Wayne, NJ– Philip Folmar isn’t giving away the play call away, but it’s a moment that will be remembered in Delbarton football history.
“I can’t reveal that,” said Delbarton’s senior wide receiver. “Let’s just call it Big Ben.”
With no time left in regulation, Folmar caught a dramatic 38-yard Hail Mary pass from quarterback Jadon Prinzivalli, tying the game. In overtime, Folmar scored the decisive touchdown, sealing a thrilling 52-51 victory over No. 2 DePaul on Friday night at Alumni Field.
“This game is one for the ages,” Delbarton coach Brian Bowers said. “It’s a classic.”
It was a night North Jersey fans won’t soon forget, with the win also impacting the 2024 Non-Public A playoff seeding. Delbarton likely won’t surpass Bergen Catholic, who defeated them 42-13 the previous week, but Friday’s win bolsters their claim to the No. 2 seed over Don Bosco.
At halftime, DePaul led 35-21 and finished with 524 yards of total offense. Down 45-31 with just over two minutes left, Delbarton was out of timeouts, and DePaul appeared in control when running back Nolan James Jr. scored on an 8-yard run.
Did Delbarton let James score? It’s possible.
“When Nolan scored, we were planning to take a knee next,” said DePaul coach Nick Campanile. “If he doesn’t score, we win. But up 14 with two minutes and no timeouts… it’s hard to believe we let that one slip.”
Delbarton moved 63 yards in nine plays, scoring with 31 seconds to go. Forced to reattempt their onside kick due to an offsides, Will Kramer’s second kick bounced just right, with Delbarton recovering.
“We practice that every week, hoping for a lucky bounce,” Bowers said. “It was our third onside kick of the game.”
Prinzivalli was sacked on the next play, appearing to fumble, but officials ruled he was down. With one last shot from the Spartans’ 38-yard line, Prinzivalli’s Hail Mary pass was tipped, landing perfectly in Folmar’s left arm for a touchdown.
“We work on it every day. It’s not for me specifically; it’s for whoever can make a play,” Folmar said. “It’s a Hail Mary – a Lord’s Prayer.”
Was Folmar the target? “Not really,” Bowers admitted. “We spread everyone out and hope for the lucky bounce – that’s what we got.”
In overtime, Delbarton received the ball first, but Prinzivalli was injured at the 14-yard line. Folmar stepped in as quarterback and ran 14 yards straight to the end zone.
“I just had to power through,” Folmar said.
Folmar finished the night with 199 yards of offense, three touchdown receptions, one rushing score, and a kickoff return touchdown.
But the drama wasn’t over. DePaul scored on its first play in overtime, as Derek Zammit connected with Dez Jones on a 25-yard touchdown pass. DePaul opted to go for a two-point conversion and the win, attempting a ‘Philly Special’ style play. However, Delbarton’s defense pressured the backfield, and the pass fell incomplete.
“It’s supposed to go to the quarterback; we thought we had them in man-to-man,” Campanile said. “But scoring 51 and losing… it really comes down to that one play.”
DePaul remains the top seed in Non-Public B, though their bid for a No. 1 statewide ranking suffered a setback.
Meanwhile, Delbarton heads into the playoffs with renewed momentum.
“It’s huge for us,” Folmar said. “We’ve got Paramus Catholic next week, and we’re set for a home playoff game. We’re a team on a roll.”
“It was sheer will, the refusal to give up. Our mantra is ‘win this play,’” Bowers said. “It’s a dream moment, and I couldn’t be prouder of these kids. They earned it. That’s a great team over there.”
