Big North Parochial Preview

The Parochial Schools in the Big North Conference have produced some of the best teams and talent in the Garden State for the past decade. Bergen Catholic, DePaul, Don Bosco, Paramus Catholic, and St. Joseph (Montvale) have brought unanimous attention to New Jersey. Their out of state schedules in addition to their conference match-ups provide the best competition on the gridiron in N.J. With so much uncertainty heading into the season, one thing is for sure. The Big North Public parochial schools provide what may be the toughest division in the entire nation. This years preview aims to answer some questions in order to provide an in-depth view at the parochial powers of the Big North. 

Photo by 50 Yard Line Photos (used with permission)

Who has the toughest schedule? This one’s a toss up between Bosco, St. Joe’s and Bergen Catholic, who will all face three out-of-state opponents this season. Bosco and St. Joe’s Montvale both play St. Joe’s Prep (Philly), the number one team in both of MaxPreps preseason Polls. Bosco visits St. Joe’s Philly in week 1 and Bergen Catholic will also be in Pa. to play La Salle College High School (Philly). St. Joe’s has a matchup in Maryland in week 1 with McDonogh. Bosco will host St. Thomas Aquinas at Army, and then travel down to Florida two weeks later to play Fort Pierce Central. St. Joe’s will travel to another state for a second straight week and face St. Edward in Ohio in week 2. Joe’s will host St. Joe’s Philly later in the season to cap off their out-of-state schedule. Bergen Catholic will travel to Arkansas in week three to play Bertonville. They conclude their out-of-state matchups a week later in N.J. vs. St. Edward (Ohio) Bosco and St. Joe’s both have two bye week’s while Bergen Catholic has one.

Who’s the underdog? St. Joe’s Montvale. The Green Knights have a new coach in Augie Hoffman, play three out-of-state opponents, and have a new starting quarterback in Jack Walsh. They lost one of their top playmakers in R.J. Trimble-Edwards by way of transfer. He is now at Don Bosco. Six players graduated from the Montvale school last year that are now at Division 1 programs including the core player in their defense, Mark Fossati (Princeton). The Green Knights will rely on Duke commit Joe Giles-Harris to fill the void left by Fossati in the middle of the defense. But don’t be surprised if the Green Knights sweep their out-of-state opponents and run by opponents this season. Just because they have a new coach doesn’t mean they won’t keep up with Bosco, Bergen, and DePaul. 

Who benefitted the most from transfers? Paramus Catholic.  Most people who follow NJ HS football know that transfers have become a huge part in helping or hurting one team. Countless players both in and out of NJ have transferred to schools in the Garden State looking for a recruiting advantage for college, a better team to play on, or a better academic setting. Paramus Catholic added Rashan Gary, Kwanii Figueroa, and Donald Stewart since winning their second straight Non-Public, Group 4 title in December of 2013. Gary, a consensus five-star recruit, holds offers from more than 20 Division 1 programs and projects as a two-way starter. Figueroa left Erasmus Hall (Brooklyn, NY) and will play on either side of the line. Stewart, a transfer from Seton Hall Prep, is one of the top 2016 wide receiver’s in the state. Stewart should help out new quarterback Willy Hansen, who transferred midway through last year from Morris Hills. Hansen has experience as a starter at Morris Hills. More importantly, Stewart is just another weapon for Hansen and Paramus Catholic. The Paladins transfers should help them make up for losing eight Division 1 signees from their class of 2013.

Which player is flying under-the-radar? Quayshon Alexander (Depaul). Played in the shadows of Rutgers Commit Justin Nelson and Miami defensive tackle Courtel Jenkins last year at DePaul. He’s now hiding in the shadows of consensus five-star 2016 recruit Kareem Walker, as well as recent transfer Ryan Adzima. Alexander, the younger brother of Miami defensive back Kiy Hester, has a nice frame at 6’3 215 lbs. Alexander currently holds offers from Rutgers in Miami. He should have a handful of midseason offers coming his way as long as he stays healthy.

Who has the best chance of winning it all? Bosco. The Ironmen return 9 starters on defense including Ohio State commit Keven Feder and Syracuse commit Daivon Ellison. They added quarterback Wes McKoy in the spring, who transferred from Dwight Morrow. Bosco’s tough schedule may or may not put them in place to finish at the top of the Big North. However, it will prepare them for the postseason. They have a good of a cornerback duo as anyone in the state with Ellison and Lawrence Stephens. Some media outlets suggest that St. Peter’s Prep is the favorite to win Non-Public, Group 4. Not so fast…

SPP has least favorable schedule. Bosco may not be the #1 seed come playoff time, but if they stay healthy, I don’t see anyone getting in their way.

Photo by 50 Yard Line Photos (used with permission)

Preseason Parochial Big North Rankings 

1) Bosco– The Ironmen defense this year will be special. Dual threat quarterback Wes McKoy will help Bosco defeat out-of-state opponents and channel the Big North in an attempt to bring the title back to the school on Franklin Turnpike.

2) St. Joe’s Mont.- This team is going to surprise a lot of people. They may have lost a strong class to graduation and their top returning player in R.J. Trimble-Edwards to Bosco, but the Green Knights will find a way to win quality games. They are likely to repeat as the Non-Public, Group 3 champs.

3) Bergen Catholic – The Crusaders may have the most talent in New Jersey. Junior quarterback Jarrett Guarantano has the opportunity to emerge as a leader after an unimpressive sophomore year. Forget about Bergen’s 2-7 record last year. They have several starters returning on both sides of the ball. They have a nice defensive end duo with Monsignor Farrell (NY) transfer Sal Mauro and returning starter Connor O’Brien. The Crusaders will have the chance to prove themselves with a big test in week 2 vs. St. Peter’s Prep on ESPNU (Sept. 11).

4) DePaul- The Spartans have the potential to peak this year with a handful of class of 2016 prospects that are Division 1 bound. They added former Wallington quarterback Ryan Adzima over the summer. Adzima needs to be a leader and step up in the Big North games for DePaul to prove that their successful season last year was not a one year stint.