Every week this fall, Jersey Mike’s and Shore Sports Network will be selecting a Team of the Week based on its performance over the past weekend.

The Jersey Mike’s Team of the Week for Week 0 is Rumson-Fair Haven, which opened the season by knocking off rival Red Bank Catholic, 20-14, for its first win over the Caseys since 2002. Shore Sports Network was at practice Tuesday night to present the Bulldogs and head coach Jerry Schulte with a special game ball and a $500 Jersey Mike’s gift card.

Photo by Steve Meyer/Townsquare Media NJ
Photo by Steve Meyer/Townsquare Media NJ
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One of the top games statewide in Week 0 pitted No. 1 RBC vs. No. 4 Rumson. Last season, Red Bank Catholic went 10-0 and captured the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 3 state title. Rumson-Fair Haven, meanwhile, won the Central Jersey Group 3 title, its fifth sectional title in the last six seasons, before defeating Woodrow Wilson in the inaugural Central-South Group 3 Bowl Game.

Rumson grabbed the lead in the second quarter on a 21-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Collin Coles to junior running back John Volker. The Bulldogs increased their lead to 13-0 at halftime on a 33-yard touchdown run by Volker. Rumson fumbled the kickoff to start the third quarter and it appeared Red Bank Catholic would begin to grab the momentum, but junior safety Ryan Ruane came up with a huge defensive play when he intercepted a pass and returned it 70 yards for a touchdown to give Rumson a 20-0 lead.

Red Bank Catholic would claw back with two touchdowns to make it a one-score game, but Rumson’s defense came up with a big stop in the final minutes to seal one of the program’s biggest regular-season victories.

Rumson entered the game with several first-year starters, but those players made an immediate impact to lead the Bulldogs to victory. Most notable was Rumson’s all-new offensive line of junior James Smith at left tackle, senior Lucas Borneo at center, senior Kirk Yarbrough at right tackle, seniors James Greeley and Jack Susser and sophomore Christian Smith rotating at guard, plus senior Owen McLaughlin and junior Luke Devlin at tight end. The unit paved the way for Volker to rush for 150 yards and a touchdown against a stout RBC defense.

The victory over RBC shook up the Shore Sports Network Top 10 and sent Rumson up two spots to No. 2. Playing in the American Division means Rumson will face a standout opponent every week, and the team’s nondivisional schedule is no picnic, either. This Friday, the Bulldogs will head to No. 9 Wall for another marquee game, which will be streamed live on ShoreSportsNetwork.com as the Jersey Mike's Game of the Week.

 

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