Middletown North has changed its fortunes over the last three weeks and it has come just in time to carry the Lions to their first Shore Conference semifinal appearance since 2004.
Cranford's protest of Middletown North's victory in the Group III championship was denied, allowing the Lions to return to celebrating their first ever state championship.
Cranford submitted an appeal to the NJSIAA to turn Middletown North's Group III championship victory on Saturday into a forfeit. Might it happen? According to NJSIAA rules, the appeal should be D.O.A.
Howell, Middletown North, Rumson-Fair Haven and Point Beach will try to fill half the spots in the state finals with Shore teams by surviving Monday's Group Semifinals in South Jersey.