Paladins Down Don Bosco, Play at MetLife for Championship

Paramus Catholic beat Don Bosco Prep, 21-20, on Saturday afternoon and punched their ticket to MetLife Stadium for a chance to play for the non-public state championship. 

This was the first win for the Paladins over Don Bosco since 1999.

“You fought for the entire game and tonight we can party like it’s 1999 tonight,” said Paladins Head Coach Chris Partridge. “The kids fed off of each other and this was overall a great team performance.”

The Paladins were ahead 14-3 at the half, thanks to a 96-yard kick-off return by Jabrill Peppers, but the Ironmen came out hot and scored 17 unanswered points in the second half to pull ahead 20-14. 

After converting on a pair of fourth downs on their final offensive drive, the Paladins got the ball in the end zone when Dejon Harrison made a few defenders miss and scampered in for the game-winning score.

“I just caught it and I knew I had to score,” said Harrison. “They were overrunning me and they tried to beat me to the outside. I cut under them and scored.”

Harrison had three important catches, including a snag on fourth down, on the game winning drive. 

“When you’re throwing the ball to me you’ve got to get me going,” said Harrison. “Once I caught the first one I got kind of hyped and I was rolling after that.”

Bosco got the assistance of a pass interference and a defensive holding call on their final drive. They got the ball inside the Paramus Catholic 30 yard line but had to settle for a 41-yard field goal with 1.4 seconds remaining on the clock. The kick was pulled left and the Paladins went crazy.  

Paramus Catholic will head to play St. Peter's at MetLife Stadium in the championship game on Friday, Dec. at 8 p.m.

Tweet your pictures to @ParamusPatch or email them to rob.heinemann@patch.com.