Shore football: Predictions for NJSIAA state championship games for Toms River North, Rumson, RBC
The long road of the New Jersey high school football season has reached its final hours.
Five public school state champions and two Non Public state champions will be crowned by the time the season ends Tuesday.
Three Shore Conference teams - Toms River North, Rumson-Fair Haven and Red Bank Catholic - will be playing in state finals at Rutgers University's SHI Stadium and MetLife Stadium. Toms River North and Rumson-Fair Haven have their games on Monday at Rutgers; RBC takes to the MetLife field on Tuesday.
More: NJSIAA football playoffs & Thanksgiving Week: Shore Conference schedule, scoreboard
Here are our picks and expanded outlooks on the three state championship games involving Shore Conference teams. We were 3-1 last week and are 174-48 for the season.
More: NJSIAA football playoffs Week 4 & Thanksgiving Week: Shore Conference schedule, scoreboard
NJSIAA Public School Group Championship Games
Monday, November 27
Group 2
At SHI Stadium, Rutgers University
Rumson-Fair Haven (8-4) vs. Westwood (12-0), 5 p.m.
Rumson-Fair Haven game-by-game
Defeated Middletown South 24-6
Matawan 27-6
Lost to Toms River North 42-21
Red Bank Catholic 34-6
Point Pleasant Boro 42-28
Donovan Catholic 28-9
Defeated Marlboro 24-3
Wall 21-0
Delaware Valley 47-13
Haddon Heights 28-7
Haddonfield 14-7
Willingboro 35-28
Rumson-Fair Haven key players
Owen O'Toole (Jr., QB., 147-240-1,917, 17 TDs, 12 INTs).
Jackson Gallagher (Sr., TE., 27-455, 9 TDs).
Nick Rigby (Sr., WR., 28-362, 2 TDs)
Kellen Murray (Soph., RB., 91-580, 7 TDs).
Alastair Orr (Sr., RB., 132-641, 5 TDs). .
Cooper Bunnell (Sr., DL., 60.5 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 sacks).
Reed Elsas (Sr., LB, 114.5 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss).
Cole Pangborn (Jr., DB., 48.5 tackles, 3 INTs).
Austin Kiernan (Jr., LB., 68.5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 INT return for a TD, 5.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 sacks).
Previous state championships
None. 2022 Group 2 runner-up.
Westwood game-by-game
Defeated South Plainfield 44-12
West Essex 21-0
Dumont 49-7
River Dell 34-0
Mahwah 35-0
Ramsey 35-7
Lakeland 30-7
Ridgefield Park 35-0
Dumont 41-12
Newton 42-8
Rutherford 20-7
Bernards 17-0
Westwood key players
Robbie Carcich (Sr., QB., 149-188-2,117, 22 TDs, 4 INTs passing, 89-700, 11 TDs rushing).
Joe Klein (Sr., WR/DB., 55-688, 8 TDs receiving, 41 tackles, 2 INTs)
Tommy Bussanich (Sr., TE/LB., 36-644, 7 TDs receiving, 44 tackles, 11.5 tackles for a loss, 1 INT, 1 INT return for a TD).
Aidan Dugan (Jr., RB/LB., 106-732, 2 TDs, rushing, 9-100, 1 TD receiving, 40 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss).
Steve Klein (Soph., WR/DB., 50-439, 7 TDs receiving, 61 tackles, 6 INTs, 1 fumble recovery, 1 fumble return for a TD).
Michael Carcich (Sr., LB., 65 tackles, 4.5 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks).
Aidan Carranzana (Sr., WR/DB., 29-495, 3 TDs receiving, 20 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 INT return for a TD).
Dario Mathurin (Jr., DL., 36 tackles, 7.5 sacks, 6 tackles for a loss).
Previous state championships
None
Overview
It is a similar scenario to last year for Rumson-Fair Haven.
Last season, Rumson-Fair Haven was 8-4 entering the state final and met 12-0 Caldwell in the state final. The Bulldogs gave Caldwell as it could handle before Caldwell held on for an 18-14 win.
Playing an unbeaten team is not going to faze the Bulldogs after they went through the Shore Conference American Division grind, where they met Non Public B state finalist Red Bank Catholic, defending Group 5 champion and finalist Toms River North and Non Public A semifinalist Donovan Catholic.
Rumson-Fair Haven was also tested the last two weeks against Haddonfield and Willingboro in the South Group 2 championship and Group 2 semifinal respectively. The Bulldogs made defensive stands deep in their territory late in both games to clinch the wins. They also rallied from a six-point fourth quarter deficit against a very talanted Willingboro team.
Westwood relies a lot on the short passing game. The Bulldogs would like to get the Carcich out of rhythm.
Rumson-Fair Haven has been balanced offensively in the playoffs. Orr has run for 311 yards over the last three games.
Murray ran for 193 yards combined against Haddon Heights and Haddonfield.
Gallagher has become O'Toole's No. 1 target. He has 15 receptions for 273 yards and six TDs in the four playoff games.
Westwood has outscored its opposition against a solid schedule, 403-60.
The Pick: Rumson-Fair Haven.
Group 5
Toms River North (11-2) vs. Passaic Tech (13-0), 8 p.m.
Toms River North game-by-game
Defeated Millville 14-7
Toms River East 42-0
Rumson-Fair Haven 42-21
Lost to Donovan Catholic 21-7
Defeated Middletown South 21-7
Southern 42-6
Wall 49-0
Toms River South 49-0
Lost to Red Bank Catholic 35-28 (OT)
Defeated Southern 49-7
Freehold Township 54-13.
Washington Township 49-14
Cherokee 33-6
Toms River North key players
Micah Ford (Sr., QB/DB)., 156-1,478, 13 TDs rushing, 34-63-787 14 TDs, 2 INTs passing, 45 tackles, 2 INT, 2 INT return for a TD in 9 games plus 1 quarter).
Ja'Elyne Matthews (Jr., OL/DL., 75 tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks).
Jeremiah Pruitt (Sr., WR/DB., 19-483, 9 TDs receiving, 46-201, 4 TDs rushing, 863 tackles, 18.5 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 INTs, 2 INT return for a TD).
Josh Moore (Sr., RB/DB., 108-827, 8 TDs, 39 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 1 INT).
Tareq Council (Sr., WR/DB., 18-286 5 TDs, 28 tackles, 2 INT, 1 INT return for a TD, 2 punt returns for TDs).
Justin Kaye (Sr., OL).
Blaise Boland (Jr., LB., 90 tackles, 26.5 tackles for a loss, 10 sacks, 2 forced fumbles, 1 fumble recovery).
Christian Olivieri (Sr., LB., 109 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, 2 INTs).
Camryn Thomas (Jr., WR., 15-302, 4 TDs,
Nasir Jackson (Jr., WR/DB., 9-145, 2 TDs, 28 tackles, 2 INTs, 1 INT return for a TD, 1 kick return for a TD).
Yianni Papanikolas (Jr., PK., 59-61 PATs, 1-2 FG).
Previous state championships
2022 Group 5
Passaic Tech game-by-game
Defeated Lenape 13-0
Union City 13-6
Passaic 55-7
West Orange 43-19
Ridgewood 9-3
Columbia 12-0
Clifton 33-10
East Orange 35-7
Paterson Eastside 30-0
Bayonne 42-0
Union 35-8
Montclair 34-27
Union City 14-0
Passaic Tech key players
Trashon Dye (Sr., RB/LB., 264-1997, 22 TDs, 127 tackles, 8 tackles for a loss).
Ma'Kao Taylor (Sr., QB., 82-145-1,245, 10 TDs, 7 INTs)
Cashmere Jones (Sr., RB/DB., 21-394, 4 TDs receivin, 21-103, 3 TDs rushing, 97 tackles, 7 INTs, 1 INT return for a TD).
Travon Dye (Sr., RB/LB., 31-133, 3 TDs rushing, 53 tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks).
Jordan Alston (Sr., LB., 120 tackles).
Kaiden Rex (Sr., DL., 92 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, 8 sacks).
Aarom Mendoza (Jr., LB., 66 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, 2.5 tackles for a loss).
Joel Perez (Jr., DB., 47 tackles, 5 INTs, 1 INT return for a TD).
Previous state championships
None. 2022 Group 5 runner-up.
Overview
It is the second straight season the two have met in the Group 5 championship game.
Last season, Toms River North capped a 14-0 season with a 28-7 win.
This season, the Mariners have had to deal with some bumps in the road. Most notably, the defeats to Donovan Catholic and Red Bank Catholic and a knee injury to Ford that resulted in him missing three full games and the final three quarters and the overtime against Red Bank Catholic.
Many of the key players from last season return for both teams.
Ford, who ran for 109 yards on 23 carries and was 6-for-7 for 117 yards with three TD passes in last year's final even though he had to leave the game with cramps several times in the game, is the player a terrific Passaic Tech defense will have to try and contain. That is easier said then done.
However, Passaic Tech's defense is good as anybody's in the state. The Bulldogs have allowed just 87 points on the season.
Toms River North did score on three of its four first half possessions in last year's game.
Passaic Tech is very reliant on the run, led by Syracue-recruit Trashon Dye. He has three 200-yard plus games and 12 100-yard plus games. Dye ran for 117 yards on 17 caries, with a 47-yard TD run in last year's game.
Taylor was just 5-for-22 throwing the ball in last year's game. Passaic Tech will want to dictate when it throws the ball - not have Toms River North dicate it.
If Passaic Tech is forced into passing situations, the chances of the Mariners returning an INT for a TD will be high. Toms River North has returned five interceptions for TDs in the last three games. Ford and Pruitt each have two of those returns and Council, who did not play in last year's state final, due to an NJSIAA enforced suspension, has the other INT TD over the last three weeks.
Ford, a Stanford University recruit, is accurate throwing the ball. and his receivier are play-makers. However, Toms River North has been able to dictate when it throws the ball for the most part. Passaic Tech would love to dictate when Ford has to throw.
Expect a slugfest with Ford's ability to make a couple of big plays either running or passing the difference.
The Pick: Toms River North
Tuesday, Nov. 28
Non Public B
At MetLife Stadium
DePaul (6-5) vs. Red Bank Catholic (9-1), 5 p.m.
DePaul game-by-game
Lost to Bishop McDevitt (Pa.) 46-42
Defeated St. Peter's Prep 46-20
Lost to Archbishop Stepinac (N.Y.) 34-21
Defeated Paramus Catholic 28-12
Lost to Bergen Catholic 31-13
Defeated Hudson Catholic by forfeit
Lost to Pope John 31-27
Lost to Delbarton 28-0
Defeated Don Bosco Prep 28-27
St. Mary (Rutherford) 63-21
St. Thomas Aquinas 13-10
DePaul key players
Derek Zammit (Soph., QB., 114-184-1,665, 15 TDs, 7 INTs, 61-166, 8 TDs rushing).
Noah James (Jr., RB., 195-1,332, 8 TDs rushing, 21-167, 1 TD receiving).
De'zie Jones (Jr., WR., 51-837, 6 TDs).
Elijah Burress (Jr., WR., 27-434, 5 TDs).
Anthony Nittoli (Jr., LB., 110 tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, 2 fumble recoveries).
Yasire Howell (Jr., LB., 66 tackles).
Jeremy Lopez (Sr., 59 tackles, 4 sacks).
NJSIAA Championships (8)
1975, 1992, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2017, 2019, 2022.
Red Bank Catholic game-by-game
Lost to Bergen Catholic 24-6
Defeated Colts Neck 34-7
Wall 46-0
Rumson-Fair Haven 34-6
Seton Hall Prep 21-16
Middletown South 25-14
Howell 34-14
Toms River North 35-28 (OT)
Donovan Catholic 14-7
Holy Spirit 35-21
Red Bank Catholic key players
Emanuel Ross (Sr., WR/DB., 44-676, 10 TDs receiving, 18-350, 3 TDs rushing, 23 tackles, 1 INT, 1 INT return for a TD).
Frankie Williams (Jr., QB., 101-163-1,536, 17 TDs, 3 INTs passing, 82-419, 3 TDs rushing).
Davin Brewton (Sr., LB., 123 tackles, 16 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, 2 INTs, 1 INT return for a TD, 2 fumble recoveries).
Lorenzo Portella (Sr., OL/DL., 65 tackles, 17 tackles for a loss, 5 sacks).
Tyler Burnham (Sr., OL).
Logan Graham (Sr., DL., 80 tackles, 18 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks).
Jamie Gutridge (Jr., RB/LB., 26-127, 4 TDs rushing, 89 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss).
Luke Wassef (Sr., RB/LB., 52-392, 5 TDs rushing, 48 tackles, 4 tackles for a loss).
Luke Krzykowski (Sr., 11-236, 2 TDs).
Stephen Myers (Sr., DB., 45 tackles, 4 INTs, 1 INT return for a TD).
Justin LaMorte (Sr., PK., 3-5 FG, 32-34 PATs).
NJSIAA Championships (4)
1976, 2014, 2018, 2021
Overview
These two meet in the state final for the third straight season.
Red Bank Catholic 13-8 in 2021. DePaul rallied from a first half 10-point deficit and then held on for a 19-17 win last season. A blocked punt for a safety in the fourth quarter was the difference.
DePaul allowed 170 points in its defeats and has a point differential of just 222 (282-260) on the season.
The Spartans have also had trouble stopping the run at times
Red Bank Catholic's run game has been by committee, with four having compiled 350 yards or more.
Ross, on "Jet Sweeps'', and Williams, on designed runs, have been big keys to the run games.
Williams' play-making and decision-making was outstanding late in the come-from-behind win over Toms River North.
Ross, a Stanford recruit, is a matchup nightmare for opposing defensive backs with his athletic ability and speed and is one of the state's best all-around players.
DePaul did a good containing both Ross and Williams in last year's game. Williams threw for just 53 yards and ran for 11 yards on 10 carriies and Ross has just one reception for 5 yards.
Brewton, a Pitt recruit, is a tackling machine and Graham has been outstanding all season, especially in big games.
Zammit was efficient in last year's game. He was 11-for-18 for 135 yards and a TD.
DePaul ran for just 59 yards on 29 attempts last year, but ran for 197 yards on 38 atttempts 2 years ago.
The Pick: Red Bank Catholic.
More: 'This rivalry is everything': Asbury Park football gets another Thanksgiving win vs Neptune
Regular Season
Thanksgiving Day
Nondivisional
Manasquan (5-4) at Wall (3-7), 10 a.m.
Manasquan can clinch a winning season. Wall can use a win as a building block for next season.
Wall, by being in the American Division and having to play Red Bank Catholic, Toms River North, Rumson-Fair Haven and Non Public A semifinalist Donovan Catholic, has played the tougher schedule.
The Crimson Knights lead the Thanksgiving portion of the series, 11-10, after Manasquan's win last season.
The Pick: Wall.
Middletown South (4-5) at Middletown North (6-4), 10:35 a.m.
Middletown South has dominated the series since 2001.
The Eagles, who lead the series 35-12-1, 33-12-1 on Thanksgiving, have won 22 of the last 23 meetings. That includes an NJSIAA North 2 Group 4 semifinal win in 2015. Middletown North's only win in that span came in 2016, with a team that advanced to the NJSIAA Central Group 4 championship game.
Middletown North senior quarterback Luke Sheehan has had a solid season, but Middletown South's defense, led by senior linebacker Colin Gallagher, is one of the better ones the Lions have faced.
Middletown South also went through the American Division grind and was competitive in all of the games it lost.
The Pick: Middletown South
Constitution Division
Red Bank (3-6, 0-4) at Long Branch (6-5, 1-3), 10:30 a.m.
It will be a special day in the history of this rivalry as the two meet for the 100th time.
It is the second rivalry in the history of the Shore Conference to reach the 100 milestone. The other one is Lakewood-Toms River South. Those two met 101 times, 100 times in the regular season finale. But, the Thanksgiving portion of that rivalry ended in 2019 and the two have not met since 2020.
Long Branch leads the series 64-32-3 and has won the last two meetings.
The Green Wave are coming off a playoff run that saw them reach the NJSIAA Central Group 4 championship game as a No. 6 seed with road wins at Jackson Memorial and Brick Memorial.
The return to full-time quarterback duties by senior Earnest Reevey after he played most of the regular season with a broken thumb on his throwing hand was a key to Long Branch's playoff run.
Long Branch was excellent on defense and physical on both sides of the ball during its playoff run.
Red Bank, which had significant injuries during the season, enters off NJSIAA consolation game wins against Lacey and Hamilton East.
The Pick: Long Branch.
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Jersey Shore Football: Toms River North, Rumson, RBC NJSIAA championship predictions
