PARAMUS − Greg Russo isn’t making any excuses.
“This year is Year 3, they’re my kids, I can’t blame anyone else if they’re doing the wrong thing,” Russo said after a recent evening practice. “It’s all on us at this point.”
Since taking over at the former state powerhouse, Russo and the Paladins have won five games − two in 2022 and three in 2023. When asked the biggest lesson from last year, Russo said he thinks his team could have won every game, noting that three of the losses came by less than a touchdown.
But three of the losses also came by more than 20 points.
“We’ve had a much better offseason, there’s way less moving parts, I think we’re going to win some of those close games because of nothing to do with football, but just because they have been a part of the program together,” Russo said.
One of the biggest jobs for any coach, particularly at a North Jersey superpower, is keeping the kids focused on team goals and not the latest college offer or Instagram highlight. Under Russo and before, Paramus Catholic has had a lot of success getting kids to the next level. But football remains a team game and team goals have to take priority.
“It’s hard honestly, because you’re trying to do something where the rest of the world is telling them that it’s all about them and their offers, from their parents to their trainers to social media to all their friends,” Russo said. “It’s tougher than it used to be, but kids are smart, so it’s how you talk to them and make them understand that there’s stuff bigger than you.”
The Paladins have one of the jewels of North Jersey's Class of 2025 in offensive lineman Malachi Goodman, who has offers from Georgia, USC and Alabama, among others. Crew Colon is back at starting quarterback after a solid season and has some FCS offers, and Russo went out of his way to praise back-up Marco Green and a solid freshman class.
The coaching staff added veteran Vinny Ciurciu as an assistant and the numbers are in the mid-60s for the varsity. They’re all Russo’s players.
The tradition
The number of Paramus Catholic alumni in the NFL continues to grow, with Christian Mahogany being drafted by the Detroit Lions in the 2024 NFL Draft.
He joins Henry Pearson (Packers), Jabrill Peppers (Patriots) and Rashan Gary (Packers).
During the “Livin’” Era, when Russo was offensive coordinator, Paramus Catholic won three state titles in five years (2012, 2013 and 2016). But they haven’t beat a fellow Big Six opponent since 2017.
The challenge
Paramus Catholic has lived in a weird limbo the past two years, better than 90 percent of the teams in New Jersey, but not as good as the top dogs in Non-Public A.
Last season ended with a 31-28 loss to fourth-seeded Donovan Catholic in the first round of the playoffs.
The challenge for the Paladins remains the same. Can they show they belong with the North Jersey elite? Skill-wise, the Paladins have the players, but they need to be better defensively up front. They allowed more than 40 points five times last season.
Expectations
No one is going to take it easy on the Paladins, and there are no gimmes on the schedule in 2024. If they had one game they’d really want back from last year it was probably a one-point loss to St. Peter’s Prep, the Marauders' only victory of the season.
There are tiers separating the North Jersey superpowers right now: Bergen Catholic at the top, followed by St. Joseph, Delbarton and Don Bosco. DePaul, St. Peter's Prep and Paramus Catholic come next. Expect Paramus Catholic to be able to hang with most of its opponents.
Schedule
Aug. 30: vs. St. Peter’s Prep
Sept. 7: at Pope John
Sept. 21: at St. Joseph
Sept. 27: vs. DePaul
Oct. 4: vs. St. Thomas Aquinas
Oct. 12: at Bergen Catholic
Oct. 18: at Red Bank Catholic
Oct. 25: vs. Don Bosco
Nov. 1: vs. Delbarton
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