Caseys Hold Off Holmdel 29-28 in Shore Conference Thriller
By Rich Chrampanis
RED BANK – Red Bank Catholic’s youth movement showed it can shine brightest under pressure. Behind standout performances from freshmen quarterback Rahmir Rivera and running back Gabe Kemp, the Caseys outlasted Holmdel 29-28 in a Shore Conference showdown that lived up to its billing as a “war at the shore.”
The storyline before the game centered on Holmdel quarterback Jack Cannon, who started the night with nearly 1,200 yards and 17 touchdowns in just three games. The Dartmouth commit delivered another jaw-dropping effort, finishing with 305 total yards and four touchdowns while nearly carrying the Hornets to an upset.
It appeared the game was heading to a last-second thrilling finish or overtime drama, but in an epic battle that saw so much exciting back-and-forth action, mere inches late in the fourth quarter were the difference.
Caseys Strike First
After an early defensive stand led by star pass rusher Lorenzo Tartamella (with offers from Penn State and Notre Dame), RBC opened with a 15-play, 67-yard drive. Freshman back Rahmir Rivera capped it off with a 1-yard touchdown run, giving the Caseys a 7-0 lead after one.
Ironically, Cannon’s first big moment came not on a throw or run but on a punt. He pinned the Caseys at the 2-yard line, setting the stage for Luke Scheiss to sack Rivera in the end zone for a safety. Cannon then engineered a scoring drive, connecting with Carmine Aliperti for a 2-yard strike and an 8-7 lead.
But RBC’s aerial attack countered. Rivera found Jason Berecsky on a 27-yard catch-and-run, a bubble screen set up by a fantastic block from Chris Gibson, and the Caseys reclaimed a 14-8 advantage late in the half.
Cannon Steals The Show Before The Break
Just when RBC seemed in control, Cannon delivered one of the season’s most electrifying plays. Breaking three tackles, reversing field and sprinting 52 yards to the end zone, the senior gave Holmdel a 15-14 halftime lead and reminded everyone why he’s one of New Jersey’s most dangerous players.
Freshmen Shine Under The Lights
Rivera and Kemp took over in the third quarter. Rivera fired a dart to Dan Zabora – the Air Force commit finished with 102 receiving yards – and hit TJ Walsh for a critical 2-point conversion to put RBC up 22-15. Rivera showed the poise of a veteran on these two plays. He was nearly sacked before he sprinted to the other side of the field and fired a bullet to the sure-handed Zabora; his play-action fake set up the two points, which would prove to be critical down the stretch.
Cannon answered with an 80-yard drive, sneaking in for his second rushing score to tie the game at 22. But when he briefly left with a bloody nose late in the third, RBC seized momentum. Cannon returned to start the fourth quarter but the drive stalled inside the 10.
Early in the fourth, Kemp exploded for a dazzling 48-yard touchdown run to give the Caseys a 29-22 lead. Kemp spent most of the game picking up chunks of yardage but his biggest impact came with the game on the line.
“My coach in youth football, we used to play across the country. He told me to be patient,” Kemp said. “It’s not always gonna come on the first run or the second run. It might come in the fourth quarter. Just be patient and follow your holes, follow your blocks and it’ll come to you.”
Heartbreak for Holmdel
Cannon returned to the field to deliver yet another touchdown – his third on the ground – pulling Holmdel within one with 2:39 to go. But the Hornets’ extra point attempt hooked just wide right. RBC recovered the ensuing onside kick to secure a nail-biting 29-28 win, locking up a 5-0 start to the season.
FINAL NUMBERS AND TAKEAWAYS
Red Bank Catholic (5-0): Rivera went 14-of-17 for 189 yards, two touchdowns, plus a rushing score. Kemp carried 24 times for 178 yards and the game-winner.
Holmdel (3-1): Cannon completed 21-of-26 passes for 213 yards, added 92 rushing yards, and accounted for four touchdowns.
With the win, RBC cemented itself as the Shore’s top team heading into October. For Holmdel, Cannon continues to show that he’s among the very best players in all of New Jersey. The Hornets are in a position to make a deep playoff run when the postseason gets going.
The article originally appeared in the October 2 – October 8, 2025 print edition of The Two River Times.
