out a little bit more, and this is going to be a full, healthy Gage Boyle for the whole year. We can only imagine where he's going to take us."
Despite the individual accolades, Boyle insists Point Beach's success is built on its collective effort.
"Just being a whole," Boyle said. "Everyone's combined at once. There's no individuals on this team at all. We're just all one group."
Multi-sport talent drives Point Beach
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Although the Garnet Gulls graduated first-team All-Division utility player Elijah Ives and lost first-team All-Division playmaker Blaise Shoelander to Shore Regional via transfer, the offense still features plenty of proven talent.
Danny Cavanaugh returns after hauling in 593 receiving yards and seven touchdowns, tying for the team lead in scoring receptions. The senior is one of the Shore Conference's most versatile players, serving as Point Beach's top receiver, starting free safety and kicker. He converted 21 of 25 extra points a season ago.
"Danny's our do-it-all guy," Zaccone said. "He's our free safety out there making calls, he's a leader, and it's very hard to guard his size and length. He does all the little things, and he's the kid everyone looks to."
Kreiger, who added more than 300 receiving yards last season, is expected to see an expanded role in the passing game, while Tyler Preston gives the Garnet Gulls another athletic weapon after starring as the starting point guard on Point Pleasant Beach's basketball team.
Like many Group 1 schools, Point Beach depends on multi-sport athletes to compete with larger programs, and Preston's addition provides another playmaker capable of making an impact in multiple phases.
Experience starts in the trenches
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Up front, senior captain Allan Micheletti anchors an offensive line that returns four of five starters. A second-team All-Division selection, Micheletti has already begun drawing Division III interest thanks to his combination of size and experience, in addition to his high academics in the classroom.
"Allan's been doing it since he was a sophomore," Zaccone said. "He's somebody we can leave on the field and know exactly what we're getting. He's like another coach out there. He's helping the younger guys, making calls and just calming everybody down."
Fellow second-team All-Division lineman Lucas Adams also returns, along with C.J. Engelhardt and Jack Synder on the offensive line. Junior C.J. Kruppa is expected to step into the starting center role.
Micheletti said the experience throughout the roster has the Garnet Gulls embracing the challenge of moving into the Constitution Division, where they'll face larger schools such as Freehold Borough and Lakewood.
"I think we're all really confident in our positions," Micheletti said. "We know what we're doing, and I think we're ready for a bigger challenge. I think we're ready for big things this season."
'We have a great vibe right now'
That confidence extends throughout the locker room, where the Garnet Gulls believe last year's success has established a new standard rather than a one-year breakthrough.
"We have a great vibe right now," senior Danny Neal said. "Everyone's working hard and carrying over what we did last year. Even though we lost Matt, it's not going to change much. We have Billy ready to go, and we have a plan already."
Rather than trying to duplicate what last year's team accomplished, the returning veterans are focused on writing the next chapter.
"I think just build off of last year and not get too hung up on what we were last year and make our own story this year," senior wide receiver Danny Cavanaugh said.
The challenge will be greater than ever. After winning the D South championship in 2025, the Garnet Gulls will square off against larger schools on a weekly basis. For most Group 1 programs it may be intimidating.
Not for Point Beach.
Zaccone knows replacing an All-Shore quarterback and navigating a tougher schedule won't be easy, but he believes the culture his players have built gives them a chance to compete with anyone.
"We're the smallest school in the Shore Conference, and we kind of wear that as a badge of honor," Zaccone said. "The kids that come out for football are tough. We don't have a lot of kids in the school to pick from, so coming out for football really means something. Winning the division last year meant a lot to us, but with this group, if we stay healthy, we feel like we can do it again and make an even longer playoff run."
Point Pleasant Beach football 2026 schedule
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Aug. 29: South River, 2 p.m. at Keansburg HS (Group One Showcase)
Sept. 4: At Shore, 7 p.m.
Sept. 11: At New Egypt, 6 p.m.
Sept. 19: At Keyport, 12 p.m.
Sept. 25: Freehold Boro, 6 p.m.
Oct. 9: Keansburg, 6 p.m.
Oct. 15: Manchester, 6 p.m.
Oct. 23: Lakewood, 6 p.m.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Small-enrollment Point Pleasant Beach enjoying giant football success
Continue reading...
