A Year in the Making: Brick Memorial Avenges Last Year’s Loss to Rumson-Fair Haven

While much of the Shore Conference’s attention was focused on the highly anticipated showdown between No. 1 Donovan Catholic and No. 2 Red Bank Catholic, Brick Memorial had its own marquee matchup circled on the calendar.

The Mustangs had not forgotten what happened a year ago, and on Friday night, they made sure history would not repeat itself.

In a back-and-forth battle between two of the Shore Conference’s premier public-school programs, Brick Memorial erupted for 21 unanswered points in the third quarter and held off a furious fourth-quarter rally to defeat Rumson-Fair Haven 48-41 in an emotional victory.

The win improved the Mustangs to 7-1 and added another signature victory to a season in which they have again established themselves among the Shore Conference’s elite.

Rumson-Fair Haven delivered the opening blow less than 90 seconds into the game. After Bulldogs senior defensive back James Halikias intercepted Brick Memorial senior quarterback Tyler Pierce on a deep pass during the Mustangs’ opening possession, senior running back Ryder Izzo broke free for a 96-yard touchdown run to give Rumson an early 6-0 lead.

Brick Memorial, however, quickly settled in.

Pierce connected with senior running back Colin Schoellkopf on a 4-yard touchdown pass to put the Mustangs ahead 7-6. Later in the opening quarter, Brick Memorial faced fourth-and-1 from its own 39-yard line when senior wideout Shawn Fowler broke through the defense for a 61-yard touchdown run, extending the lead to eight points.

“I knew I was going to get the ball quite a bit. I had to make the most out of my opportunities, and that’s what it came to,” Fowler said.

The Mustangs recovered the ensuing kickoff and capitalized on the short field, with Schoellkopf scoring from two yards out to extend their advantage.

Rumson-Fair Haven refused to go away.

Izzo answered with his second explosive touchdown run of the night, this time breaking loose from 59 yards out. Following a turnover on downs, Bulldogs junior quarterback Brady Williams connected with junior wideout Michael Capra for a 23-yard touchdown to pull Rumson even at 20.

Brick Memorial regained control before halftime when Pierce scored on a 17-yard quarterback keeper, giving the Mustangs a 27-20 advantage heading into the locker room.

Rumson-Fair Haven came out of halftime determined to erase the deficit, and Williams delivered another 23-yard touchdown pass to Capra on a fade route to tie the game at 27.

What followed proved to be the decisive stretch of the night.

Brick Memorial responded with 21 unanswered points, turning a tie game into a commanding 48-27 lead by the end of the third quarter.

A 25-yard completion from Pierce to junior wide receiver Jay’von Ellison set up Fowler’s one-yard touchdown run. Senior linebacker Jack Marotta then intercepted a pass, giving the Mustangs another opportunity that Pierce capitalized on with a 21-yard touchdown strike to Fowler. The defense continued to create scoring chances when senior defensive lineman Joe Livio came up with another interception, setting the stage for Pierce’s five-yard touchdown pass to Schoellkopf.

“We needed those timely turnovers. We needed Jack Marotta’s pick. We needed Joe Livio’s pick. Obviously, we needed Shawn Fowler’s pick at the end. And we needed to continue to score on offense,” Brick Memorial head coach James Mahoney said.

Even with a three-touchdown deficit, the Bulldogs continued to battle.

Rumson-Fair Haven put together two touchdown drives in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to seven points and putting pressure on the Mustangs to finish the job. With the outcome still hanging in the balance, Fowler delivered the final defensive play, intercepting Williams to secure the 48-41 victory.

For Brick Memorial, the celebration was about more than another win.

The Mustangs played with emotion throughout the night, and that intensity carried into the postgame gathering, where first-year head coach James Mahoney fought back tears while addressing his players.

For Mahoney, defeating a program with Rumson-Fair Haven’s pedigree was especially meaningful after what happened in last season’s meeting.

“Because Rumson’s really good, man. You don’t get opportunities to go out and compete against great teams all the time,” Mahoney said when asked why the victory meant so much.

Few players had more motivation entering Friday’s game than Pierce.

A year removed from a difficult varsity debut against the Bulldogs, the senior quarterback turned in one of his most complete performances of the season, completing 13 of 17 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 119 yards and another score.

His ability to make plays through the air and on the ground helped Brick Memorial keep pace in a game that featured explosive offenses on both sides.

“I mean, last year was my first start against them, and I didn’t do so good. We lost to them in the seven-on-seven by one, so it means a lot. It was very emotional. Glad we came out on top,” Pierce said.

Mahoney credited Pierce’s development and preparation for his performance on one of the biggest stages of the Mustangs’ season.

“He’s worked really hard to put himself in a position to be a great football player. He’s an All-Shore football player, in my opinion, no doubt about it,” Mahoney said.

While Pierce directed the offense, Fowler delivered an equally important performance in multiple phases of the game.

The senior standout rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns, added two receptions and a receiving score, and came up with the game-sealing interception in the fourth quarter.

Whether carrying the ball, lining up at receiver or making plays in the secondary, Fowler repeatedly answered when the Mustangs needed him most.

“This game means a lot. We knew it was the best two public schools in the Shore, and we really wanted this one. This is one we’ve been waiting for from the start of the season. We really needed this one,” Fowler said.

Brick Memorial’s victory over Rumson-Fair Haven represents another major step in what has developed into a remarkable season.

At 7-1, the Mustangs’ only loss came by seven points against Donovan Catholic. They now own victories over three of the Shore Conference’s most established public-school programs in Rumson-Fair Haven, Toms River North and Wall.

Those results have put Brick Memorial firmly in the conversation as the Shore Conference’s top public-school team, but one more significant regular-season challenge remains.

Despite the emotion surrounding Friday’s victory, Mahoney made it clear that his team cannot afford to look beyond its next opponent.

“Well, we still have to beat Southern, and that’s going to be the focus on Monday,” Mahoney said.

Brick Memorial will host Southern next Friday at 6 p.m., while Rumson-Fair Haven returns home to face St. John Vianney at 7 p.m.

For the Mustangs, Friday night was an opportunity to settle a score that had lingered for more than a year. With the postseason approaching, it may also prove to be one of the defining victories of their season.