By Jeff Moeller
MaxPreps.com
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Tucker Keeps Rolling
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If Pope John plans a return trip to the postseason this fall, its chances will hinge on the performance of running back Jeremy Tucker.
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Tucker continues to excel and impress through the first three weeks of the season as the senior tailback was a one-man wrecking crew with a 314-yard, five-touchdown performance in a 50-15 win over arch-rival Sparta.
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Tucker, who is being watched closely by Temple, Rutgers, Boston College, and Syracuse, utilized his breakaway speed for runs of 13, 81, 73, and 25 yards all in the first half.
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He capped the afternoon with a 54-yard scamper late in the third quarter to lead his Lions to their third-consecutive victory (3-0) and kept them on the path to a return trip to the postseason.
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Pope John will encounter two more key SCIL contests in the upcoming weeks with Lenape Valley and Vernon to further entrench themselves into the postseason picture.
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In the meantime, the Lions plan to thoroughly enjoy watching a masterpiece in the making.
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"He (Tucker) is the best running back and overall player I have coached here," said legendary head coach Vince Paternostro, who is in his 40th year at Pope John. "He does everything we ask of him and more, and he comes to play every day. He is very special, and a once-in-a-lifetime football player."
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Tucker, who averaged over 200 yards in his first two games and rushed for over 2,500 yards last season, has handled his success in stride.
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"It was a big game for us because it was our rival," Tucker said. "It took us a while to get going, but we got things in gear. We have to stay focused because our goal is to get deep into the playoff this year."
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Ironmen Prove Their Mettle
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Another private school also continued to roll toward a return date in the playoffs, but the Don Bosco Prep Ironmen relied on their defense in a convincing, 45-6, victory over Valley Forge Military Academy, a perennial power located just outside the of Philadelphia.
Don Bosco (3-0), who rolled over Centerville, Ohio, the previous weekend, recorded five sacks and junior linebacker Nick Mistretta returned a fumble 55 yards for a touchdown. Mistretta also recorded 10 tackles and a sack in the rout.
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It was the second-straight strong showing for Mistretta, who recorded 14 tackles in the win over Centerville. Junior fullback/linebacker Guy Germinario, who is being recruited heavily by Boston College, scored a pair of touchdowns and notched eight tackles. Senior defensive end Justin Trattou, bound for Notre Dame, also had another busy afternoon with six tackles and two sacks.
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Senior quarterback Matt Simms completed 10 of 19 passes for 137 yards and ran for a touchdown.
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Wayne Valley, Passaic Valley on Collision Course
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Wayne Valley and Passaic Valley both posted impressive victories as they headed into this week's action with identical 3-0 records.
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Wayne Valley downed West Orange, 34-13, behind the play of quarterback Charlie Rigoglioso. The senior tossed touchdown passes of 75 and 43 yards and finished the night 7 of 17 for 260 yards, tacking on another 85 yards on the ground. Rigoglioso is also the point guard on the school's basketball team and the third baseman for the baseball team.
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But it was the Wayne Valley defense that rose to the occasion as they shut down West Orange quarterback Anthony Casalino, who threw for 300 yards and three touchdowns the previous week, with its linebacking core of Vin DiDilectis, Bobby Bishop, Chris Pantale, and Mike Lambert.
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Passaic Valley also was paced by its defense as they slowed Passaic Tech, 24-6.
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Junior linebacker Tyler Miceli recorded 16 tackles and blocked and recovered a punt in the end zone for a score. The Hornets have outscored their opponents 81-19 in their first three games.
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If they both record wins this week, Wayne Valley and Passaic Valley will meet in a battle of unbeatens Oct. 6.