Red Bank Reg., RFH, Shore Keep Winning

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By Jim Hintelmann
LITTLE SILVER – It’s 10 down and two to go for Red Bank Regional’s unbeaten football team with the Bucs surviving a stiff challenge from Ocean Township and defeating the Spartans, 21-14, in a NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III semifinal playoff game Friday.
Red Bank had earlier defeated Ocean, 16-6, in a regular season game in September. Ocean’s only two losses this season were to Red Bank.
The last two games for Red Bank will be for championships with the first one being Thanksgiving Day when they play host to Long Branch. A Buc win would clinch the B Division North title for the first time since 1977.
The other game will be against Rumson-Fair Haven Regional Dec. 5 for the CJ 3 title in a renewal of the Battle of Ridge Road, but this game will be played at Rutgers University.
Versatile senior Sadiq Palmer did it all for the Bucs scoring all three touchdowns on runs of 11 and five yards along with a 33-yard touchdown reception of a pass from quarterback Jack Navitsky. Palmer also stopped an Ocean Township threat with an end zone interception.
RFH 24, Matawan Reg. 13
RUMSON – Rumson (9-1) also set up two big games with its CJ III semifinal win over Matawan Friday.
The Bulldogs have an important non-division game with rival Shore Regional Thanksgiving Day and will be looking to avenge a 13-0 loss last year to the Blue Devils. They will then play Red Bank for the CJ III title Dec. 5.
Quarterback Michael O’Connor sparked the Bulldogs by throwing touchdown passes of 9 and 4 yards to Matt Vecchiarelli and John Kingdon respectively while gaining 191 yards in total offense.
Mike Ruane added the other Rumson touchdown on a 2-yard run while Tom Chapin kicked a field goal and three extra points.
It was the second time this season that Rumson had beaten Matawan. The Bulldogs won a regular season game, 17-0, a few weeks ago.
Rumson’s lone setback was a 13-7 decision to unbeaten St. John Vianney in a game played in a driving rainstorm.
Shore Reg. 42, Florence 0
WEST LONG BRANCH – Unbeaten Shore Regional’s quest for a third straight NJSIAA CJ I championship continued unabated with its rout of Florence Friday,
Shore, winners of 18 straight games overall, built up a 28-0 halftime lead and kept rolling from there.
Quarterback Matt Pennell threw touchdown passes of 35 and 45 yards respectively to Duke Russo and added a 1-yard touchdown run for the Blue Devils.
Jack Britton, Mark Russo and Lucas Jackey scored the other touchdowns while Doug Goldsmith led the running game with 112 yards in 154 carries.
Shore (10-0) will travel to Rumson-Fair Haven Regional Thanksgiving Day.
SJV 49, RBC 6
HOLMDEL – Unbeaten St. John Vianney had too much speed and athleticism for RBC to cope with as quarterback Anthony, Brown, bound for Boston College, threw two touchdowns passes of 65 and 35 yards to Michael Stapert and one to Jeff Sheard while scoring once himself on a 33-yard run.
Chris Cukwuenke added two more touchdowns runs of 11 and 29 yards while Zyaire Sterling had the other one.
RBC scored its touchdown on a 31-yard pass from quarterback Eddie Hahn to Zach Bair.
SJV will play DePaul for the title Dec. 5 at Rutgers.