By Rich Chrampanis
Every day that goes by, the anticipation builds. With the fear of the season being shut down due to the coronavirus, area high school football teams are anxiously awaiting the start of the reduced 2020 season. Squads returned to the practice field this week and will get one scrimmage game next week before the season commences.
Playoff Update
The two-week postseason will not allow traditional sectional titles for public schools or state championships for Non-Public teams. The NJSIAA’s League and Conferences Committee officially calls the shortened playoffs “Postseason Groupings” and will leave the matchups up to the schedule makers and president of each major conference. Locally that means teams have until Nov. 2 to declare for the playoffs. Following the end of the regular season, the Shore Conference schedule makers and president will set four-team “pods” that will play during the two-week span. While there are no true champs, the top four teams in the Shore playing for an unofficial conference championship would be fun to watch as it comes together in November.
A shortened season magnifies every week even more so than in previous years. With that, here are 10 games involving Two River teams that should garner plenty of headlines.
Mater Dei Prep at Red Bank Catholic
Week One – Friday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m.
What a way to start the season. It’s a rematch of last year’s Seraphs 10-3 win on the road in the Non-Public Group 3 semifinals. Anthony Borriello and RBC will get a tough test to try and put points up on the board against Mater Dei Prep’s defense which features three FBS talents on the defensive line. Their previous two meetings were late in the state playoffs which makes the 2020 opener a little more special.
Barnegat at Shore Regional
Week Two – Friday, Oct. 9 at 7 p.m.
This is the fifth straight year the Bengals battle the Blue Devils in an Ocean/Monmouth showdown. Barnegat has won the last three meetings but every single game has been close. Shore RB Shane McLaughlin (Harvard) will be a fun player to watch and has a chance to put up big numbers in his senior year.
Rumson-Fair Haven at Red Bank Catholic
Week Three – Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.
John Volker (TD run, TD catch) and Ryan Ruane (pick six TD) stole the show in RFH’s 20-14 win over the Caseys in the 2019 season opener. For RBC, it’s the third straight game with a chance to avenge a loss from last year.
Red Bank Regional at Holmdel
Week Three – Friday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m.
The Hornets scored a pair of wins over the Bucs in 2019. Half of RBR’s losses last year came at the hands of Holmdel including a 22-14 loss in the first round of the state playoffs. The Hornets have a massive offensive line and speed in the backfield. Red Bank Regional will have no problems getting motivated for this road test.
Middletown South at Mater Dei Prep
Week Three – Saturday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m.
The Eagles play a tough schedule year in and year out. Mater Dei Prep will always get a team’s best shot as the Seraphs have become a consistent state ranked squad. Middletown South relishes the underdog role and has proven time and time again that they are capable of pulling off a stunner. A win at Mater Dei would fit the bill.
Middletown South at Rumson-Fair Haven
Week Four – Friday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.
Speaking of Middletown South capable of pulling off an upset, last year’s 20-3 win at Rumson-Fair Haven was one of the most impressive victories in 2019. John Volker did not play in that game due to a broken bone in his foot. Having the senior running back (Princeton) on the field this time around gives RFH a much greater chance to score more than a field goal.
Holmdel at St. John Vianney
Week Four – Friday, Oct. 23 at 7 p.m.
The crosstown schools meet up for the first time since 2017. The Lancers have a seven-game win streak against Holmdel. The Hornets have a chance to be competitive against their Non-Public neighbor for the first time in nearly a decade.
Photo by Rich Chrampanis
Middletown North at Middletown South
Week Five – Friday, Oct. 30 at 7 p.m.
Forty-five years of Thanksgiving football goes away for the moment as the battle of Middletown moves to Week Five due to the pandemic and the change in schedule. The Eagles lead the rivalry series 32-12-1, including a 21-7 win last Thanksgiving.
Rumson-Fair Haven at Mater Dei Prep
Week Five – Saturday, Oct. 31 at 1 p.m.
The Bulldogs 21-16 win over the Seraphs was one of the Shore Conference games of the year in 2019 and the 2020 version has the potential to be the same. The winner of this game could secure a spot in a potential “top pod” of four teams that could contend for an unofficial Shore Conference championship.
Red Bank Regional at Long Branch
Week Six – Friday, Nov. 6 at 7 p.m.
After 97 years, the Bucs and Green Wave Thanksgiving Day game is on hold this year. RBC and Saint John Vianney have scheduled a game for Thanksgiving eve along with other schools around the state. Will Middletown North/South and RBR/Long Branch move back to their traditional spots? Stay tuned.
The article originally appeared in the September 17 – 23, 2020 print edition of The Two River Times.
