No program stays on top forever. After a dominant three-year run that included three straight sectional championships and a perfect 13-0 season capped by a state title in 2024, Rumson-Fair Haven came back down to earth in 2025. The Bulldogs finished 6-4 and saw their postseason end with a 17-13 loss to Wall in the Central Jersey Group 2 semifinals.

Since capturing their first sectional title in 2010, the Bulldogs have won nine championships. While they haven’t claimed one every season in that timeframe, they’ve consistently responded to disappointment by quickly returning to the top. The Bulldogs return plenty of experience on offense, with eight starters back from last season. Defensively, however, they bring back just three starters and will rely on a new group of contributors to emerge.

As has become the norm, Rumson-Fair Haven will compete in the loaded Class A North division, featuring the likes of rival Red Bank Catholic, Holmdel, Manalapan, St. John Vianney, and Wall. Their non-conference schedule provides no breaks, with games against Donovan Catholic, Brick Memorial, Middletown South, and Tottenville (NY).

Offense

The Bulldogs return eight starters from an offense that averaged 25.9 points per game last season while totaling 1,464 rushing yards and 1,141 passing yards.

Rumson-Fair Haven enters the season with two experienced quarterbacks who split time under center in 2025. Junior Brady Williams (6-4, 215), a Second Team All-Class A North selection, seized the starting job entering the postseason and is the likely favorite to open the year as QB1. Williams threw for 688 yards and 10 touchdowns while adding 240 rushing yards and six scores.

Senior Casey Moore (6-1, 190) also returns after throwing for 453 yards and five touchdowns while rushing for two more, giving the Bulldogs experienced depth and another proven option at quarterback.

Senior Ryder Izzo (6-0, 185), a Yale commit, returns as the Bulldogs’ starting running back after earning Second Team All-Shore honors last season. Izzo rushed for 909 yards and nine touchdowns in 2025 and is poised once again be the centerpiece of Rumson-Fair Haven’s ground game. Senior Lloyd Bush (5-10, 180) and sophomore Luke Harter (5-10, 170) will also be in the mix for carries.

Senior Cole Spoonire (6-0, 190) returns as the Bulldogs’ top receiving threat after leading the team with 29 receptions for 278 yards and three touchdowns last season. Senior Jason Tucker (6-0, 185) is projected to start opposite Spoonire after totaling four catches for 82 yards and a touchdown in 2025.

The competition for the remaining receiver spots features a group of juniors, including Bodie Matchett (5-9, 160), Michael Capra (5-10, 165), Merric Polloway (6-0, 175), and Mathew Fallon (5-9, 145).

Rumson-Fair Haven returns all five starters from an offensive line that was among the Shore Conference’s youngest last season, giving the Bulldogs one of the area’s most experienced units entering 2026.

Senior Aidan Lane (6-4, 270) anchors the line as a three-year starter at left guard after earning First Team All-Shore honors last season. Junior Henry Zanetich (6-4, 240) returns at left tackle, while junior Julien Malpass (5-10, 235) is back at center. Junior Milo Jones (6-1, 285) returns at right guard, and junior Tucker Gay (6-1, 250) is back at right tackle.

Junior Jack Baker (6-0, 240) and sophomores Gavin Barber (6-2, 250) and Travis Moore (6-5, 245) are expected to provide depth and compete for snaps in the offensive line rotation.

Senior Jackson Wile is slated to take over the kicking duties, while he and Williams will compete for the starting punter job.

Defense

The Bulldogs return three starters from a unit that allowed 18.8 points per game last season.

Junior Kai Loaicano (6-0, 210) and senior Alfie Facer (6-2, 225) are projected to start at defensive end, while junior Tommy Mills (6-2, 220) and Casey Moore are expected to be part of the rotation.

Senior Ben Gredell (6-3, 270), a Harvard commit, returns as a three-year starter at defensive tackle after earning First Team All-Shore honors with 63 tackles and four sacks last season. Junior Brendan Dermer (6-1, 235) is projected to start alongside Gredell, while Lane is also expected to see snaps in the rotation.

Senior Carmine Florio (6-0, 200) returns at middle linebacker after earning First Team All-Class A North honors last season. Florio totaled 60 tackles, 4.5 sacks, and two interceptions in 2025 and will once again lead the Bulldogs’ defense.

Senior Andrew Ninger (5-9, 195) and junior Jaden Cavise (5-10, 195) are projected to start at outside linebacker. Izzo, a returning starter at the position, is also expected to see snaps there again while handling the bulk of the carries at running back.

Senior James Halikias (5-11, 175) is projected to start at one cornerback spot after gaining valuable experience there last season. Matchett, Wile, senior Kellen Winters (5-8, 170), and junior Teddy Cosgrove (5-9, 170) are all competing for the other starting cornerback job.

Bush is projected to start at one safety spot after making several starts last season. Seniors Hunter Beattie (6-0, 180) and Jacob Ead (5-10, 185), along with junior Colin Neff (6-0, 165), are competing for the other starting safety job.

 

Rumson-Fair Haven at a glance 

Head coach: Jeremy Schulte, 5th season

Career record: 35-14

2025 record: 6-4

Offense: Multiple

Defense: 4-3

 

Coaching Staff

Offensive Coordinator: John Cornieulsen

OL: Joe Murphy

Special Teams Coordinator/WR: Chris Quinn

RB/ST: Randy Kalman

JV OC: Brandon Wall

Defensive Coordinator: John Bellavance

DL/JV DC: Kyle Marinelli

LB/ST: Steve Roberts

DB: Glenn Grainger

Kickers: Mike Zadlock

Strength and Conditioning: Rob Orrok

Athletic Trainer: Alex Stein

Videographer: Jack Velcamp

Freshman: Chris Julian

Freshman: Brian Gay

Freshman: Ryan Meyers

Circle the Date: Sept. 17 at Wall

Rumson-Fair Haven will have revenge on its mind when it travels to face Wall, the team that knocked the Bulldogs out of the Central Jersey Group 2 playoffs last season. The programs have had some battles in recent years, making this one of the marquee games on the Shore Conference schedule.

Newcomer to Watch: Travis Moore, So., OL/DL

Standing 6-foot-5 and 245 pounds, Moore has the size and length to develop into an impact player on both sides of the ball over the next three seasons. The sophomore is expected to play a key role in the trenches, providing valuable snaps in the rotation along both the offensive and defensive lines.

Schedule 

Date	Opponent
8/27	Tottenville
9/4	Middletown South
9/10	at Holmdel
9/17	at Wall
9/25	Manalapan
10/2	at Donovan Catholic
10/9	at Red Bank Catholic
10/16	Brick Memorial
10/23	St. John Vianney