Rumson-Fair Haven will match up against Matawan tomorrow for the state sectional championships. (Photo by Dustin Racioppi; click to enlarge)

By DUSTIN RACIOPPI

Mike Halfacre: mayor, triathlete, gambling man.

As Rumson-Fair Haven preps for the NJSIAA sectional state championship matchup against Matawan tomorrow, Fair Haven’s Hizzoner has placed a wager with Matawan’s mayor on the outcome.

With a championship trophy at stake, the mayors have agreed to a wager worth $200 to charity. If the Bulldogs lose, Halfacre will pull his wallet out and hand over two large to St. Mark’s Food Kitchen in Matawan. If R-FH beats Matawan — and Halfacre is confident that will happen — Mayor Paul Buccellato will donate his Benjamins to the Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean.

“This just seemed like a natural fit,” Halfacre said. “The bet was just kind of a fun thing to come up with. At the very least, it’ll be a couple hundred bucks for the food banks, and that’s good news.”

Halfacre likes the Dawgs’ chances tomorrow. Matawan defeated R-FH in October, but as he will tell you, “it’s hard to beat the same team twice in one year.”

The game will be played at 3p at Kean University. Because of the game time, Fair Haven has pushed back its annual tree lighting to 6p so residents attending the game can catch Santa Claus roll into town.

Donations to the Foodbank of Monmouth and Ocean can be made by contacting the pantry via email or calling 732.918.2600.