No. 1 Don Bosco Prep
By Stephen Spiewak
Jun 1, 2011, 9:40pm
New Jersey powerhouse enters the fall as the nation's top football team.
Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.)Visit full Top 25
From left to right: Darius Hamilton, Mike Strizak, Leonte Carroo, Elijah Shumate
Photo by Jim Stout
No one will be underestimating the Don Bosco Prep Ironmen in 2011. Not after last season. Not with all the talented, strong and skilled pieces coming back.
Remember, 2010 was supposed to be a down year for the Ironmen. Entering the team’s season opener against Gilman (Baltimore), Don Bosco Prep was a 20-point underdog according to the CalPreps Computer Projection.The young Don Bosco Prep squad more than transposed that spread, coming away with a 33-6 victory that set the tone for a 12-0 season that leaves Ironmen fans very excited about the team’s 2011 campaign.The 2011 squad will be next to impossible to pass on. Yuri Wright and Jabril Peppers comprise the top cornerback duo in the country. Darius Hamilton, Al-Quadir Muhammad and Michael Strizak will ensure that quarterbacks don't have much time to look downfield.Offensively, Don Bosco Prep's punishing offensive line will pave the way for the team's ground game. It's difficult to handle the team's offensive attack for a full four quarters, as teams around the country have learned the hard way over the past decade. Playing a national schedule, the Ironmen have won 35 straight games, 80 out of 84 and five straight non-public group IV crowns. And with all of that, this should be their crowning jewel, quite possibly their best team ever.
Continue to School Profile{PAGEBREAK}
SCHOOL PROFILE
Head coach Greg Toal
File photo by Dan Coppola
Enrollment: 900 (approx.)
2010 finish: 12-0, non-public Group IV state champs
Head coach: Greg Toal
Career record: 256-35-2
Years at school: 12
Notable players coached:
Ryan Grant (Notre Dame, Green Bay Packers)
Justin Trattou (Florida)
Corey Wootton (Northwestern, Chicago Bears)
Brian Toal (Boston College)
Continue to Key Returners{PAGEBREAK}KEY RETURNERS
Darius Hamilton was a U.S. Air Force Junior All-American last season.
Photo by Jim Stout
Number of returning starters: 5 (offense), 9 (defense)
Carroo is one of the top playmakers in
New Jersey.
Photo by Jim Stout
DE Darius HamiltonWR Leonte CarrooDB Yuri WrightDB Jabril PeppersKey losses:QB Gary NovaRB Paul CanevariDB Juwan Jackson (transfer)
Key newcomers:RB Keyon WashingtonOL Chris Meadows (transfer)
Continue to Season Outlook{PAGEBREAK}SEASON OUTLOOK
No current seniors have committed, but the Ironmen already have five with offers.
Photo by Jim Stout
Toughest game: St. Edward (Lakewood, Ohio). The Ironmen will tangle with Ohio’s defending Division I champion as part of a New Jersey versus Ohio event.Top local contenders: It should be a deep year for football in New Jersey. The traditional powers like St. Peter’s Prep, Bergen Catholic and St. Joseph (Montvale) should all be solid, but watch for NFL-factory Piscataway and Holy Spirit as other teams that could have great seasons.Question marks: The main question mark surrounding this team is how well Mike Yankovich can fill in for Nova at quarterback. Toal thinks he can be the same type of threat that former QB Brett Knief was, with his ability to effectively throw and run.Overall outlook: Defense will lead the way for the Ironmen in 2011, but the offense should flourish as well. Elijah Shumate, Jabrill Peppers and Keyon Washington will all get looks at running back, so replacing Paul Canevari won’t be a problem. Games against Mission Viejo, Manatee and St. Edward will be great regular-season tests.Coach quote: “We have a chance to have a heck of a team, but a lot of things can happen. Guys need to stay injury free. Hopefully we stay healthy, compete and get better.” - Greg Toal
Continue to Video of Returning Players{PAGEBREAK} 
