2020 PEC Challenge Tournament 1st ROUND: Jersey Shore Region

Welcome to day 2 of our first-round coverage! A lot of Instagram responses during yesterday's story so I'll definitely be posting the entire round there this week.  You can also vote for each PEC at the bottom of these blog posts after all of the previews! In true Marchmadness fashion, it's looking like there will be a good amount of upsets (the Gem's support has been overwhelming).  I'll be posting all of the results on Friday so there will still be time to go back and vote on previous day's matchups through the blog only as unfortunately, IG stories only last 24 hours.  Here's the Jersey Shore region, led by Fair Haven stand out Fairwinds Deli but with sleepers Slater's Deli and Gem's Belford lurking, this might not be an easy road to the final four.  

#1 Fairwinds Deli v. #16. Wilson Ave. Deli

Should be an easy matchup for this 1 seed as Wilson Ave Deli was perhaps the lowest scored PEC this year. The road looks to get tough from here though.  Fairwinds -38.5

#8 Slater's Deli v. #9 Donovan's Reef


One of the biggest, most novel PEC's in the state against the state's best PEC environment.  Slater's has long held the title of most pork roll on a sandwich.  But the view isn't the only thing Donovan's has going for it.  Two unique sandwiches vying for a deep run in the tournament. Slater's -6.5


#5 FaNagle the Bagel v. #12 Joe's Bagel

A battle of two Long Branch bagel shops.  One on across the street from the beach.  The other a little further.  Both with a solid bagel.  FaNagle -3.5

#4 Brennan's Rumson v. #13 Gem's Belford

On paper, Brennan's should run away with a win here but don't count out the Gem's faithful.  Granted this may be the least favorite Gem's out there but who really knows.  That's why we play the games.  Brennan's -8.5

#6. Sonny's Sandwiches v. #11 Ocean Alley Deli

Two at-large entries to this year's bracket.  Can one of these teams get out of the 2nd round? I'm not so sure.  This might be one of the closest matchups of the entire first round. Sonny's -0.5. 

#3 Allenwood General Store v. #14 Perry's Cafe

Allenwood General Store graces almost every list amongst the best in the state and the poppy seed roll doesn't hurt.  Perry's Cafe is a little off the beaten path on the off-resort streets of Atlantic City.  Allenwood -14.5

#7 Butler's Market v. #10 Bagel Guys Deli

You could do worse than to take either of these to the beach.  Butler's, a local Rumson favorite, and Bagel Guys, the new kid on the Long Branch block.  Butler's -8.5

#2 Beckman's Deli v. #15 Brennan's Middletown

Brennan's may have had an unfair shot here since they gave me a bacon, egg, and cheese instead of pork roll but the fact that it didn't land them a 16 seed should tell you it might not be that bad.  Beckman's, however, is a classic PEC and one of the best in the field.  Beckman's -15.5