No. 20 Paramus Catholic stuns No. 1 Don Bosco Prep 21-14

After unprecedented hype leading into one of the nation's most intense rivalries, the action on the field did not fail to deliver.

Neither did the defense of No. 20 Paramus Catholic (Paramus, N.J.) which limited No. 1 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) to just 14 points and came up with numerous big stops in a 21-14 victory on Saturday afternoon.

Paramus Catholic's victory, only its second against Don Bosco Prep since 2004, followed a highly-publicized war of words in the media that added fuel to a rivalry that's been burning intensely over the last three years.

A 20-yard touchdown pass from Willy Hansen to Marquis Spence with 6:13 remaining helped Paramus Catholic overcome a 14-13 deficit and it proved to be the winning touchdown. A 40-yard keeper by Hansen keyed the game-winning score. A successful two-point conversation on a pass from Hansen to Donald Stewart made it 21-14.

Paramus Catholic's defense came up with a big stop — one of many on the day — on Don Bosco's next possession, as a big third down sack by Rashan Gary forced an Ironmen punt.

Don Bosco Prep got the ball back with 27 seconds left, but the Paramus Catholic once again refused to break. Saleem Brightwell sacked quarterback Wesley McKoy. An interception from Samad Smith sealed the victory for the Paladins.

Paramus Catholic jumped to a 13-0 lead in the first half, courtesy of two Ahmad Thomas touchdowns. Don Bosco Prep got on the board late in the second quarter thanks to a highlight-reel touchdown catch by R.J. Trimble-Edwards from McKoy to make it 13-7 at the half.

After a scoreless third quarter, Don Bosco Prep running back Malik Bakker rushed for a short touchdown to give Don Bosco Prep a short-lived lead before Spence scored the decisive touchdown.

The two rivals could meet again in New Jersey's non-public Group IV playoffs, a bracket that will also include previously nationally-ranked team St. Peter's Prep.