No. 1 Don Bosco Prep overcomes Bergen Catholic

Behind three touchdowns from Elijah Shumate, No. 1 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) overcame a fourth quarter deficit to down fierce rival Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) 33-22.

In front of a huge crowd in Ramsey, Bergen Catholic got on the board first, as quarterback Jonathan Germano hit John Tsimis for a score and followed up with a successful two-point conversation to take an early 8-0 lead.

Don Bosco Prep responded by leaning on two of its top playmakers. First, quarterback Mike Yankovich connected with speedy receiver Leonte Carroo for a score. Sophomore Jabrill Peppers then broke loose on a 54-yard touchdown run to put the No. 1 Ironmen back on top 15-8.

Germano, only a junior, found Tsimis a second time to even the score at 15-15.

Shortly before half, Don Bosco Prep took the lead. Shumate plunged into the end zone for a 1-yard touchdown giving the Ironmen a 21-15 advantage at the half.

At the start of the third quarter, Carroo returned the opening kick 90 yards for an apparent touchdown, but a holding penalty brought it back.

Bergen Catholic found the end zone on a play that wouldn't be called back--Germano's third touchdown pass, this one a 5-yard strike to Ryan Finkel to give the Crusaders a 22-21 lead.

However, the Ironmen displayed their resiliency. After a nice defensive stand by Bergen Catholic, a Kyle Sakowski interception set Don Bosco Prep up for a another Shumate touchdown. A failed two-point conversion attempt made the score 27-22.

Don Bosco Prep continued to pull away, thanks in large part to the play of Shumate. The senior scored his third touchdown with less than eight minutes to play to give Don Bosco Prep a 33-22 lead.

Germano and Bergen Catholic attempted a comeback, but Sakowski came up with another interception, this one in the end zone, allowing Don Bosco Prep to run out the clock.

Don Bosco Prep is the top-ranked team in both the MaxPreps' Xcellent 25 writers poll and the MaxPreps Freeman Rankings. The Ironmen started the season with wins over tough out-of-state competition, beating Mission Viejo (Calif.) 35-7 in the opener and winning at Manatee (Bradenton, Fla.), 22-16, a week later. Last week, Don Bosco improved to 3-0 with a 35-0 shutout of Ridgewood. The Ironmen have won their last 48 games against New Jersey opponents.