SJV football visits Notre Dame for first-round Non-Public B playoff game
November 8, 2024 at 12:00 a.m.
When Notre Dame, Lawrenceville, hosts St. John Vianney, Holmdel, in a NJSIAA Non-Public B first-round playoff game Nov. 8, the two teams enter the fray on different trajectories.
SJV (7-3 record) is on a four-game winning streak, while Notre Dame (6-4) has lost two of its last three.
For the Lancers, the season took off once they adapted to first-year head coach Bobby Acosta and his system.
“Our program is demanding, and it took some time for the players to adjust,” Acosta said. “Some embraced it fully, while others chose a different path. However, the young men who committed to our systems are now experiencing success at a high level. “
SJV won its first three and lost the next three before its current winning streak.
“I’m very pleased with their development,” Acosta said. “I was concerned about our depth and youth, but I remained optimistic about having a winning season. Our players have shown tremendous growth. Our faith is becoming stronger and academically, our young men are excelling. On and off the field they are learning how to grow from adversity.”
Adversity is something Notre Dame knows all about. The Irish’s season began with the news that their former teammate Danny Haas, who graduated last spring, died an August car crash. After a 1-2 start ND won four straight before a fateful loss to Nottingham. In that game the Irish lost quarterback Julian Matera and defensive end/tight end Will Renda to season-ending injuries. They will also be without running back Musa Kamera against SJV.
Senior linebacker Anthony Kelly has been a key to the Notre Dame defense with 58 tackles this season. Photo courtesy of ND's Lifetouch staff
“It’s been one of the most interesting seasons in my career,” Clancy said. “It’s been a challenging year. … We had a tough start against three real good teams. We’ve been up and down with a lot of injuries, but you’ve gotta give it to our kids, they’ve stayed resilient and stayed positive. Our senior class has been great, doing everything we’ve asked.”
The result is that the 7th-seeded Irish earned a home game due to a higher United Power Ranking than 10th-seeded SJV.
“That can make a difference, one hundred percent,” Clancy said. “You have the familiarity of where you are playing. We do a mass before every game. It gives us the ability to do that mass on the day of the game. When we travel, we have to do it on Tuesday, and it helps our kids focus.”
Notre Dame is making its sixth straight state appearance while SJV has only been in the playoffs once (2022) in the past three seasons.
“I’m thrilled we made it to the playoffs,” Acosta said. “Each opportunity to practice and play allows us to grow. Game reps make us a better team, and from day one, our goal was to reach the playoffs. Mission accomplished.”
SJV is led offensively by standout sophomore running back Abdul Turay, who has rushed for 1,904 yards and 31 touchdowns.
“He’s a special young man,” Acosta said. “His faith is incredibly important to him; he has a 4.0 GPA and holds a five-star character rating. This commitment off the field is why he’s so successful on it.”
In assessing Turay, Clancy said, “They run a lot of inside zone; he’s a powerful back. He’s got real good vision; he makes one cut and he goes. Good speed, good motor.”
Clancy is also impressed by Lancers quarterback Zach LaBarca, who has thrown for 1,576 yards and 12 TDs and rushed for 530 yards and three scores.
“He’s a skilled player,” Clancy said. “He can run, he can throw. You gotta defend the whole field. That’s what makes it fun.”
Notre Dame counters with its RPO offense that is now in the hands of backup quarterback Dillon White, who has thrown for 280 yards and five TDs since replacing Matera. Jayden Davis has emerged as a strong running back with 566 yards and an average of 7.2 yards per carry. Clancy praised the job Cam Bailey has done filling in for Renda at defensive end.
“Notre Dame is a formidable team with talent on both sides of the ball,” Acosta said. “I teach our young men to respect every opponent, but we focus most on our own preparation. I believe the team that makes the fewest mistakes, plays harder, and sustains that effort will win. This weekend is our national championship game, and it means the world to SJV and our community. We are ready to face this ultimate challenge.”
The winner will face an even bigger challenge as it will travel to second-seeded Red Bank Catholic, the defending Non-Public B champion, for a quarterfinal game.
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When Notre Dame, Lawrenceville, hosts St. John Vianney, Holmdel, in a NJSIAA Non-Public B first-round playoff game Nov. 8, the two teams enter the fray on different trajectories.
SJV (7-3 record) is on a four-game winning streak, while Notre Dame (6-4) has lost two of its last three.
For the Lancers, the season took off once they adapted to first-year head coach Bobby Acosta and his system.
“Our program is demanding, and it took some time for the players to adjust,” Acosta said. “Some embraced it fully, while others chose a different path. However, the young men who committed to our systems are now experiencing success at a high level. “
SJV won its first three and lost the next three before its current winning streak.
“I’m very pleased with their development,” Acosta said. “I was concerned about our depth and youth, but I remained optimistic about having a winning season. Our players have shown tremendous growth. Our faith is becoming stronger and academically, our young men are excelling. On and off the field they are learning how to grow from adversity.”
Adversity is something Notre Dame knows all about. The Irish’s season began with the news that their former teammate Danny Haas, who graduated last spring, died an August car crash. After a 1-2 start ND won four straight before a fateful loss to Nottingham. In that game the Irish lost quarterback Julian Matera and defensive end/tight end Will Renda to season-ending injuries. They will also be without running back Musa Kamera against SJV.
Senior linebacker Anthony Kelly has been a key to the Notre Dame defense with 58 tackles this season. Photo courtesy of ND's Lifetouch staff
“It’s been one of the most interesting seasons in my career,” Clancy said. “It’s been a challenging year. … We had a tough start against three real good teams. We’ve been up and down with a lot of injuries, but you’ve gotta give it to our kids, they’ve stayed resilient and stayed positive. Our senior class has been great, doing everything we’ve asked.”
The result is that the 7th-seeded Irish earned a home game due to a higher United Power Ranking than 10th-seeded SJV.
“That can make a difference, one hundred percent,” Clancy said. “You have the familiarity of where you are playing. We do a mass before every game. It gives us the ability to do that mass on the day of the game. When we travel, we have to do it on Tuesday, and it helps our kids focus.”
Notre Dame is making its sixth straight state appearance while SJV has only been in the playoffs once (2022) in the past three seasons.
“I’m thrilled we made it to the playoffs,” Acosta said. “Each opportunity to practice and play allows us to grow. Game reps make us a better team, and from day one, our goal was to reach the playoffs. Mission accomplished.”
SJV is led offensively by standout sophomore running back Abdul Turay, who has rushed for 1,904 yards and 31 touchdowns.
“He’s a special young man,” Acosta said. “His faith is incredibly important to him; he has a 4.0 GPA and holds a five-star character rating. This commitment off the field is why he’s so successful on it.”
In assessing Turay, Clancy said, “They run a lot of inside zone; he’s a powerful back. He’s got real good vision; he makes one cut and he goes. Good speed, good motor.”
Clancy is also impressed by Lancers quarterback Zach LaBarca, who has thrown for 1,576 yards and 12 TDs and rushed for 530 yards and three scores.
“He’s a skilled player,” Clancy said. “He can run, he can throw. You gotta defend the whole field. That’s what makes it fun.”
Notre Dame counters with its RPO offense that is now in the hands of backup quarterback Dillon White, who has thrown for 280 yards and five TDs since replacing Matera. Jayden Davis has emerged as a strong running back with 566 yards and an average of 7.2 yards per carry. Clancy praised the job Cam Bailey has done filling in for Renda at defensive end.
“Notre Dame is a formidable team with talent on both sides of the ball,” Acosta said. “I teach our young men to respect every opponent, but we focus most on our own preparation. I believe the team that makes the fewest mistakes, plays harder, and sustains that effort will win. This weekend is our national championship game, and it means the world to SJV and our community. We are ready to face this ultimate challenge.”
The winner will face an even bigger challenge as it will travel to second-seeded Red Bank Catholic, the defending Non-Public B champion, for a quarterfinal game.
The Church needs quality Catholic journalism now more than ever. Please consider supporting this work by signing up for a SUBSCRIPTION (click HERE) or making a DONATION to The Monitor (click HERE). Thank you for your support.