Long Branch football gets washed away

PHOTOS BY CHRIS KELLY Above: Long Branch's William Murry (No. 3) sprints toward the end zone against Red Bank Catholic on Sept. 20. Below: Red Bank Catholic's Nolan Vill (No. 28) works the ball during the game, which was won by RBC by a score of 28-0. Vill finished the game with nearly 100 yards rushing. After waiting five years to host a football game, Long Branch High School squandered its opportunity to enjoy the moment, losing 28-0 to Red Bank Catholic, and in the process, watching its record fall to 0-2.

RBC (1-0) took the wind out of the Green Wave's sails, as the Caseys recovered a fumble on the opening kickoff. David Reeves took the first play from scrimmage 36 yards to the end zone, setting the tone for the rest of the day.

"Our focus was on our team and what we had to do to win our opening game," RBC head coach Frank Edgerly said. "We did some good things and then there's also a few things we need to work on. But, overall this was a good way to open our season."

RBC took a 14-0 lead late in the first half on a Connor O'Leary quarterback keeper. Reeves helped seal the game in the third quarter when he intercepted a pass on defense and then completed a 41-yard pass to Jake Flaherty on a halfback option to get to the Green Wave 3-yard line. Three plays later Anthony Lubischer scored from the 1-yard line.

The Caseys capped the shutout via a Luke McCarthy interception return for a touchdown early in the fourth quarter.

Reeves and fellow senior Nolan Vill combined for nearly 200 yards rushing. Conversely, Long Branch had 18 yards rushing and just 130 yards of total offense.

"We were able to establish field position and that helped set the tone for us," Edgerly said. "Long Branch came in on an emotional high because they had a home game. But to start the game the way we did, that drained them a little bit and it certainly helped us."

Red Bank Catholic plays Red Bank Regional (1-1) on Friday night while Long Branch has the week off.