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BRICK TOWNSHIP - The coaches of the Ocean County high school all-star football team threw Justin Pandorf in at defensive line almost out of desperation Friday night.

They couldn't have made a better choice.

The Lacey Township High School graduate had two sacks and three tackles for losses in the U.S. Army All Shore Gridiron Classic. He was named Ocean County's defensive most valuable player.

Monmouth won the contest 30-13.

Pandorf was no slouch on offense either, rushing for a touchdown. But Ocean County needed him to play defense to give teammates enough rest on the hot, humid night.

"This is awesome even though we lost," Pandorf said. "I didn't expect to play any defense tonight. I guess I was just faster than the guys in front of me."

The game for graduated seniors from Ocean and Monmouth counties packed the stands at Brick Township High School.

This was the 32nd meeting between the counties. Monmouth ended a two-game losing streak and leads the series 17-14-1.

Pandorf was a standout during his Lacey career, helping the Lions win the South Jersey Group III championship in 2007.

But he missed several games with a knee injury. He relished the chance to get back on the field Friday.

He will continue his career at Monmouth University, where he will play fullback.

Pandorf was one of the few bright spots for Ocean County.

Monmouth showed its dominance immediately. Monmouth took the opening kickoff and drove to the Ocean 10-yard line in 21 plays.

Only a Pandorf sack and a tackle for a loss prevented a touchdown. Monmouth eventually missed a field goal.

But Monmouth took control in the second quarter with 23 points. James Gilburn of Manalapan rushed 49 yards for one score. Will Johnson of Asbury Park returned an interception 58 yards for another touchdown.

"Any mistakes we made, they capitalized on," Pandorf said. "Any mistakes they made, we couldn't do anything with."

Ocean County got its offense going late in the game. Pandorf scored his team's first touchdown on a 6-yard run in the fourth quarter.

"That was my first carry of the night," he said. "I saw an opening and just ran as hard as I could."

The only problem for Pandorf was the postgame handshake.

He couldn't shake hands with his teammates or Monmouth County players because he needed both hands to carry the plaques and trophies he won from the game's organizers and local media for being one of Ocean County's top players.

E-mail Michael McGarry:

MMcGarry@pressofac.com

Ocean 0 0 0 13 - 13

Monmouth 0 23 0 7 - 30

SECOND QUARTER

MON-James Gilburn 3 run (Dylan Marsca kick)

MON-Gilburn 49 run (Marsca kick)

MON-Will Johnson 58 interception return (kick failed)

MON-Marsca 23 field goal

FOURTH QUARTER

OCE-Justin Pandorf 6 run (Chris Castronuova kick)

OCE-Castronuova 21 pass from Shane O'Connor (run failed)

MON-Brandon Brown 36 pass from Nick Tyson (Marsca kick)

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