Football: Don Bosco romps in last tangle before season opener in California

RAMSEY – While some players were away taking the SAT, Don Bosco Prep was passing its last football test before the regular season with high marks.

Senior quarterback Jahquil Batts threw a touchdown pass and ran 22 yards for a second score as the Ironmen defeated Mater Dei Prep, 39-7, Saturday in the Ironmen’s last scrimmage before opening the season Friday in California against St. John Bosco.

The teams Saturday played three quarters with starters and subbed liberally for the fourth quarter. Everything was live except special team returns were blown dead.

Here’s what stood out during the scrimmage:

Batts never better

From the first play of the scrimmage, a 30-yard strike to Kyle Monangai on a corner pattern, Don Bosco quarterback Jahquil Batts was locked in. Unofficially, he finished 6-of-7 for 103 yards and a touchdown playing a little more than a quarter.

Most people know that the Ironmen have two of the top offensive talents in New Jersey in Monangai and Jalen Berger, but for the Ironmen to truly take a leap, they’ll need contributions from more than those two.

“It was real inspiring what we saw today,” said Don Bosco coach Dan Sabella. “I loved his decision making right from the start. He threw the ball as well as I’ve seen him throw it and we saw his athleticism. He covers some ground and he’s a big dude to take down. He’s going to be a weapon for us.”

California dreaming

St. John Bosco has its season opener Saturday night against DeMatha on ESPN2. Count the Ironmen as interested observers in the Braves performance.

“We will try to get a feel for their schemes and coverages and blitzes,” said Sabella. “We feel like personnel wise we have a pretty good feel for who they are, but you hold some stuff back in scrimmages. They won’t hold back much tonight.”

For years, North Jersey non-public coaches have debated whether or not it’s an advantage to face a team that’s already played a game (the football calendar across the country is not the same). While St. John Bosco will ostensibly have smoothed out any kinks, the Ironmen have the advantage of seeing a full game tape and having spent several months preparing for just them.

“You can make a good argument for both sides,” said Sabella.

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Fired up Ironmen

After Don Bosco’s first scrimmage against Millville last week at Rutgers, Sabella harped on his team to show a little more life and enthusiasm. They certainly did that Saturday.

“I think it’s a long camp,” said Sabella. “We’ve been grinding for a while and I think the kids are just getting more excited. This was the final quiz before the test, so you can’t feel too good, but at the same time, we’re moving in the right direction.”

Playmakers

Sophomore Jayden Dorilas had one of the big plays of the day for Don Bosco, returning an interception 33 yards for a touchdown on the last play of the first half….Freshman linebacker Cameron Lenhardt had a sack….Luke Gadson had a 15-yard touchdown reception for Don Bosco….Jake Robbins replaced Batts at quarterback midway through the second quarter. He completed two passes…Sherrod Hudson saw extensive action at tailback carrying the ball six times for 20 yards in the first half.

Quick hits

Sabella said he was missing five players who were taking the SAT Saturday morning....The Ironmen leave for California on Wednesday and are scheduled to practice at St. John Bosco on Thursday afternoon….Sabella said the team is almost 100 percent healthy. Starting linebacker Constantino Borrelli was held out of Saturday’s scrimmage, but should be cleared for St. John Bosco…One area the Ironmen struggled was in the kicking game, missing three extra points.…Mater Dei was in the Non-Public Group 3 final last year, losing to Red Bank Catholic, 14-10. They scrimmaged Paramus Catholic last Wednesday.