ZACH BAIR, STEVE LUBISCHER, NICK BRUSCA LEAD RED BANK CATHOLIC TO WILD WIN

RED BANK - The scoreboard got a workout Friday night at Count Basie Field. But, when the scoreboard was finally done changing, Red Bank Catholic, ranked No. 2 in the Asbury Park Press Top 10, outlasted No. 9 Middletown North 60-41 in a Shore Conference Class B North game. The game was the highest scoring one in Middletown North's history. The two teams combined to score on the game's first nine possessions and for 836 yards of total offense, in addition to 101 points. Senior running back Zach Bair ran for two touchdowns, 107 yards and returned a punt 77 yards for a TD in the third quarter. Junior quarterback Steve Lubischer had two electrifying TD runs and a TD pass ti Kevin Bauman and senior fullback Nick Brusca had three second half TD runs. Junior running back Connor Robbins ran for three TDs and junior quarterback Sean Glenn threw for three TDs for Middletown North. Red Bank Catholic offensive game ball: This can go several ways, but we will go with Lubischer because his 50-yard TD run on a third-and-8 with 10 seconds left in the first half changed the game. Edelson: NFL influences apparent in Red Bank Catholic, Middletown North showdown That TD tied the game 34-34 headed into halftime with Red Bank Catholic due to get the ball first to start the second half. Lubischer also had a 27-yard TD run in the first quarter. He finished with 134 yards rushing - all in the first half - and was 8-for-14 for 98 yards with a TD throwing the ball. STORY FROM PLAYMGM Feeling lucky? A pro poker player’s take on how to improve your game Red Bank Catholic defensive game ball: In a game where, obviously, little defense was played, Red Bank Catholic senior defensive back Matt Ansell had two interceptions, including one that set up Lubischer's game-changing TD. Middletown North MVP: Glenn, who threw for 219 yards with TD passes to Paul Dunleavy, Aidan Campbell and Stephen Barry. OBSERVATIONS Red Bank Catholic has a lot of play-makers on offense. The Caseys, who have scored 107 points in their first two games, will cause nightmares for many opposing defenses this season because they will not be able to key on just one aspect. Lubischer, who missed much of last season with a broken collarbone suffered in the season-opener, is a dual threat. He's got quick feet and vision and can make cuts when running the ball and he's got a deft touch throwing the ball. He is also very adept with his play fakes in both the passing and the running game. . Bair is a back who can gain the tough yards inside and outrace defenders when he gets into the secondary, like he did on his punt return TD. Sophomore running back Billy Guidetti is a slasher who can gain yards inside and outside and Brusca is a good change of pace as a fullback. Red Bank Catholic also has a deep receiving corp, a big offensive line and a head coach in Frank Edgerly, who has NFL experience with working with the New England Patriots and Cleveland Browns. Middletown North's offense will also cause defenses major problems The Lions, who sustain major graduation losses, might actually be better offensively than they were last season when they advanced to the NJSIAA North II Group IV championship game. Glenn, whose older brother Donald was Middletown North's quarterback the last four seasons, displayed a nice touch and arm, especially in the first half. Connor Welsh and Robbins are a nice 1-2 punch at running back. Welsh is the breakaway threat and Robbins is the one who can gain the tough yards inside. Middletown North head coach Steve Bush, who coached with Miami Dolphins, is like, Edgerly, a very good play-caller. They said it Lubischer on Red Bank Catholic's offense: "I think we have one of the best offenses in the state.'' Bair on Red Bank Catholic's offense: "We definitely showed (Friday night) that we were able to do different things with the ball and move the ball down the field in a lot of different ways. "We definitely have a lot of talent and a lot of depth and coach Edgerly finds ways to get us all on the field and get the ball in different guy's hands.'' Edgerly on the diversity of Red Bank Catholic's offense "The thing is with our situation, and with all the attention paid to the injuries at quarterback, we had running backs playing quarterback, had to move wide receivers to running back. We pressed through that last year, and when you come out the other side, you have a lot of guys who have developed versatility to their games '' Up next: Red Bank Catholic is at Ocean (0-3) Sept. 23. Middletown North is at Howell (2-0) Sept. 23. Red Bank Catholic 60, Middletown North 41 First Quarter MN: Robbins 1 run (pass failed). RBC: Bauman 3 pass from Lubischer (kick failed). MN: Robbins 10 run (Cavanagh kick). RBC: Lubischer 27 run (O’Hara kick). Second Quarter MN: Dunleavy 13 pass from Glenn (Cavanagh kick). RBC: Bair 31 run (O’Hara kick). MN: Campbell 54 pass from Glenn (Cavanagh kick). RBC: Bair 10 run (O’Hara kick) MN: Robbins 1 run (Cavaanagh kick). RBC: Lubischer 50 run (O’Hara kick). Third Quarter RBC: Brusca 2 run (kick failed). RBC: Bair 77 punt return (O’Hara kick) RBC: Brusca 5 run (O’Hara kick). Fourth Quarter RBC: Brusca 18 run (kick failed) MN: Barry 24 pass from Glenn (Cavanagh kick) INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS RUSHING— MN: Welsh 8-105, Robbins 10-45, Campbell 4-24, Hill 3-19, N. Dewise 1-5. Glenn 4-(-4), Ferreira 1-(-11). RBC: Lubischer 5-134, Bair 15-107, Guidetti 11-55, Brusca 5-38. PASSING— MN: Glenn 12-23-3-219. RBC: Lubischer 8-14-2-98 RECEIVING— MN: Campbell 4-65, A. Dewise 2-55, Barry 2-42, Robbins 1-27, Soto 1-21, N. Dewise 1-13, Welsh 1-(-4). RBC: Lombana 3-61, Key 2-24, Whelan 1-8, Bauman 1-3, Brusca 1-2. INTERCEPTIONS— MN: Barillari, Welsch. RBC: Ansell 2, Gordinier .

ZACH BAIR, STEVE LUBISCHER, NICK BRUSCA LEAD RED BANK CATHOLIC TO WILD WIN

STEVE FALK

APP | 9/18/2017