As football kickoff inches closer around the country, MaxPreps forecasts the top five teams in the state of New Jersey for the 2009 season.
1. Don Bosco Prep
Bryan Murphy will be a big part of Don Bosco's stingy defense.
Dan Coppola
Winners of three consecutive non-public Group IV state titles, the Don Bosco Prep Ironmen are well-stocked for a run at a fourth straight state title.
However, they’ll have to overcome some stiff competition to do it. Greg Toal’s squad will host the De La Salle Spartans to start their season, and will later travel to Alabama to take on 6A state champion Prattville.
They may be without running back Dillon Romain and quarterback Brett Knief, but the Ironmen will have a defense that will rival any team in the country. James Kittredge, Bryan Murphy, and Steele Divitto will anchor a dominant front seven.
2. St. Peter’s Prep
Don’t be fooled by the Marauders' atypical 8-3 record last season. All three losses came against national-caliber programs. Not to mention, head coach Rich Hansen’s squad returns some of the most impressive talent in the state.
Junior running back Savon Huggins and junior athlete Sheldon Royster are two of the state’s most explosive players. They’ll run behind an offensive line that includes 6-foot-8 Jake Kaufman and 6-5 Anthony Wilkens.
Quarterback Raphael Ortiz saw some action last year, and is coming off a strong summer in which he helped the Marauders capture the championship at the Rutgers 7-on-7.
3. St. Joseph Regional
It was another outstanding season for Tony Karcich’s Green Knights, as St. Joseph Regional captured the non-public Group III state title, with victories over the likes of St. Peter’s Prep, Bergen Catholic and Camden Catholic along the way.
Gone are Steve Beauharnis, Ryan Donohue and Kevin Adams, but the Green Knights return a nice stable of talent. Wide receiver Kai Dominguez had more than 500 receiving yards last year. Cornerback K’Waun Williams has already committed to Pitt.
The team’s most talented player, however, is probably Kamal Hogan, a dynamic athlete who will be one of New Jersey’s top offensive players. {VIDEO_a647e73b-bacc-42e7-8f46-079b5b2f9a53,floatRightWithBar}
4. Wayne Hills
Dynasty is probably the best word to describe Chris Olsen’s reign at Wayne Hills. The Patriots have won an astound 52 straight games, and are closing in on Paulsboro’s state-record 63-game winning streak.
Wayne Hills returns a plethora of key players, most notably quarterback Mike Quinn and offensive lineman Chris Fonti. Quinn tossed for nearly 2,000 yards last season, and should be one of the state’s top signal callers. Running back Brian Dowling is also back after rushing for 12 touchdowns in 2008.
The Patriots’ Oct. 2 showdown against St. Joseph Regional will be one of the state’s biggest games this decade.
5. Piscataway
The Chiefs are coming off another banner season, as they thrashed Hunterdon Central in the North Jersey II Group IV state finals 38-0, avenging a loss to the Red Devils in the 2007 title game. As usual, the 2009 version of the Chiefs will be big, athletic, and well-coached.
Head coach Dan Higgins will have a lot of talent at his disposal, including quarterback Malcolm Griggs and receiver Jawaun Wynn. Linebacker Kyle Polk will anchor the Chiefs’ defense.
Piscataway will open up against Howell in a game that will be played at Rutgers. In addition to its usual GMC schedule, the Chiefs will also take on Toms River North in a crossover game with one of the Shore Conference’s top programs.
