By Jeff Moeller
MaxPreps.com
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The burning desires to return to the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 4 championship have already reached near inferno levels for both St. Peter's Prep and Don Bosco Prep - even in the early stages of another season.
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Although St. Peter's defeated Don Bosco in last year's state title, the two schools will share common elements on the road to a rematch in December. Both school's starting quarterbacks thoroughly stated their cases as the state's top signal caller in a convincing and determined fashion in last weekend's openers across the Garden State.
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In fact, several of the state's top players rose to the occasion.
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Part of a gridiron trifecta in the Kickoff Classic at the Meadowlands, St. Peter's (12-0 last season) dominated Delbarton, 36-0, holding a commanding 28-0 advantage at halftime.
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Considered by many to be the most versatile football player in the state, junior Will Hill electrified the crowd with two touchdown runs and connected on another in the opening half.
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Up north, it wasn't as easy for Don Bosco Prep starter and Louisville-bound Matt Simms.
The touted southpaw suffered a bruised left shoulder at the hands of an aggressive St. Joseph's Prep (Pa.) defense that limited Simms to just one completion and one interception while taking a 6-0 lead into halftime.
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But the senior and his Ironmen teammates lived up to their preseason billing as one of Jersey's giants, responding with 31 second half points and a three-point win (31-28). Senior kicker Brian Hanly, regarded as one of the state's top kickers, snapped the tie by connecting on an 18-yard field goal with 13 seconds remaining.
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Simms completed 10 of 18 passes for 169 yards and one touchdown.
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"We have a great attitude heading into this season," Simms said. "We want to win a championship and we know we have a few hurdles to overcome."
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Bosco defensive linemen Justin Trattou and Sam Griffin were forces throughout the evening on the defensive side of the ball. Trattou, who is headed to Notre Dame next fall, collected eight tackles and three sacks, while Griffin - mulling offers from Boston College, Maryland, Rutgers, and Temple - registered five tackles.
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Bosco's path to a title will be a rugged one, as the Ironmen meet Centerville, Ohio, in Cincinnati as part of the Kirk Herbstreit Ohio vs. USA Challenge Saturday.
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The following Saturday (Sept. 23), Bosco entertains Valley Forge Academy, a perennial power located just outside Philadelphia. Bosco winds down its season with nearby powerhouses St. Joseph of Montvale and arch-rival Bergen Catholic.
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Quarterbacks in Midseason Form
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St. Peter's Prep signal caller Will Hill wasn't the only quarterback to shine at the Kickoff Classic.
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Phillipsburg senior Justin Viscomi appears primed for another strong season, and his leadership will be a key as the Stateliners look to defend their North Section Group 2 crown.
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Viscomi completed 10 of 13 passed for 222 yards, and his 25-yard touchdown run gave Phillipsburg a 28-27 overtime victory over Bergen Catholic.
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DePaul's Chaz Cervino also had an impressive opener, completing 11 of 19 passes for 223 yards and five touchdowns. Cervino also rushed for 141 yards and a touchdown on 17 carries. East Brunswick's Randall Nixon combined for six touchdowns on the ground and in the air.
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Running Back Rumble
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In a showdown between two of the better running backs in northeast and western New Jersey, Pope John's Jeremy Tucker gained the upper hand in his team's 31-0 victory over Hopatcong.
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Tucker, who is weighing offers from Boston College, Rutgers, Temple, Conncticut, exploded with 225 yards and four touchdowns.
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Joe Martinek, who is headed to Rutgers next season, was held to 87 yards, as Hopatcong dropped its opener after winning its second NJSIAA North Jersey Section 1 title last season. Ironically, Pope John gave Hopatcong its only defeat in week two of last season. Both Tucker and Martinek rushed for over 2,500 yards a year ago.