By Geoff Magliochetti: DonBoscoAthletics.com
Few could argue with that the Don Bosco Prep Ironmen belonged at the top of the New Jersey High School Football Rankings. However, when it came to topping the national polls, the obvious choices were teams like St Thomas Aquinas (Florida) and Byrnes (South Carolina).
However, when Byrnes fell to Aquinas, and Aquinas fell in their state playoff game, the Ironmen rose to number one in the country. Not too many people could argue that the Ironmen were a great team, but the top ranking simply solidified their reputation as one of the greatest modern high school dynasties.
If I told you a running back had 1,387 yards with 34 touchdowns on the year, who do think I would be talking about? Heisman winner Mark Ingram from the University of Alabama? Wrong. NFL superstar Adrian Peterson? Wrong again. The answer is Bosco running back Tony Jones. Jones ran for an average of 7.9 yards per carry, leaving defenses across the nation scratching their heads. The running was complimented by a dual passing game led by junior Gary Nova and sophomore Mike Yankovich. No matter who threw the ball, there would always be someone to catch it. Names like seniors Jimmy Clark and Ryan Cobb, regularly appeared in postgame box scores after the two combine for 17 touchdowns. And whether a running back or receiver got the ball, there was always room to run thanks to a stellar offensive line consisting of seniors Brandon Sacco, Adam Kurtz, Kurt Schmitz, Peter Meile, and junior Andrew Benvenuto.
On the defensive side of the ball, the Ironmen were led by intimidating line. Led by seniors Bryan Murphy, James Kitteredge, Billy Meile, and junior Paul Canivari , the line combined for 21.5 sacks. The linebacker corps, headed by seniors Paul Sakowski, Steele Devito, Cobb and junior Lars Larson, not only knew how to tackle, but could also force plenty of turnovers. And the all senior secondary featuring seniors Chris Brady, Dan Chun and Andrew Parilla combined for 7 interceptions. As for special teams, the younger brother of former Bosco hero Pat Murray, Aidan Murray, took over kicking and punting duties, while senior Chris Burrell handled returns.
The Ironmen started the year with big expectations, and what better place to start the year than at the friendly confines of Granatell Stadium? The Ironmen took on their old nemesis from the West, the Spartans of De La Salle (California). Unlike the contest in Concord (which came down to a last second field goal), the Ironmen quickly put away the Spartans. Before most fans had settled into their seats, the Ironmen had jumped out to a 16-0 lead. They eventually took the game 30-6. After a bye week, it was off to the Deep South in Prattville, Alabama. The Lions tried to intimidate the Ironmen with an elaborate pregame show, complete with a sign that read, “You’re from the North, but we see no one above us,” Once again, the Ironmen jumped out to an early lead, with three Jones touchdowns making it a 23-0 lead. After the Lions scored 24 unanswered points to take the lead, two Burrell touchdowns sealed the deal, giving the Ironmen a 35-24 victory. Jones finished the game with a career high 223 yards on 20 carries.
Easy wins over Passaic, Clifton and Kennedy followed the Prattville win. A showdown with the hated Bergen Catholic Crusaders awaited the Ironmen on a rainy Saturday night. Due to the flood like conditions, the game was moved to Sunday afternoon. The Ironmen faced a challenge from the Crusaders, but Jones’s four touchdowns propelled them to a 28-20 victory. The Ironmen met little resistance the rest of the way, plowing their way through the playoffs, and holding off an early challenge from St Joseph’s Regional on Thanksgiving. They outscored their five opponents 264-58 during the five game stretch.
In the Ironmen’s final appearance at the old Giants Stadium, they faced a familiar foe in the St Peter’s Marauders. The Marauders, still fuming over a 42-9 beatdown the Ironmen bestowed upon them four weeks earlier, came up pumped, but any momentum they had was killed after a crushing Chris Corvino hit on the opening kickoff. A Cobb interception set up another Jones touchdown, and the rout was on. St Peter’s made a small comeback, but they couldn’t stop Jones who ran for 218 yards and all five Bosco touchdowns in the snowy 35-15 victory.
As the sun sets on yet another football season, the Ironmen once again see themselves on top. This time, however, they are the champions of the entire country. But this is no time to be satisfied. They will return to practices this summer more determined than ever to repeat as not only state champions but national champions as well. When faced with a challenge like this, most teams would cringe and make excuses. The Ironmen smile and take the field.
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