Red Bank Clinches B North Title With Win over Long Branch

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By Jim Hintelmann
LITTLE SILVER – Only one game remains for unbeaten Red Bank Regional to complete its greatest football season since 1975 after the Bucs won their first B North championship since 1977 with a 35-12 victory over Long Branch Thanksgiving Day.
Red Bank and Rumson-Fair Haven Regional will play for the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III championship Saturday at Rutgers University with the Bucs seeking their first sectional title since 1975, when it took a memorable 46-44 victory over Hightstown in a battle of unbeaten teams.
It was Red Bank’s first win over Long Branch in four years and with it the return of the Ty Lewis Trophy, which is given to the winner of this game. The trophy is in memory of former Red Bank coach Ty Lewis, who passed away in 1990.
“This is tremendous for the whole community to win the trophy back,” said Buc coach Nick Giglio. “They deserve it, but I also take my hat off to Long Branch. They did their part in this rivalry and now we had to do their part.”
It took Red Bank almost a half to settle down as two turnovers slowed down the Bucs’ usual potent offense, but they broke it open with three touchdowns in the third quarter.
It was Long Branch, however, that scored first following a short Buc punt that rolled dead on the Buc 29. Five plays later, Brendan Lane scored on a 3-yard run to put the Green Wave in front, 6-0.
Red Bank finally got moving following the kickoff as it marched 72-yards in 13 plays with Akim Godsey scoring on a 2-yard run. Jack O’Connor kicked the first of five extra points and it was all Red Bank thereafter.

Tyrese Morris (11) of RBR tries to breakaway from a Long Branch defender. Photo: Sean Simmons
Tyrese Morris (11) of RBR tries to breakaway from a Long Branch defender. Photo: Sean Simmons

“We didn’t change too much at halftime,” said Giglio, “We just made a few adjustments. I was proud of the team.”
Red Bank made it 13-6 on its first series of the second half with Godsey closing out a 7-play, 52 yard drive with a 22-yard run up the middle.
Jeff Reardon set up the next Buc touchdown by returning an interception to the Long Branch 23. Three plays later, quarterback Jack Navitksy threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to Sadiq Palmer, who made a leaping one-handed catch in the end zone.
“This is awesome, “ said Navitsky. “We‘ve waited so long for this and now we have it under our belts. It’s great to have Rumson back on our schedule in the playoffs.
“Winning today was one of our goals this season,” he said. “Now we can get ready for Rumson.”
Palmer scored the next Buc touchdown on the following series with a 4-yard run and Michael DeCristefaro added the final touchdown on a 3-yard run.
“Right now we are just going to celebrate this victory,” said Giglio. “Being the B North champions is something that hasn’t happened to us in 38 years.”
“Red Bank is a very good defensive team,” said Long Branch coach Jack George. “They also seem to execute better each week.”
Red Bank’ defense, which has allowed only 101 points in 11 games, has been a big factor in the Bucs’ success this season.
“We’ve been able to put a lot of athletic kids out on the field,” said Giglio, “but we don’t have too much size.”