By Tom Szieber
Posted: Monday, October 10, 2016 2:30 pm
Check out Brian Carr's photo gallery from Don Bosco Prep's victory over St. Joseph.
After losing its first three games (all against out-of-state competition), Don Bosco Prep is back to .500, with its latest and biggest win coming over St. Joseph (Mont.), 31-14. Quarterback Tommy DeVito threw two touchdowns and 295 yards, while the Ironmen defense had Joe’s QB Nick Patti on the move all night. The victory means that Don Bosco Prep is now 3-0 in in-state contests, and 3-0 in NJSFC United play.
The matchup between Lenape and Rancocas Valley lived up to the hype, with the Indians pulling out a late 17-13 WJFL Capitol Division victory. Rancocas Valley led 7-3 at the half thanks to an Iverson Clement two-yard run, but Sam Ballard matched that score from three out early in the fourth. Running back Jake Topolski caught a 67-yard touchdown pass from Matt LaJoie for the late go-ahead score, and Lenape got a win that propels it into the top spot in the South, Group 4 power point standings for the time being.
Piscataway snagged a huge victory over GMC Red Division rival Sayreville this past weekend, a win that is all the more significant considering the Bombers’ stellar play. The Chiefs pulled out a 27-21 victory, but had to hold off a rally after leading the Bombers by 20. A late Sayreville possession gave the Bombers a chance to take a lead, but Piscataway linebacker James Hogan snagged a pick with 44 seconds left in regulation to end the comeback.
Somerville continued its program resurgence with a big-time win over Rahway, using a similar formula: lighting up the scoreboard. The Pioneers won with their third 50-plus-point performance of the season, downing the previously undefeated Indians, 59-35, and showed that they can, in fact, drop a ton of points on even the best teams on their schedule. Quarterback Nick Couzzi had a monster outing, going 15-of-27 for 301 yards and five touchdowns, and also ran the ball 20 times for 216 yards and a touchdown.
Cherry Hill West got a fifth straight win this weekend, beating Camden 28-22, in overtime. The victory came over a Panthers team that had just defeated Cedar Creek for its own signature victory just a week earlier. The Lions are now off to their best start in 49 years, and look poised to head into their eight game with Camden Catholic at 7-0.
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.