2011 In Review: The Paladins were 6-5, losing to Don Bosco in the Non-Public Group 4 semi-finals after beating Seton Hall Prep. They scored 267 points for a 24.27 average, while allowing 293 points for a 26.64 average. Wins included Old Tappan, Poly Prep (NY), and Salesianum (Del.), while losses included Don Bosco, Bergen Catholic, St. Joe's (Montvale), and DePaul.

Departures: RB/LB Leo Krizanovic - UMass, QB/DB Chris Maldonado - New Haven, OLB Maciek Bielen - Fordham, WR/DB Lamont Thomas - Tusculum (Tn.), G Doug Strickland - East Stroudsburg, K Phil Conti - East Stroudsburg, LB Chris Szabo - Misericordia (Pa.)

Offense: Paramus Catholic runs the spread and returns six starters and two others who played. Quarterback has two competing, last year's co-regular Steve Shanley (6-foot-3, 200), a junior, and sophomore Corey Gaarn (5-foot-9, 175). Running back will use both junior Keyon Washington (5-foot-7, 165), a Don Bosco transfer, and sophomore Jelani Garvin (5-foot-9, 170), who started on defense.

There is a lot of young experience at wide receiver with four returning starters. Back are junior Tyrone Washington (6-foot-2, 180), sophomore Najee Clayton (6-foot-3, 200), junior Dejon Harrison (5-foot-10, 170), and senior James Colacci (5-foot-10, 190). Also getting playing time will be junior Jabrill Peppers (6-foot-1, 200), a Don Bosco transfer where he started at running back.

Two starters and another who started games will be back on the line. Returning at right tackle is junior Billy Ray Mitchell (6-foot-3, 275), while senior Erik Santiago (6-foot-0, 260) is a returning starter at left guard, moving from tackle. Senior Alex Reyes (5-foot-10, 265) started some games at center and will hold that spot this year. Left tackle will be junior Juwann Bushell-Beaty (6-foot-7, 325) and right guard will be either junior Tyron Thompson (6-foot-3, 235) or junior Alec Bowman (6-foot-3, 260). Also pushing for time are junior Tyshawn Thompson (6-foot-3, 235) and senior Tony Ristevski (6-foot-1, 255).

Defense: The Paladins run a base 4-3 and return seven starters. The ends have senior Khilyni Kennedy (6-foot-3, 215) and junior Marcus Pantoja (6-foot-2, 250) back. Returning at tackle will be junior Nick Flores (6-foot-0, 250). The other tackle has senior Alvin Russell (5-foot-10, 270) and junior Terrance Harris (6-foot-2, 250) teaming with Flores in a three man rotation at tackle.

Returning at outside linebacker is senior Vernon Lincoln (5-foot-11, 190). The other outside post has four battling it out: senior John Westervelt (5-foot-8, 185), senior Mike Burke (5-foot-10, 190), junior Chris Buford (5-foot-10, 185), and sophomore Saleem Brightwell (6-foot-2, 200). The middle linebacker will be senior St. Peter's Prep transfer Marquis Watson (6-foot-2, 250).

Three starters return in the secondary. Garvin and senior Brandon Spearman (5-foot-11, 175) are back at the corners, while Colacci is a three year starter at safety. The other safety will be Peppers, who started at cornerback for Don Bosco. Pushing for time at cornerback is junior Anthony Nesmith (5-foot-9, 170). Seeing time in the nickel package will be safety Tyrone Washington. Also in the picture at safety is sophomore Anthony Pontoriero (5-foot-0, 170).

Special Teams: Harrison returns at punter and the kicker will be determined in camp. The return men will be Peppers, Keyon Washington, Garvin, and Spearman.

Schedule:

Saturday, 9/8, Delbarton, 2PM

Friday, 9/14, at DePaul, 7PM

Friday, 9/21, at Demarest, 7PM

Friday, 9/28, at Ridgewood, 7PM

10/5-6, bye week

Friday, 10/12, at Don Bosco, 7PM

Saturday, 10/20, St. Joe's (Montvale), 1PM

Friday, 10/27, Eastern Christian (Md.) at Rutgers, 7PM

Saturday, 11/3, Northern Highlands, 2PM

Thursday, 11/22, Bergen Catholic 10:30AM

Schedule is courtesy of www.highschoolsports.net

Question Marks: How good can they be, putting it all together? How far can they go? Their goals are high.

Recruiting: Kennedy and Watson have 1-A potential. Spearman, Lincoln, and Colacci are 1-A candidates. Santiago has the ability to play somewhere.

In the junior class, Peppers is a major 1-A prospect. Tyrone Washington has 1-A interest, including a Rutgers offer. Bushell-Beaty is a 1A prospect. Mitchell, Harrison, Keyon Washington, Pantoja will play somewhere. Flores is D3/D2 because of his height. Shanley is also D3/D2.

Clayton and Garvin are 1-A prospects. Brightwell and Gaarn have potential, but have to do it on the field.

Coach's Comments: "We're very positive. We have a good bunch of kids and we're going to be a very good team. The kids are hungry and very competitive." - Head Coach Chris Partridge