Fallon defends decision to rest starters against RBC
RFH football coach sees no issue in preparation for state title game
BY DOUG McKENZIE Correspondent
Rumson-Fair Haven is playing for its first state championship this Sunday at Rutgers Stadium.

PHOTOS BY ERIC SUCAR staff Rumson-Fair Haven defensive back Frank Aurichio (l) tries to bring down Red Bank Catholic running back Michael Wilbur (middle) during the third quarter of a 61-0 RBC victory.

And head coach Shane Fallon and his coaching staff wanted to make sure their team took every precaution in the days leading up to the Central Jersey Group II championship game.

It was for that reason that Fallon decided to rest all of his starters during his team's game last week against rival Red Bank Catholic. The result was a predictable one, as the Caseys rolled to a 61- 0 victory over what was basically a junior varsity team from RFH.

In the days following the game, Fallon and his coaching staff have taken some heat over their decision not to play the starters, with critics citing Fallon for demonstrating poor sportsmanship and putting too much emphasis on winning a high school state title.

Through it all, however, Fallon remains adamant that it was the right choice, given the circumstances.

Rumson-Fair Haven quarterback Paul Campanella tries to sprint past a Red Bank Catholic defender during last Friday night's game against RBC. RFH lost by a score of 61-0.

"We made the decision as a coaching staff after debating the pros and cons of it, and after talking to the seniors," Fallon said. "Basically, after looking at our injury situation we made the decision. We had a lot of kids banged up after the Holmdel game (in the state semifinals). I knew it wasn't going to be the popular decision, but it was the right decision for the 60 guys in our locker room. And really, my job is to worry about those 60 guys."

Some of the criticism has come from close to home, but again, Fallon is not overly concerned.

"I know there were certain people on the RBC side, and certain people in the RFH community that weren't happy with it because they were hoping for a close game," he said. "But we came to a unanimous decision that this was what was best for us as a program. We made the decision and I stand by it."

The benefits of the decision should be obvious to everyone, as the Bulldogs will be ready to put their best foot forward against Carteret on Sunday.

"It was big for us because it allowed our kids to rest Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, before getting back to work on Monday," Fallon said.

"Those extra four or five days of rest were very valuable for us," Fallon said. "We are healthy going into the state final, and I expect everyone to play and to play well."

Facing a red-hot Carteret team with a full roster has the Bulldogs thinking championship, however, they know they will have to play another near-perfect game, like the one they put together in beating unbeaten Holmdel, 14-7, in the semifinals.

The Ramblers enter the final at 8-3, having beaten Delaware Valley, 13-7, and the bracket's top seed, Rahway, 19-14, to reach the final. Carteret's losses came to South Plainfield, North Brunswick and Colonia; however, the Ramblers are playing their best football of the season at the right time.

"They're very balanced offensively," Fallon said. "They've got a big quarterback with a very strong arm who can really throw the ball down the field. They've got some very good wide receivers who can go and get it, and some big, explosive running backs who can break a big run on every play."

Al Tampa, the Ramblers quarterback, has thrown for 1,328 yards and 10 touchdowns on the year. Five of those touchdown passes were to Brian Williams, while David Lane has hauled in three. However, Carteret has a stable of good wideouts who will challenge the RFH secondary.

Byron Lewin is the top threat in the backfield, having rushed for 766 yards and 11 touchdowns on 114 carries. Lewin averages about seven yards a carry and 85 rushing yards per game, while Dwayne Foster also averages about five yards per carry. Rafiq Rich and Devell Brown are also threats in the backfield.

Defensively, Carteret is led by junior linebacker Conrad Hines, as well as Williams, Lewin, Brown, Ricardo Llanos and Lamar Boseman.

"Defensively, they're the best tackling team we've faced all season,"

Fallon said. "Fundamentally they're very strong there. And in the defensive backfields they've got some very good cover kids so that should be a good challenge for our guys."

The Ramblers are also a very dangerous team on special teams, with a number of players who are capable of breaking off big returns.

"They're a lot like Asbury Park in terms of their skill guys - running backs and wideouts - and up front, their lineman are similar to Shore Regional in terms of the size and make-up," the coach said.

However, with a deep and balanced team at his disposal, led by the All-Shore caliber tandem of quarterback Matt Wassel and wideout Ryan Kirchner, Fallon has every reason to feel confident.

"It's about doing what we do and doing it well," he said. "We're concentrating more on us really. In the playoffs, if you get caught up worrying too much about your opponent, you can lose sight of what you've been doing well all season.

"We're trying not to do too much, and we've been pretty consistent with the game we play this year. That's the approach we're taking going into the final - we want to continue to play sound defense, win the field position game on special teams, and stay balanced offensively."

Another strength for the RFH team has been the support it has received from the community throughout the season.

"We've had great turnouts all season, and that's continued in the playoffs," Fallon said. "We've traveled very well and I expect a large fan base on Sunday at Rutgers as well."

As he prepares to lead his team to its first state championship game, Fallon admits to feeling emotional about the entire experience. Coming into the season, Fallon had a feeling that this could be a very special season for the Bulldogs. Regardless of the outcome on Sunday, that has already proven to be the case.

But make no mistake, the Bulldogs will go after this title with everything they have.

"It would mean the world to me," Fallon said. "This is the most unselfish group I've ever coached, and probably the most talented. When you've got this many talented guys you have to worry about egos getting in the way, but these guys have all checked their egos at the door. The only thing that matters to them is the W.

"We've had great leadership and their character is unbelievable. These guys have busted their butts for four years, and they deserve this chance."