Maybe this is just the way that high school football seasons are supposed to end, with the top-ranked team in the state facing No. 2 in a showdown that decides state supremacy.
It happened that way in 2005, when No. 2-ranked St. Peter’s Prep faced No. 1 Don Bosco Prep in Giants Stadium for the state’s bragging rights, a game that was won by the Marauders, 22-15.
A year later, it happened again, when then No. 1 Prep took on the archenemy Ironmen for the state’s premier position, a game also played at Giants Stadium, only this time, won handily by the Bergen County invaders, 41-0.
Now, the showdown has been set once again. The Marauders will end their season where it began, at the Mecca of the Meadowlands, where every high school football player aspires to go, Giants Stadium.
Once again, the foe will be the Ironmen of Don Bosco Prep, the third straight year that the two teams have met for the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 4 state championship, the granddaddy of all state sectional titles.
Once again, the mythical overall state title and MSG Network Metropolitan New York No. 1 trophy will be at stake.
Saturday, Dec. 1, 1 p.m., Giants Stadium, a third straight showdown with everything at stake.
For the Marauders who reside at Grand and Warren, it’s what they’ve wanted for nearly 365 painstaking days. The Ironmen humiliated the Marauders in the Meadowlands last December, opening up a giant can of kicked butt on Prep and the Marauders couldn’t do a thing about it.
Now, they can. By virtue of defeating Bergen Catholic last Saturday at Caven Point Cochrane Stadium – in surprisingly dominating fashion, 41-7, no less – the Marauders are getting their shot at redemption.
“It’s what it’s all about,” St. Peter’s Prep head coach Rich Hansen said. “It means everything to us. It’s not only a chance to win a state championship, but a shot to be recognized as the No. 1 team in the state, in the region, in the area. It’s what it’s all about. You win and you do something that’s unbelievable, something you shoot all year for. It’s always the goal.”
Added Hansen, “So far, everything we set out to do, we did. We won the league again [an unprecedented ninth straight HCIAA crown]. We won the 10 games we’ve played. This is a team that overcame a lot this year and is back there once again. It speaks volumes about how much these kids wanted this. I think it’s an amazing accomplishment to be back there again. Just getting back to the state final again is huge. But having the game at Giants Stadium against Don Bosco is the icing on the cake. It makes the whole thing grander.”
Is revenge on the Marauders’ minds? You better believe it.
“Any time that you get a chance to reverse a horrendous event, it’s rewarding,” Hansen said. “I think that it’s safe to say our kids remember what happened last year.”
The game also ended ugly a year ago, when DBP quarterback Matt Simms, now at Louisville, made his way through the Prep players after the final play and jumped on the Prep bench to taunt the Prep faithful. The incident almost sparked a huge brawl between the two teams.
But Hansen isn’t even focused on that incident.
“The post-game scenario doesn’t even play into the factor,” Hansen said. “The bottom line is trying to beat a team that beat us. That incident happened. It’s over. It was unfortunate, but I don’t dwell on it.
Added Hansen, “The roles have been reversed once again. We’re No. 2 like we were in 2005. They’re No. 1 like they were then. We were No. 1 last year and they were No. 2. The scenario is very similar to 2005. We don’t need more motivation than playing for a state championship.”
There is one rewarding factor about the 2007 version of the Marauders. They are hitting the state finale on a proper stride. Last year, they struggled with Seton Hall Prep in the state semifinals, then struggled with Hoboken in their final regular season game. Those weren’t good signs before facing mighty Bosco.
But this time around, the Marauders are clicking on all cylinders as the Ironmen invade.
“We’re definitely playing better than what we were last year, no question,” Hansen said. “Especially on the defensive side. We’re much better than we were last year. I think this team has a different air to it. But we’ll have a chance to prove that it’s a different team where it counts. But I’m happy with the way we’re playing. We’re executing on offense and running to the ball on defense.”
Once again, the brilliant Will Hill had another game to remember against Bergen Catholic, unleashing his best game of the season. Hill rushed for 144 yards on nine carries and two touchdowns, threw for 108 yards passing and made six tackles on defense and had an interception. Hill’s 70-yard touchdown run set the tone for the rest of the game.
“I think everything that can be said about a football player, it’s been said about Will,” Hansen said. “I think he’s committed to getting back to the Meadowlands like everyone else. He didn’t have a good game there last year. He shares the passion we all have to right that wrong. He continues to handle himself well and he wants to win this game now more than any other. He’s the centerpiece of this team, no question, but he’s not the only piece.”
Another key piece is running back Nyshier Oliver, who was thrust into double duty on Saturday against Bergen Catholic, having to join the secondary as well as carrying the ball.
Oliver was his typical brilliant self on offense, rushing for 124 yards on 11 carries and scoring three touchdowns. But as a cornerback, Oliver was all over the place and had three interceptions. Needless to say, it was a day to remember.
“Nyshier is one of those who realizes that we can’t stand around and wait for Will to make a play,” Hansen said. “Will certainly will jump out at you, but the others have to support him. I think the other guys are stepping up and giving us a great chance of beating everyone. Our defense has given up only four touchdowns all year. That’s a hell of a run that we want to keep going. If we keep doing all the things we’re doing, we’ll be fine.”
As long as they’re fine around 4 p.m. on Dec. 1 and Hansen has another of those state championship trophies tucked under his arm. Then everything will be just fine and dandy. Giants Stadium, the place where it began in September for the Marauders and ends once again, awaits.