Delbarton coach Brian Bowers has gone two-platoon in an effort to have his Green Wave rested and ready to go in the fourth quarter – especially when every game in the unforgiving world of Non-Public football is a “slam-fest,” according to Bowers.

Bowers’ team responded with one of its best seasons ever last year by going 10-2, winning the NJSFC-United White, and reaching the Non-Public A championship game before losing to Bergen Catholic, 24-14.

The Green Wave finished the year ranked second in all of New Jersey.   

And it all started on defense.

The Green Wave ‘D’ was downright suffocating at times last year and that came in handy in back-to-back wins over Don Bosco and St. Joe-Montvale as well as impressive victories over DePaul, Pope John, St. Peter’s, and Paramus Catholic.

It was arguably the best season, resume-wise, that a Morris-Sussex school has ever had when you consider the weight and tradition of the schools on the schedule.

And there could be more to come in 2024 thanks to a wealth of returnees on the defense – especially in the first two levels.

D-Linemen Luca Lopez (3 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 28 tackles), Chris Dadas (2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, 19 total tackles), and Tyler Jackson (1 sack, 4 ½ tackles for loss, 19 tackles) have the potential to control the line of scrimmage. That’ll help free linebackers Kyle Checchio (4 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, 78 tackles) and Michael Sclafani (2 sacks, 3 tackles for loss, 53 tackles) to make plays.

Meanwhile, Troy Bailey (1 INT, 1 tackle for loss, 42 tackles) mans a young secondary.

While Delbarton appears ready for a big season, there are several defensive players to watch in 2024, including:

Dean Mangiocavallo (DL), Randolph – Mangiocavallo anchored the Rams defense last year and spent much time in the enemy backfield (with an eye-popping 16 tackles for loss) and finished with 55 tackles, two sacks and three fumble recoveries. New coach Dave Albano would love more of the same.

Luca Toriello (DL), Butler – Jason Luciani’s Bulldogs are contenders to win the NJIC championship and the skills of Toriello (4 sacks, 9 tackles for loss, 38 tackles) is one of the main reasons why.

Tom Borgia (DL), West Morris – Borgia was a monster on both sides of the ball for the Wolfpack, who came out of nowhere to win their third straight sectional title. Borgia (4 sacks, 15 tackles for loss, 91 tackles, 2 forced fumbles) anchored the D-Line for coach Kevin Hennelly. 

Dan McGarry (LB), Mount Olive – The unblockable McGarry (3 ½ sacks, 22 tackles for loss, 102 tackles) made a living in opposing backfields for coach Brian O’Connor.

Hunter Chlodnicki (LB), Sparta – Frank Marchiano’s Spartans recovered from a slow start and advanced to the second round of the playoffs with Chlodnicki (11 tackles for loss 62 tackles) being a force on defense.

Bobby Brickner (LB), Morris Knolls – The Golden Eagles were as hard-working and feisty as ever on defense and the hard-hitting Brickner (84 tackles, 2 forced fumbles) will be one of the team leaders for new coach Bryan Gallagher.

Erik Edelman (DL), Morris Catholic – The Crusaders were winless but Edelman (6 sacks, 28 tackles for loss, 48 tackles, 2 forced fumbles) had an incredible season. Someone get a body on this kid!

Dante Palladino (DL), Montville – Palladino was a force up front for coach Rick DeBonta with 12 tackles for loss and a team-leading five sacks among his 36 tackles.

Declan Higgins (DL), Mendham – Higgins was all over the field for coach Ethan Jeros and led the Minutemen with 102 tackles, including five for loss and two sacks.

Joe Pappa (DL), Pope John – Pappa was a mainstay up front for Dom Gaston and had 54 tackles, including 15 for loss and 5 ½ sacks.

Hector Lopez (LB), Hanover Park – Lopez continues his run of dominance at linebacker for Dan Fulton’s Hornets as he was in on 88 tackles (10 for loss, 4 sacks) and also picked off two passes. 

Alex Chambers (LB), Dover – Bill Goble’s Tigers return to the area and Chambers (team-leading 97 ½ tackles, 7 for loss) will spearhead the defense.

Nick Kurilko (LB), Newton – Matt Parzero’s Braves were killed by severe graduation losses but Kurilko (102 tackles, 5 sacks, 15 tackles for loss) dominated up front and the Braves won their division.

Anthony Tudda (LB), Newton – Tudda (79 tackles, 4 sacks,14 tackles for loss) and Kurilko were imposing forces inside for an overachieving Newton squad that was very difficult to run on.

Tyler Houser (LB), Pope John – Houser was all over the field last year ad was in on 121 tackles, including 22 ½ tackles for loss and 3 ½ sacks. He also had an INT.

Joe Filippone (DB), Hanover Park – Filippone (71 sacks) may have spent much of his time defending passes in the secondary but still managed to get into the opposing backfield (10 tackles for loss, 2 sacks). He also forced three fumbles.

Wes Johnston (DB), Pope John – Johnston was effective on defense (76 tackles, 8 ½ for loss, 2 sacks) and on special teams (3 blocked field goals).

Emilio Mendez (DB), Dover – Mendez was a two-time all-Ivy selection and is out to prove that he can do just as well with the better competition. He had an eye-popping eight INTs last year to go with 69 tackles (4 for loss), two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

Mike Vito (DB), Montville – Vito spearheaded the secondary for the Mustangs with 108 tackles (3 for loss) and two INTs.

Harrison Spence (DB), Mendham – Ever notice how the opponent’s best wide receiver didn’t do too much against the Minutemen? That’s mainly because Spence (35 tackles, 2 INTs) covered them like a blanket. 

Tanner Gaboda (DB), Lenape Valley – The Patriots figure to be in the hunt for the American Blue title and Gaboda will be one of the key factors on defense.

Other defensive players of note include: 

D-Linemen: Jonathan Erickson (Madison), Tyler Frame (Pequannock), Will Irwin (Pequannock), Ralph Langone (Mendham), Rowan Killam (Mendham), Sam Cobane (Whippany Park), Landon Smith (Kinnelon), Sal Vitale (Boonton), Jesus Zayas (Dover), Raphael Lindsay (Parsippany Hills), Sean Elsmore (Montville), Max Faye (Newton).

Linebackers: Peter Calvi (Butler), Lucas Reza (Morristown), Nick Graziano (Parsippany), Jared Colon (Montville), Joe Levato (Chatham), Omaldy Ferreira (Morris Hills), Drew Cabalar (Boonton), Chris Carfano (Madison), Oscar Speranza (Morristown Beard), Sebastian Borie (Mountain Lakes), Steve Lomelo (Mendham), Nick Bruno (Mendham), Luke Brown (Sparta), Syrus Castanaga (Vernon), Wyatt Sisco (Kinnelon), Nick Pownall (Pequannock), Dom Graziano (Morris Hills). 

Backs: Joey Tantawi (Hanover Park), Manny Ospina (Morris Hills), Marco Valastro (Morristown Beard), Michael Certo (Hopatcong), Luca Vizzini (Vernon), Reed Donegan (Morristown), Jeremiah Moreau (Morristown), Mike Vespi (Montville), Jerron Martress (High Point), Connor Higgins (Mountain Lakes), Matt Baumann (Vernon), Jake Del Rosario (Vernon), Anthony Facchino (Whippany Park), Eddie Shalongo (Pequannock).