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Rumson-FH
handles Holmdel
Published in the
Asbury Park Press 9/29/00
By SCOTT STUMP
STAFF WRITER
HOLMDEL -- Rumson-Fair Haven had been in this situation
last week, and a costly mistake ended in a heartbreaking loss.
Yesterday the Bulldogs were pinned on their own 19-yard line with three
minutes left in the game, but this time they punted successfully and held
on to defeat host Holmdel 7-3 in a Shore Conference National Division game
at Bob Roggy Memorial Field.
Last week, a blocked punt in the waning seconds cost the
Bulldogs (2-1, 2-1) a win against Colts Neck, but yesterday the special
teams and the defense were not going to let the Hornets (2-1, 2-1) make it
two tough losses in a row.
"I would be lying if I said I wasn't thinking about
(last week) on the punt," said Bulldogs coach Shane Fallon. "We
just made some adjustments today and put forth a great effort with three
starters out."
The Bulldogs make no secret about being a running team and
they took advantage of that by running a play-action pass on the first
play of the game. Sophomore quarterback Christian George hit junior tight
end Will Dahlmeier with a short pass and Dahlmeier took it 76 yards for a
touchdown with the help of some good downfield blocking by senior Bill
Carasia.
Holmdel was able to get on the scoreboard on the last play
of the first half on a 38-yard field goal by junior Anthony Addonizio, but
was continually undone by Rumson's big-play defense and turnovers.
The Hornets fumbled five times and Rumson recovered two of
them, including a fumble by Paul Hlavaty that was snapped up by Colin
Dudick at the Bulldogs' 24 with 48 seconds left in the game.
With the offense sputtering after that initial big play,
the Bulldogs' defensive players took turns making big plays. Defensive
ends Dahlmeier (one sack, two tackles for losses) and Jay Beekman made
sure Holmdel's Chris Hernando (77 yards on 21 carries) could not get
outside for big runs, in addition to applying constant pressure on Holmdel
quarterback John Giusti.
On the Hornets' final drive, Dahlmeier hit Addonizio for a
three-yard loss and then Stephen Buchner sacked Giusti for a five-yard
loss that forced the Hornets into a third-and-15 situation.
"We kept talking in the (defensive) huddle about how
we felt last week," Dahlmeier said. "We had to stop them, and
the defense just played great all game."
The pressure from the Bulldogs' front caused another key
turnover when Giusti threw a pass right to linebacker Garrett Golden in
Bulldogs' territory with eight minutes left in the game.
"We had our opportunities, but we beat
ourselves," said Holmdel coach Joe O'Connor.
from the Asbury Park Press
Published on September 29,
2000 |
