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A season-opening 42-24 victory over Parsippany. Retaining the coveted Ole Shoe trophy.
What could be better?
The continued and never-ending support of Boonton and Lincoln Park, according to senior lineman and quad captain Jack McLaughlin.
“Every year, the season opener is always the most unique and exciting time of the entire season,” McLaughlin said. “The energy that everyone in attendance brings really gets the whole team going. What stood out the most was the amount of people that came to watch us put on a show.
“The feeling of having two whole towns behind you is one like no other. Looking up into the stands and seeing everyone that showed up to support us is a very uplifting feeling, one that inspires us to ensure that everyone in attendance gets what they came for, in other words a Bombers win.”
No doubt, this supercharged triumph, highlighted by the rushing of Josiah Chaplain and Phoenix LaCorte, the all-around fine play of Isa Kupa and the high school debut of freshman quarterback Daniel Coutts, certainly was one for the fans. Boonton showed dominance early on and did not let up in the Sept. 5 game.
“What stood out the most about our first game was the run game,” Chaplain said. “We were able to consistently move the ball down the field thanks to our talented backs and our offensive line opening up key lanes. Our team chemistry was just as important, everyone had a selfless game. It was clear that we all had the same goal, and that was to win as a team.”
Chaplain commenced his junior gridiron campaign by rushing for 97 yards on 14 carries. LaCorte ran for 94 yards. Chaplain lauded the offensive line for making the running backs jobs’ easier.
“I think my greatest attributes as a running back are my speed, elusiveness, and my mentality which make me the best running back that I can be for me and the team,” Chaplain said. “All the linemen were a key factor to my success in my run game, and they are just as key factors to this team as I am.”
The 6-foot, 230-pound McLaughlin feels that his size helps him excel on offense and defense. He also believes that “being a lineman is not for the weak.”
“Everyone loves scoring and having flashy plays but the real work happens in the trenches,” McLaughlin noted. “Being bigger and heavier than everyone gives me the ability to pancake and push guys back while on offense. On defense, my size gives me the ability to hold my ground and to not be pushed back. Taking on double, sometimes triple teams, gives linebackers more chances for making tackles in the backfield.”
While last year was a memorable year for Boonton football, the 2025 squad, according to McLaughlin, has “a different energy,” especially among the lineman.
“We have lots of young guys on our line this year, all with past varsity experience,” he said. “Guys like Valdet Ahmetaj, Santino Adornetto, and Trevan Zuercher are all tremendous football players. As far as what stands out about our lineman this season, we are all hungry. Ever since last season ended, we have been doubted as a group by many, which we as a unit have used as motivation to prove everyone that has and are doubting us wrong.”
Boonton notched two more wins after that, beating Whippany Park and Hopatcong. The Bombers’ exhibited more offensive firepower in those games, scoring 33 points in each.
LaCorte scored the decisive touchdown versus the Wildcats, snapping a 26-26 deadlock with a 1-yard run with less than a minute left. The Hopatcong game marked the third time Coutts passed for more than 100 yards.
Back-to-back losses to Mountain Lakes and Kinnelon stung but the Bombers are focused on finishing strong. The win over Parsippany set the tone for the rest of the season.
“It was an incredible feeling to keep the boot in Boonton,” Chaplain said. “It’s a tradition that means a lot to everyone on the team, and coming out on top gave us a good sense of pride. After the game, we celebrated in the locker room, cheering, and soaking in the moment as a team.”
Of course, the Bombers have their eyes on another conference championship.
“As a team, we would love to get back to the state playoffs again but, this time, we want to earn ourselves a home playoff game,” McLaughlin said after the Ole Shoe matchup. “Winning our conference last year was a huge accomplishment and we would obviously love to do it again this year. I would say those are the main things we want to accomplish as a team. The bottom line is to always win.”
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