Group II Title Game Standouts: Rumson-Fair Haven vs. Westwood

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>On Monday, November 28 at Rutgers, Rumson-Fair Haven and Westwood met in Piscataway to battle at Rutgers for the right to be named the NJSIAA Group II State Champion. This honor went to Westwood, who ended up victorious by a score of 21-20 in overtime.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In this game there were standouts on both sides of the ball. Below are a few who laid it out and left it all on the field for their respective teams.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rumson-Fair Haven</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1098664"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The lead back for RFH did his damndest to ensure a victory in this one. Orr, a Hamilton College commit, was a key part of the game plan for the Bulldogs in the state championship game. A senior, Orr rushed for 96 yards and a score on 28 attempts. He also caught 1 pass for 7 yards.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65662a5347684"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["801496"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"A talent who found his footing in RFH's rotation last year that also went to the state championship game as a sophomore, Kiernan was a intrical part of the Bulldogs defense this year. In the game's last season Kiernan made 7.5 tackles (6 total) with 3.5 tackles for loss. He ends the season with 76 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, and 1 pick-six.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65662a53476e1"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["280063"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Bunnel was a solid contributor at linebacker all year long for the Bulldogs. On the year Bunnel amassed 66 stops (21 solo), 10 tackles for loss, 1 forced fumble, and 3 sacks. In the state final Bunnel was credited with 5.5 tackles (3 solos) to go along with 0.5 sacks and 0.5 tackles for loss.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65662a5347763"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1057667"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Although he did not come on until late September, Pangborn had his impact felt throughout the season. The junior finished with 50.5 tackles, 3 interceptions, and 3 forced fumbles - one of which was pivotal in the state final. Pangborn made 2 stops and punched one loose - which was recovered by teammate [player_tooltip player_id='1524368' first='Toby' last='Najenson'] - that was a big turnover in what ended up being a tight, one-score game.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65662a53477b2"} /--> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Westwood</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["220046"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"The senior quarterback gets to ride off in the sunset. In the victory, Carcich was an efficient 16 of 20 for 145 yards with 2 touchdown tosses without a turnover. As a runner Carcich gained 77 yards on 22 attempts. The championship victory caps off an impressive season where Carcich was 165 of 208 for 2262 yards and 24 touchdowns, 4 interceptions, 777 rushing yards, and 11 rushing touchdowns.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65662a53477fa"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1098665"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Carcich's favorite target in the biggest game of their lives so far was [player_tooltip player_id='1098665' first='Tommy' last='Bussanich']. In a 43/716/9 season through the air as a receiver, Bussanich concluded the season with a 7 catches for 72 yards while finding the endzone twice to clinch the state championship. Defensively, Bussanich did more than enough as he made 8.5 tackles (7 solos) with 0.5 tackles for loss.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65662a534783d"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["311366"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"Just a sophomore, Klein made his impact felt in this one on the defensive side of the ball. Klein led all participants with 13 tackles in the game, proving that yards would be tough to come by all game long.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65662a534787b"} /--> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1098753"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"In what ended up being a 1-point game, a 21-20 victory for Westwood, clearly every point mattered. In hindsight, there may not have been any one performer more crucial to the team victory than [player_tooltip player_id='1098753' first='Sean' last='Morrison']. A backup quarterback, contributor on defense, and the Cardinals' place kicker. In the state final Morrison caught a pass for 13 yards, made 2 tackles, but - most importantly - nailed all 3 of his PATS to secure the 1-point victory.","_player_evaluations_0_evaluation":"field_62aba51aecf34","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"edit","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-65662a53478be"} /-->