Air superiority propels Caseys past Rumson-FH
Both teams finish
the season at 5-5
CHRIS KELLY Red Bank Catholic’s Greg Roonan tries to stretch out for an extra yard during the Caseys’ 21-3 win over Rumson-Fair Haven on Nov. 21 at Count Basie Field.
This was the kind of performance the Red Bank Caseys have been looking for all season.
Behind a more balanced attack than Red Bank Catholic has shown most of the season, the Caseys downed Rumson-Fair Haven, 21-3, on Nov. 21 to wrap up the football season.
"I think we did a nice job, controlling the ball tonight," said RBC head coach Frank Edgerly. "Normally you see us throwing the ball a lot; tonight we were able to run the ball a little more then we have been. That’s what made the difference. Any time we can take this win and play in this manner in the last game, there’s nothing better. It’s great to end the season like this."
After giving up a field goal early in the first quarter, Red Bank Catholic went on to not only score the first touchdown, but control the field the rest of the game.
Rumson’s only substantial offensive movement was during their first possession.
Following a 30-yard kickoff return by Christian George, the Bulldogs marched to the Caseys’ 14 yard line after 11 plays.
After only a two-yard gain inside the red zone, Rumson decided to put its first points of the game up on a 32-yard field goal by John Rose.
From that point on, Red Bank’s defense silenced the Bulldogs, not only keeping them scoreless, but allowing only 38 yards of rushing and 97 yards of passing.
"Coach [Biff] Wilbur’s defense played a great game tonight. This was the best hitting game the defense had this season," said defensive back/quarterback Tyler Schmelz.
On the other side of the field, RBC racked up 88 yards on the ground, and threw for 150 yards. It was from the air where the Caseys scored their first two touchdowns.
Early in the second quarter, Schmelz rolled right on a second and seven from Rumson’s eight-yard line. The roll pulled the defense, allowing him to find Cooper Woerz in the far corner for an over-the-shoulder touchdown catch, capping off a six-play, 57-yard drive.
The Caseys then turned the opening possession of the second half into a 15-play, 79-yard scoring attack. This time, it was Andrew Waters capping off the 8:09 possession when Schmelz found him for a two-yard scoring pass.
In the fourth quarter, Jarius Kendle ended his career at Red Bank Catholic by diving at the end of a six-yard run, stretching to put the ball over the goal line for one final touchdown.
Schmelz converted all three RBC PAT kicks.
"This year has been a lot of ups and downs for us," said Schmelz. "At the end of the year, we just started to win and pull together as a team. The offensive line was a little inexperienced at the beginning, but picked things up and played well down the stretch.
"This was magical win for us; everyone played a great game."