Bosco releases full 2014 schedule

Photo by 50 Yard Line Photos, used with permission

Don Bosco will play three out-of-state opponents in 2014 that features matchups with St. Joe’s Prep (Pa.), St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.), Central High School (Fla.). The Ironmen also a new public school on their schedule. They will now play Eastide (Paterson) and have a bye instead of playing two public schools.

Bosco releasing their 2014 schedule means one thing, the season is approaching, (I don’t care if its March)

Ever since Don Bosco went out to Ohio in 2006, New Jersey football was never the same. Parochial schools have hunted for out-of state-games in order to help establish a national reputation and develop their programs. A national TV appearance and last second field goal for Bosco in Concord, California vs. De La Salle in 2008 helped prove that Bosco was a national power.

Anyways, getting back to the 2014 schedule. St. Joe’s Prep in Philly (week 1) should be a blowout. The Ironmen shut out the Hawks 42-0 in their home opener last year. They will travel to Philly for this one.

St. Thomas Aquinas (Fla.) should be a great matchup. NationalHSFootball.com first broke the story about the matchup in February.

Bosco went down to Florida in week two in 2012 and pulled out an epic victory on ESPNU. Anyone who saw the game knows it was a defensive/special teams battle. Aquinas had won nine straight heading into the matchup and Bosco was coming off a tough loss to Gilman (Maryland) at the Naval Academy. Needless to say, Bosco went down to Florida, played tough (as they always do) and came out with a W. Some called it an upset. I never bought it. Cameron Baels tacked on a short field goal with 2:37 left to make it a two possession game. Final score was 20-10.

Bosco’s third and final out-of state-opponent opponent will be Central HS from Fort Pierce, Fla. (right outside of Port St. Lucie). Central went 11-2 in 2013. Outside of their record, I don’t know much. A new out-of-state opponent is always nice though.

Something that stands out to me about Bosco’s schedule is that they have two bye’s. The first comes the week before the Ironmen head down to Florida. The next is the week after the game vs. Central (Fla.) It’s understandable that travel takes a toll on a team. But then again, two bye’s somewhat weak. I’m curious as to whether the Ironmen might try and fill one of those two bye’s with maybe St. Peter’s Prep, or a NY, or PA team.

Bosco starts its Big North play with a matchup at Paramus Catholic in week 6. I would have liked to see St. Peter’s Prep as part of the Big North schedule. I’m assuming the Bosco game at Bergen Catholic (week 8) won’t be held at Bergen just because of the crowd. I think it will likely be Overpeck Park like the last two years. It’s too early to tell who has the upper leg in the Big North right now (it’s going to be very competitive as always). With that said, I’ll leave my analysis on that for another time.

Several starters will return for the Ironmen in 2014 including; Kevin Feder (OL/DL), Lawrence Stevens (DB), Daivon Ellison (DB), Anthony Malaguti (LB), Kyle Kleinberg (DE), Jimmy Schulz (DE/TE), Zach Chakonis (DL), Matt Perricone (LS), among others. Dwight Morrow transfer Wesley McKoy is expected to take over for Temple commit Frank Nutile at QB.

Week 1: at St. Joes Prep in Philadelphia, Saturday Sept. 6 at 6 p.m.

Week 2: vs. St. Thomas Aquinas, Saturday Sept. 13 at West Point (Army) time TBA

Week 3: bye

Week 4: at Central High School (Fla.), Friday, Sept. 26, time TBA

Week 5: bye

Week 6: at Paramus Catholic, Friday, Oct. 10th

Week 7: vs. Passaic Tech, Friday, Oct. 17th, 7 p.m.

Week 8: at Bergen Catholic, Saturday, Oct. 25th, 1 p.m.

Week 9: vs. Eastside, Friday, Nov. 1, 7 p.m.

Week 10: vs. DePaul, Friday, Nov. 7, 7 p.m.

Thanksgiving: vs. St. Joes, 10:30 a.m.