Shore Conference Football: Red Bank Catholic's fast start sparks win over Donovan Catholic

TOMS RIVER - Emanuel Ross had a good feeling something special was going to happen on Red Bank Catholic's first play from scrimmage Friday night at Donovan Catholic.

Ross, a senior wide receiver and a Stanford University-recruit, took a "Jet Sweep'' to the left and raced untouched 74 yards down the left sideline for a touchdown 26 seconds into the game.

"Coach Rosey (Red Bank Catholic offensive coordinator Mike Rosenfeld) drew that play up on the bus before we got over here, and I was like, 'I'm going to take this one to the house (end zone). I don't want to waste anytime'.''

Red Bank Catholic never trailed after that, buillt a 14-point lead after one quarter and held on for a 14-7 win.

Ross received key blocks from senior tight end Jack Bohm-Squicciarini and sophomore wide receiver Daniel Zabora on the opening play.

The quick TD put Donovan Catholic on its heels the rest of the first half and, obviously, gave momentum to a Red Bank Catholic team that was coming off an emotionally-draining and physical 35-28 overtime win at Toms River North last week.

"That got the heart-pumping and everyone going,'' Red Bank Catholic senior defensive end Logan Graham, who was outstanding for the second straight week. "That just got the defense wanting to play for the offense.''

What it means

Red Bank Catholic (8-1, 5-0) clinched the outright Shore Conference American Division championship for the second straight season.

The Caseys, ranked No. 1 in the Asbury Park Press Top 20 and No. 3 in the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Non-Public Top 10, also put a hammerlock on the final No. 1 ranking in the Asbury Park Press Top 20.

They also extended their winning streak against Shore Conference teams to 14, dating back to a 28-7 defeat to Donovan Catholic on Oct. 29, 2021. It is the second straight season Red Bank Catholic has defeated Donovan Catholic 14-7.

"This one was personal all week. It was just Donovan,'' Graham said. "After that 28-7 defeat two years ago, that one doesn't sit well with us.''

Donovan Catholic (7-2. 4-1), ranked No. 2 in the APP Top 20 and No. 5 in the USA TODAY NETWORK New Jersey Non-Public Top 10, was denied the divisional title.

Key plays

Red Bank Catholic, which built its 14-0 lead on a 12-yard TD run by junior quarterback Frankie Williams with 1:52 remaining in the first quarter, was hanging on in the fourth quarter.

Donovan Catholic closed within 14-7 on a 23-yard TD run by sophomore running Najee Calhoun with 11:53 remaining and clearly had momentum.

However, senior punter V.J. Muscillo got off towering 53 and 51-yard punts to back the Griffins up to their own 20 and 8 on their final two possessions.

Donovan Catholic drove to a first down at the Caseys’ 23 on the first of those possessions. However, two plays only gained 2 yards. Zaborra, who plays linebacker on defense, broke up a pass on fourth-and-8.

The Griffins’ final possession, which ended the game saw Graham pressure quarterback Todd Lambertson on first down from the Griffins’ 28, strip the ball from Lamberton for a 7-yard loss and second down. A Lamberston 1-yard run under pressure ended Nthe game.

"At RBC, we've always had a good defense,'' Ross, who is a cornerback on defense, said. "We've always had to make defensive stands to win football games.''

By the numbers:

186: The total yards Red Bank Catholic had in the first half.

160: The rushing yards the Caseys, aided by the Ross run, had in the first half.

37: The yards Muscillo averaged on his six punts.

23: The total yards Red Bank Catholic held Donovan Catholic in the first half - 13 rushing and 10 passing.

3: The number of first downs Donovan Catholic held Red Bank Catholic to in the second half.

1: First downs Donovan Catholic had in the first half. Its five possessions in the opening half all ended in punts.

Up next

Red Bank Catholic, the 2021 NJSIAA Non-Public B champion and 2022 Non-Public runner-up, will likely be the No. 1 seed in the Non-Public B playoffs when the Non-Public playoffs are seeded Sunday. The Caseys will likely have a bye next week.

Donovan Catholic awaits its seed in the always tough NJSIAA Non-Public A bracket. The Griffins could have an opening round game next week at home.

Red Bank Catholic 14, Donovan Catholic 7

Red Bank Catholic 14 0 0 0 - 14

Donovan Catholic 0 0 0 7 - 7

First Quarter

RBC: Emanuel Ross 74 run (Justin LaMorte kick).

RBC: Frankie Williams 12 run (LaMorte kick).

Fourth Quarter

DC: Najee Calhoun 23 run (Emanuel Gerena kick).

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

Rushing: RBC: Emanuel Ross 4-78, Luke Wassef 12-58, Frankie Williams 16-39, Luke Lonczak 5-27, Matt Lonczak 1-6. DC: Todd Lambertson 12-77, Najee Calhoun 16-72, Michael Thomass III 4-23, Zach LaBarca 1-1, Team 1-(-1).

Passing: RBC: Williams 4-12-1-39. DC: Lambertson 6-14-0-38.

Receiving: RBC: Bohm-Squicciarini 1-21, Matt Lonczak 1-10, Wassef 1-5, Ross 1-3. DC: Callhoun 2-7, Emanuel Gerena 2-7, Thomas III 1-20,, Roman Moyers 1-4.

Interceptions: DC: Gerena.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Shore football: Red Bank Catholic runs away from Donovan Catholic