Jersey Mike’s Week 1 Shore Conference Football Team of the Week: Rumson-Fair Haven

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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 1 is Rumson-Fair Haven, which sent a statewide message by opening the season with a dominant 35-0 victory over then-No. 1-ranked Wall at the Rumble on the Raritan showcase at Rutgers University. Shore Sports Network stopped by practice Thursday to present the Bulldogs and head coach Jerry Schulte with a special game ball and $250 in Jersey Mike's gift cards.

Rumson entered last Sunday's game ranked No. 4 in the Shore Sports Network Preseason Top 10 and looking for redemption against a Wall team that defeated them twice in 2019, including in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 3 sectional final. Wall entered the game ranked No. 1 in the Shore and with a 20-game conference winning streak dating back to October of 2018.

Senior quarterback Colin Kennedy led Rumson right down the field on the opening drive, a seven-play, 66-yard march that ended with the 6-foot-2, 225-pound Kennedy rumbling for 26 yards to set up his own 2-yard touchdown run. It was the beginning of a stunning evening in which the Bulldogs thoroughly outplayed the Crimson Knights in all phases.

Rumson scored on its first three possessions, led 28-0 at halftime and scored to make it 35-0 midway through the third quarter to put the mercy-rule running clock in motion.

Kennedy ran for a game-high 131 yards and three touchdowns on 21 carries and also completed 5 of 6 passes for 71 yards and a touchdown. He connected with junior wide receiver Scott Venancio for a 32-yard score that put the Bulldogs up 21-0 in the second quarter. Senior running back Geoff Schroeder added 84 yards rushing and a touchdown on 17 carries.

Rumson's defense was outstanding in holding Wall to just 37 yards of offense and only one first down, which came on its first drive of the game. The Bulldogs had seven hits behind the line of scrimmage and forced two turnovers, as well. Senior linebacker John Lista recorded 12 tackles with two tackles for loss, senior defensive end Aiden Moriarty had 10 tackles with two tackles for loss and senior linebacker Ryan McKay made 10 tackles with one tackle for loss. Brian Doherty had an interception and a tackle for loss, Kevin Hughes recovered a fumble and Robert Thompson had a tackle for loss.

It was a tremendous victory for Rumson, but the Bulldogs had little time to savor their triumph. On Friday night, third-ranked RFH will welcome No. 2 Donovan Catholic to Borden Stadium in a huge Shore Conference American Division matchup.