September 3, 2018
2017 In Review: The Bulldogs were 10-2, losing in the Central Jersey Group 3 final to Somerville, after beating Wall and Lawrence. They scored 428 points for a 35.67 record and allowed 166 for a 13.83 average, including two shutouts. Wins included Middletown South, Shore, Monmouth, and Carteret, while their other loss was to St. John Vianney.
Graduation Losses: WR/DE Elijah McAllister – Vanderbilt, RB Peter Lucas – Lehigh, OL Justin Johnson – Wesleyan, OL Jack Kelleher – Gettysburg, WR John McHeffey – Gettysburg
Offense: Rumson-Fair Haven runs a multiple-I and returns five starters. The new quarterback is junior Collin Coles (6-3, 205) and tailback is a committee of senior returning starter Alex Maldjian (5-8, 200) moving from fullback, along with junior Pete Crowley (5-8, 160), and sophomore Johnny Volker (6-0, 175). The fullback will be senior Tommy Solano (5-9, 180).
Returning at tight end is senior Ian O’Connor (6-4, 215) and the wide receivers will be seniors Jackson McCarthy (6-3, 200), Andrew Lawless (6-1, 195), and Matt Caldwell (6-0, 180).
The three returning starters on the line are senior tackle Ryan McCann (6-5, 260), senior guards Evan Davis (5-11, 240), and Ethan Ardolino (6-2, 210). Playing center will be senior Tim Kelly and junior Spencer Short (6-4, 250) will start at tackle.
Defense: The Bulldogs run a 4-2-5 and return eight starters. The line returns intact with senior Isaac Vernon (6-2, 220) and junior Gordon Forsyth (6-1, 200) at the ends, while seniors Henry Sullivan (6-4, 235) and Joe Afflito (5-10, 210) at tackle and nose guard, respectively. Rotating in will be sophomore Von Factor at tackle and Ken Rainey (6-1, 185) at end.
Both linebackers are also back leading the defense: senior three-year starters Keegan Woods (6-2, 220) and Christain Lanzalotto (6-2, 220).
Two return to the secondary in senior Michael Lizotte (5-9, 185) at strong safety and junior Drew Frankel (6-3, 190) at cornerback. The opposite corner will be senior Brooks Brennan (6-0, 165), while senior Ryan Dupree (5-11, 170) is the weak safety and sophomore Ryan Ruane (6-0, 185) will play free safety.
Special Teams: Coles will be the kicker and senior Jimmy Hempstead will punt. The return men are Brennan and Crowley.
Schedule:
Friday, 9/7, St. John Vianney at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/14, Middletown North at home, 7 PM
Friday, 9/21, at Brick Memorial, 7 PM
Friday, 9/28, Freehold Boro at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/5, at Brick, 7 PM
Saturday, 10/13, at Lakewood, 1 PM
Friday, 10/19, Red Bank Catholic at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/26, at Middletown South, 7 PM
Recruits: O’Connor is receiving 1-AA interest, including the Ivy League. Lanzalotto and Woods have 1-AA interest, including James Madison and Delaware. McCann verballed to Yale and Davis to Buffalo. Other players may go D3.
Concerns: Staying healthy and a competitive schedule with no weeks off.
Coach’s Comments: “We expect to be very competitive with our schedule and every team we play is good.” – Head Coach Jerry Schulte