Coach: Mike Teel, second season

Last year’s record: 2-8

Last year’s final ranking: 5 in Non-Public Poll

Rearview Mirror: The theme for the Ironmen’s season was set early as they lost a fourth-quarter lead and fell to Byrnes in South Carolina in Teel’s much-anticipated debut. What followed were heartbreaking one-point losses to St. Joseph Regional, an overtime loss to Paramus Catholic and another stunning defeat to Bergen Catholic. Optimists can say the Ironmen were close, but the Ironmen were hampered by inconsistent quarterback play and couldn’t make plays in the clutch.

FULL LIST: Counting down North Jersey's top football teams

Looking Ahead: The Ironmen have North Jersey’s top talent in running back Jalen Berger. He’s only gotten better since he was last on the field. The Ironmen will continue to find multiple ways to get him the ball. There is a lot of talent at the skill positions, wide receiver and defensive back especially, but the line is young and may need some time to come together. Jahquill Batts returns as the starting quarterback and Teel hopes the experience he gained last season pays off.

Bold Prediction: Last year in this space I said the Ironmen would start at four, but wouldn’t finish four, expecting them to rise as the season played out. Instead, they dropped. This year it’s hard to see them finishing anywhere higher than fourth.
