August 2, 2018
2017 in Review: The Ironmen were 2-8, losing to St. Peter’s Prep in the first round of the Non-Public Group 4 playoffs. They scored 187 points for an 18.7 average, while allowing 249 for a 24.9 average. Wins were against Seton Hall Prep and Delbarton, while their losses included Bergen Catholic, St. Peter’s Prep, St. Joe’s (Montvale), Paramus Catholic, and DePaul.
Graduation Losses: OL Tyler Friday – Ohio State, DB/WR Kevin Brennan – Navy, DE Marcelus Earlington – St. John’s for basketball, OL Chris Donnelly – New Hampshire, C Sebastian Delasoudas – Rhode Island, OL Tyler Williams – Monmouth, OL Jack Swords – Holy Cross, DL Ian Grayson – Lafayette, TE Nick Wiley – Colgate, WR Mike Geraci – Michigan as a walk-on, WR Tyler DiIenno – Cheshire Academy (Ct.) and Yale in 2019, RB Tommy Courtney – U Penn for baseball
Offense: Don Bosco runs a multiple spread and returns four starters. Returning at quarterback is junior Jahquil Batts (6-1, 205), who is in a dogfight with senior Jake Tarentino (6-2, 200) and the job will be settled in pre-season. Returning at running back is junior Jalen Berger (6-1, 198) and he will be joined by junior Seton Hall Prep transfer Kyle Monangai (5-10, 195), where he gained 700 yards. There will be one and two-back sets, plus Monangai will also play as a slot receiver.
Wide receiver returns senior Christian Dremel (5-10, 175) and junior Kieran Reynolds (6-2, 185). They will be joined by senior Brandon Jimenez (5-10, 190), plus juniors Luke Gadson (5-11, 190) and Nestor Antigua (6-1, 185) are pushing for time.
The entire line was lost to graduation, but junior center Nikolai Bujnowski (6-2, 275) did start one game and senior left tackle Travis Cepalia (6-2, 270) saw some time. Left guard has competition between sophomore Jake Guy (6-2, 275) and junior Marco Meli (5-11, 265). The right side of the line has senior Jason Azzolino (6-0, 270) at guard and junior Michael Fallah (6-4, 285) at tackle, but junior Dakeel Thompson (6-4, 330) is on their heels to start at one of those spots.
Defense: The Ironmen run a multiple four man front and return four starters. Junior Jahmir Greene (6-0, 280) saw action last year and will be one of the tackles, paired with junior Robbie Muraca (6-2, 270). The ends will be junior Gabriel Maysonet (6-0, 225) and senior Grayson Hill (6-1, 230), with Maysonet also dropping back to play outside linebacker in 3-4 sets.
Anchoring the linebackers will be senior Seton Hall Prep transfer Anthony Alvarado (6-1-1/2, 230) in the middle, where he started for two years. Flanking him on one side is junior Colin Ramos (6-0, 195), while the other side is either senior Sean Moran (5-9, 190) or junior Dino Borrelli (6-1, 210). Returning starter Joe Destro (6-0, 214) tore his ACL playing lacrosse and will miss his senior season, a blow to the defense.
There is plenty of experience in the secondary with juniors Arsheen Giles (5-9, 180) and Romaine Robinson (5-9, 180) returning at cornerback. The safeties also have returning starters, as senior Jason Haber (6-1, 190) moves from strong safety to free safety, while junior Michael Courtney (5-11, 190) moves from outside linebacker to strong safety. Also seeing time in the secondary will be Monangai, Berger, and freshman Nick Alvarado (5-10, 190).
Special Teams: Senior Guy Falva will handle kicking and punting, while Azzolino is back as the long snapper. The return men will be Dremel and Monangai on punts and Berger and Monangai on kicks.
Schedule:
Friday, 8/31, Byrnes (SC) at home, 7 PM
Saturday, 9/8, at Gonzaga, 2 PM
Friday, 9/14, at West Orange, 7 PM
Saturday, 9/22, at Bergen Catholic, 1 PM
Friday, 9/28, Pope John at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/5, St. Peter’s Prep at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/12, St. Joe’s (Montvale) at home, 7 PM
Friday, 10/19, at DePaul, 7 PM
Friday, 10/26, at Paramus Catholic, 7 PM
Concerns: Inexperience on both lines and lack of overall depth.
Recruiting: Alvarado can go anywhere from 1-AA to D3 or even the lower level of 1-A. Dremel, Haber, Cepalia, and Jimenez can go anywhere from D3 to 1-AA. Destro has verballed to North Carolina for lacrosse. Tarentino has a chance to go D3.
In the junior class, Berger can go to any Power-5 school he wants. Reynolds has interest from Power-5 schools. Monangai will be a minimum of 1-AA, while Batts, Bujnowski, and Maysonet are 1-AA. Giles and Robinson are 1-AA/D2 players. Courtney can go either football or lacrosse somewhere.
Coach’s Comments: “We are a year into the off-season and summer program, which is beneficial. We will spend time focusing on the system and scheme. We’re excited; we have a good group of kids who love to compete and be with one another.” – Head Coach Mike Teel