It is undeniable how impressive Rumson-Fair Haven has been this fall as the 12-0 Bulldogs have steamrolled through their first dozen opponents including annihilating four playoff teams by a combined score of 186-52, and that quartet of foes has an impressive, combined record of 35-9, so the R-FH Bulldogs were not beating up on sub-.500 cannon fodder.
Plus, they have accumulated 1,472 total yards, including 869 through the air, in those four playoff victories.
Now, could the going become more imposing for coach Jeremy Schulte’s Monmouth County team, which will play in its third straight Group 2 state final when it faces Shabazz (10-3) in next Wednesday’s (Dec. 4) 4 p.m. state championship game at Rutgers SHI Stadium in Piscataway?
The Brick City team, which certainly has an impressive arsenal of talent, will have to play in bounce-back mode when it takes on what will be a favored Rumson-Fair Haven eleven after being upset by archrival Weequahic, 19-14, in the Newark neighbors' annual Thanksgiving Day 'Soul Bowl' played this year at Shabazz Stadium.
Rumson-Fair Haven has certainly attained the respect of the state’s largest media outlet, nj.com, which ranks the R-FH Bulldogs No. 6 in the state.
The Shabazz Bulldogs have been the ultimate road warriors when it comes to the playoffs with four straight victories away from the friendly confines of its Brick City campus by knocking off a succession of quality programs in Caldwell, 2023’s Group 2 state champion Westwood, Bernards and Hanover Park.
Coach Naz Oliver has plenty of respect for his next opponent, but he also believes strongly in the high quality of his own Bulldogs.
“Rumson is a very good football program, but I don’t believe they have faced the type of athlete or physicality that we will present,” said the Shabazz second-year head mentor. “No offense to their Shore Conference schedule or the teams they have beaten in the playoffs, but we feel that we’re also right near the top in terms of the best teams in Group 2 and we have faced some very good teams in making our run to a sectional playoff title and now a berth in the Group 2 state final.
“I expect a real dogfight on Wednesday, and I feel our team will be ready to compete and perform at a very high level once again!”
Shabazz has seen its offense produce its share of breakaway plays with a pair of impact senior transfers in quarterback Romelo Tables (who came from Clifton High School) and running back Jalen Cline (via St. Peter’s Prep where he played on the varsity level for his first three high school seasons).
There are certainly other athletes to watch for the Bulldogs of the Brick City, including senior wide receiver Daveion Porter (33 receptions for 533 yards, 8 TDs), who seems to come up with huge plays when they are needed most, including the late game-winning 55-yard TD reception to defeat Caldwell, 33-30, in the first round of the North 2, Group 1 playoffs.
Junior WR-linebacker Zaiden McDonald (27 receptions for 295 yards, 2 TDs) is another big-play performer. His 2-point conversion pass following Porter’s first-quarter TD proved to be the difference as Shabazz edged Hanover Park, 8-7, in the Nov. 22nd Group 2 semifinals on a rainy and cold night in East Hanover.
McDonald, who was in Columbus, Ohio, Nov. 23, as he visited Ohio State, already has major Football Bowl Subdivision (formerly 1-A) scholarship offers from both the Buckeyes and Syracuse University.
“Zaiden is a special talent and one of the top juniors in the country,” said Oliver. “He is being looked at as a possible linebacker or strong safety at the next level, and is the real deal who will help any major college program when his high school days are over.”
McDonald has 50 tackles, including 7 for a loss plus 4 sacks through the first 12 games this season.
Shabazz already features a major FBS recruit in Stanford University commit Omari Gaines, who is a stellar safety with 51 tackles and 5 interceptions through the first 12 games.
“Omari is such a valuable player for us and is the top defensive player in the county and one of the best in the state,” said Oliver. “He really gets after it coming up to make a tackle and is also great on coverage.”
Among the other defenders to watch for Shabazz are senior linebacker Shamir Myers and a pair of precocious sophomores in LB Assad Reynolds and DB Zykir Best.
Rumson-Fair Haven is led by a strong offensive arsenal including 3-year starting QB Owen O’Toole (182 of 254 for 2,779 yards, 25 TDs, 4 Int.), junior running back Kellen Murray (185 carries for 1,411 yards and 28 TDs) and wide receivers Jordan Angstreich (67 receptions for 1,164 yards and 13 TDs) and Nick Thomas (50 receptions for 821 yards, 9 TDs).
The R-FH Bulldogs’ attacking defense is led by linebackers Austin Kiernan (106 tackles, 6.5 sacks) and Toby Najenson (56.5 tackles, 5.5 sacks) and DB Jacob Tobias (107.5 tackles, 13.5 TFL, 2 Int.).
Rumson-Fair Haven also has an excellent placekicker in Carson Memmott, who had three field goals in 44-10 rout of Point Pleasant Boro in the Group 2 semifinals, and is 4 of 5 on field goals and has converted 64 of 68 extra points this season.
Rumson-Fair Haven, which finished 8-5 the previous two seasons, was edged by Caldwell, 18-14, in the 2022 Group 2 final at Rutgers and then lost another nailbiter, 21-20, to Westwood, in last fall’s group championship game.
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