Rumson-FH holds Off Raritan Challenge For Sixth Win

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Linebacker Max Pfrang (55) of RFH tackles Raritan running back Derek Ernst. Photo: Ottie Lynne Paterson
Linebacker Max Pfrang (55) of RFH tackles Raritan running back Derek Ernst. Photo: Ottie Lynne Paterson

By Jim Hintelmann
HAZLET – Rumson-Fair Haven Regional rolled to easy victories in its first five wins, but the Bulldogs were given a severe test by Raritan in Friday’s B North football game.
Rumson, though, met the challenge, but just barely, in a 21-20 victory to remain the top seed in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III playoffs.
“Raritan played its best game of the season,” said Rumson coach Bryan Batchler. “It was not our best defensive game of the season and they gave us all we could handle, but we played well enough to win.”
The big play in the game came with three minutes remaining after Raritan quarterback Marc Carnivale threw a 38-yard touchdown pass to Jordan Smith which cut the Red Bank lead to 21-20.
The Raritan Rockets lost 21-29 in a nailbiter to Rumson-Fair Haven Friday. Photo: Ottie Lynne Paterson
The Raritan Rockets lost 21-29 in a nailbiter to Rumson-Fair
Haven Friday. Photo: Ottie Lynne Paterson

Raritan chose to go for the two points and Carnivale, on a fake extra point attempt, passed to Smith, but Rumson’s Mike Murdock knocked down the pass to preserve the lead.
“Mike made a great play on that pass,” said Batchler. “I thought that they would go with a fake kick and Mike read it perfectly.
“I anticipated that it would be a fake kick,” said Murdock, “but I was right there to make the tackle.”
Rumson dominated most of the first half and took a 6-0 lead midway in the second quarter on quarterback Mike O’Connor’s 48-yard keeper, but the point after failed.
Bryan Hess, who had a fine game in the rushing department with 137 yards in 26 carries, made it 13-0 minutes later with a 38-yard touchdown down the right sidelines.
“The offensive line stepped up and made some big blocks,” said Hess, who replaced the injured Matt Vecchiarelli. “Raritan is a strong team, but we made some big stops.”
“Hess is a good running back but I’m not surprised,” said Batchler. “He had some big games against Manasquan and Long Branch. I hope Vecchiarelli is back soon.”
Although down 13-0, Raritan wasn’t going to give up and it scored on a 2-yard run after Carnivale set up with a 38-yard pass to Smith. Tom Toth converted to make it 13-7.
Raritan kept the pressure on and took the lead early in the third quarter on a 68-yard run by Derek Ernst, who rushed for 113 yards in 13 carries, and Toth’s point after.
“They caught in a blitz on that play, but Ernst is a very good runner,” said Batchler.
Rumson came back once more and regained the lead, 21-14 on a five-yard touchdown pass from O’Connor to Mike Ruane on a fourth and two play late in the third quarter, O’Connor passed to Colin Pavluk for what turned out to be the winning two point conversion. That set up the exciting fourth quarter.
Rumson (6-1) makes a trip to Holmdel this Friday. Raritan, which is still hoping for an NJSIAA playoff berth is 3-4.