Group II Title Game Preview: Rumson-Fair Haven vs. Shabazz

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>We are down to the season's final seven games. These seven games, however, have the most gravitas as they represent one game to win it all. Congratulations to each and every team throughout the state for their efforts and performance this season. Without further adieu, I present to you my preview for the upcoming NJSIAA State Championship games.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Be sure to vote on who you think will win each playoff matchup by voting on our <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/11/vote-who-will-win-the-state-championship-finals/">reader's poll</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Wednesday, December 4, 4:00pm - Rumson-Fair Haven vs. Shabazz at SHI Stadium</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is a case of déjà vu for the Rumson-Fair Haven, as they are prepared to battle on the banks of the old Raritan for the second year in a row for the right to declare themselves state champions. After coming up 1 point short last year in a 21-20 overtime defeat against Westwood, the Bulldogs are looking themselves in the mirror - sort of - as they take on the Bulldogs from Newark's Malcolm X. Shabazz. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Coming off of a 19-14 defeat in their Thanksgiving Day rivalry against Weequahic in the Soul Bowl, Shabazz's key players seem to have played limited snaps in the contest. Shabazz created quite the stir last year as they appointed Naz Oliver head coach of the squad. As a result, Oliver was the benefactor of several key transfers - many of which had to sit out four games due to senior transfer rules - and are hitting stride late in the season. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shabazz wins if...</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>... they maximize their possessions and avoid turning the ball over. Despite playing two quarterbacks for stretches of the season, their tandum of [player_tooltip player_id='1570670' first='Karriem' last='Coston'] and Clifton-transfer [player_tooltip player_id='345433' first='Romelo' last='Tables'] have combined for a mere 3 interceptions. Romelo, now a senior, appears to be in the drivers seat with a 58-108, 918 yard, 12 touchdown, 2 interception campaign, while adding another 487 yards and 7 scores on 74 totes on the ground. Coston, on the other hand, is a sophomore who has shown plenty of promise this year, completing 42-60 pass attempts for 510 yards with 10 touchdowns and 1 interception. This is paramount as Rumson-Fair Haven has intercepted 15 passes and recovered 10 fumbles on the season. No matter who the quarterback is, [player_tooltip player_id='1561999' first='Daveion' last='Porter'] appears to be the favorite target. Porter has made 33 receptions for 553 yards and 8 scores. A steadying force in all this is St. Peter's import running back [player_tooltip player_id='995367' first='Jalen' last='Cline']. Cline has slashed 142/1034/7 on the ground. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Shabazz's top recruit might be [player_tooltip player_id='218561' first='Omari' last='Gaines']. Out of the secondary, Gains has made 51 tackles (28 solo), 2 tackles for loss, 1 fumble recovery, 1 scoop &amp; score, 5 ints, and 1 picks-six. I imagine that Gaines will be shadowing [player_tooltip player_id='1476850' first='Jordan' last='Angstreich'] of Rumson-Fair Haven, who has slashed 67/1164/13 and is their favorite target. Several underclassmen make an impact for Shabazz, including sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1557285' first='Zykir' last='Best'] (75 tackles, 25 solo, 3 TFL, 1 sack, 1 FR), junior [player_tooltip player_id='402249' first='Zaiden' last='McDonald'] (50 tackles, 10 solo, 7 TFL, 4 sacks, 2 FF, 1 FR), and sophomore [player_tooltip player_id='1551122' first='Asaad' last='Reynolds'] (71 tackles, 17 solo, 12 TFL).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rumson-Fair Haven wins if...</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>... they can control the line of scrimmage. This proclamation is not limited to just one side of the ball, however. Rumson-Fair Haven has several outstanding offensive linemen, many of which are two-way and returners. All 6'3" and 280lbs of [player_tooltip player_id='1271497' first='Matthew' last='Smith'] probably leads the unit along with 6'3" 215lb [player_tooltip player_id='1524368' first='Toby' last='Najenson']; where he is supported by [player_tooltip player_id='724739' first='Jack' last='Mauthe'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1570675' first='Hayden' last='Edwards']. With three of the four playing bigger roles on offense than defense, Najenson has recorded 66.5 tackles with 8.5 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. This unit has opened up holes for junior rusher [player_tooltip player_id='1088333' first='Kellen' last='Murray']. Murray has slashed 185/1411/28 on the season. These open avenues Murray has benefited from have allowed [player_tooltip player_id='545577' first='Owen' last='O'Toole'] to have an incredibly efficient season. With one game yet to play, O'Toole has gone 182-254 (72%) for 2779 yards, 25 touchdowns, and just 3 interceptions with an additional 8 scores punching it in. If he was not teammates with [player_tooltip player_id='1476850' first='Jordan' last='Angstreich'], [player_tooltip player_id='1476852' first='Nick' last='Thomas'] would be a #1 target on any other team. Thomas has made 50 hauls for 821 yards with 9 scores of his own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Two senior defenders that have played a number of snaps together and will ride or die with their squad are [player_tooltip player_id='801496' first='Austin' last='Kiernan'] and [player_tooltip player_id='1195884' first='Jacob' last='Tobias']. Both are neck-and-neck in tackles (119 to 115.5, respectively), yet Tobias has made 13.5 tackles for loss to Kiernan's 9; however, Kiernan has 6.5 sacks to Tobias' 1. Tobias has a forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 2 interceptions to his name, while Kiernan has 2 fumble recoveries. [player_tooltip player_id='1524371' first='Ben' last='Gredell'], a sophomore, is another defensive lineman to be aware of, having 4.5 sacks and 3 TFL on 53 tackles (10 solo).</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->