By Jim Hintelmann
LONG BRANCH – Despite rain, winds, cold and even some snow, the first “Devil-Dawg” football game went off as scheduled last Wednesday and Shore proved to be the better “mudders” with an impressive 13-0 victory before a sparse crowd.
The terrible weather conditions, however, were perfect for Shore, whose strength is a strong ground game. Passing is an important factor in the Rumson offense, but the Bulldogs threw only three passes in the game.
Shore has allowed the fewest points (49) in the state this season and showed why with its defense holding a high scoring Rumson team to just 68 yards total offense.
The weather certainly didn’t slow down the Shore running game, especially halfback Doug Goldsmith, who scored both touchdowns and rushed for 137 yards in 34 carries.
“Doug is an intelligent player who understands the game,” said Shore coach Mark Costantino. “He missed four games this season because of injuries. I think that we would have been unbeaten this season if we had him.”
Shore’s lone loss was to Dunellen, 16-6, one of the games that Goldsmith missed.
The only bad news for Shore was that the weather held down the attendance to just a few hundred spectators.
“We would have had two to four thousand fans at the game with good weather,” said Costantino. “We were willing to postpone the game but Rumson asked that it be played. As it turned out, I loved it.”
Shore was in control from the start with Rumson never getting past the Blue Devil 37-yard line.
It was the Shore defense that set up the first touchdown in the opening quarter when a bad snap from center on a Rumson punt was recovered by Shore on the Bulldog 8-yard line. Goldsmith scored two plays later.
Shore’s other touchdown came in the fourth quarter after Rumson gambled on a fourth and one on its 25 but failed.
On the first play after Shore took possession, Goldsmith scored the insurance touchdown.
“I’m proud of the guys,” said Costantino. “This is a big rivalry for us and it was a great win.”
The Shore defense was led by linebacker James Bedell, who had 15 tackles.
“He’s an intelligent kid who is like a coach on the field,” said Costantino. “He’s a real student of the game.”
The Shore defense held Rumson’s high scoring Charley Volker to just 19 yards in 11 carries.
Volker, who has scored 22 touchdowns this season despite missing three games this year because of a high ankle sprain, didn’t play in the second half of Wednesday’s game.
Shore will seek its second NJSIAA Central Jersey Group I championship Saturday when it meets South Hunterdon at Kean University. Game time is 10 a.m.
South Hunterdon lost two of its first three games, but has since won eight in a row, four by shutouts, and Costantino expects a tough game.
“South Hunterdon has a good quarterback who can both pass and run,” said Costantino. “He’s the key to their team, but we just want to play our game.”
Rumson, meanwhile, has an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II final against Delaware Valley Saturday. The game will also be played at Kean with a 7 p.m. start.
Rumson will be looking for its second straight CJ II championship, having beaten Weequahic last year for the title.
