Don Bosco senior QB Wes McKoy, left, will lead Don Bosco against Paramus Catholic and Samad Smith, right. Saturday at 4 p.m.
A big game like this deserves a big chat, and so Brian and I traded emails for a few days talking about the showdown between Don Bosco Prep and Paramus Catholic Saturday afternoon.
COOPER: You know, before we talk about Saturday’s game, I think we have to reflect some on last year’s two games, especially the playoff game, which PC won on a late missed field goal. That was a real program-making win for PC. For all of his bluster and talk, I think that Paladins coach Chris Partridge and PC still see Bosco as the measuring stick program in North Jersey. PC has never had a year where it beat Bosco, Bergen and Joes in the same season….you agree?
GIUFFRA: There’s no doubt Bosco is the measuring stick Paramus Catholic (and all North Jersey non-publics) measures itself by. They’ve won national titles. They’ve produced big recruits, NFL players and are in the national spotlight win or lose. Partridge definitely respects that history, but has no qualms running over it on PC’s way to the top.
Frankly I think Paramus Catholic NEEDED that state semi win last year to validate their place at the big boy table. Sure, they won a state title the year before. But it was one state title in 20-plus years. Gotta win multiple to be part of the convo. Plus, their loss to Bosco in the regular season was devastating. They were the third-ranked team in the nation. It was on national TV. It was at home. And they were dominated most of the game, even though the score was close.
PC needed to prove they could slay the Don Bosco dragon, and they did at the most opportune moment, the playoffs. The team’s reaction afterward (Jabrill Peppers running around the field in stunned disbelief, Partridge sitting on the bench trying to catch his breath, or avoid a heart attack) told you how significant it was.
On a side note, Partridge told me he thinks the pressure is back on Bosco this week because of the national rankings. He said PC’s only focus this year is on winning the division, not the national title. Do you agree with him?
COOPER: I think you can certainly look at this way. This is also, probably the 1st of two meetings between the 2 schools this year, depending on how the seedings go in Non-Public Group 4. You could make a case that the team that wins this game, is at a disadvantage if (and when) they meet again in the playoffs.
So yes, what is at stake for Bosco is really a lot, they are No. 1 in MaxPreps, high up in the other national polls. There is every reason to believe that if they run the table and beat St. Peter’s Prep somewhere along the way, they will/could be national champions again. I, for one, didn’t see that coming, I’m not ashamed to admit it. For PC, what is at stake is…what exactly? The division? I mean, you could say that the Big North United title is at stake, but it is only week 6, and Bosco hasn’t played anyone else in the league yet. PC still has Joes and DePaul. So if a team is going to be looser, and have the ability to take more chances Saturday, you would think it would be PC.
And don’t you think Brian, that this whole season has kind of played out — in a twisted way — perfectly for Paramus Catholic. Not a lot of respect to start the year, they beat Ignatius in OT and that win gets overshadowed by what Bergen does to St. Ed’s. They are 5-0, they are in the news for Rashan Gary’s transfer, they get absolved of all that. Another coach comes out and calls them “dirty.†That just all feeds into their mentality over there, them against the world. I said to Partridge at the start of the year, they were the least respected 2 time state champs I had ever seen.
GIUFFRA: Couldn’t agree more with you Coop. Paramus Catholic didn’t get any respect coming into this season, and that just fed into their underdog mentality. It’s a mindset that stems from Partridge’s playing days at PC. I think he’s done a great job of playing that up and getting the team to buy into it the last few years.
At the same time, playing the underdog card won’t beat Bosco. It’s all about execution. Looking at the match ups, I think this comes down to the battle in the trenches.
Paramus Catholic’s defensive line is the strength of its team — RE: 12 sacks against Bergen Catholic. It can dominate a game and will play a big part in this one. But I think it’s the Paladins offensive line that could decide how things play out. They have to open holes for Paramus Catholic’s running game (QB Willy Hansen, RB Ahmad Thomas, RB Alijah Jackson are the primary carriers). If not PC becomes a one-dimensional throwing team, which will be an issue against Bosco’s pass rush.
Don’t get me wrong, Paramus Catholic can throw it. Its got three outstanding WR (Najee Clayton, Donald Stewart, Marquis Spence). But for its offense to work best, it needs the run to set up the pass, especially against a team like Bosco.
Coop, what are you looking at in terms of match ups? This is definitely going to be a big boy game. But even special teams could play a big roll. Don’t forget, Peppers ran the opening kick off back during the playoff game last year and then Bosco misses the field goal at the end. Those two plays turned out to be the game. Just a side note to consider.
COOPER: Yes, your point about special teams a real valid one. Both teams have good kicking games, Conte has been good for PC, and Leo Vagias has been good for Bosco. Kinda lost in the shuffle against Ft. Pierce Central, but Vagias had 2 field goals that were crucial at the time. And Bosco is so good at blocking punts with Lawrence Stephens coming off the edge.
It’s the same kind of match-up problems for Bosco against the PC front line. The Bosco O-Line has played better and better, but I’m not sure that you would call it a team strength at the moment (And I think you could say the same for the PC O-Line too). They have a lot of potential, but what Bosco can do, that maybe PC can’t is bring in their heavy package with Kevin Feder at TE to double team Rashan Gary, or Kyle Kleinberg at TE to chip at him. Listen, Bosco gave up some sacks against Aquinas, three from the Bosa kid, and he’s similar to the type of player Gary is.
If there is one spot where I think PC has a distinct advantage it’s at wide receiver, but the question is, will Willy Hansen have time to get them the ball to make plays. Also though, the Bosco defensive backs are fantastic.
For PC, the challenge is maintaining their coverages and discipline for when McKoy breaks out of the pocket….it’s going to happen…I guess its almost pick your poison do you give up a 5-10 yard scramble to him, or risk letting RJ Trimble-Edwards get behind the defense for a 50-yard gain. It sounds easy, but man, its not. And in the 4th quarter, of a close game, geez, it becomes even harder.
Bosco will still try to run the ball for sure, because they know their defense and special teams are so good, they can afford to get three yards, and punt. A punt in this game won’t be a bad play….a turnover will likely be deadly.
Of course, we say and predict all this, and it’ll probably end up like 41 to 27.
GIUFFRA: Haha, so true. And btw, great point on Feder. Remember him in the playoff game last year? Dude was a beast on D batting down passes and stuffing the run. I could see how he will help Bosco slow (emphasis on slow, not stop) Gary.
Personally I think it will be closer than a 41-27 game, and lower scoring. A big part of me wants to pick Paramus Catholic after last week’s performance. But I still think Bosco has the edge going in. They want to set the tone for the playoffs. They want to avenge that loss last year. They want to reestablish their spot, as we talked about earlier, as the measuring stick in North Jersey football. Oh, and they also had an extra week to scout and prepare to play PC coming off that bye week.
Paramus Catholic might be more individually talented at certain positions. But I also think some of these guys are still getting used to playing together, even though their five games into the schedule. Remember, this is Hansen’s first year starting for PC, it’s WR Donald Brown’s first year at PC (Seton Hall transfer) and it’s the ENTIRE offensive lines first year (graduated all five starters from last year).
With that in mind, I’ll pick Don Bosco to win this one 24-21, which I’m know Partridge will like. We just keep feeding that underdog mentality.
COOPER: Well, I gave it away to you already who I picked, and it’s on the Extra Scoop video. It’s funny how important people read into these picks. I used to do percentages, and for this one, I am about 60 percent sure….does that mean I’m willing to bet any of the 3 Varsity kids on this? Heck no (well, maybe the middle one), but I just have a feeling that Paramus Catholic is a bit more ready for this moment right now. You know, looking over some things, you realize Bosco has only played 10 quarters thanks to the rain in Philly, and two bye weeks. PC is 5-0. I also think that the injuries for Bosco are significant. Bakker has been such a huge part of the offense and if Bosco has to use Lawrence Stephens at RB and extensively at cornerback, well, that’s just a tall order (by the way, if they do, and Bosco wins, Stephens is 100 percent going to be my story). And Daivon Ellison gives the Ironmen a big weapon on the outside, he hurt PC last year that way with the jet sweep, and if he’s not 100 percent, that hurts Bosco too. I think PC has had a little more time to find itself offensively. Bosco QB Wesley McKoy can do a lot of things, but I’m betting that the PC defensive scheme is pack the box and see if McKoy can consistently make throws downfield.
My one caveat is that Bosco has had 2 weeks to prepare, they probably have some tricks up their sleeves, some different offensive looks, maybe some new players they can rotate in. That’s usually what they do.
But for sure more pressure is on Bosco right now than PC. To me, that also means PC can be a little looser and take some chances. I almost want to say, Saturday, I think I like PC, in the playoffs….I think I will go with Bosco. But definitely low scoring, 14-10? 17-14? How ironic would it be to come down to a late field goal again??
GIUFFRA: It would be ironic if it came down to a field goal. I could see that happening no doubt. Really evenly matched teams. I’m 50-50 on my prediction. Guess we’ll see what happens on Saturday.