Before the first matchup in New Jersey’s longest-running summertime all-star football game, players on both teams walked the length of the field removing pieces of fractured race cars.
We take a look back at the inaugural All-Shore Football Classic in a bonus Flashback Friday.
On July 1, 1978, the first game was played at Wall Stadium, which has hosted a variety of racing classes since 1950 on its banked track. Demolition derbies have been held there as well.
Before the game, however, players and coaches helped clear the infield of debris — bolts, pieces of jagged metal and chunks of rubber.
The game is now called the All-Shore Gridiron Classic and is under the direction of the Shore Football Coaches Foundation. The SFCF took over control of the game in 2008.
The 48th game featuring the best players from Ocean County versus the top graduated seniors from Monmouth County is scheduled for next Wednesday at 6 p.m. at Barnegat High School.
The All-Shore Football Classic was the brainchild of former Asbury Park Press sports editor Dick Brinster.
The inaugural game at Wall Stadium featured the late Warren Wolf, the coaching legend who turned Brick Township into a state power, and highly successful Jack Hawkins from Manasquan.
Hawkins arrived at the game in a white tuxedo, top hat and cane in a 1933 Rolls Royce.
Ocean County won the game, 21-7, before 8,000 fans.
The 2025 game will be coached by Tommy Farrell of Manchester Township and Bill Hill of Howell.
