Rumson Offense Strong in Decisive Win Over Raritan

319

By Jim Hintelmann
RUMSON – For the second time this season, Rumson-Fair Haven Regional High School running back Charlie Volker injured his ankle and once again other players stepped up to finish the job.
Volker, Rumson’s all-time rushing leader, re-injured his ankle in the first half of Friday night’s 27-7 A Central Division win over Raritan High School. Sophomore quarterback Michael O’Connor filled the gap by scoring two touchdowns and passing to Murray McHeffey for the other two while senior Seamus Walsh rushed for 93 yards in 19 carries after replacing Volker, who was not seriously injured.

RFH linebacker Butchy Clark, No. 34, attempts to drag down Raritan running back Derek Ernst, No. 32. Ernst was the Rockets top rusher with 77 yards on 20 carries. -Sean Simmons
RFH linebacker Butchy Clark, No. 34, attempts to drag down Raritan running back Derek Ernst, No. 32. Ernst was the Rockets top rusher with 77 yards on 20 carries.
-Sean Simmons

“I’m so proud of this team,” said Rumson coach Bryan Batchler. “Charlie goes down and other players come through for us. Charlie should be back next week (against Holmdel). We could have used him tonight if necessary but we sat him out as a precaution.”
“Our defense was outstanding tonight,” said Batchler. “The team is playing like our 2010 team, which shocked favored Matawan in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II finals.”
Rumson scored on its first series, moving 58 yards in eight plays with O’Connor throwing a 16-yard touchdown pass to McHeffey. Volker rushed for 30 yards in six carries in the drive to set it up. The extra point was missed, leaving the score 6-0.
Raritan took a brief lead when Volker fumbled on Rumson’s next series and Raritan’s Vito Aleo picked up the ball and returned it 12 yards for the tying touchdown. Jonathan Rodriguez converted to make it 7-6, but the rest of the game belonged to Rumson.
Rumson struck back almost immediately after taking the ball on the 10 following the kickoff. On the first play, O’Connor raced to his left, cut back towards the middle of the field and went 90 yards for the touchdown. O’Connor passed to Kenny Ferrare for the two point conversion and a 14-7 advantage.
“I got nice blocks from my guards and also had some blocks from my downfield receivers,” said O’Connor, who completed six of 11 passes for 114 yards.
“We figured that Raritan would be looking for the run,” said McHeffey, who caught four passes for 114 yards. “They left me open and Michael faked a short pass and hit me with the pass. It was a great play.”
Rumson closed out its scoring early in the final quarter when O’Connor went 16 yards on a keeper for his second touchdown.
Rumson’s defense held Raritan to just 88 yards total offense and three first downs. Junior running back Derek Ernst accounted for much of Raritan’s offense with 77 hard-earned yards in 20 carries.

Rumson-Fair Haven's Seamus Walsh, No. 20, had a strong game for the Bulldogs rushing for 93 yards on 19 carries. --Sean Simmons
Rumson-Fair Haven’s Seamus Walsh, No. 20, had a strong game for the Bulldogs rushing for 93 yards on 19 carries.
–Sean Simmons

.