Don Bosco, ranked No. 2 in the North Jersey Top 25, put itself in good position to earn the top seed in the Bergen County tournament by holding off No. 8 Hackensack, 2-1, in NJTCC action.
Joseph McNamara (4-1) threw a complete game, scattering three hits and striking out seven. He outpitched Hackensack ace Tim Swatek (4-1).
The Ironmen (16-3) scored two runs off Swatek in the bottom of the first. Nick Bruno drove in the first run with an infield out, and Matt Dacey doubled home another.
Dacey, an impressive sophomore, had two of Bosco's seven hits. Pat Joel added a double and a triple.
The Record
When the call came through, Corey Wootton knew right away who it was from. The Don Bosco Prep grad had spent five years at Northwestern, so he recognized the 847 area code -- and he also knew the Bears were next on the clock.
He was right. Head coach Lovie Smith was calling to tell Wootton the Bears were taking him with the 11th pick of the fourth round (109th overall).
"I've been waiting for that call the past couple days and finally got it," Wootton said from his family's home in Rutherford, as cell phones beeped and rang in the background. "It's a relief to know where I’m going, know where I’ll be for the next four years."
The wait was longer than expected for the defensive end, a projected second or third-rounder. But Wootton's phone was silent through Thursday's first round and Friday's second and third rounds. He finally heard from the Bears before lunchtime Saturday.
Wootton had a breakout junior season for the Wildcats, recording 10 sacks and 16 tackles for a loss, during which leaving early for the NFL seemed like a viable possibility. But once he tore his ACL in the 2008 Alamo Bowl, he had to put that dream on hold. He returned for his senior season, working his way back from the injury as the fall progressed.
"It's a blessing to be able to come back from this injury and to be drafted in the NFL," Wootton said. "Many people didn’t think I'd be able to come back from this. I'm just excited for this opportunity."
Wootton is a good fit for Chicago in a lot of ways. He was happy to land in a 4-3 scheme, which he played in college. The Bears' defensive line coach, Eric Washington, was Wootton's defensive line coach through his sophomore season at Northwestern. And his fiancee, Felicia Chester, will be a senior forward for the DePaul women's basketball team.
"Chicago is a great city," Wootton said. "Everyone was so excited. It was great to be able to share this moment with my family and friends."
By Jenny Vrentas/The Star-Ledger
Frank Gaul, Matt King and Andrew Parrilla all sank two goals to lead Don Bosco Prep (9-5) to its third straight victory in Ramsey. Mike Wolff chipped in with one goal and two assists and Max Everett made three saves. Pat Harrington scored both goals for St. Joseph (3-11) of Montvale.
Former Don Bosco star Brian Toal is among 23 players scheduled to attend this weekend's Giants rookie minicamp on a tryout basis.
The 6-foot, 238-pound Toal appeared on his way to the NFL after he carried his storied high school career to Boston College. But he missed the 2007 season with a shoulder injury and had his 2008 season cut short by a broken fibula. He was not drafted last year.
He attended the Jets' 2009 rookie camp on a tryout basis but was not signed. He wound up playing for Jim Fassel's Las Vegas team in the United Football League.
Don Bosco freshman lacrosse coach Brian McAleer has made sure of that.
"I just needed something to keep his memory alive," McAleer said.
Don Bosco has found the perfect way to honor Corish's memory with the second annual Connor Corish Freshman Lacrosse Tournament, which starts Friday.
Corish died two years ago this weekend, when walking on train tracks in his hometown of Nanuet, N.Y.
"He was a great kid and the kids loved to be around him," McAleer said. "And to see the outpouring of the communities, it shows how important Connor and this event is to everyone."
Last year, the tournament raised more than $20,000 toward the Connor Corish Scholarship Foundation. Each year, the foundation awards a $5,000 scholarship to an incoming Don Bosco freshman from Rockland County.
The scholarship, which pays for about half the cost of tuition at Don Bosco, can be kept for all four years if the student continues to meet the standards of the program.
This year, the tournament is hoping to raise even more money, with a higher-profile field and a sponsorship agreement with Maverik Lacrosse, an equipment company.
In addition to helping a good cause, the tournament serves an important purpose on the field as well, providing a much-needed showcase for area freshman lacrosse.
"A lot of times, freshmen don't have anything to play for," McAleer said. "This tournament gives them something to play for, and the fact is that this is the only one of its type in the Tri-State area."
The tournament brings together an elite field of teams to prove it. Along with Don Bosco, the 12-team tournament includes nine New Jersey teams and three from out of state.
North Jersey powers Ridgewood, Ramapo and Bergen Catholic will compete alongside other New Jersey lacrosse staples like Glen Ridge, Montclair, Mountain Lakes and Seton Hall Prep.
Out-of-state teams include Connecticut's Darien, and Long Island schools Chaminade of Mineola and St. Anthony of South Huntington.
"Getting teams like this just skyrocketed the prestige of the tournament," McAleer said.
In addition to honoring Corish, McAleer hopes that this tournament provides an opportunity for freshman lacrosse players at Don Bosco and elsewhere to get some valuable competitive experience early in their high school careers.
"As a coach, you want your teams to play the best," McAleer said. "You've got to set the bar high for yourselves, and let the kids know that even though this is freshman lacrosse, you've got to beat the best teams to compete."
BY ANDY VASQUEZ
Photo Credit: LESLIE BARBARO/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
The Record
Anthony DiSanzo fired in three goals and Frank Gaul chipped in with two goals and two assists for Don Bosco Prep (8-5), which rallied with a 4-2 fourth quarter in Franklin Lakes. Mike Wolff lent a hand with one goal and three assists. Chris Colaneri and Danny Smith scored three goals each for Ramapo (7-9).
Toal, a resident of Wyckoff, has been head coach at Don Bosco Prep for 10 years and was named USA Today 2009 National High School Football Coach of the Year. He has been responsible for 14 New Jersey State Football Championship Teams at Don Bosco Prep, Ramapo High School, Hackensack High School and River Dell High School.
Tickets are $200 per person. Sponsorship opportunities range from $2,500-$10,000. For further information, contact Barbara Donatacci at babsdonatacci@ aol.com.
Don Bosco Prep is at 492 N. Franklin Turnpike, Ramsey. Visit donboscoprep.com or call 201-327-8003.
Photo Credit: Mitsu Yasukawa/The Star-Ledger
Story: The Record
The 2009 national champions of high school football, the Don Bosco Prep Ironmen, were awarded their national championship rings last evening in a ring ceremony held in the school’s gym.
After the rings were blessed by Don Bosco Prep Director/President Rev. Louis J. Molinelli, SDB, ’79, Head Football Coach Greg Toal gave his introductory remarks.
He announced that during the football season, 42 of the team’s players had achieved academic honor roll status. He praised the students for working hard both on the field and off. In describing the football game against Prattville H.S. in Prattville, Alabama, Coach Toal said that the Ironmen rose to the challenge, because of their mental and physical toughness, and their high moral character.
He recognized the coaching staff and thanked them for their contributions to the team, “These are people that care about you,” he told the players. He recognized each coach and their attributes, and gave special mention to Athletic Director and Offensive Line Coach, Nunzio Campanile, who received a standing ovation from the crowd, “Nunzio and I have had a special partnership for the past 10 years. We’ve been blessed to have him. I’m sorry to see him go. He’s a special guy. We’ll really miss him.”
Coach Toal then brought each player up front and with a personal encouraging comment for each young man, presented them with their rings.
The Track team is continuing its successful run this year and is ranked #2 in Bergen County.
The Ramapo boys lacrosse team has been searching for its identity in the last few weeks.
Ramapo’s Cory Steimel, left, giving five to teammate Jake Krantz after Krantz’s second-quarter goal against Don Bosco tied the quarterfinal game at 4.
Judging from the way the Green Raiders walked off the field Sunday afternoon – heads held high, a swagger in their step – it might be time to stop looking.
Ramapo endured a late charge, but scored the final two goals to squeak past Don Bosco, 12-11, in the Bergen County tournament quarterfinals at Ramapo.
"There was some heart and hustle, and the kids wanted it," Ramapo coach Tim Roy said. "We were really excited about this game and for the opportunity to come out on our home field as the visitors and work hard, and we came away with the win."
The fifth-seeded Green Raiders will face No. 7 Bergen Catholic in the semifinals Sunday.
After losing five consecutive games from April 10-20 – including a crushing 13-12 overtime loss to Bergen Catholic – the Raiders (6-6) have bounced back with three straight wins. They’ve averaged more than 13 goals per game during that stretch, and no win was bigger than the one over Don Bosco.
"We’ve really had a tough schedule," Ramapo’s Corey Steimel said. "So a win like this is really a boost."
By: ANDY VASQUEZ
The Record
Don Bosco’s baseball season probably can be best defined by a series of measuring-stick games leading up to the Bergen County and State tournaments.
Last weekend’s win over Calvert Hall in Maryland was one such game. So is the much-anticipated April 30 showdown with archrival St. Joseph.
Then there was Saturday.
The Ironmen got a chance to see how they measure up against Delbarton, one of the premier teams in New Jersey and one their chief rivals for a State title. For now, it’s advantage Delbarton.
"In baseball, you’re going to lose games," Bosco coach Mike Stanton said after the Ironmen, ranked No. 3 in the North Jersey Top 25, dropped a heartbreaking 4-3 decision at Delbarton’s Fleury Field. "There’s no way around it."
That may be true, but this one probably will sting for a while because of the way it ended. The Ironmen (6-2) allowed Delbarton (7-2) to score two runs with two out in the bottom of the seventh off ace Eric Stevens.
Stevens (2-2), who threw a strong game, had two outs with a runner on first when he walked leadoff hitter Matt Kastner for the third time. Kastner is one of Delbarton’s best hitters, and it was his long two-out triple in the fifth inning that tied the game at 1.
"Eric threw very good again," Stanton said. "He wasn’t quite as sharp as he was in his last outing [Monday against Wayne Hills], but he was aggressive and he stayed ahead of the hitters."
Stevens, a senior right-hander bound for Boston College, also did everything he could to finish the job. He got John Elson to hit a bouncer to second base that was misplayed as the tying run raced home.
Matt DeRenzi, Delbarton’s No. 3 hitter, followed with a sharp grounder back up the middle that was knocked down as Kastner came home with the winning run.
Just like that, Bosco’s six-game winning streak was history.
"That was a great ballgame; one of those games where it’s a shame someone has to lose," Stanton said. "I told the players right afterward that I thought they played a great game. There were a couple of mistakes that cost us, but that’s how baseball is."
This was a big win for Delbarton. The Green Wave were coming off Friday’s 4-3 loss to Pope John, and they came within one out of having their two top pitchers lose consecutive one-run games.
Delbarton was aggressive on the bases. The Green Wave stole five bases in six attempts, two by Kastner, and even tried — and failed — on a suicide squeeze.
By: MARK J. CZERWINSKI
Photo Credit: GEORGE MCNISH
The Record
This wasn’t the NNJIL Division C championship game as was the recent custom when Don Bosco and St. Joseph played a regular-season baseball game. Heck, these teams aren’t even in the same NJTCC division.
And there is a good chance the Ironmen and Green Knights could meet twice more this season with the stakes monumentally higher.
But that doesn’t mean Friday’s 5-1 win by Don Bosco, ranked No. 3 in the North Jersey Top 25, over No. 1 St. Joseph wasn’t significant. It was one of those big-picture games that both teams will be mulling for quite some time.
"To get the first win of this series is big," said Bosco senior ace Eric Stevens, who tossed a six-hitter. "This gives us a real confidence boost. And if we see them in the County or State tournament, well, so be it. We’ll come out ready again."
This was a nice bounce-back win for the Ironmen (12-3), who may have got caught looking ahead when they lost to DePaul on Wednesday. They played crisp defense behind Stevens (2-2), who was pitching for the first time since losing to Delbarton two weeks ago, and were able to string together some hits against St. Joseph ace Artie Lewicki (5-1).
"In the big picture, it’s a big win," said Bosco coach Mike Stanton. "It doesn’t matter what league we’re in. These are the games the kids get up for. They showed up and played."
Bosco took a 2-0 lead in the fourth inning on RBI singles by Ken O’Donnell and George Iskandarian. The big play in the inning was an errant pickoff throw by Lewicki with one out that set the stage for the rally.
"That pickoff changed the whole complexion of the game," said St. Joseph coach Frank Salvano.
The Ironmen scored two more runs in the fifth on an error and a controversial play in the outfield when a ball was kicked out of bounds. Salvano argued the call and was ejected from the game, which means he’s automatically suspended for the next two games.
That means Salvano won’t get to coach against Joe Cervino of Paramus on Monday in a matchup of 500-game winners. That’s also a game that should have a huge impact on the seeding for the Bergen County tournament.
"This game means we have to go out now and play harder," said Lewicki, who allowed 10 hits and struck out eight. "We had a chance to make the plays, and we didn’t get it done. Now we’ve got to bounce back Monday.
The Boston College-bound Stevens struck out eight and walked two. His one mistake was turned into a long home run by Tyler Fortanascio in the top of the sixth.
"That was the one pitch I wanted back, but it didn’t hurt us in the end," Stevens said.
"Eric has thrown that way the whole year," Stanton said. "He has been, without a doubt, our horse, and he showed it again . I don’t think I could’ve taken him out even if I wanted to."
By: MARK J. CZERWINSKI
Photo Credit: MICHAEL KARAS/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
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