2026 Jim Grasso Classic - Manasquan vs. Westwood — Manasquan's Connor Lalli (Photo by Christopher Shannon/OnNJ Sports)

August 28, 2026

IMAGES: Manasquan Football Wins Thriller Against Westwood in Jim Grasso Classic

Bruno Vega , Connor Lalli , Dax Klein , football , high school football , high school sports , Jim Grasso Classic , Kyle Dow , Manasquan , Nick Klein , NJ sports , Westwood

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The Manasquan cheerleaders cheer on the Warriors during their game against Westwood during the 2026 Jim Grasso Classic. (Photo by Christopher Shannon/OnNJ Sports)

A surge of scoring in the final moments of a football game between Westwood and Manasquan provided a thrilling ending to the third game of the day at the 2026 Jim Grasso Classic, with ‘Squan coming out on top 20-19.

Westwood jumped out to a 13-0 halftime lead, but Manasquan rallied in the second half to take a 14-13 lead late in the game. The Cardinals retook the lead momentarily at 19-14; however, on the ensuing possession, the Warriors took the lead back on a Dax Klein touchdown and then held off a final, desperate Westwood comeback attempt to take the win.

Kyle Dow and Connor Lalli led the Manasquan offense. Dow completed 16 of 22 passes for 195 yards and two touchdowns, while Lalli was Dow’s favorite target with seven catches for 94 yards and two TDs.

Bruno Vega and Nick Klein led the Westwood offense. Vega, the Cardinals’ athletic quarterback, led Westwood in both passing and rushing. Vega completed 10 of 16 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown, while carrying the ball 18 times for 74 yards and an additional TD. Klein was Vega’s favorite target, making five catches for 88 yards and a touchdown.

Manasquan continues their season next Thursday when they will travel to Point Pleasant to face Point Pleasant Boro, while Westwood will host River Dell on Friday.

About the Author

Christopher Shannon

Photo Editor

Christopher is the Photo Editor at OnNJ Sports. You can often find Christopher along the sidelines at sporting events in Northern Jersey, or at West Point photographing athletic, and other, events there. Christopher’s favorite events that he has had the opportunity to cover, so far in his career, include Penn State football White Out games and Army-Navy football games. While Christopher enjoys photographing a wide variety of sports, his favorite to cover include football, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, and lacrosse.