When Don Bosco visits Montvale to play St. Joseph Regional, the lights can't get much brighter. But with Bosco ranked as the No. 1 team in the state and St. Joe's sitting at No. 4, Saturday's match up at Dinallo Stadium carries even greater weight.
"It's the biggest game of the year so far," said Coach Augie Hoffmann. "We have to be emotionally prepared, since they are the number one team in the state, so it means a lot."
The rivalry between the two powerhouses runs deep, with 62 games played across state playoffs and regular-season battles. Don Bosco holds the historical edge, winning 35 of those match ups against St. Joe's.
The Green Knights (4-1) enter the game off a bye week after losing by one point to St. Peter's Prep two weeks ago.
In the loss to St. Peter's, SJR was without their two stars on offense, wide receiver Nate Bailey and quarterback Lamar Best. This week, Bailey is expected to return, while Best will be a game time decision. A healthy Best could make a major difference. In last year's meeting with Don Bosco, he turned in one of his best performances of the season, throwing for 240 yards and two touchdowns while rushing for 47 yards.
Although the Green Knights can hurt defenses through the air, their ground game has been equally dangerous, led by junior running back Kyshawn Bryant. This year, Bryant has scored five total touchdowns, four from rushing and one from special teams. Along with the five touchdowns, Bryant has accounted for 174 rushing yards, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. Bryant comes into the game after a phenomenal performance vs St. Peter's where he scored 4 total touchdowns, three rushing and one from special teams.
"I just push through and give good effort on the field whenever I get the ball," Bryant said. "It all starts in practice though, whatever I build in practice, I build on the field in the game."
"Kyshawn's got tremendous speed, and he's elusive," added Coach Hoffmann. "Anytime he catches the ball in space, he's dangerous."
Don Bosco (5-0) steps into the game coming off back-to-back wins over two 2024 state champions, Bergen Catholic (Non-Public A) and DePaul Catholic (Non-Public B).
The Ironmen haven't needed flashy numbers to prove they're one of the best in the state. Since taking over for Dylan Wrona midway through the season opener at Melissa (TX), sophomore quarterback Carson Schoen has thrown for 681 yards, six touchdowns, and just one interception.
"Carson's a really good quarterback," said defensive back KJ McClain. "He's a good decision maker, he's tough, and he's a winner."
The Ironmen have also found consistency on the ground, rushing for 650 yards and nine touchdowns. Their one-two punch at running back is what the rushing game is built on. Ca'si Thomas leads the way with 268 yards and four touchdowns, while Dante DeLuca is right behind him with 263 yards and three scores.
Although both teams have great offenses, this game will be decided through the defenses as two of the best defenses in the state clash together.
The Green Knights defense had a great first month of the season, allowing 13.7 points per game.
The core of the Green Knights defense has been the linebacker core of Tahj Gray and AJ Revella. The tandem has combined for 76 total tackles and seven tackles for a loss.
"I take a lot of pride in having my brothers with me," said Tahj Gray. "Us linebackers communicating, talking over each play and just leading the defense overall, so I have to take a lot of pride in that."
For the Ironmen, on the other hand, their unit has been just as dominant. Allowing just 11 points per game, including allowing just nine points against Bergen Catholic two weeks ago. Through five games, the Don Bosco front four has accounted for eight total sacks, with four-star recruit and New Jersey's top-ranked 2027 linebacker Mikahi Allen leading the charge with three.
"We have to continue to do what we have been doing," said O-Lineman Christian Alvarez. "Protecting our quarterback, letting him have some time in the pocket to make big plays. We've got one of the better groups up front in the state and I think we are going to give them a good competition."
Along with a strong front four, the Ironmen have also efficiently turned over the ball, forcing seven total interceptions this season.
The much anticipated match up is set for 1 PM, on Saturday, October 11th at Dinallo Stadium.
Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/zone6ixhs-classic-october-11th-st-joseph-regional-vs-don-bosco-prep-tickets-1475127990529
