Howell has lost a stunning number of close games over the last three seasons and with some more experience and more muscle in camp this year, the Rebels are hoping to change that.
It means that Monmouth County's two largest municipalities by area, Howell and Middletown, will have armed personnel in their schools when the 2022-23 academic year begins.
Nick Barracato and Jason Pace started the postseason as extra pitchers, but both took center stage Monday in an extra-inning win over Cherokee in the Group IV semifinals.
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.
Howell struck early an often against East Brunswick in the Central Group IV final, ending a 28-year championship drought and setting school wins record.
Dan Furlong pitched another complete-game in the NJSIAA Tournament, this time beating Jackson Memorial to send Howell to the sectional final round for the first time since 1994.
Two Howell Township men have to pencil in a day in court after being arrested at a motor vehicle stop in Ocean Township this week where they were found with Heroin among other drugs and paraphernalia.