RUMSON -- For the past two seasons, the resilience of Rumson-Fair Haven football was part of the program's impressive identity. The Bulldogs could take their lumps while battling the "bigger" programs of the former American Division, finishing 4-4 in the regular season both years, and using that experience to fuel their postseason runs as they made it the state final both years.
This year, Rumson has been the bigger program. And the No. 2 Bulldogs (7-0) proved it once more on Friday night as their offense was unstoppable and their defense was lights out in the second half of a 56-32 win over No. 10 Donovan Catholic - overcoming a huge night by Donovan's Michael Thomas, a Rutgers commit, with 278 yards rushing, three touchdown runs and a touchdown pass.
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"Donovan's definitely a great program, and we haven't been in a shootout like that in a while," said running back Kellen Murray. "That was kind of our first big test of the year, and it kind of showed who we are as a team — stepping up and making big plays when we needed to."
It was an impressive display of the sheer talent on both sides as the teams traded haymakers offensively. But it was the Bulldogs' defense that produced the knockout blow: a 36-yard pick six by senior Evan Ridgeway to extend the lead to 49-32 in the fourth quarter and put the game out of reach for the explosive Donovan offense.
"I was hurt for the drive before that, so I know my team needed me. I had to step up," said Ridgway. "I just came in, sat in my zone and saw the out route coming and jumped it. Took it to the house."
It was the pinnacle moment of a great half of football for the Rumson defense, which held the Griffins to just six points in the second half. All the while, the no-huddle offense repeatedly marched down the field as Donovan Catholic could only muster one stop the entire night (on the Bulldogs opening possession).
It was an impressive showing against a talented Donovan squad that boasts arguably the best senior football recruit and best junior football recruit in the state. Those stars had their moments, but the ability of Rumson to meet that challenge is a new dimension of confidence for the perennial contender. No longer in the same division, the two Shore powers sought out each other this season.
"We have a nice little rivalry. I'm friends with that staff and they're good guys. So playing in a game like this, we requested that," said head coach Jeremy Schulte. "I'm always a believer in iron sharpens iron."
It's safe to say the Bulldogs are as sharp as they've ever been. The unbeaten squad understands the importance of a week-to-week mindset, but there's no denying some of the excitement around the current immaculate record.
"We're just taking it one week at a time. But we know that RFH hasn't had an undefeated season ever I'm pretty sure," said Murray. "We're definitely trying to chase that and be the first team to do that."
Rumson has had four one-loss seasons (11-1 in 2013 most recently) but has never had a perfect season.
Michael Thomas steals the show for Donovan in defeat
As impressive as the Bulldogs were in ultimately getting the victory, there is no denying who was the singular star of the night. The Shore's perennial star, Rutgers recruit Micheal Thomas, put in an iconic performance for the Griffins in his first game back from injury.
It started on the team's first play of the game. At their own 6-yard line after a goal line stop, Thomas came out at quarterback in the wildcat formation clad in his customized Rutgers cleats. He put them to good use as he darted up the middle in a hole cleared by star junior Kai Pritchard and went 94 yards to the house. The star senior's day wasn't even close to finished.
Rumson had their own star receiver bearing the name Thomas who put on a show, as Nick Thomas made a dazzling catch to set up the Bulldogs inside the 10 and another impressive toe tap touchdown to give the Bulldogs the 7-6 lead. Murray got his first of four touchdowns to extend the lead to 14-6.
Trailing and once again pinned inside their own 10, Donovan turned to their superstar in the wildcat formation. Thomas delivered again, darting around the edge for a 93-yard score. Again the Bulldogs extended the lead, and again Thomas had an answer with a third touchdown out of the Wildcat to cut the Rumson lead to 21-20.
Donovan's run-heavy approach was able to keep pace with the constant scoring of Rumson through the first half, and the dedication to the ground game set up a play action touchdown pass from Kyle Dow to Isaac Correa in the final minute to cut the Bulldogs lead to 28-26 at halftime.
But shorthanded without several starters on defense and with no kicker, there was only so much the Griffins' offense could do. Michael Thomas pulled out one more impressive play out of the wildcat, showing off yet another talent as he threw a touchdown pass to Jayden Nascimento early in the third quarter that cut the Rumson lead to 35-32. Thomas finished the day with 278 yards rushing with three touchdown runs and a touchdown pass. And he even produced a great effort on defense that controversially went against Donovan.
Early in the fourth quarter, Bulldog quarterback Owen O'Toole uncorked a deep ball to Jordan Angstreich that appeared to be first caught by cover man Thoma. As both players held on to the ball, it was ruled a catch.
The following play was Kellen Murray's fourth rushing touchdown of the day to extend the lead to 42-32. The Griffins never recovered.
What's next for Donovan Catholic and Rumson-Fair Haven
Donovan Catholic falls to 2-4 after the loss and will face a gauntlet to close out the regular season. On Friday, the Griffins will face crosstown rival Toms River North at 6 p.m. and the following week they'll close out the regular season on the road against Red Bank Catholic.
By contrast, Rumson will close out the regular season with a home divisional matchup against 0-7 Colts Neck on Friday at 7 p.m. The matchup is undoubtedly an opportunity to put an exclamation point on a terrific regular season.
Rumson-Fair Haven 56, Donovan Catholic 32
Donovan 6 20 6 0 - 32
Rumson 7 21 7 21 - 56
1st Quarter
Donovan: Michael Thomas 94-yard touchdown run (2-point attempt no good).
Rumson: Nick Thomas 6-yard touchdown reception from Owen O'Toole (Carson Memmott kick).
2nd Quarter
Donovan: Thomas 93-yard touchdown run (2-point attempt no good). Thomas 12-yard touchdown run (A.J. Pena 2-point run). Isaac Correa 16-yard touchdown reception from Kyle Dow (2-point attempt no good).
Rumson: Jack Gyimesi 10-yard touchdown reception from O'Toole (Memmott kick). Murray 5-yard touchdown run (Memmott kick). Murray 2-yard touchdown run (Memmott kick).
3rd Quarter
Donovan: Jayden Nascimento 9-yard touchdown reception from Thomas (2-point attempt no good).
Rumson: Murray 23-yard touchdown run (Memmott kick).
4th Quarter
Rumson: Murray 6-yard touchdown run (Memmott kick). Evan Ridgway 36-yard interception return for touchdown (Memmott kick). O'Toole 1-yard touchdown run (Memmott kick).