Ramsey, NJ—-Don Bosco executed a near-perfect game plan on Friday night, leading to a dominant offensive performance. The Ironmen scored touchdowns on five of their first six drives, ending their final possession with two kneel-downs on St. Joseph’s 1-yard line to secure a 35-28 victory in the Super Football Conference at Granatell Stadium.
The Ironmen (3-3) began the game with a 10-play, 79-yard drive, capped by Dante DeLuca’s 2-yard touchdown run, which gave them a lead they maintained throughout.
St. Joseph (4-2), ranked No. 2 in the New Jersey Super 25, closed the gap to 21-14 by halftime and received the kickoff to start the third quarter. However, the Ironmen defense held them to a quick three-and-out. Eleven plays later, Don Bosco extended their lead to two touchdowns.
“Our defense and offense are so close right now,” said DeLuca. “We built a strong bond over the summer, and now it’s all coming together as a team.”
What it Means:
After two tough losses by a combined five points—including a 21-20 defeat to DePaul in which DeLuca was sidelined with an injury—Don Bosco’s win reshapes the SFC United Red standings. Both the Ironmen and St. Joseph are now 1-1 in division play.
League leader Bergen Catholic, who narrowly defeated Don Bosco 24-20 on Sept. 28, is set to face St. Joseph on Oct. 26.
“Our guys, after two tough losses, stayed focused and believed in each other,” said Don Bosco coach Dan Sabella. “Those three or four plays we missed in the last two games, we made them tonight.”
Key Plays:
Don Bosco’s drive to go up 28-14 included a 34-yard pass from Deven Sisler to Isaiah Alvarez (6 catches, 126 yards), set up by a holding penalty. Sisler completed the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run.
St. Joseph fought back with a scoring drive on which quarterback Lamar Best connected with Nathan Bailey for a 36-yard touchdown on third-and-18. But the Ironmen responded smoothly—Sisler threw a 32-yard touchdown pass to Zakai Murphy (8 catches, 79 yards, 2 TDs) after a holding penalty wiped out a previous conversion.
Standout Performers:
Dante DeLuca: Ran 24 times for 125 yards and a touchdown, including a critical 25-yard run to the 1-yard line, allowing the Ironmen to run out the clock.
Deven Sisler**: Completed 22 of 30 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns.
Nathan Bailey: Sparked the Green Knights’ offense with 9 catches for 157 yards and two touchdowns, plus two carries for 40 yards.
Defensive Leaders: St. Joseph’s senior CB Jahmir Joseph (8 tackles, blocked field goal) and Don Bosco’s junior Jack DeMenna (7 tackles) both stood out defensively.
They Said It
“It was a tough two weeks, and we kept telling the kids, football can change fast. Sometimes for the good, sometimes not so good… but stay together, keep believing, and we’re building more momentum now.” — Coach Sabella
“We just lean on each other… we keep fighting for each other, and we’ve got each other’s backs. It showed tonight.” — DeLuca
