Marauders loaded once again, but can they break the state playoff jinx?A year ago, the St. Peter’s Prep football team was one of the greatest conglomerations of talent ever produced in the annals of Hudson County football. The Marauders averaged nearly 50 points per game on offense, rushing for more than 3,000 yards as a team. They didn’t allow a single point until the eighth game of the season – and carried that scoreless streak for 356 minutes and into the month of November.
The Marauders were that dominant locally, steamrolling their way to their unprecedented fourth straight HCIAA championship. There were the Marauders – then everyone else was somewhere far behind. It was that much of a disparity.
However, when the Marauders ventured out into the land of the NJSIAA Parochial Group 4 state playoffs, they were once again hit with a cold, hard dose of reality – courtesy of eventual state champion and New Jersey’s No. 1-ranked team, Don Bosco Prep.
After winning their first 10 games for a second straight year, the Marauders were slapped silly by the tune of 59-16 by mighty Don Bosco.
It’s one thing to dominate within the confines of Hudson County. It’s another to take on the state powers and get sent back home with the proverbial tail between the legs.
So while the 2003 football season has to be considered a rousing success for veteran head coach Rich Hansen and the powerful Marauders, there is still this little piece missing. Losing to DBP in each of the last two years certainly causes that twinge of absence.
In fact, the Marauders have won 36 straight games within Hudson County, dating back to the 2000 season against Emerson. It’s an amazing run, almost unfathomable, when you consider the competitive nature of football in this area.
But the lopsided losses in the state playoffs still ring clear. The losses are how the last two seasons ended. It leaves a bitter taste.
“Every year, we feel we have a really good chance,” said Hansen, who begins his 17th year as the Marauders’ head coach, when the Marauders take on Hudson Catholic this weekend. “Unfortunately for us, we ended up on the same side of the bracket with Bosco. But we can’t worry about that. We just have to worry about taking care of ourselves and let the chips fall where they may. We hope to get another chance this year.”
Mark it down now. The Marauders will most definitely get another shot at state glory this year. They have their entire backfield back from a year ago, so all the running backs who compiled the impressive rushing yardage and touchdowns are back to cause more havoc on the opposition. So is the poised and polished quarterback. No team in New Jersey returns such offensive firepower.
“We certainly have depth and quality depth in our skilled positions,” Hansen said. “The guys have been competitors and have worked hard in the off-season, but how productive they are all depends on how the guys up front do. But we have a stable of gifted kids there, no question.”
Senior Ryan Boysen (5-11, 180) returns at quarterback. Boysen earned Hudson Reporter All-Area honors as a quarterback a year ago, passing for 1,600 yards and 17 touchdowns. Hansen feels that Boysen is more comfortable with a year’s experience under his belt.
“He knows the offense well and that year of experience is a God-send for a quarterback more than anyone,” Hansen said. “Ryan’s a valuable weapon. We know he’s going to be able to strike fast and do some things he wasn’t capable of doing last year. He definitely has the potential to be a real good one and can certainly do things the normal high school quarterback doesn’t do.”
The Marauders have three brilliant running backs to choose from, all three offering their own distinct style, talent and personality.
Senior running back Rashawn Jackson (6-2, 260) is one of the most coveted football players in the entire country. His balance of size, speed and power has never been seen in Hudson County. Jackson had 938 yards and 25 touchdowns last year and is considered the No. 5-ranked prospect in New Jersey by the esteemed McCarthy Report.
“He has a bushel full of offers,” Hansen said. “Coaches all over the country love him. Wisconsin thinks he’s in the same class with [Heisman Trophy winner and current Giants back] Ron Dayne. He’s the type of back that you don’t see all the time. He’s a different breed of cat. He’s unlike anything we’ve seen ever in Hudson County.”
There’s more. Senior Mike Brown (5-9, 180), who has already given a verbal commitment to the University of Virginia, is back for his fourth varsity football season, one of the very few Marauders to ever play four years of varsity football. Brown, perhaps the best cover cornerback in New Jersey and that’s where he’ll play in college, has collected more than 2,400 yards and 35 touchdowns in his career.
“Michael is more concerned with winning than he is with statistics,” Hansen said. “He really wants to have a great senior year and help us win.”
Junior Kee-Ayre Griffin (5-9, 180) is also back from a year ago, where he also earned All-Area honors, like Boysen, Jackson (at linebacker) and Brown (at cornerback). Griffin is an electric runner, posting a 4.27 time in the 40-yard dash over the summer.
“He’s going to be featured prominently,” Hansen said. “He’s much more confident in his abilities this year and he’s very capable of breaking it at any time.”
The Marauders will utilize a host of players at wide receiver, including seniors Brandon Shipman (5-11, 175) and Dave Bellotti (5-10, 170), who appear to be the frontrunners in gaining the most playing time. But seniors Joe Pizzi (5-9, 170) and Steve Capetola (5-9, 180) are in the mix, as are juniors Henry DeFrance (6-0, 170) and Mike Gorman (5-10, 160) and sophomore Mike Lang (5-10, 150), who caught 17 touchdown passes on the freshman team a year ago.
“It’s a good receiving corps,” Hansen said. “They’ll all have an opportunity to play.”
Senior Jerome Becton (6-3, 220) is one of the Marauders’ tight ends and Becton is also getting his fair share of college scholarship offers. Senior Kevin Chester (5-11, 210) and junior Joe Liggins (6-2, 210) will also see time at tight end.
The offensive line has been basically rebuilt from scratch – causing Hansen the most concern in the early going.
Senior Andrew Alfieri (5-11, 250) is the center, flanked by sophomore Rich Brennan (6-0, 215) and senior Joe Hannon (6-2, 225) at guard and junior Rich Hussey (6-5, 225) and senior Mike Smith (6-1, 275) at tackle.
“I think the play of the offensive line is important for this team,” Hansen said.
On defense, senior Cadell Orr (5-10, 190) will be one of the outside linebackers/defensive ends with Chester, Becton or talented sophomore Will Thompson (6-0, 220) getting time at the other outside backer slot. Thompson is a player to watch.
“Thompson has a load of ability,” Hansen said. “He still has some growing to do.”
Junior Kevin Scherba (6-2, 230) is at one of the defensive tackle positions, along with Smith, who had moments of brilliance at that position last year. Just ask Hoboken. No. 77 was in the Red Wing backfield the entire night last year.
Junior Matt Roselle (5-10, 235), who was the All-Area place kicker last year and returns there this year, will also play nose guard this year.
Jackson returns to his position at inside linebacker, where he caused a ton of havoc last year. Senior Chris Maiorino (5-10, 180), who will also see time at fullback, is another standout inside linebacker.
“He’s just nasty,” Hansen said.
Brown returns for his fourth year at cornerback, with Griffin, Shipman, Pizzi and junior Adam Que (5-7, 165) sharing time at the other corner. Juniors Noel Borges (5-10, 175) and Andrew Booth (6-1, 180) are the safeties.
So can this be the year that the Marauders take the leap into the state playoff mainstream. They were the No. 2-ranked team in New Jersey last year before the DBP debacle. They will begin the 2004 season as the No. 3 team in the entire state.
“I think we have a lot of potential,” Hansen said. “We have to stay healthy, especially along the line. It’s a good team that has a chance.”
And it’s a team that is almost a sure-fire thing to make it a “five-peat” in the HCIAA this fall.
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