By Rich Chrampanis
RED BANK – New Jersey’s top-ranked team received all it could handle from Red Bank Catholic before escaping with a victory to close the regular season.
Ty’ire Clark’s 55-yard interception return for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter proved to be the difference as St. Peter’s Prep held off a three-touchdown fourth-quarter rally by the Caseys for a 37-34 win.
RBC led 14-6 after the opening quarter behind a 3-yard Gabe Kemp touchdown run and a spectacular 21-yard touchdown reception by Jason Barescky thrown by Rahmir Rivera. The Marauders answered with an 11-yard scoring run by Clark and Bradley Abraham’s 42-yard field goal to take a 16-14 halftime lead.
St. Peter’s created separation in the third quarter behind Abdul Turay, who turned a short pass into a 57-yard touchdown before adding a one-yard scoring run. Turay, who started his high school football career at St. John Vianney, finished with 115 rushing yards and 59 receiving yards.
Clark’s pick-six early in the fourth extended the lead to 37-14, but RBC refused to fold.
Kemp scored from three yards out, and Barecsky recovered an onside kick to give the Caseys another possession. Kemp followed with an 8-yard touchdown run, his third score of the night, to cut the deficit to 37-27 with 5:47 remaining. The sophomore finished with 135 yards on 34 carries.
After a defensive stop, Rivera escaped heavy pressure and delivered a remarkable 20-yard touchdown pass to Baresky. Suddenly, the Caseys were within three with 3:05 to play.
St. Peter’s survived another dangerous onside kick before a 45-yard quarterback run on third down by Zack Karelis secured the victory.
Red Bank Catholic closed out the regular season with a 7-3 record and earned the third seed in the Non-Public B state playoffs. The Caseys have this week off and will be home Nov. 13 to host the winner of Notre Dame and Pope John.
Five Local Teams Continue Post-Season Play
While RBC has the week off, five other teams continue their march toward a state championship. Rumson-Fair Haven and Middletown North are home, while Shore Regional, St. John Vianney and Middletown South hit the road.
Week 10 Schedule
Friday, Nov. 6
Central Group 2 Semifinal
(3) Point Pleasant Boro at (2) Rumson-Fair Haven, 6 p.m.
South Group 1 Semifinal
(5) Shore Regional at (1) Schalick, 6 p.m.
Non-Public B First Round
(9) St. John Vianney at (8) Paul VI, 6:30 p.m.
North 1 Group 4 Semifinal
(4) Middletown South at (1) Roxbury, 7 p.m.
North 2 Group 4 Semifinal
(4) Teaneck at (1) Middletown North, 7 p.m.
Week 9 Scores
Regular Season
Pope John 23, St. John Vianney 6
St. Peter’s Prep 37, Red Bank Catholic 34
Playoffs
North 1 Group 4
(4) Middletown South 21, (5) Ridge 14
North 2 Group 4
(1) Middletown North 42, (8) Watchung Hills 7
North 2 Group 3
(6) Somerville 26, (3) Holmdel 26
Central Group 2
(2) Rumson-Fair Haven 56, (7) Sterling 6
South Group 2
(5) Wall 35, (4) Monmouth Regional 0
South Group 1
(5) Shore Regional 34, (4) Manville 7
The article originally appeared in the November 5 – 11, 2026 print edition of The Two River Times.
