2026 Teams to Know Season Preview: Rumson-Fair Haven (NJ)

Rumson-Fair Haven did not need long to answer its most important preseason question. Junior Brady Williams opened the season as the starting quarterback and threw for 204 yards and three touchdowns in a 28-27 win over Tottenville on Aug. 27. He also ran for 52 yards, giving the Bulldogs an immediate return on the decision to place the offense in his hands.

The opening win was only one game, but it showed why Rumson-Fair Haven belongs in the New Jersey Group 2 conversation. Ryder Izzo ran for 107 yards and a touchdown. Cole Spoonire caught five passes for 89 yards and a score. Bodie Matchett caught two touchdown passes. An offense with eight returning starters produced enough explosive plays to survive a difficult first test.

The larger challenge remains on defense, where only three starters returned from last season. Harvard commit Ben Gredell and Carmine Florio give that group experienced leaders, while Izzo remains one of the Shore Conference's most valuable two-way players.

Team Snapshot

Location: Rumson, New Jersey

Head Coach: Jeremy Schulte, fifth season

2025 Record: 6-4

2025 Finish: NJSIAA Central Jersey Group 2 semifinalist

2026 Record: 1-0 through Aug. 27

Conference: Shore Conference Class A North

Classification: NJSIAA Group 2

The Quarterback Question Is Settled

Williams and senior Casey Moore shared quarterback duties in 2025, but Williams took control of the job entering the postseason. He finished the year with 688 passing yards and 10 touchdowns, plus 240 rushing yards and six scores. The Tottenville game confirmed that he is QB1 in 2026.

His first start also showed the next step in his development. Williams completed touchdown passes of 66 and 58 yards before connecting with Matchett for the decisive fourth-quarter score. He finished without an interception against an accomplished opponent.

Moore still matters. His experience gives Schulte another player who understands the offense, and Rumson-Fair Haven can use him in different roles without creating uncertainty about who starts at quarterback.

The Offensive Line Is the Foundation

All five starters from the 2025 offensive line returned. Aidan Lane is a three-year starter and an All-Shore guard. Henry Zanetich returned at left tackle, Julien Malpass at center, Milo Jones at right guard and Tucker Gay at right tackle.

Sophomore Gavin Barber has since worked into the starting group at right guard. That gives Rumson-Fair Haven six linemen with legitimate first-team standing rather than a unit relying on the same five players for every meaningful snap. Sophomore Travis Moore also adds 6-foot-5, 245-pound depth on both lines.

That experience changes what is possible for the offense. The Bulldogs can build around Izzo, protect Williams and stay balanced without asking a first-year starting quarterback to rescue the team on every third down.

Players to Know

Ryder Izzo, RB/LB, senior

The Yale commit rushed for 909 yards and nine touchdowns last season. He opened 2026 with 107 rushing yards, a touchdown, 11 tackles and two sacks, immediately reinforcing his value on both sides of the ball.

Ben Gredell, DT, senior

The Harvard commit is a three-year starter in the middle of the defense. He recorded 63 tackles and four sacks in 2025 and is the stabilizing presence for a front replacing several contributors.

Brady Williams, QB, junior

Williams is the confirmed starter after moving into the lead role late last season. His 204-yard, three-touchdown opener gave Rumson-Fair Haven evidence that the passing game can punish defenses that commit too heavily to Izzo.

Aidan Lane, G/DT, senior

Lane anchors the veteran offensive line and can also rotate into the defensive interior. His experience becomes especially important when the schedule turns to Donovan Catholic, Red Bank Catholic and Brick Memorial in October.

Carmine Florio, LB, senior

Florio returns after producing 60 tackles, 4.5 sacks and two interceptions. With only three defensive starters back, he is responsible for both production and organization in the middle.

Cole Spoonire, WR, senior

Spoonire led Rumson-Fair Haven with 29 receptions in 2025. He began this season with five catches for 89 yards and a 66-yard touchdown, giving Williams an established downfield target.

Jason Tucker, WR/OLB, senior

Tucker is positioned for a larger role opposite Spoonire and also provides experience at outside linebacker. His two-way value matters for a roster rebuilding most of its defensive lineup.

Underclassmen to Watch

Gavin Barber, G, sophomore

Barber has already worked into the starting lineup at right guard. Earning that role in a position group that returned all five starters makes him one of the clearest young players to track.

Travis Moore, OL/DL, sophomore

Moore has the size to contribute in the rotation on both lines. He does not have to carry either unit now, which gives Rumson-Fair Haven time to develop him behind an experienced group.

Luke Harter, RB, sophomore

Harter adds another option behind Izzo in the backfield. Any varsity carries he earns now can help the Bulldogs manage Izzo's two-way workload and build depth for later in the season.

Schedule Breakdown

The 28-27 Tottenville win gave Rumson-Fair Haven an important start, but the schedule does not ease up. Middletown South visits Sept. 4 before the Bulldogs begin consecutive road games at Holmdel and Wall.

The Sept. 17 trip to Wall is the emotional pivot point. Wall ended Rumson-Fair Haven's 2025 season with a 17-13 victory in the Central Jersey Group 2 semifinals, stopping the Bulldogs' run of 11 consecutive sectional-final appearances.

October is even more demanding. Rumson-Fair Haven travels to Donovan Catholic and Red Bank Catholic on consecutive weeks, then closes at home against Brick Memorial and St. John Vianney. The Bulldogs will be tested by public and non-public contenders before the Group 2 bracket begins.

Complete 2026 Schedule

Aug. 27: Tottenville — W, 28-27

Sept. 4: Middletown South

Sept. 10: at Holmdel

Sept. 17: at Wall Township

Sept. 25: Manalapan

Oct. 2: at Donovan Catholic

Oct. 9: at Red Bank Catholic

Oct. 16: Brick Memorial

Oct. 23: St. John Vianney

Biggest Question

Can the rebuilt defense develop as quickly as the veteran offense?

Rumson-Fair Haven has a starting quarterback, a proven running back, established receivers and one of the Shore Conference's most experienced offensive lines. The offense should be capable of keeping the Bulldogs in every game.

The defense is where the season will be decided. Gredell, Florio and Izzo form an excellent core, but the new starters around them must become dependable before the back-to-back trips to Donovan Catholic and Red Bank Catholic.

Bottom Line

Rumson-Fair Haven is not trying to rebuild its entire team. The Bulldogs are replacing most of one side of the ball while returning enough offensive experience to contend immediately.

Williams' opening performance removes the uncertainty at quarterback. If the new defense grows around Gredell, Florio and Izzo, this team can restore the program's place in a sectional final and remain alive deep into the Group 2 playoffs.

This preview is presented as part of MISTER F00TBALL’s National High School Football Composite Rankings, partnered with and powered by Prep Gridiron Logistics, the only rankings to include every national poll and every team receiving a Top 25 vote.

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T25PS Prediction

Projected Regular-Season Record: 7-2

Projected Postseason Finish: NJSIAA Group 2 state semifinalist / sectional champion

The schedule is too difficult to project a clean run, especially with road games at Donovan Catholic and Red Bank Catholic and a closing stretch that includes Brick Memorial. Rumson-Fair Haven still has enough proven offense to win seven regular-season games.

T25PS projects the veteran line, Williams and Izzo to carry the Bulldogs while the defense develops. That should be enough to return to the sectional-title stage and advance into the Group 2 state semifinals, with a realistic chance to go one round farther if the new defenders are ready by November.

Thanks for reading,

Alex | T25PS

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