Rumson-Fair Haven has been thisclose to an NJSIAA football group championship the last two seasons. It was defeated by a combined five points by Caldwell and Westwood in the championship games. Both Caldwell and Westwood finished 13-0.
The final 2024 football game involving a Shore Conference team gives the Bulldogs a chance to make it to the top - in the Group 2 final tonight against Shabazz (also the Bulldogs).
Stay here for live game updates.
NJISAA PUBLIC SCHOOL GROUP FINALS
Wednesday, Dec. 4 at Rutgers
Group 2
Shabazz vs. Rumson-Fair Haven, 4 p.m.
Murray looks ready to go
Rumson-Fair Haven running back Kellen Murray has a wrap (almost a club) on his hand and wrist but looks ready to go.
We got you covered
Can't be at Rutgers to watch Rumson-Fair Haven take on Shabazz today? Well we got good news. Follow along with our live blog, as we bring you the latest updates today. APP sports writers Jake Matson (@jakematson), Steven Falk (@smfalk) and Steve Edelson (@steveedelsonapp) will be on the sidelines getting the latest news.
The Bulldogs are here
Well both Bulldogs are here. But here are the Rumson-Fair Haven Bulldogs.
Shabazz gets first ball.
Shabazz takes the opening kickoff and has driven it to the red zone.
Rumson-Fair Haven makes a stop
Rumson's Ben Gredell fourth-down sack at the Rumson 11 ends a good opening drive by Malcolm X. Shabazz, taking the opening kickoff and driving 55 yards before the Rumson defense rose up.
RFH fails to make a move
After stopping Shabazz in the red zone, Rumson-Fair Haven went three and out on its opening drive. The Bulldogs punt it back to the Bulldogs, Shabazz ball midway through first quarter.
Shabazz leads Rumson-Fair Haven 8-0, first quarter
Shabazz strikes first on a third-and-13 73-yard screen over the middle from Romelo Tables to Jalon Cline and then Porter ran in for the 2-point conversion on a Wildcat run. Shabazz leads, 8-0 with 4:41 left in first quarter.
Shabazz moving the ball against Rumson-Fair Haven
Shabazz has had two drives and both times it marched it straight down the field. The first time, the end result was a turnover on downs. But it found the end zone on the second drive thanks to the long pass. Rumson-Fair Haven needs some first downs to keep the defense off the field.
Rumson-Fair Haven drives, but doesn't score
Rumson-Fair Haven drives to the Shabazz 9, where on third-and-goal Omari Gaines intercepted an Owen O'Toole pass at the goal-line. The interception came one play after Shabazz dropped an INT that it probably would have returned for a TD. Instead, it'll take over deep in its territory.
End of first quarter, Shabazz 8, Rumson-Fair Haven 0
We are through 12 minutes, and Shebazz has the lead. It could have been worse. On top of dropping an interception that could have went for a touchdown, Shabazz had a wide-open 75-yard TD pass, but the receiver dropped the ball.
Rumson-Fair Haven driving
A Kellen Murray 16-yard run moves Rumson to the Shabazz 26. Its 26 yards away from potentially tying the game.
Rumson-Fair Haven gets on the board
O'Toole sneaks it in from one-yard out and Rumson-Fair Haven is on the board. It went for two and was turned away. Shabazz leads 8-6 early in the second quarter.
Shabazz driving
After giving up points on RFH's first drive, Shabazz is moving the ball. On a 3rd and 12, Tables scrambles for 18 yards and a Shabazz 1st down at the RFH 35. Shabazz leads 8-6.
Shabazz leads Rumson-Fair Haven 16-6
On a third-and-6 at the RFH 31, Tables scrambles to his right to avoid the rush and hits a wide-open Talib McLean in the back of the end zone for the TD and a Porter to Ian Adrien 2-point conversion pass makes it 16-6 Shabazz 5:34 left in the first half.
RFH on the move
An Arthur Tambaro 40-yard kickoff return puts RFH in Shabazz territory. And O'Toole hits Thomas for a 26-yard pass to the Shabazz 7. RFH is trailing by 10, but in business.
Shabazz 16, Rumson-Fair Haven 13
Kellen Murray with a 7-yard TD run pulls RFH within 16-13 with 4:40 left in the first half.
RFH getting the ball back
After cutting Shabazz's lead to three, RFH is getting the ball back. An illegal procedure on a fourth-and-1 from the Shabazz 39 results in a Shabazz punt. Rumson takes over on its 34 with 2:41 left first half. And now the RFH Bulldogs are driving. A pass interference penalty gives RFH a first down at the Shabazz 49.
Rumson was going to punt on a fourth-and-5, but it rushed its offense back on the field and O'Toole hits tight end Jack Gymesi for 16 yards. Then a defensive holding penalty moves RFH to the Shabazz 18. RFH in business right before halftime.
RFH takes the lead
Murray's 18-yard TD run gives Rumson-Fair Haven a 20-16 lead with 1:28 left first half. It's the first lead for RFH.
Rumson-Fair Haven holds 20-16 halftime lead
After falling behind 16-6, RFH scored the final two touchdowns of the first half and go into intermission with a four-point lead. The RFH Bulldogs are 24 minutes of football away from a state championship. They can add to the lead too, RFH gets the ball coming out of halftime.
Some halftime stats from the great Steven Falk: Kellen Murray has 12 carries for 84 yards and 2 TDs, O'Toole is 7-for-12 for 86 yards and has 16 yards rushing and a TD. Shabazz has a 191-185 edge in yards. RFH has 13 1st downs to 5. Shabazz has eight penalties for 65 yards. RFH has two penalties for 10 yards
Second half underway, RFH drive stalls
RFH drives to a 1st down to the Shabazz 31 before Shabazz defense stiffens and forces RFH to punt on a fourth and 16.
Shabazz is driving
A Tables swing pass to Adrien on a third-and-8 nets 25 and a Shabazz first down at its 47 yard line.
Both teams moving the ball, no scoring in 2nd half
Rumson does not convert a fourth-and-8 from the Shabazz 39. Shabazz takes over with 3:39 left third quarter.
Rumson-Fair Haven gets the ball back
Shabazz's pass attempt on a fourth and 11 from the RFH 36 falls incomplete. RFH takes over with 1:03 left 3rd quarter with a 20-16 lead. They're 13:03 way from a state crown with the lead and the ball.
Rumson-Fair Haven 20, Shabazz 16 headed to fourth quarter
There was no scoring in the third quarter, and the RFH Bulldogs have the ball and a fresh set of downs as the fourth quarter begins. They're on the Shabazz 48 with a four-point lead. RFH 20, Shabazz 16.
Shabazz gets a stop
RFH didn't get too far on its drive and has to punt it back to Shabazz. After a high-scoring first half, the two teams have been unable to get it going offensively in the second half.
RFH gets a stop
The Shabazz Bulldogs didn't do much with the ball and they're forced to punt it back to RFH. The RFH Bulldogs have the ball and the lead, early fourth quarter. And RFH advanced the ball. Rumson has a fourth-and 7 at the Shabazz 34 with 6:35 left. RFH calls its second time out before the fourth down play. A huge play coming up.
RFH drive continues
O'Toole hits Carson Memmott for 22 and a first down at the 12 and then Thomas runs for 9 to the 3. A touchdown would give RFH a nice lead late in the game.
RFH takes commanding lead
Murray runs for 3 and the TD to give Rumson-Fair Haven a 26-16 lead late in the fourth quarter. RFH Bulldogs are in position to win this game. It was Murray's third TD of the game.
RFH gets ball back
After taking the commanding lead, RFH forced a turnover on the next Shabazz drive when Beau Devine picked off a pass. RFH ball with a 10 point lead.
Shabazz drives
The Shabazz Bulldogs have advanced it inside the RFH 10-yard line. A touchdown would get them back in the game, but they still have work to do and better do it in a hurry RFH holds 26-16 lead. Shabazz has the ball at the 7 yard line, but there's less than 30 seconds left. RFH is in great shape.
Shabazz cashes in
A Romelo Tables to Talib McLean 7-yard TD and Tables to Daveion Porter 2-point conversion pass pulls Shabazz within 26-24 with 17 seconds remaining. If RFH recovers the onside kick, it will clinch the championship.
Shabazz recovers the onside kick
The third time was the charm! Shabazz recovers the onside kick, but it only went 8 yards and not 10, so its RFH ball and they will take a knee and wins, 26-24. Rumson-Fair Haven are your Group 2 champions!
Time for RFH to celebrate!
RFH wins 26-24 and win its first overall Group 2 state championship after being defeated by a combined five points in the last two Group 2 finals. It is also the Bulldogs' first unbeaten season since they went 7-0 in 1959
Friday, Nov. 29 at MetLife Stadium
Group 5
Toms River North 41, Union City 14