Senior Matt Smith is one of the leaders of the Bulldogs offensive line. Photo by Patrick Olivero 
Rumson-Fair Haven wide receiver Jordan Angstreich is committed to play college football at Middlebury. Photo by Patrick Olivero 
Jeremy Schulte has led the Bulldogs to two straight Group 2 state championship at Rutgers. Photo by Patrick Olivero
By Rich Chrampanis
RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN BULLDOGS
Head Coach: Jeremy Schulte (third season)
2023 Record: 8-5, lost to Westwood in Group 2 State Championship
Offense: 23.38 points scored per game
Defense: 18.23 points allowed per game
RUMSON – Five points is the difference between not one but two state championships for Rumson-Fair Haven. After losing by four points to Caldwell in 2022, RFH had a heartbreaking 21-20 loss to Westwood in the Group Two state championship a year ago.
To say Rumson is motivated is an understatement. The Bulldogs know what it takes to make it to the end and they’re determined to find out what’s needed to take the final step.
“These guys were back in the weight room a week after the game against Westwood last year,” head coach Jeremy Schulte said. “Obviously it didn’t go the way we wanted it to the last two years, but they know that our motto this year, like we have on the back of all the shirts, is ‘It Takes More.’ We understand that everything that we’ve done over the last two years to make it to that final is awesome, but this year we want to leave there with a good feeling.”
Owen O’Toole has thrown for over 4,200 yards and 43 touchdowns heading into his senior season. The three-year starter has big-game experience and a firm grasp of the Rumson offensive attack.
“We definitely have a kick start at camp,” O’Toole said. “We don’t have to start from the basics. You can get deeper, like we’re mid-season, even though we’re just in the beginning.”
Kellen Murray shared the backfield with Alistair Orr in 2023 and the junior has the potential to be a 1,000-yard rusher with big play capability. The offensive line is anchored by Matt Smith, who developed into one of the state’s top heavyweight wrestlers. The confidence gained by the winner on the mat should translate into a big season on the field.
While O’Toole has lost his top two targets from last year to graduation, there are still guys ready to catch the ball. Nick Thomas had 26 catches for 300 yards and a touchdown and will be one of RFH’s rare two-way players, contributing in the secondary. Jordan Angstreich gave a glimpse of his skill set last year with a diving TD catch against Marlboro. The Middlebury commit should get a whole lot of looks after a 14-catch junior season.
“We’ve been working hard all off-season knowing that we lost Nick Rigby, Sean Trinder, Jackson Gallagher,” Angstreich said. “The receivers know we have to step up big time (after) losing those guys and I think we’re ready for the role.”
On defense, every year the Bulldogs have at least a couple of players with over 100 tackles. Look for Austin Kiernan to be one of the ringleaders; he had 76 tackles and three and a half sacks in 2023. He’s got an old-school flair that is perfect to lead this unit. Cole Pangborn is back after three picks in the secondary. The RFH defense produced 20 turnovers a year ago. Jacob Tobias was sensational in the postseason, coming up with a huge stop against Haddonfield with the game on the line. He followed that up with an 11-tackle performance against Willingboro. The RFH defense hangs its hat on getting to the ball with smarts and physicality.
“We’re just a gritty team,” Tobias said. “(We) come out here and work all offseason. We got a couple of returners here, a good senior class, and a lot of young kids are going to step up so we’re excited.”
Don’t be fooled by RFH’s five losses from a year ago. Those defeats came at the hands of three of New Jersey’s seven state champions (RBC, Toms River North and Westwood) along with a Non-Public semi-finalist (Donovan Catholic) and a section finalist (Point Pleasant Boro). The Bulldogs will face RBC and Donovan Catholic back-to-back in the regular season this year which will get them ready once again for a postseason run.
The RFH football program is the gold standard for a New Jersey public school and its culture extends to the entire athletic department.
“I think that’s also kind of a testament to our entire school as a whole,” Schulte said. “All of our sports kind of have the expectation to make it to the playoffs and make a run for a sectional final, whether it’s wrestling, lacrosse, track, basketball, whatever it might be.”
Rumson-Fair Haven embraces the pressure of its high standard. There’s only one way for the 2024 season to be deemed a success.
“For us, it’s state championship or bust,” O’Toole said. “Working out here, working all off-season, there’s not really a point to be out here if you’re not chasing a state championship.”
Rumson-Fair Haven 2024 Football Schedule
Friday, Sept. 6 vs. Point Pleasant Boro
Friday, Sept. 13 vs. Marlboro
Friday, Sept. 20 at Long Branch
Friday, Sept. 27 at Middletown South
Friday, Oct. 5 at Manchester Twp.
Thursday, Oct. 10 at Red Bank Catholic
Friday, Oct. 18 vs. Donovan Catholic
Friday, Oct. 25 vs. Colts Neck
The article originally appeared in the August 22 – 28, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
