Don Bosco Ironmen
League: Super Football Conference, United Red Division

Coach: Dan Sabella (Second season at Don Bosco and 20th overall; 127-73 overall record with previous stops at Bogota, Paramus and Paramus Catholic)

Last season: 7-5; Lost to St. Peter’s Prep in the Non-Public, Group 4 final (21-14); Went 2-2 in United Red Division play with wins against St. Joseph and Paramus Catholic and losses to Bergen Catholic and St. Peter’s Prep


Key players: Nick Alvarado, DB, Jr.; Chase Bisontis, OL, So.; Joe DeCroce, OL, So.; Mike Entwistle, OL, Sr.; Alex Geraci, WR, Sr.; Jake Guy, OL, Sr.; Timmy Hinspeter, LB, Jr.; Cameron Lenhardt, DL, So.; Chris Moreno, OL, So.; Jake Robbins, QB, Sr.; Claudy Robinson, Jr.; DL; Omaree Walker, WR, So.

Outlook: Don Bosco looks to be trading the flash for bash. The Ironmen built so much of their offensive identity around their two talented tailbacks the last few years, but the graduation of Jalen Berger (now at Wisconsin) and Kyle Monangai (now at Rutgers) could mean a return to the basics. If the goal is to win at the line of scrimmage, Don Bosco will be primed for a big season. The team’s front five, which is clearly one of the Ironmen’s biggest strengths on paper, will feature size, experience and talent across the board. Defensively, Don Bosco will be young but talented. Tim Hinspeter looks to replace the production lost by the graduation of Colin Ramos at linebacker. In the secondary, Nick Alvarado returns as one of the state’s top defensive backs. Don Bosco, which enters the season ranked No. 11 in the NJ.com Top 20, somehow feels a bit underrated.


All eyes on Robbins: Don Bosco’s offense got better last season when Jake Robbins took over at quarterback halfway through the season. Robbins showed plenty of toughness, an ability to stand in the pocket and kept Don Bosco in games long enough for its two talented tailbacks to break a big play. Now at the center of attention, Don Bosco’s fate in 2020 largely falls on Robbins’s ability to take over games and make the players around him better. Don’t forget: Robbins left last season’s championship game in the second quarter with a head injury. Could he have willed Don Bosco to a different outcome in a game that ended with plenty of devastation and a 21-14 win by St. Peter’s Prep?

Schedule

Oct. 2: vs. Paramus Catholic, 7

Oct. 10: at St. Peter’s Prep, 1

Oct. 16: vs. Delbarton, 7

Oct. 23: vs. St. Joseph (Mont.), 7


Oct. 31: at Bergen Catholic, 1

Nov. 6: at Passaic Tech, 6