Rumson Claims Vinny Curry 7-on-7 Title; Notes and Takeaways

TINTON FALLS — The stakes were not quite as high as those of Rumson-Fair Haven’s 2024 state championship victory over Malcolm X. Shabazz at Rutgers University that the current crop of seniors experienced as sophomores, but after their 2025 campaign ended with a sectional semifinal loss to Wall, the Bulldogs were more than happy to celebrate a championship again by capturing the Vinny Curry Rush 2 Victory 7-on-7 tournament title at Monmouth Regional High School.

Behind Offensive MVP Jason Tucker at tight end and Defensive MVP Lloyd Bush at defensive back, the Bulldogs advanced to the championship game before defeating Brick Memorial in a tightly contested matchup.

For head coach Jeremy Schulte, the championship win was a positive start to Rumson-Fair Haven’s summer program.

“Listen, it’s a great thing they came out and had fun,” said Rumson-Fair Haven head coach Jeremy Schulte. “We’re not putting a banner up in the gym. We still have a lot of work to do before we get to the point where we’re adding banners by winning a sectional or group title, or whatever it might be this year. But any time you can come out and compete against some of the best teams in the Shore Conference and come out on top, it’s a really good thing. We’re going to enjoy it today, then get back to work tomorrow and get back to practice.”

While 7-on-7 football lacks the physicality of the traditional game, it has become an important part of many high school programs’ offseason. The non-contact, pass-only format features quarterbacks, receivers, tight ends, running backs, linebackers, and defensive backs, with no offensive or defensive linemen. It allows teams to sharpen their passing game, defensive coverages, communication, and timing in a competitive setting before padded preseason practices begin.

For Schulte and his team, the tournament served as practice and a chance to get the competitive juices flowing.

“The biggest thing was we told them before the tournament started to just come out and compete,” said Schulte. “If they had questions, ask them and make sure they know what they were supposed to do. It’s only our second or third time together this summer. We don’t go crazy with the early summer stuff, so seeing them come out here, compete, and do what they’re supposed to do at a high level was really all we wanted to see from them.”

Schulte’s message resonated with his players, particularly Tucker and Bush. Tucker was a dependable target, while Bush was consistently in the right coverage position and served as the quarterback of the defense through his communication.

For Tucker and the offense, the tournament was about building chemistry and getting on the same page with timing, communication, and route concepts.

“I think it’s a great starting point for our offense,” said Tucker. “I know what I can do, and I trust my quarterback. I trust my whole team to do the right things, whether it’s getting me open or getting someone else open. Everybody has to do their job, and when they do, things work out the way they’re supposed to.”

For Bush and the defense, it was an opportunity to build confidence and get on the same page as a unit.

“The overall morale and camaraderie have definitely gone through the roof because of this,” Bush said. “Knowing we’re capable of winning gives us full confidence and trust in one another. We know what we’re capable of, and it brings us closer together.”

Curry’s Labor of Love

No one would have blamed retired Super Bowl champion Vinny Curry if he had chosen to spend a Tuesday evening in July relaxing by the pool. Instead, Curry devoted more than five and a half hours to the tournament. That figure does not include the countless hours he spent organizing, setting up, and breaking down the event.

For the former Neptune great, investing his time and energy into the next generation of Shore Conference athletes is simply a labor of love.

“I came up through the ranks at the Shore, so just seeing everybody out here having fun with 24 teams competing is awesome,” said Curry. “I was able to follow some of these kids throughout youth football, so it’s cool to see them on a stage like this. It definitely means a lot.”

Curry came away impressed not only by the level of talent but also by the players’ maturity and sportsmanship.

“There’s a lot of talent here,” said Curry. “Seeing these kids compete at such a high level tells you everything you need to know. The character they display says a lot, too. Credit goes to the parents for raising these kids the right way and to the coaches for the job they’re doing throughout the Shore Conference.”

The event drew praise from a variety of coaches, including Schulte, who made sure to recognize the behind-the-scenes work of Raritan assistant coach Jeff Papcun. Papcun worked alongside Curry to organize the event.

“It’s awesome,” said Schulte. “The Shore Conference is amazing for football—and really for all sports—but especially football. The fact that they were able to put this together is a testament to Jeff Papcun. He does a lot of work to make an event like this happen, and I’ll never take credit for it, so I want to give him a shoutout.”

Izzo Ready to Lead the Bulldogs

With a year of starting experience under his belt, Rumson-Fair Haven’s Ryder Izzo enters his senior season poised for an even larger role. The Yale commit emerged as one of the Shore Conference’s top two-way players in 2025, rushing for 909 yards and nine touchdowns after stepping in for the injured Kellen Murray while also recording 50 tackles at linebacker to earn Second Team All-Shore honors.

After experiencing a state championship victory in 2024 and coming one win shy of a sectional final appearance last fall, Izzo said the Bulldogs enter 2026 with plenty of motivation.

“We’re definitely hungry this year,” said Izzo. “We’ve got a lot to prove with a new group of guys. We’re trying to chase wins, come together as a team, and I think we have a lot of potential.”

As he enters the season as Rumson’s featured running back, Izzo said he has been preparing for that responsibility for years.

“I feel ready,” said Izzo. “Over the past three years, I’ve been preparing for this moment. Getting thrown into the fire last year is something I’m used to now, and I’m confident in my abilities to help the team.”

Izzo also enters his final high school season with his college decision behind him after committing to Yale, a choice he said was made easy by the staff in New Haven.

“The coaching staff was unlike any other,” said Izzo. “When I visited, they really believed in me and gave me an opportunity. No other place I visited was as welcoming or showed as much belief in me as Yale.”

Schultzel Follows In Father’s Footsteps

One player who was impossible to miss was Freehold Township’s Jake Schultzel, a 6-foot-4 wide receiver who earned First Team All-Shore honors after hauling in 59 receptions for 1,090 yards and 14 touchdowns last season in the Patriots’ Air Raid offense.

Schultzel, who committed to Monmouth University at the end of June, did not take long to decide on a school once the Hawks came into the picture.

“My dad played there, so I’ve been around the program forever,” said Schultzel. “As soon as they offered me, I knew in the back of my mind that I was probably going to end up there. I love the place. It just feels like home.”

Jake’s dad, John, was an athletic linebacker for the Hawks from 1997 to 2000.

With his college decision out of the way, Schultzel can focus on preparing for his final season in Freehold Township. The Patriots will compete in a strong Class B North division that includes Middletown North, Middletown South, Matawan, Manasquan, and Shore.

“A lot of my friends are still going through the college recruiting process, but I’ve already got that figured out,” said Schultzel. “It’s nice knowing where I’m going.”

Belenko Focused on Taking the Next Step

Middletown North running back Matt Belenko spent much of the tournament without the ball in his hands, a rare sight for one of the Shore Conference’s most high-volume offensive players. With 7-on-7 football emphasizing the passing game, the bell-cow running back had limited opportunities to showcase the skills that helped him rush 206 times for 1,237 yards and 14 touchdowns last season.

After leading the Lions to the Central Jersey Group 4 sectional final before a 28-0 loss to Brick Memorial in 2025, Belenko said the team’s focus is on turning the page and building toward another deep postseason run.

“We just have to keep working hard as a team, especially during these summer workouts,” said Belenko. “It’s a new year with new goals. We have to forget about last season, focus on this season, and keep getting better every day.”

Individually, Belenko has his sights set on etching his name into the Middletown North record book while preparing for the demands of another heavy workload.

“One of my personal goals is to break the school’s rushing record and have a successful season,” said Belenko. “This summer, I’m working twice as hard and making sure I put on the necessary weight to be ready for the upcoming season.”

A New Era Under Center at Holmdel

One of the biggest storylines to watch this fall will unfold at quarterback, where sophomore Tommy Fletcher takes over for arguably the greatest player in Holmdel history.

Replacing Shore Sports Insider MVP Jack Cannon is no small task. Cannon rewrote the Hornets’ record book, throwing for 5,870 career yards while rushing for another 3,299 and accounting for 118 total touchdowns. He also guided Holmdel to the first sectional championship in program history, leaving behind a legacy few Shore Conference quarterbacks can compare to.

Fletcher, however, isn’t trying to be the next Jack Cannon. Instead, he’s focused on building off what he learned from his predecessor while helping the Hornets continue the program’s recent success.

“Jack was a great guy to learn from,” said Fletcher. “It’s going to be a tough job to fill, but I think we have the right guys to succeed, and our coaching staff is great. No matter who’s in those positions, I think we’ll be successful. He taught me a lot and gave me some great experiences. I’ll use those lessons within my own skill set and try to be the best player I can be. He was a great teacher, and hopefully I can build on everything he showed me.”

Even more important than replacing Cannon is maintaining the new Holmdel standard established during last year’s historic season. Fletcher believes the culture built within the program will ensure the Hornets remain among the Shore Conference’s top contenders.

“Our coaching is great, and we always have great players coming through the program,” said Fletcher. “The goal is to keep building that culture where excellence is the standard. Our motto is toughness, hard work, and discipline. If we live by that every day, we’ll accomplish great things.”

Brown-Mason has Neptune Back on the Map

Neptune’s resurgence was one of the Shore Conference’s biggest stories in 2025, and quarterback Caleb Brown-Mason was at the center of it.

The Second Team All-Shore selection accounted for 30 total touchdowns, throwing for 1,100 yards and 17 scores while adding 1,283 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground. His breakout campaign helped guide the Scarlet Fliers to a 9-2 record and a trip to the Central Jersey Group 3 sectional semifinals, restoring confidence to a program on the rise.

Brown-Mason believes taking the next step this fall starts with strengthening the team’s chemistry.

“We just have to keep coming together and continue building that brotherhood,” said Brown-Mason. “It’s about making everything team-first instead of worrying about ourselves. If we keep playing for each other, we’ll be in a good spot.”

Entering his third season as Neptune’s starting quarterback, Brown-Mason said his biggest goal is becoming a more efficient and consistent leader of the offense.

“I’m just looking to make fewer mistakes each game,” said Brown-Mason. “I feel like I’ve improved a lot this offseason. I’ve done a lot of training and spent a lot of time on the field with my teammates. I just want to keep everything clean, complete more passes, and take it one game at a time.”

As a Neptune native, Brown-Mason also appreciates seeing former Scarlet Flier and Super Bowl champion Vinny Curry continue to invest in the next generation.

“I think it’s great that he’s doing this,” said Brown-Mason. “It’s something I dream of doing myself one day—coming back and giving back to my community.”