Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School wide receiver John Ryan (c) trots into the end zone after completing a 30-yard reception for a touchdown during the Sept. 21 game played in Rumson. The Bulldogs went to 3-0 on the season with a 27-6 win over previously undefeated Holmdel High School. ERIC SUCAR staff The Red Bank Catholic High School and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School football teams both upped their records to 3-0 last weekend, while Shore Regional High School improved to 2-1.
After falling behind 6-0 to Holmdel High School (2-1) in the first quarter, Rumson-Fair Haven bounced back with 20-second quarter points to take control of the game. The Bulldogs went on to win the game, 27-6, before a happy home crowd at Borden Stadium on Sept. 21.
Quarterback Danny Roberto had another superb game for Rumson-Fair Haven, throwing three touchdown passes and picking up 180 yards in the air. Roberto’s 42-yard completion to junior wide receiver Sam Shaud set up the Bulldogs’ first touchdown by John Ryan, who found the end zone one more time in the game and posted the first points scored on Holmdel this season.
“They made it tough for us in the first quarter, but Roberto was able to get us going,” Rumson-Fair Haven coach Shane Fallon said. “Once we were able to get on the scoreboard, we got our confidence and we kept going.”
Roberto connected with Ryan again, this time on a 31- yard scoring play to put the Bulldogs up 13-6 with just under four minutes to go in the first half. Holmdel was flagged for roughing the kicker on the extra point attempt, which enabled the Bulldogs to try an inside kick that they recovered. Three plays later, sophomore Charlie Volker’s 8-yard run made the score 20-0. Roberto’s 17-yard completion to his 6-foot-2-inch tall tight end Henry Rosenberg closed out the scoring.
While the offense garnered a fair amount of the credit for a job well done, Fallon’s defense also had a solid game. In three games, the Bulldogs have allowed only 29 points.
Rumson-Fair Haven will look to add its fourth successive win on Sept. 28 when it visits Red Bank Regional High School (0-2).
Meanwhile, in a battle between parochial schools, Red Bank Catholic High School downed St. John Vianney High School in Holmdel on Sept. 21 by a 45-14 final score. Although the score was knotted up at 7-7 early in the second quarter, the Caseys had a business-like performance while rolling to victory.
After the Lancers scored, Caseys’ James Taylor took the kickoff 80-plus yards to put Red Bank Catholic ahead for good. Taking advantage of a St. John Vianney fumble, Red Bank Catholic made it 17-7 on Patrick Toomey’s 38-yard field goal.
The home team battled back with a lengthy drive of its own, but a Chris Whitlock interception was returned for an 84-yard touchdown. Larry Redaelli ran for more than 100 yards to lead the ground attack.
The 14 points the Lancers put up are the only points the Caseys’ defense have allowed this fall.’
Next up for coach Jim Portela’s team is a visit from Raritan High School (0-3) on Sept. 28. The Rockets are coming off of a 42-17 loss to Manasquan High School and have allowed 132 points in three games. At Metuchen High School, Shore Regional dominated en route to a 45-0 win. Mark Costantino’s 77-yard punt return for a touchdown and his 8-yard kickoff return that led to a field goal were two of the big plays.
Brian Miller had a touchdown run of 60 yards and he also caught a Matt Muh pass for a 19-yard touchdown as the Blue Devils raced out to a 38-0 lead at the end of the first half of play.
Shore Regional will host undefeated South River High School on Sept. 28 in its Greater Middlesex Conference crossover game. The Rams have scored 85 points in three games, while the Blue Devils’ defense has allowed 25 points.
The Blue Devils’ lone loss came on opening day in an overtime game against Rumson-Fair Haven, 13-10.
In other action, Ocean Township High School returned to the field after forfeiting last week to Neptune High School because of an impetigo breakout. The Spartans had the unenviable task of hosting undefeated Matawan Regional High School, which prevailed 27-13.
Ocean jumped out to a quick lead on a 15-yard run by freshman Taylor Thompson. Andrew Mehr put the Spartans up 13-0 before the end of the first quarter with a 61-yard touchdown run. That, however, proved to be the last time Ocean would score, as the home team battled back to win.
The Spartans, who knocked off Manchester Township High School, 30-22, on opening night, hosts John F. Kennedy Memorial High School in a GMC crossover game on Sept. 28.