Our picks as Rumson-Fair Haven, Toms River North go for NJSIAA football championships
It will be an historic weekend at Rutgers University's SHI Stadium.
For the first time, NJSIAA public school state football champions will be decided on the field.
Until 1974, NJSIAA awarded championships. Beginning in 1974, when Brick defeated Camden 21-20 in the South Group 4 championship game indoors at Boardwalk Hall, Atlantic City, sectional championships were won on the field.
But, sectional championships were as far as the public school playoffs went through 2017. The non-public playoffs have played out to state group champions since 1993. In 2018, 2019 and 2021 (there were no playoffs in 2020 due to the pandemic), North and South regional championship games were added.
Now, the final step has finally been added. Five public school group championship games will be played. Groups 1, 3 and 4 will be played Saturday. Groups 2 and 5 will be played Sunday.
More:NJSIAA football finals: Toms River North, Rumson showcase golden age of Shore QBs
Rumson-Fair Haven (Group 2) and unbeaten and high-scoring Toms River North (Group 5) will be the first Shore Conference public schools to try and become NJSIAA group champions.
For Rumson-Fair Haven, it would be a crowning moment for what has been one of the Shore's most consistent programs since 2010. The Bulldogs have won seven sectional championships, a regional title and appeared in 11 sectional championship games since 2010.
Toms River North is trying to complete what would be one of the most powerful seasons any Shore Conference team has had.
Here are previews and selections for the Group 2 and 5 championship games.
NJSIAA GROUP 2 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: Rumson-Fair Haven (8-4) vs. Caldwell (12-0)
SUNDAY AT 12 P.M. AT SHI STADIUM, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN GAME-BY GAME RESULTS
Lost to Toms River North 40-27
Defeated Donovan Catholic 21-0
Defeated Wall 44-20
Defeated Manalapan 14-10
Defeated Southern 27-0
Lost to Middletown South 27-21
Defeated Freehold 42-6
Lost to Red Bank Catholic 42-14
Defeated Monmouth 37-0
Defeated Oakcrest 28-6
Defeated Raritan 34-27, 2 OT
Defeated Willingboro 42-6
RUMSON-FAIR HAVEN KEY PLAYERS
Owen O'Toole (So., QB., 144-267-1,949, 25 TDs, 7 INT)
Nick Rigby (Jr., WR., 51-680, 7 TDs).
Scott Venancio (Sr., WR., 36-658, 11 TDs).
Ryan Kalman (Sr., DB., 54 tackles, 6 INTs, 1 INT return for a TD).
Luke Mikolajczyk (Sr., LB., 123 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 2 INT).
Marshall Halfacre (Sr., DL., 65.5 tackles, 13.5 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 forced fumbles).
Cooper Bunnell (Jr., DL., 98 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 2 fumble recoveries).
Reed Elsas (Jr., LB., 95 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 1 fumble recovery).
Beau Kemler (Sr., DB., 42 tackles, 3 INT, 1 fumble recovery, 2 forced fumbles).
Alastair Orr (Jr., RB., 124-498, 12 TDs).
CALDWELL GAME-BY-GAME RESULTS
Defeated Morris Catholic 47-14
Defeated Pequannock 48-0
Defeated Verona 42-20
Defeated West Essex 16-13
Defeated Hanover Park 35-7
Defeated Madison 35-7
Defeated Cedar Grove 28-7
Defeated Mountain Lakes 35-14
Defeated High Point 41-0
Defeated Ramsey 42-7
Defeated Newton 35-7
Defeated Westwood 13-7
CALDWELL KEY PLAYERS
Luke Zurzum (Sr., QB., 104-148-1,641, 16 TDs, 4 INT passing, 44-333, 3 TDs rushing).
Henry Boland (Sr., RB/DB., 45-645, 7 TDs receiving, 72-476, 16 TDs rushing, 94 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks, 1 INT, 1 fumble return for a TD on defense).
Joey Marinello (Jr., RB/DB., 156-1,037, 13 TDs rushing, 5-60 receiving, 98 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 3 INT, 3 INT returns for TDs, 1 forced fumble on defense).
Lucas Lattimer (Sr., WR/DB., 36-741, 7 TDs receiving, 7-40 rushing, 3 INTs, 1 INT return for a TD on defense).
Julian Casale (Jr., LB., 103 tackles, 33 tackles for a loss, 9 sacks).
Louie Anemore (Jr., WR/DB., 9-128 receiving, 44-302, 4 TDs receiving, 32 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss, 3 INT on defense).
Ryan Lawrence (Sr., WR/QB/DB., 11-177, 3 TDs receiving, `10-18-164, 1 TD, 2 INT passing, 17 tackles, 1 fumble recovery on defense).
Mike Fano (Sr., DL, 32 tackles, 14 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks, 1 forced fumble).
Michael Mignone (So., LB., 56 tackles, 19 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 2 INT).
Marc Simone (Sr., LB., 29 tackles, 11 tackles for a loss, 1 sack).
OUTLOOK:
Rumson-Fair Haven looks to complete what had looked like a transition season with the first Group 2 state championship.
Standing in the Bulldogs' way is a program that has been the best Group 2 program in the state the last two seasons. Caldwell, ranked No. 6 in the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Top 25, has the state's longest current winning streak at 27.
However, while Caldwell is favored, Rumson-Fair Haven will not be awed.
The Bulldogs have faced unbeaten and Group 5 finalist Toms River North, Non-Public B finalist Red Bank Catholic, Central Group 4 finalist Middletown South and Non-Public A quarterfinalist Donovan Catholic. They also rallied from a 27-10 deficit after three quarters against Raritan in the South Group 2 championship game.
The drop to Group 2 after being classified as a Group 3 school since 2015 has also helped Rumson-Fair Haven.
Rumson-Fair Haven struggled at times during the season to run the ball and to stop the run.
Except for the Raritan game, where Raritan senior running back Kieran Falzon ran for over 300 yards and three TDs, the Bulldogs' run defense has been solid in the playoffs.
Rumson-Fair Haven's running game has also been solid in the playoffs, except for the Raritan game where it was in a come-from-behind situation.
The Bulldogs' dominated the line of scrimmage and took full advantage of having the wind at its back in the second and third quarters against Willingboro in the state semifinal.
More:Rumson-Fair Haven football powers its way to Group 2 state championship game
But, for much of the season, Rumson-Fair Haven's offense has revolved around O'Toole and his receiving corps. O'Toole has shown composure and the ability to make plays under pressure all season. The Bulldogs scored the most points Toms River North has allowed all season.
Rumson-Fair Haven will have to match Caldwell's physicality. Caldwell has good size, has some good athletes and is balanced offensively.
Caldwell has also played a solid schedule. The only defeat for Mountain Lakes, which is in the Group 1 championship game, was to Caldwell. Westwood and Newton's only defeats are to Caldwell. Westwood, Newton and Mountain Lakes are ranked No. 14, 23 and 24 in the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Top 25.
One advantage Rumson-Fair Haven may have is most of its key players only play on one side of the ball while many of Caldwell's key players go on both sides.
THE PICK: Caldwell.
NJSIAA GROUP 5 CHAMPIONSHIP GAME: Toms River North (13-0) vs. Passaic Tech (11-2)
SUNDAY AT 3 P.M. AT SHI STADIUM, RUTGERS UNIVERSITY
TOMS RIVER NORTH GAME-BY-GAME RESULTS
Defeated Washington Township 28-21
Defeated Rumson-Fair Haven 40-27
Defeated Southern 42-0
Defeated Central 64-0
Defeated Long Branch 42-7
Defeated Toms River South 60-0
Defeated Lacey 55-0
Defeated Toms River East 70-6
Defeated Middletown North 50-6
Defeated Old Bridge 49-7
Defeated Marlboro 42-6
Defeated Kingsway 48-14
Defeated Edison 42-14
More:A football steamroller: More records set by Toms River North in playoff knockout of Edison
TOMS RIVER NORTH KEY PLAYERS
Micah Ford (Jr., QB/DB., 213-2,251, 33 TDs rushing, 51-82-1,086, 14 TDs, 2 INT passing, 74 tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 4 INTs, 1 INT return for a TD, 1 forced fumble).
Josh Moore (Jr., RB/DB., 99-926, 11 TDs rushing, 4-103, 1 TD receiving, 16 tackles, 3 INT on defense).
Jeremiah Pruitt (Jr., DB/WR., 13-267, 2 TDs receiving, 45-320, 8 TDs rushing, 84 tackles, 12.5 tackles for a loss, 1 sack, 6 INT, 2 INT returns for TDs, 1 fumble recovery, 1 fumble return for a TD, 1 forced fumble).
Ja'Elyne Matthews (So., OL/DL., 40 tackles, 9.5 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 INT on defense).
Ty Kazanowsky (Sr., TE/LB., 88 tackles, 23.5 tackles for a loss, 6 sacks on defense, 3-37 receiving).
Ty Boland (Sr., LB., 68 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks).
Anthony Rodriguez (Jr., LB., 88 tackles, 15.5 tackles for a loss, 1.5 sacks, 1 INT).
Nasir Jackson (So., WR/KR/DB., 8-218, 2 TDs receiving, 2 kick returns for a TD, 1 punt return for a TD, 14 tackles, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 INT on defense).
Josh Kaye (Sr., C., DL., 16 tackles, 1 tackle for a loss on defense
Nicholas Baiocco (Sr., OL/DL., 55 tackles, 15 tackles for a loss, 3 sacks on defense).
PASSAIC TECH GAME-BY-GAME RESULTS
Defeated Bridgewater-Raritan 32-7
Defeated Union City 6-3
Defeated Passaic 42-0
Defeated West Orange 12-6
Lost to Ridgewood 12-7
Defeated Columbia by forfeit
Defeated Clifton 21-3
Defeated East Orange 19-13
Lost to Paterson Eastside 7-6
Defeated Morristown 27-7
Defeated Clifton 21-14
Defeated Union City 14-7
Defeated West Orange 21-7
PASSAIC TECH KEY PLAYERS
Trashon Dye (Jr., RB/LB., 230-1,159, 10 TDs rushing, 129 tackles, 8.5 tackles for a loss, 4 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 3 forced fumbles on defense).
Cashmere Jones (Jr., RB/DL., 73-478, 5 TDs rushing, 13-136, 1 TD receiving, 102 tackles, 2 INT, 1 fumble recovery, 2 forced fumbles on defense).
Jovan Tyrell (Jr., WR/LB., 18-188, 2 TDs receiving, 45 tackles, 3 INT on defense).
Ma'Kao Taylor (Jr., QB., 32-48-454, 3 TDs, 4 INT passing, 40-181, 2 TDs rushing).
Jordan Alston (Jr., LB., 108 tackles, 9 tackles for a loss, 2 sacks).
Travon Dye (Jr., RB/LB., 54-299, 8 TDs rushing, 5-43 1 TD receiving, 50 tackles, 8 tackles for a loss, 4.5 sacks).
Eric Jackson (Sr., DB/WR., 82 tackles, 5 tackles for a loss, 2 fumble recoveries, 6-85 receiving).
Kaiden Rex (Jr., DL/TE., 65 tackles, 7.5 tackles for a loss, 5.5 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 forced fumble).
Qumar Ayscue (Sr., OL/DL., 60 tackles, 2 sacks, 5 tackles for a loss, 1 INT).
Michael Kiritsis (Sr., WR., 19-308, 1 TD).
OUTLOOK:
It is the classic matchup of a great offense against a great defense.
Toms River North has scored 632 points for an average of 48.2 points a game. According to South Jersey historian Chuck Langerman, the Mariners have set the state record for points in a season. Penns Grove's 2012 team had the previous record of 621 in a 12-game season. Toms River North's record came with the benefit of the extra game.
Passaic Tech has allowed just 86 points in 12 on the field games for an average of 7.2 points allowed.
It is obvious what type of game benefits which team. A track meet benefits Toms River North. A slugfest benefits Passaic Tech. Passaic Tech has the best defense Toms River North has faced and Toms River North has the best offense Passaic Tech has faced.
Toms River North has not been in a game that was competitive in the fourth quarter since Rumson-Fair Haven on Sept. 3 and Washington Township on Aug. 27 is the only game the Mariners have played that was decided by under 10 points.
The Mariners will be short-handed. Junior wide receiver/cornerback Tareq Council will have to sit out because he was ejected in the semifinal. Council is the team's leading receiver with 24 receptions for 516 yards and nine TDs and has 29 tackles, three interceptions and an interception return for a TD.
Passaic Tech's defense, which is athletic, has great size and is physical, will have to try and contain Ford running quarterback power behind Toms River North's big and mobile offensive line. That is a lot easier said than done because Ford is hard to find behind the big offensive line and he is quick at hitting the hole and makes great decisions once he gets into the hole.
Ford has rushed for 1,063 yards and 14 TDs in the four playoff games.
According to Langerman, Ford is just the fourth quarterback in state history to rush for more than 2,000 yards and throw for more than 1,000 in the same season. The others are Old Tappan's Devin Fuller and Paramus' John Robertson in 2010 and Freehold's Ashante Worthy in 2017.
And if defenses get too concerned with trying to contain Ford, then Moore is capable of stinging them with inside zone read runs.
Toms River North has rushed for 4,074 yards and 61 TDs on 417 attempts and has 5,367 yards of total offense and 77 TDs.
Ford has been efficient throwing the ball, but he has not been in a position where he has had to throw the ball because the Mariners' powerful running game has always dictated things. Ford has only attempted 18 passes in the four playoff games.
The Bulldogs rely heavily on the run, especially the power running of Trashon Dye. Dye will line up in the "Wildcat'' late in games when Passaic Tech is trying to run out the clock late in games. Dye ran for 210 yards and two TDs on 37 carries in the state semifinal.
Toms River North, which has allowed only 108 points, has probably not faced a running attack as physical as Passaic Tech's.
Taylor took over as quarterback when the playoffs started. Passaic Tech has struggled to throw the ball at times.
The questions that have hovered over Toms River North remain:
How will it react if a game is up for grabs in the fourth quarter?
2. Will the penchant for committing penalties, especially personal fouls finally become costly?
The Pick: Toms River North
This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore NJ Football: Picks on Rumson-FH, TR North state title games
