Week 2 Thursday Night Football Games of the Week Presented by Sansone Jr’s Kia
Shore Conference football divisional games take the center stage under the lights Thursday night, and Shore Sports Insider will be on hand with coverage of two Week 2 matchups.
Tonight’s Shore Conference Thursday Night Football coverage is presented by Sansone Jr’s Kia, including Sansone Jr’s 66 Kia in Neptune and Sansone Jr’s Keyport Kia.
No. 4 Rumson-Fair Haven (2-0) travels to No. 6 Holmdel (2-0) at 7 p.m. in a critical early season Class A North game. Shore Sports Insider’s Scott Stump will be on hand with coverage of the showdown between the Bulldogs and the Hornets.
No. 7 Manalapan (2-0) travels to No. 12 Wall (1-1) at 7 p.m. for a matchup that will be remembered as the first game at the Crimson Knights’ new football stadium. Shore Sports Insider’s Dave Smith will be there for the historical kickoff.
Shore Sports Insider will have coverage from both games throughout Thursday night and afterward on ShoreSportsInsider.com.
Below, we take a closer look at both matchups with an expanded preview of Rumson-Fair Haven at Holmdel and Manalapan at Wall.
Rumson-Fair Haven at Holmdel, 7 p.m.
Series Record: Rumson-Fair Haven Leads 20-5
| 1980 | Holmdel 14, RFH 0 |
| 1981 | Holmdel 17, RFH 14 |
| 1982 | Holmdel 6, RFH 0 |
| 1983 | RFH 17, Holmdel 7 |
| 1984 | RFH 13, Holmdel 0 |
| 1985 | RFH 24, Holmdel 7 |
| 1986 | RFH 3, Holmdel 0 |
| 1987 | RFH 16, Holmdel 0 |
| 1996 | RFH 38, Holmdel 6 |
| 1997 | Holmdel 14, RFH 6 |
| 1998 | RFH 10, Holmdel 0 |
| 1999 | Holmdel 28, RFH 7 |
| 2000 | RFH 7, Holmdel 3 |
| 2001 | RFH 13, Holmdel 10 |
| 2007 | RFH 14, Holmdel 7 (states) |
| 2008 | RFH 24, Holmdel 7 |
| 2010 | RFH 35, Holmdel 7 |
| 2011 | RFH 17, Holmdel 12 |
| 2012 | RFH 27, Holmdel 6 |
| 2013 | RFH 41, Holmdel 7 |
| 2014 | RFH 41, Holmdel 6 |
| 2015 | RFH 41, Holmdel 0 |
| 2016 | RFH 49, Holmdel 0 |
| 2017 | RFH 40, Holmdel 24 |
| 2025 | Holmdel 33, RFH 21 |
Preview
One of the most highly anticipated matchups of the season to this point features a pair of teams looking to improve to 3-0. Holmdel has yet to be challenged, cruising to lopsided wins over Hightstown and Red Bank. Rumson-Fair Haven, meanwhile, was tested in a one-point victory over Tottenville (NY) before defeating Middletown South by three touchdowns.
If there are any doubters remaining about the Hornets in the post-Jack Cannon era, this represents their biggest opportunity to silence them. Holmdel’s passing attack, guided by sophomore quarterback Tommy Fletcher, has been impressive with nearly 400 yards and five touchdowns through two games. Fletcher will face a battle-tested Bulldogs secondary featuring senior free safety Hunter Beattie, a ball hawk who has snatched three interceptions in two games.
This will also be the first major test for Holmdel up front. The Hornets will have to contend with a dangerous Rumson-Fair Haven pass rush led by senior defensive lineman Ben Gredell, who has three sacks, and senior linebacker Ryder Izzo, who has added 2.5 sacks.
Rumson-Fair Haven’s Ryder Izzo (Photo: Tom Smith | tspsportsimages.com)
On the other side of the ball, the Bulldogs have displayed plenty of balance. Rumson-Fair Haven has rushed for 347 yards and three touchdowns, with Izzo and junior quarterback Brady Williams accounting for the bulk of that production. Williams has also been efficient through the air, completing 27 of 44 passes for 395 yards and five touchdowns.
Holmdel’s defense will look to disrupt that balance, with senior linebacker Hunter Sanfilippo emerging as one of the Hornets’ top pass rushers with two sacks through the first two games.
Predictions
Stump- RFH
Smith- RFH
Crouthamel- Holmdel
Yeserski- RFH
Manzo- RFH
Manalapan at Wall, 7 p.m.
Series Record: Wall Leads 8-2
| 1972 | Wall 28, Manalapan 0 |
| 1973 | Wall 37, Manalapan 0 |
| 1974 | Wall 26, Manalapan 6 |
| 1975 | Wall 14, Manalapan 8 |
| 1981 | Manalapan 22, Wall 18 |
| 1982 | Wall 21, Manalapan 12 |
| 2022 | Wall 14, Manalapan 7 |
| 2023 | Manalapan 35, Wall 13 |
| 2024 | Wall 7, Manalapan 6 |
| 2025 | Wall 25, Manalapan 22 |
Preview
There is some historical significance surrounding this matchup, as the Crimson Knights look to christen their brand-new turf field with a victory. Manalapan, meanwhile, will try to spoil the occasion while snapping a two-year losing streak against Wall.
Manalapan’s rushing attack has been among the best in the Shore Conference, with its Shotgun Wing-T offense piling up 597 yards through two games. Dynamic senior running back Nick Palmieri has led the way with 261 yards and four touchdowns. Wall senior linebackers Christos Tsandiotis (16 tackles) and Max Katsouris (12 tackles) will lead the effort to slow down the Braves in the box.
Nicky Palmieri and Manalapan picked up a win over Jackson to improve to 2-1. (Photo by Steve Meyer)
The Crimson Knights’ secondary has been vulnerable through two games, although it has faced two of the Shore Conference’s top passing attacks in Brick Memorial and Freehold Township. If Wall commits extra defenders to stopping the run, look for senior quarterback Cameron Desfosse to take some shots downfield to his leading receiver, senior Cooper Savage.
On the other side of the ball, Wall senior quarterback Franny Scaramellino and junior running back Michael Boulard showcased their big-play ability in a shootout victory over Freehold Township. Manalapan’s linebacker corps, led by seniors Donny Rocco Sosa (25 tackles) and Chase Osmun (27 tackles), will have to be up to the task against a Crimson Knights offense capable of striking quickly.
Predictions
Stump- Manalapan
Smith- Manalapan
Crouthamel- Manalapan
Yeserski- Manalapan
Manzo- Wall
