RBC Rolls to Solid Win Over Long Branch in Season Opener

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LONG BRANCH – Red Bank Catholic may not have the powerhouse team it had last year when it won its first NJSIAA Non-Public Group III championship in 38 years. But the Caseys still appear to have enough talent to be one of the Shore’s better teams again.
Despite star quarterback Eddie Hahn sidelined with a torn meniscus, RBC rolled to a solid 28-0 B Division North victor y over Long Branch Friday night in the season opener for both teams.
Although not playing, Hahn was in uniform with a brace and hopes to play in RBC’s next game Friday against St .Joseph’s (Metuchen).
Fortunately for RBC, it had a capable replacement in Colin Shaughnessy, a senior who ran the offensive smoothly while scoring one of the RBC touchdowns and rushing for 70 yards.

Liam McArdle (4) of RBC gets a great block from Dan Lukawski (21). Photo by Sean Simmons
Liam McArdle (4) of RBC gets a great block from Dan Lukawski (21). Photo by Sean Simmons

“Our regular backup quarterback was injured,” said RBC coach Jim Portela, “but Colin stepped in and did a great job. He played tight end last year.”
RBC set the tone of the game right from the start when Dylan Murphy, who played a standout game both ways, took the opening kickoff and returned it 86 yards for a touchdown. Tommy Lang kicked the first of four extra points.
“I had some good blocks on that run,” said Murphy, who rushed for 120 yards on 28 carries. “It was a great feeling to come here and get a win.”
“Our offensive line did a great job opening up the holes,” said Portela “Dylan and Mike Wilen were pounding them.”
The RBC defense, which did not permit Long Branch to get closer than the Caseys’ 25, set up the next touchdown when Connor Moore recovered a Long Branch fumble at the Green Wave 37.
Six plays later, Shaughnessy scored on a 9-yard keeper.
RBC threatened twice more in the first half, reaching the Long Branch 15-yard line both times, but penalties and fumbles foiled both drives.
RBC, which won a school record 11 games last year, made it 21-0 in the third quarter on a 40-yard touchdown run by Wilen.
“It was a big game for us,” said Wilen, another defensive standout for RBC. “My fullback, Joe Hagan, gave me a good block on that run.
Reserve Anthony Purge scored the last RBC touchdown on a 1-yard run with three minutes remaining.
“Our seniors showed a lot of leadership out there,” said Portela. “It was great to win the game, but I think that Long Branch will win some games this season.”
The RBC-St. Joseph’s game was originally scheduled for St. Joseph’s, but the game was switched to RBC when the St. Joseph’s field, which is being converted to turf, was not ready. The game will be at 7:30 p.m. on Friday. This was a break for RBC, which had only three home games scheduled for this season.