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Know Your Title Foe: Don Bosco Prep

If there is one team that BC knows as well as themselves, that opponent would be the Don Bosco Prep Ironmen, their opponent in Friday's state final game at MetLife Stadium. The Crusaders have been dominated by their rivals from Ramsey during the past decade, and BC would love nothing more than to find a way to supplant their rivals from their spot atop the football mountain in New Jersey, and reclaim their place as the top program in the Garden State.

• DBP: (10-0) having beaten Mission Viejo (CA), Manatee (FL), Ridgewood, BC, St. Edward's (OH), Passaic Tech, Paramus Catholic (twice), Clifton, and St. Joseph Regional.

Bosco is used to playing in the state finals under Head Coach Greg Toal, as the Ironmen are making their 11th appearance in title game over the past 12 years. DBP brings the longest win streak in the nation into the game, winning 45 straight games since their last loss in 2008 to St. Xavier's from Ohio. Bosco has not lost a single game in Jersey dating back to the 2005 state final against St. Peter's Prep, and have not lost to BC since the 2004 state final. An intimidating list of accomplishments to say the least, but BC is the only opponent who does not get caught in awe of the Ironmen, and is always game to meet up with their long-time rivals.

The game plan is always simple for the top team in the land, as the Ironmen use a suffocating defense to get the ball to their high-powered offense that finishes off all opponents with brutal efficiency. During their run of dominance, Bosco reloads their three units with stables of amazing athletes each season, and this season is no different. With one of the best defenses in the country as their safety net, the offense has the luxury of taking chances on big plays down the field, and have exploded for big performances since taking on the Crusaders in late September. Whether it be on offense, defense, or special teams, Bosco can roll out a tremendous lineup of athletes at any point in a game, and BC will need to contain these following players in order to win the game:

PLAYERS TO WATCH

#18 Jabrill Peppers (SO)-The sophomore already is the best player on the Ironmen roster, and that is certainly saying something when looking at the studs on the field for DBP. Peppers has become the team's top running back, closing in on 900 rushing yards on the year and finding the endzone 19 times. On defense, Peppers is an amazing corner back who is rarely tested by quarterbacks thanks to his speed and ball skills. Peppers ran for over 130 yards and scored a TD last time against BC, and the Crusaders need to find a way to make Peppers a non-factor in the biggest game of the year.

#1 Leonte Carroo (SR)-The senior has proven to be the greatest wide receiver in Bosco's school history, and can take over a game with ease. Carroo has exceptional speed and hands, and caught 6 ball for 73 yards and a TD last time against the Red & Gold. Carroo may be guarded by Chucky Wingate, but BC would still be wise to devote some extra protection in the secondary against one of the top receivers in the state. BC was fortunate to avoid some big plays from Carroo in last year's state final due to some wide open drops, but they cannot expect the same good fortune this time around.

#9 Mike Yankovich (SR)-The senior quarterback has done what has needed to be done for the Ironmen offense, and after struggling in the beginning of the season, Yankovich has been playing his best football of the season. A dual threat throwing and running the football, Yankovich had a great game last time against the Red & Gold, completing 13 of his 19 passes for 1 touchdown and no interceptions, while also picking up several huge third down conversions with pinpoint passes across the field. BC's defense will once again try to make Yankovich be the one to win the game on his own, by taking away several of his other offensive options, and forcing the senior to make plays from inside the pocket.

THREE KEYS FOR BC

• Provide Plenty of Time to Pass the Ball: BC's offensive line was outstanding last time against Bosco's heralded defensive front in affording quarterback Jojn Germano enough time to pass the ball down the field. BC has unwavering trust in Germano's decision making this season, (30 TD passes and only 7 INTs) and want to give him as many chances as possible to make big plays on Friday night. The O-Line will need to remain as solid as they've been all season long on the biggest stage, and not allow their QB to be hit and forced to make throws while under constant distress.
• Stop the Run with Solid Tackling: The Ironmen gashed the Crusaders for over 200 yards on the ground in September, thanks in part to shoddy BC tackling at the point of attack. Peppers and Shumate broke past several BC attempted arm tackles, and found their way into the endzone for 4 scores on the ground. The Crusaders need to play fundamentally solid defense in the trenches, and make sure their secondary play the rights angles on any runs that get past the front 7. Bosco's run game fuels their offense, and BC will need to do a much better job of getting off blocks and wrapping up runners before giving up chunks of yards.
• Have a TD lead late in the Game: Bosco has trailed twice this season in the 4th quarter, but both times it was by only 1 point against Manatee and BC. Bosco rallied to win both those games, and have never really faced true adversity late in a game, with a real shot of losing a game. BC needs to take a sizable lead into the 4th quarter, and actually create doubt in the minds of the Ironmen. Bosco prides itself on being a 4th quarter team, and BC needs to have a lead to build on heading into the game's final 12 minutes.

BC has waited for this chance at redemption since driving away from the DBP parking lot on September 30th, and they get one final chance in 2011 to take down the Ironmen while also capturing a state championship. This BC team is ready to take their next huge step as a program under Nunzio Campanile, and Friday night may be that time.

ABOUT DAN LONG

Dan Long graduated from Bergen Catholic in 2003 where he was the Sports Director of BCTV and coined the immortal phrase "Crusader Crazies" for the raucous BC student section. He is currently the radio voice of Bergen Catholic football, the founder of DL Sports Media, and a weekly contributor to BergenCatholicFootball.com.