The Delbarton Green Wave are one win away from a trip to MetLife Stadium after a big 14-9 victory over Don Bosco Prep in the NJSIAA Non Public A Quarterfinal on Saturday at Regan Field.  The Green Wave defense stood tall once again, allowing zero offensive scores for the Ironmen, while scoring a defensive touchdown for the second straight game.

After a big third down stop in the opening drive that saw Don Bosco convert its first two third down attempts, the Green Wave defense stood tall, forcing a punt.  With good field position, Phil Folmar '25 took a hand off 65-yards, taking it to the one yard line before being ruled down before crossing the end zone.  The next play, Ryan Trafford '24, back from injury, punched it in for the 7-0 Delbarton lead.  From there, both team's defenses stood tall, keeping it a 7-0 score after the first quarter.  "Our defense really stepped up when we needed it, especially at the end of the first half," said coach Brian Bowers.

Midway through the second quarter, Don Bosco would strike, as Andrew Lynch would intercept Christian Zebrowski '24 and return it 26-yards for the touchdown, tying the game at 7-7.  Delbarton would give the ball back to the Ironmen before the end of the first half, and they would begin to move down the field once again.  Thanks to two pass interference calls, Don Bosco was set to take a 14-7 lead when on a 2nd and goal, quarterback Devon Sisler fumbled the snap was scooped up by Kyle Checchio '25 who turned on the jets, returning the fumble 99-yards for the 14-7 Delbarton lead.  "They had the ball basically an inch of the goal line, but in that situation, you still have to keep playing," the coach said. "Every day in practice we work on scoop and score. I think it's a testament to how our guys keep going and keep believing. In the playoffs, there are no quality points for how you do it, you just gotta win."
 

"After I scooped the ball, my adrenaline kicked in and I started running," Checcio said of his touchdown "I think it was a huge momentum swing for us."

Leading 14-7 in the fourth quarter, an excellent punt put the Green Wave offense on its own one-yard line to start the drive and on the opening play of the drive, a hand off to Trafford was stuffed in the end zone for a Bosco safety.  However, coach Matt Leotti's defense would come up big once again, and a third-down sack would cause another drive to stall.  Running the clock down, Folmar took over the running game, burning the clock and the remaining timeouts for the Ironmen before giving them one final drive with 1:50 left.  However, the secondary of Delbarton was ready for the challenge, coming up with three broken passes to clinch the victory for Delbarton.

Folmar led rushers with 104 yards on 8 carries, while Trafford returned to action with 26 yards and a touchdown.  The defense was led by Connor Martin '24 and Dallas Hurley '24 who both had huge games for Delbarton.

The Green Wave will now host Seton Hall Prep on Saturday, November 18 in the Non Public A Semifinal.  The winner will take on the winner of Bergen Catholic and Donovan Catholic in the Non Public A Championship at MetLife Stadium later this month.