2012 In Review: The Paladins were 10-2, winning the Non-Public Group 4 title by beating Bergen Catholic, after beating St. Peter's Prep and Paul VI. They scored 476 points for a 39.67 average, while allowing 187 points for a 15.58 average. Wins included St. Joe's (Montvale), Delbarton, and Friendship Academy (Washington DC), while their losses were to Don Bosco and Bergen Catholic.

Departures: DE Khilyni Kennedy - Florida Atlantic, Marquise Watson - Bryant, LB Vernon Lincoln - Rowan, DB James Colacci - baseball, G Erik Santiago - Muhlenberg, Alex Reyes - Misericordia

Offense: Paramus Catholic runs a multiple spread and returns nine starters. Returning for his third year at quarterback is senior Steve Shanley (6-foot-3-1/4, 212). Playing quarterback in Wildcat formations is senior Jabrill Peppers (6-foot-0, 210), a nationally ranked recruit. Running back has senior Keyon Washington (5-foot-7, 165). A sophomore who may see time in the backfield as a running back or fullback is Ahmad Thomas (5-foot-9, 185).

All four receivers return. In the slot, it will be Peppers and senior Dejon Harrison (5-foot-11, 175), a three year starter. The split ends have three year starters in senior Tyrone Washington (6-foot-2 192) and junior Najee Clayton (6-foot-3-1/2, 209). Also in the mix will be junior Marquis Spence (5-foot-10, 165), junior Troy Gethers (5-foot-11, 190), and senior Kyle Klepacki (6-foot-2, 187). Junior Abdul Neblett (5-foot-8, 160) may see time in the slot and when a tight end is used, it will be Clayton and sophomore Daniel Zapata (6-foot-3, 220).

The line returns three starters in tackle Juwann Bushell-Beatty (6-foot-6, 322), tackle Billy Ray Mitchell (6-foot-4-1/2, 292), and center Alec Bowman (6-foot-4, 280) - all seniors, with Bowman moving from guard. The two guards will be senior twins Tyshawn Thompson (6-foot-3, 270) and Tyron Thompson (6-foot-3, 270). Also pushing for time will be juniors Justo Mejias (5-foot-10, 240) and Tommy Valverde (6-foot-1, 285), with both having good off-seasons.

Defense: The Paladins run multiple four man fronts and return seven starters and another who started late in the year. The ends have two returning starters in seniors Marcus Pantoja (6-foot-3, 255) and Terrance Harris (6-foot-2, 244). Pantoja is a three year starter and Harris moves from tackle. Tackle has four year starter Nick Flores (6-foot-1, 280) and his partner will be junior Louie Gartner (5-foot-11, 247). Pushing for time along the line are sophomore Brandon Simon (6-foot-2, 225) and junior Joseph Baccas (6-foot-2, 202).

Linebacker has one returning starter in junior Denis Mucha (6-foot-2, 228) in the middle. Gethers will also start and junior Jamad Thomas (5-foot-9, 212) will play in the rotation.

The secondary has three starters back, with Peppers and Tyrone Washington both four year starters, including Peppers' first two years at Don Bosco. Returning at safety is junior Saleem Brightwell (6-foot-2, 196), the team leader in interceptions. The other two safeties will be senior Izaiah Pitts (6-foot-0, 180) and junior Anthony Pontoriero (5-foot-9, 173), with Pontoriero starting two games late in the year. Also rotating in will be Neblett, junior Curtis Oliver (5-foot-11, 165), plus Clayton and Keyon Washington.

Special Teams: Harrison will punt, while kicker has senior Matt Golabek on long field goals and kickoffs, plus junior Danny Conte on extra points and short field goals. The return men will be Peppers, Harrison, and Keyon Washington.

Sunday, 9/8, Gilman (Md.), at Rutgers, 4PM

Saturday, 9/14, at Delbarton, 1PM

Saturday, 9/21, DePaul at home, 4PM

Saturday, 9/28, at St. Ignatius, 2:30PM

10/4-5, bye week

Saturday, 10/12, St. Mark's (Del.) at home, 2PM

Friday, 10/18, Don Bosco at home, 7PM

Saturday, 10/26, at St. Joe's (Montvale), 1PM

Saturday, 11/2, Friendship Academy (Washington DC) at home, 1PM

Saturday, 11/9, at Bergen Catholic, 1PM

Question Marks: How good can they be? They will play a lot of kids: can the rotations click?

Recruiting: Peppers is one of the top prospects in the country and committed to Michigan, along with Bushell-Beatty. Mitchell committed to Virginia Tech and Harris has an offer from Iowa. Tyrone Washington has offers from Rutgers and Indiana, plus interest from Michigan State and Washington. Bowman has offers from Tulane and Temple. Pantoja has great interest from Army. Shanley has been offered by Central Michigan, Buffalo, James Madison, and UPenn. Keyon Washington has been offered by Villanova, UPenn, Yale, and Harvard. Harrison has Albany, Monmouth, and Stony Brook offers. Flores has offers from Monmouth, Towson, and Albany. The sleeper of the class is Pitts, who can run. The Thompson twins have good size.

In the junior class, Clayton, Brightwell, and Mucha are 1-A candidates. Gethers is a very good player.

In the sophomore class, Simons is a 1-A prospect.

Coach's Comments: "We're excited. We have a good team, a veteran team. The kids compete every day and work to get better. They challenge one another to improve." - Head Coach Chris Partridge