State Title Recap: Rumson-Fair Haven 26 – Shabazz 24

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a game that was close throughout, the Rumson-Fair Haven Bulldogs defeated the Shabazz Bulldogs. In the process, Rumson-Fair Haven has been crowed the 2025 NJSIAA Champions of Group II.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are a few difference makers that took over the game at various points. Their impact on either side of the ball, for either team, was felt and is everlasting in this memorable game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Rumson-Fair Haven Top Performances</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1088333"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674f2c2e47a3a"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Yet another one of my <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/12/group-ii-title-game-preview-rumson-fair-haven-vs-shabazz/">game previews</a> was correct. I anticipated that if Rumson-Fair Haven was able to control the line of scrimmage the would win. [player_tooltip player_id='1088333' first='Kellen' last='Murray'] was the beneficiary of his offensive line's effort as he ran with purpose and like he was shot out of a cannon all evening long. In this contest the junior rusher let all participants in yards from scrimmage (175), touchdowns (3), and touches (29). In a tremendous effort, Murray ensured that his seniors avenged last year's 1-point overtime loss and that he will have the opportunity to defend his title next year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>This game's production puts the finishing touches on a 213 carry, 1581 yard, and 31 touchdown junior season on the ground. With Murray's senior year to come, he has a very good shot at 50 career touchdowns and 3500 yards.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1561998"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674f2c2e47a9b"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">There is something to be said about saving the best for last. Linebacker [player_tooltip player_id='1561998' first='Dylan' last='Plesser'] had his best single-game performance in terms of tackles this season. In a championship-caliber performance, the junior linebacker made 15 tackles - 6 of which were solo.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Plesser is hoping this performance springboards into a strong offseason as he prepares to defend his title during his senior season. Plesser will look to add to his 80.5 tackle (31 solo), 4.5 tackle for loss, 1 interception, and 1 pick-six varsity debut season next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1524371"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674f2c2e47ada"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Another young, breakthrough player with a transcending championship game performance was [player_tooltip player_id='1524371' first='Ben' last='Gredell']. Gredell made 7 stops on the game (5 solo), 3 tackles for loss, and 1 sack. One play where Grendell came up huge was when he forced a big 4th down, accumulating one of his 3 tackles for loss, when Shabazz was around their 10 yard line.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In his first varsity season Gredell held down the trenches en route to 60 tackles (15 solo), 6 tackles for loss, and 5.5 sacks.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1572839"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674f2c2e47b15"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Although [player_tooltip player_id='1572839' first='Jack' last='Gyimesi'] put up modest numbers in this game (4/24) and on the season (15/206/2) in an offense that heavily featured senior receivers, came up big in this game when it mattered most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Late in the second quarter Rumson-Fair Haven had made a full platoon swap on 4th down to get their punt unit out around midfield. Then, suddenly, their punt unit rushed off the field and their offense came back on. This caught Shabazz, who had already used several time outs, with their pants down. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In the heat of things, Gyimesi was wide open, uncovered in the middle of the field for an 11-yard catch-and-run for a huge first down that later led to a score.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Shabazz Top Performances</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["218561"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674f2c2e47b4f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">It appeared that [player_tooltip player_id='218561' first='Omari' last='Gaines'] had helped seize momentum for Shabazz early in the game. After Shabazz went down the field to score, Rumson-Fair Haven was moving the ball deep into Shabazz territor. After Shabazz dropped a near-pick a play before, Gaines stepped in front of the next pass attempt, intercepting the ball on the goal line, thwarting a successful-to-that-point Rumson-Fair Haven drive and creating a 7-point swing. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">This interception went along with his 8 tackle (6 solo) and 1 tackle for loss performance in his final career game. Gaines calls it a career with 125 tackles (85 solo), 5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 scoop &amp; scores, 7 interceptions, and 1 pick-six.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["995367"],"_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":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674f2c2e47b89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In this game [player_tooltip player_id='995367' first='Jalen' last='Cline'] showcased why he is special with the ball in his hands. The Shabazz rusher ran 17 times for 59 yards, but also took his only reception to the house for a 73-yard score. This score was the first points on the board. Moreover, this play was impressive as it was a screen pass that Cline broke on 3rd &amp; long as he tightroped the sideline.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In one season of varsity play, Cline slashed 159/1093/7 on the ground and 6/102/1 through the air. Be mindful, however, that Cline was forced to sit out 4 games due to NJSIAA senior-season transfer rules. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->