Defending national champion Don Bosco Prep has won its last 57 games against fellow New Jersey teams, but the streak could be in jeopardy when the Ironmen face undefeated and much-improved Paramus Catholic.
In addition to being one of the MaxPreps Top 10 Games of the Week, this is the first meeting of the year between co-leaders of the Big North – United Conference. Last week, it was declared No. 1 on the list of
the toughest high school football leagues in the nation by MaxPreps.
There are three games involving teams in the latest
Xcellent 25 rankings to take a look at this week. In Southern California's Trinity League (the nation's second-toughest conference), No. 9 Santa Margarita will try to win its second straight without star quarterback Johnny Stanton when it takes on Mater Dei (Santa Ana).
Sole control of the Philadelphia Catholic 4A conference (ranked the sixth-toughest league) is up for grabs when No. 25 St. Joseph's Prep (Philadelphia) plays fellow unbeaten La Salle (Wyndmoor).
Finally, fifth-ranked Bellevue (Wash.) will attempt to win its 33rd-straight game when it battles state No. 2-ranked Mount Si (Snoqualmie).
In our season-long predictions contest, Jamie DeMoney correctly selected the winner in nine out of 10 games last week to maintain a two-game lead over Leland Gordon (who also went 9-1). DeMoney is 55-15 (.785 percent) overall on the season. There's a three-way tie for third place between Mitch Stephens, Steve Montoya and Stephen Spiewak – all have picked 50 out of 70 winners this season.
Here's a look at this week's top 10 games of the week along with predictions by MaxPreps staff writers and contributors Mitch Stephens, Steve Montoya, Stephen Spiewak, Kevin Askeland, Leland Gordon and Jamie DeMoney.
MaxPreps Top 10 Football Games of the Week
The Don Bosco Prep vs. Paramus Catholic series has been one-sided in Bosco's favor. But Jabrill Peppers' transfer from Don Bosco to Paramus Catholic has added intrigue to this year's matchup.
Photos by Daniel Coppola/David Argyle. Graphic by Ryan Escobar
Motivation won't be a problem for Paramus Catholic standout
Jabrill Peppers, who will take on his former team for the first time. Peppers, the MaxPreps National Freshman of the Year in 2010 and National Sophomore of the Year in 2011 while at Don Bosco Prep, has played a huge role in leading Paramus Catholic to a 4-0 start and a spot in the top five of the state rankings this season. The 6-foot-1, 210-pounder is averaging more than 10 yards per carry with nine combined rushing and receiving touchdowns. He had 166 total yards and four scores in the Paladins' last game, a 42-10 blowout of Ridgewood on Sept. 28.
Read National Football Editor Stephen Spiewak's game preview storyDon Bosco Prep's dominance over New Jersey competition extends beyond its current 57-game in-state winning streak that began in 2006. The Ironmen have won 76 of 79 in-state games played since 2004 and have completely dominated Paramus Catholic, winning 10 straight meetings by a combined margin of a whopping 491-22. Don Bosco Prep's only loss this year came Sept. 8 against Gilman (Baltimore). It has since won four straight, thanks in part to the emergence of running back
Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks. The 5-9, 180-pound junior has eclipsed 100 yards rushing and scored a pair of touchdowns in the last two games.
Mitch Stephens: Don Bosco Prep 24, Paramus Catholic 21
Steve Montoya: Paramus Catholic 28, Don Bosco 27
Stephen Spiewak: Don Bosco Prep 21, Paramus Catholic 20
Kevin Askeland: Don Bosco Prep 45, Paramus Catholic 12
Leland Gordon: Don Bosco Prep 35, Paramus Catholic 24
Jamie DeMoney: Don Bosco Prep 42, Paramus Catholic 25
