Neal Sterling

Neal Sterling built one of the most complete athletic résumés of his era at Manasquan High School.

A member of the Class of 2010, Sterling competed in football, basketball, and track, but his football career placed him among the school’s most impactful two-way players. Despite missing his entire sophomore season due to injury, Sterling became a key contributor to Manasquan’s 2008 State Championship and National Division Championship team, and later helped lead the Warriors to a 2009 state final appearance and another National Division title.

As a receiver, Sterling finished his career with 52 receptions, ranking among the best totals in school history at the time. His 41 catches in 2009 ranked third in a single season, while his 700 receiving yards that year also placed him among the program’s top single-season performers. He added seven touchdown receptions in 2009, further establishing himself as one of the Shore’s most dangerous offensive weapons.

Defensively, Sterling was just as valuable. He recorded 131 career tackles, 22 tackles for loss, three interceptions, and an interception return touchdown. He led the team in tackles in both 2008 and 2009 and delivered several game-changing plays, including a game-sealing interception against Point Boro, a crucial fake punt stop in the 2008 state championship game, and a game-sealing interception return touchdown in the 2009 state semifinal against Rumson.

Sterling earned major postseason recognition in 2009, including Third Team All-State Defensive Back, First Team All-Group 2 Defensive Back, First Team All-Shore Wide Receiver, First Team All-Monmouth County Offense, and the Peter Blockson Roetzel Hall of Fame Award as team MVP.

In basketball, Sterling was a three-year starter at power forward/center and helped Manasquan win the 2009 sectional championship. In track, he ranked among the school’s top performers in the high jump and long jump. Across every sport, Sterling brought size, athleticism, toughness, and leadership to Manasquan athletics.