2014 In Review: The Paladins were 9-2, losing to St. Peter's Prep in the Non-Public Group 4 finals after beating Don Bosco. They scored 378 points for a 34.36 average, while allowing 194 for a 17.64 average. Wins included Don Bosco, Bergen Catholic, DePaul, and St. Ignatius (Oh.), while their other loss was to St. Joe's (Montvale).

Departures: WR/DB Najee Clayton - Rutgers, LB Saleem Brightwell- Pitt, DT Kwanii Figueroa - Eastern Michigan, DB Curtis Oliver - James Madison, TE Mark Michaud - Avon Old Farms (Ct.) and 2016 Syracuse commitment, QB Willy Hansen - Assumption, LB Denis Mucha - Wagner, WR Marquis Spence - Merrimack, DE Joseph Baccas - American International, DT Louie Gartner - St. Francis (Pa.), WR/DB Abdul Neblett - Kutztown, OL Justo Mejias - Ithaca, K Dan Conte - Rowan, RB Nasir Evans - Rowan

Offense: Paramus Catholic runs a multiple offense and returns four starters. The quarterback will be sophomore Allan Walters (6-foot-2, 200), who started two games. Running back returns senior Ahmad Thomas (5-foot-9, 182) and he will have heavy competition from junior Alijah Jackson (5-foot-10, 170) and sophomore Jonathan Clark (5-foot-9, 185).

Wide receiver has senior Donald Stewart (6-foot-4, 185) returning, while the other two wideouts have eight guys who can start. Among them are junior Javon Turner (6-foot-3, 185), senior DaJohn Rogers (5-foot-9, 175), senior Tom Koprowski (6-foot-0, 180), senior Patrick Jean (6-foot-3, 180), junior Dante Small (5-foot-10, 175), junior Matt Zelaya (5-foot-7, 160), freshman Muhammad Toure (6-foot-2, 170), and sophomore Ali Brightwell (6-foot-2, 180). The tight end will be sophomore Henry Pearson (6-foot-2-1/2, 235).

The returning starters on the line are senior Dan Zapata (6-foot-3, 275) and junior guard Peter Nestrowitz (6-foot-3-1/2, 260), moving from tackle. The other tackle is senior Parris Heath (6-foot-4-1/2, 195) and the other guard will be either junior Ronin Guerra (6-foot-2, 265) or junior Gerald Crowley (6-foot-3, 295). At center is junior Jackson Mitchell (6-foot-4, 245). Also vying for time is sophomore Zion Hughes (6-foot-1, 270).

Defense: The Paladins play multiple fronts and return five starters. Leading the way at end is senior returnee Rashan Gary (6-foot-5, 295). Playing opposite him is a three way battle among Pearson, junior Jordan Watson (5-foot-11, 195), and sophomore Bartek Rybka (6-foot-0, 235). One tackle will be junior Corey Bolds (6-foot-3, 290), who played often last year. In the running next to him is junior Chima Dunga (6-foot-2, 255), senior Tyrell Spigner (6-foot-3, 245), and senior Zach Jones (6-foot-3, 330).

Returning at linebacker is junior Drew Singleton (6-foot-2, 220). In the running to play are senior Ya'meer Lowrey (5-foot-11, 225), junior Tyler Wipper (6-foot-2-1/2, 210), and junior Khyon Fitzpatrick (5-foot-10, 190). The rover will be junior Hajee Lopez (5-foot-10, 190), who played often and he is being pushed by senior Aaron Thompson (6-foot-3, 210).

The secondary brings back three who started numerous games in senior corners Ahman Williams (5-foot-9, 160), Dy'Shaun Simpkins (6-foot-0, 170), plus senior safety Samad Smith (6-foot-4, 205). Simpkins is being challenged by Rogers, junior Jonathan Campbell (5-foot-9, 160), junior Saddiq Pitts (5-foot-10, 180), and junior Quentin Bernard (5-foot-8, 155). Smith is being challenged by senior Yajaha Banks (5-foot-11, 175) and senior Derrick McMullin (6-foot-3, 200).

Special Teams: The kicker will be junior John Lewis and the returning punter is Koprowski. The return men are Rogers, Pitts, Jackson, Clark, and Banks.

Friday, 9/4, Eastern Christian Academy (Md.) at home, 7PM

Saturday, 9/12, Pope John at home, 1PM

Saturday, 9/19, Gilman (Md.) at home, 3PM

9/25-26, Bye Week

Saturday, 10/3, at Bergen Catholic, 1PM

Friday, 10/9, at Don Bosco, 7PM

Saturday, 10/17, at Friendship Academy (Wash. DC), 1PM

Friday, 10/23, at IMG Academy (Fla.), 7PM

Saturday, 10/31, DePaul, 1PM

Saturday, St. Joe's (Montvale) at home, 2PM

Concerns: Getting the talent to jell and making it through a tough schedule. In addition, Walters is a good quarterback prospect, but he is a sophomore.

Recruiting: Gary has 1-A offers from all the major programs and is considered one of the top recruits in the country. Stewart has offers from Rutgers, Boston College, Michigan, Iowa, Stanford, Syracuse, and several others. Zapata committed to Liberty, while Simpkins and Williams have 1-AA offers. Rogers and Banks will play somewhere, either 1-A or 1-AA. Smith has offers from Albany and Towson. Thomas will be 1-A to D3. Heath is a senior in eligibility, but a junior in class; he will go to a prep school next year.

In the junior class, Bolds has offers from Rutgers, Iowa, Alabama, Georgia, Clemson, Virginia Tech, and other 1-A schools, while Singleton also has many 1-A offers, including Rutgers, Ohio State, Alabama, Penn State, LSU and numerous others. Nestrowitz, Mitchell, and Dunga have interest from 1-A/1-AA schools. Guerra, Campbell, Campbell, and Pitts should go at least 1-AA. Wipper is a very talented player.

In the sophomore class, Walters has several 1-A offers, including Alabama. Pearson and Clark will go 1-A.

Coach's Comments: "I like our chances and our practices keep getting sharper. We're talented, have a lot of starters being challenged, and I like what I see so far." - Head Coach John Westervelt