JERSEY CITY, N.J. — In a game that came down to the final seconds, St. Peter’s Prep delivered a dramatic 13-10 victory over top-ranked Don Bosco Prep on Friday night at Caven Point, as junior kicker Bradley Abraham connected on a 20-yard field goal as time expired.
The victory gave the Marauders a major statement win against one of New Jersey’s premier high school football programs, capping a defensive battle that featured hard-hitting play, momentum swings and a thrilling finish. Don Bosco entered the matchup ranked No. 1 in the state, while St. Peter’s Prep was ranked third.
For much of the night, points were difficult to come by as both defenses controlled the action. Don Bosco carried a narrow 3-2 advantage into halftime, with St. Peter’s getting its only first-half points on a safety after a Don Bosco punt snap sailed out of the back of the end zone.
The Marauders needed a spark after a challenging opening half, and their ground game and special teams helped provide the momentum they were looking for.
Quarterback Zack Karelis helped lead the second-half push, using his legs to keep the offense moving. St. Peter’s leaned heavily on its rushing attack after halftime, showing greater confidence and physicality as the game progressed.
Don Bosco continued to battle, but the Marauders’ defense kept the Ironmen within reach and gave their offense an opportunity to make a late run.
Special Teams Deliver When It Matters Most
The game took a dramatic turn in the fourth quarter when St. Peter’s Prep’s Isaiah Alvarez electrified the crowd with a 76-yard punt-return touchdown, tying the score at 10-10 with 5:32 remaining.
Alvarez provided a major boost to the Marauders, turning a special-teams opportunity into the game’s defining momentum shift. He finished with 105 punt-return yards on two returns and added eight receptions for 53 yards.
With the contest hanging in the balance, St. Peter’s needed one more opportunity to move into scoring range. Ty’ire Clark provided it with a crucial fake punt, breaking for a 27-yard gain on fourth-and-2 from the Marauders’ 40-yard line.
The play extended the drive and kept St. Peter’s hopes alive.
Abraham initially missed a 43-yard field-goal attempt with 1:09 remaining, but a Don Bosco penalty for running into the kicker gave the Marauders another chance.
With the game still tied and time running out, Abraham lined up for the decisive kick. This time, the junior delivered, sending his 20-yard field goal through the uprights as the clock expired to secure the 13-10 victory.
The celebration reflected the magnitude of the moment for a St. Peter’s team that had battled throughout the night against a highly regarded opponent.
Karelis and the Offensive Line Set the Tone
While Abraham earned the spotlight for his game-winning kick, St. Peter’s success was built on the work of its offensive line and the team’s commitment to the running game.
Karelis rushed 14 times for 98 yards and a touchdown, giving the Marauders a physical presence on the ground. The offensive line helped create opportunities as St. Peter’s found greater success moving the ball in the second half.
Notre Dame commitment Olu Olubobola praised Abraham’s ability to respond after the missed field goal and credited the team’s confidence in its kicker.
Olubobola also emphasized the trust shared among the offensive linemen, whose work helped St. Peter’s control possession during the closing stages.
That commitment proved important as the Marauders maintained possession and created the opportunity for Abraham’s game-winning kick.
A Significant Victory for St. Peter’s Prep
The win was an important statement for St. Peter’s Prep as the New Jersey Non-Public A playoff picture continues to take shape. The Marauders improved to 6-2, matching Don Bosco’s 6-2 record and adding another layer of intrigue to the state’s competitive high school football landscape.
For Don Bosco, the defeat was a difficult ending to a game in which the Ironmen had opportunities to secure the victory. Their defense kept St. Peter’s offense largely in check for much of the night, but the late punt-return touchdown and the final special-teams sequence proved decisive.
For the Marauders, the victory demonstrated resilience, discipline and the importance of capitalizing on critical moments. Their defense kept the game close, their special teams supplied the breakthrough, and Abraham delivered when the opportunity returned to him.
St. Peter’s Prep will next travel to face Red Bank Catholic, while Don Bosco is scheduled to host Delbarton as both teams continue preparing for the postseason.
At Caven Point, the Marauders left with more than a hard-fought victory. They walked away with a memorable win over the state’s top-ranked team, sealed by a clutch kick that will be remembered as one of the defining moments of their season.
