Ramapo's cool, calm and collected QB leading team to an all-time great season
FRANKLIN LAKES – We could spend a long time debating the best Ramapo quarterback ever, but Landon DePrima might be the coolest.
“He has a very calming presence for everyone – coaches included – and he does not get flustered,” Ramapo coach Mike DeFazio said. “In the biggest moments is when Landon is at his best, thus making everyone else around him better.”
The moments just keep getting bigger for DePrima as Ramapo hosts Mount Olive in the Group 4 state semifinals on Friday night.
There’s a lot at stake for the Oakland native (students from Oakland have the choice of going to Ramapo or Indian Hills). He wants to be the first quarterback to guide Ramapo to a true state title − New Jersey just started crowning state champs in each group last year − and maybe outdo his older brother Charles by a hair.
Charles, a college quarterback for the 8-1 Harvard Crimson, helped Ramapo win what was then called a regional title (basically the same round taking place this week) back in 2019. Charles and the Green Raiders could go no further, but they remain one of the few New Jersey teams to ever go 13-0.
But 13-0 and a true state champ? Well now, that gets Landon’s heart thumping a little bit.
“Making history at Ramapo to be the first team to win a Group 4 title,” Landon said pausing. “We just have to take it one game at a time.”
Charles and Landon are separated by three years academically, so Landon didn’t get a chance to play with Charles at Ramapo. He played on the freshman team during the COVID-shortened 2020 season when everything was messy.
But the two brothers are super close. They talk throughout the week, sometimes not about football but usually about upcoming games and playing quarterback.
“I would say growing up, you always have that mean big brother,” Landon laughed. “Once you get to high school, then you become like best friends almost. Instead of turning on each other, you start keeping secrets together. We’ve always been close and only gotten closer.”
How DePrima sets the tone for Ramapo
Ramapo has once again shown a flair for the dramatic this season.
The Raiders earned a controversial win in Week 0 as DePrima connected with Gavin Taylor on a Hail Mary TD pass as time expired for a 38-34 win. Whether or not Taylor really made it across the goal line doesn’t matter at this point.
“The ref put his hands up, that’s all that matters,” DePrima said.
Then the Green Raiders also held off defending Group 3 state champ Old Tappan in a thriller, came back from 21-0 down to beat Northern Highlands during the regular season, then came back again against the Highlanders in the sectional final rematch.
“That [Somers] game was the most dramatic football game I have ever been a part of and that set the tone for what we are capable of and what can happen in a football game, no game is ever over until it’s over,” DePrima said. “We haven’t faced an obstacle as big as that one the whole year.”
North Jersey football fans know what to expect from Ramapo. The offense is dynamic and full of weapons. The quarterback is usually a tremendous athlete (check) who can run and throw (check, Landon has 39 TD passes and seven on the ground), he’s usually tall (Landon is 6-foot-2) and been in the system for years (check), and this time is also super smart.
“He’s a great captain and teammate who leads with his actions, but is also vocal when the time calls him to be,” DeFazio said. “He knows when and how to inject some levity into the moment but also is able to focus intensely. He sets a great example for his teammates not only on the field but in the school, he has great character and is a very good student.”
DePrima has committed to play for Harvard next year. It will be the first time he and Charles will ever really play on the same team at the same time. Hypothetically, they’ll be competing for playing time.
Landon just thinks that all sounds cool.
“It will be great,” he said. “He’s got the age and experience on me. I will just enjoy my time.”
This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Landon DePrima: Ramapo NJ football QB leading team to great season
