John Volker had two touchdowns in RFH’s 27-6 win over Delsea last week. The Bulldogs host Timber Creek in the second round of the state playoffs.
Photo by Rich Chrampanis
Three public school teams from the Two River area scored opening round playoff wins. Now the non-public teams begin their quest for a state championship with the exception of Red Bank Catholic which earned a bye into the state semifinals thanks to its No. 2 seed in Non-Public Group 3. Here’s a look at what to expect this weekend in round two of the state playoffs.
CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP 3 SEMIFINAL
(3) TIMBER CREEK AT (2) RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN
FRIDAY, 7 P.M.
Two contrasting styles collide with a spot in the Central Jersey Group 3 final on the line. Rumson-Fair Haven “got right” after heading into the playoffs on a two-game losing streak. RFH was able to dominate on defense and establish a strong ground game with John Volker in a 27-6 win over Delsea. The Bulldogs got two TDs from Volker and the defense was able to completely shut down the Crusaders in the first half. Once again RFH will look to attack on the ground with Volker and Collin Coles making smart play-action passes and executing in the short-range passing game.
Timber Creek is a pass-happy offense led by sophomore quarterback Donovan Leary. The younger brother of current North Carolina State signal caller Devin Leary has some huge numbers. Leary has throws for 2,589 yards and 26 touchdown passes. Tarheeb Still, a University of Maryland commit, is one of the state’s top receivers with 54 catches for 1,240 yards and 12 TDs. The matchup of the Timber Creek receivers against the RFH secondary will be the key to this game. Ryan Ruane and Drew Frankel will be critical to RFH moving on. They have both shown the ability to break up passes and come up with interceptions. Rumson’s defense has shown the ability to shut down big time offenses in the past and they’ll need to do it again Friday night.
SOUTH JERSEY GROUP 3 SEMIFINAL
(4) HOLMDEL AT (1) WOODROW WILSON
SATURDAY, 1 P.M.
The Hornets have first-round playoff wins in back-to-back years which is truly a remarkable accomplishment when you consider the injuries suffered by key Holmdel contributors in 2019. Just like they have all year, the Hornets used stifling defense and a great ground control attack in a 22-14 win over Red Bank Regional. Holmdel has had a long list of quar terbacks due to injury. Jared Battaglia is the latest in the next-man-up mentality and he was able to contribute in a big way in the RBR win.
Holmdel goes to Camden Saturday afternoon to face one of the most talented teams in New Jersey. Fadil Diggs is in the conversation as the best player in the Garden State. A 6-foot-4, 240-pound defensive end who’s committed to Texas A&M, Diggs is also an absolute freight train as a receiver, catching balls and using elite speed. Diggs is the kind of talent that you’ll likely see Sundays in the NFL. And Holmdel will have more to contain than just Diggs. Muheem McCargo is a Temple commit at running back and Devin Kargman is a sophomore quarterback who was just offered by West Virginia.
Holmdel loves to embrace the underdog role. The Hornets will no doubt fight until the very end, but this is a tall task. If coach Jeff Rainess’ team pulls off an upset, the entire state will take notice.
CENTRAL JERSEY GROUP 4 SEMIFINAL
(4) MIDDLETOWN SOUTH AT (1) HAMMONTON
FRIDAY, 7 P.M.
The Eagles showed that playing in the American Division of the Shore Conference got them ready for playoff football. Middletown South might lead the state in one-yard touchdown runs and Vinny Condito added two more to the list as part of the Eagles 24-7 win at home over Hamilton. Once again, Chris Lotito shined on both sides of the ball in the win. Hammonton is on a seven-game win streak and easily handled Brick Township 35-0. The Eagles also faced Brick this season and scored a 28-7 win.
Middletown South will need to slow down Jaiden Abrams who has 1,346 rushing yards and 14 scores. The Eagles have a long road trip ahead of them and hope to return to the Swamp with a ticket to the sectional final.
NON-PUBLIC GROUP 3 QUARTERFINAL
(5) SAINT JOHN VIANNEY AT (4) DONOVAN CATHOLIC
FRIDAY, 6:30 P.M.
Donovan Catholic spent much of the regular season in the driver’s seat in this bracket posting seven straight wins before losing to Red Bank Catholic by 11 points. That one game had the Griffins stumble from the top spot to the No. 4 seed.
The Lancers have had an up and down 4-4 regular season and have the talent to give the Griffins a battle. The defense will try and slow down Donovan Catholic quarterback Ryan Clark who is one of the best dual threat signal callers in the state. Saint John Vianney has to find a way to get the ball in the hands of their dangerous skill players starting with Kavon Chambers and Jayden Bellamy.
The Lancers are capable of pulling off an upset, but they’ll need to avoid penalties and play smart. Top seed DePaul Catholic awaits the winner of this matchup.
Photo by Rich Chrampanis
NON-PUBLIC GROUP 3 QUARTERFINAL
(6) POPE JOHN AT (3) MATER DEI PREP
SATURDAY, 1 P.M.
The Seraphs had two weeks to prepare for Pope John and perhaps the most important thing for coach Dino Mangiero’s squad is to not look ahead to a match-up with Red Bank Catholic in a rematch of last year’s state championship game. Pope John is 1-8 so it would be easy to just pencil 6-3 Mater Dei into the next round. But the Lions play against the best of the best in New Jersey football (Don Bosco, Bergen Catholic and Saint Peter’s Prep to name a few). Pope John will not be intimidated by Mater Dei Prep at all. Sophomore quarterback Peter Delaportas has been picking up Division I interest and there is talent on the Lions roster.
Mater Dei has leaned on Clarence Lewis on the offensive side of the ball and the Notre Dame commit has shined in addition to his normal stellar play in the secondary. Naran Buntin is another name that has emerged as a playmaker. Everyone in the Two River area would love to see Mater Dei vs. RBC in the state semifinals and the Seraphs have the talent to make that happen, but this game may not be a rout.
