Coming off a national championship, Don Bosco Prep has some reloading to do. As history has shown, though, don't count the Ironmen out.
Photo by Vincent Carchietta
After graduating the likes of Darius Hamilton, Elijah Shumate, Leonte Carroo and one of the deepest senior classes in school history, as well as enduring the transfers of Jabrill Peppers, Keyon Washington and Kevin Wilkins, 2012 would seem like a very down year by
Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) standards.
However, a down year for arguably the top high school football program in the country over the last five years will still yield a very good football team.
MaxPreps Preseason Top 25 High School Football Early ContendersThe offensive line, Don Bosco Prep’s bread and butter during head coach Greg Toal’s incredible run, returns starters
Sean Carey and
Anthony Siciliano, while highly touted junior
Tyrell Smith should nab another spot.
Mitch Arthur and
Billy Leinart are in the mix for the other spots, along with 6-foot-6, 275-pound sophomore
Nate Greig.
There’s currently a three-horse race for the quarterback spot, featuring
Frank Nutile,
Eric Meile and
Nick Crusco. At 6-4, Nutile resembles former Ironmen quarterback Gary Nova while Meile and Crusco are more similar to dual-threat signal-caller Mike Yankovich, who led the team last year.
Isaiah Hill will lead an inexperienced group of receivers. Hill started opposite Carroo in the Mission Viejo game, but broke his collarbone and missed the rest of the season. He should have a big year as the team’s No. 1 target. Watch for 6-6 tight end
Tom Sweeney to have an impact as well.
Al-Quadin Muhammad is one of the nation's most sought-after defensive ends and will be a marquee name on theDon Bosco Prep defense.
Photo by Vincent Carchietta
and
Aaron Guzman should both get carries, as Don Bosco Prep normally shares the load at running back.
The real strength of the team lies on the defensive line. Top 100 defensive end
Al-Quadin Muhammad is a physical specimen. Tall with long arms, he has excellent reach that allows him to trip up runners as well as harass quarterbacks.
He’s joined by
Rahzohnn Gross, another returning starter, and
Zach Chakonis, a wrestler with great athleticism. 6-6
Zach Ray is also competing for a spot.
Spencer Scannell, a returning linebacker, brings experience to the position, while
Michael D'alessandro will step in at safety, playing a role similar to that of Kyle Sakowski last season. The team’s secondary will be largely inexperienced, but with the likes of Stephens and
Devonn Ellison competing for spots, it should have good speed.
Local outlook: "This has perhaps been the most contentious offseason at Don Bosco since Greg Toal took the reins of the football program. First Toal was linked to the opening at Fordham, then, much-heralded prospect Jabrill Peppers transferred to Paramus Catholic. Finally, in June, offensive coordinator Anthony Campanile left for a job at Rutgers. The Ironmen's 2012 schedule is once again formidable with three marquee out-of-state matchups, including a showdown with the only other team to win a national championship the last three years: St. Thomas Aquinas. On the field, the defense has to be rebuilt and the offense needs to find a leader at quarterback. But those who doubt Toal and company do so at their own peril. After winning the national title in 2009, the Ironmen faced similar concerns going into 2010. All they did then was go through the season undefeated and finish in the top three in most national polls."
- Darren Cooper, Bergen Record
