By Jim Hintelmann
SPARTA – Defending NJSIAA Non-Public 3 football champion Red Bank Catholic received a stiff test from Pope John XXIII in Saturday’s first round game, but the Caseys (8-2) used a strong running game to outlast the home team, 21-14.
The win puts RBC into the semifinals Friday night when it will play unbeaten St. John Vianney, which routed Donovan Catholic, 41-0 in its first round game.
“The wind affected the passing game of both teams,” said RBC coach Jim Portela. “Fortunately we were able to run the ball a little bit better then they did and we did a good job of controlling the clock in the final minutes.”
Dylan Murphy led the way for RBC by scoring two touchdowns and recovering a fumble while Matt Wilen added the other touchdown on a 37-yard run.
RFH 43, Rahway 6
also scored on runs of 45 and 54 yards. Photo: Julie Gilbertson
RUMSON – Trailing Rahway 6-0 at halftime, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional (8-1) erupted with a 36-point third quarter to take control of the game.
Quarterback Michael O’Connor sparked the Bulldogs by scoring two touchdowns and throwing a 42-scoring pass to John Kingdon.
Rumson will play A Division Central rival Matawan this Friday in a semifinal game. The two teams played earlier in the season with Rumson scoring a 17-0 victory.
Middletown North 31, Sayreville 6
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP – Chad Freshnock, fully recovered from an early season injury, scored a touchdown and rushed for 165 yards while Tim Welsh added a pair of scores on runs of 25 and 31 yards as Middletown North trimmed Sayreville in a first round North Jersey, Section I Group 4 game Friday,
Quarterback Donald Glenn threw a touchdown pass to Dwight Wilkerson for the Lions, who advanced past the first round in the playoffs for the first time since 1996.
North’s win set up an attractive semifinal game Friday when it meets rival Middletown South. It will be the first of two meetings between the two teams in a six-day period since they will play their traditional Thanksgiving Day game Nov. 25.
Middletown South 55, West Windsor-North, 0
MIDDLETOWN TOWNSHIP – This game was over almost before it began as unbeaten South (9-0) rolled up a 49-0 halftime lead and used the reserves most of the second half in its rout of West Windsor-North.
The Eagles scored on their first seven possessions of the game with Cole Rogers and James McCarthy scoring three touchdowns apiece. Quarterback Matt Mosquera added a touchdown pass.
South will play host to both Friday and Thanksgiving’s games with North.
Shore 36, Burlington City 0
WEST LONG BRANCH – Defending Central Jersey Group I champion Shore Regional (9-0) got off to a good start in the playoffs by routing Burlington City Friday.
Doug Goldsmith scored three touchdowns, one of them on an 80-yard punt return while Jack Britton had a 75-yard touchdown run and Alec Johnson added 5-yard scoring run.
Shore, which has won 16 straight games overall, will be at home against Florence Friday.
