Boston College’s Brian Toal of Wyckoff, NJ, is considered one of the nation’s top weakside linebackers. Southern Cal’s Brian Cushing of Park Ridge, NJ, is arguably the country’s top strongside backer.
The two have been friends and fierce competitors since playing against each other in consecutive New Jersey Parochial Group 4 state title games.
Toal, who played at Don Bosco Prep, and Cushing, who played at Bergen Catholic, enter their senior seasons trying to prove they are worthy of the praise. And they could lead their respective schools to a conference title and perhaps, beyond.
They sat down with The Post for an exclusive interview to discuss their pride in Jersey football, the obstacles they’ve overcome, and their hopes moving forward:
The Post: What adjectives first come to mind when you think of each other as players?
Cushing: Tough. Rugged.
Toal: Tough. Physical. Gamebreaker. Playmaker.
The Post: How did you pick Boston College and Southern Cal, and did the two of you consider going together?
Cushing: He hosted me on my visit. There weren’t too many Jersey guys on his team. I don’t think they knew what to make of us. We were asked to leave the cafeteria, remember?
The Post: Why?
Cushing: Something about being too loud and flying chicken wings, I think.
Toal: I can’t believe you told him. Jag (coach Jeff Jagodzinski) is going to sit me a game.
The Post: Back to picking BC and USC?
Toal: It came down to BC and Miami. I talked to Jim Burt the day I made my decision. He coached me (in high school) and played for the Giants. He went to Miami. I didn’t tell anyone, except (Rutgers) coach (Greg) Schiano. I called him on the way to Chelsea Piers for my announcement. He’s such a classy guy, a Jersey guy. I love Coach Schiano, but Rutgers wasn’t there yet. I thought it would be easier not to tell anyone.
Cushing: He (Toal) sent me a text on the way to (the ESPNZone in) New York when I was going to announce my decision. He was trying to get me to go to BC. I went, “Ah . . .” I almost wanted to turn the car around. It was the toughest thing I ever had to say no to in my life.
The Post: What makes Jersey football unique?
Toal: It’s hard-nosed, tough football. It was kind of a pride thing because you had to go in against people you were going to have to see the following week if you won or lost. It’s tough. To lose a game and then see all those guys around, “What happened? I got the best of you.” I love Jersey football. I like to come back and watch it.”
Cushing: Half the time, I’m in my locker room chirping about Jersey football and I’ve got all of California against me. I tell them Jersey football is a different kind of football.
The Post: Favorite sport other than football?
Toal: Beer pong.
Cushing: Ultimate fighting.
The Post: Who’s had the greatest impact on your football career?
Cushing: (Southern Cal linebackers) coach (Ken) Norton. His dad is Ken Norton Sr. – broke (Muhammad) Ali’s jaw. He brings that kind of mentality to the football field. He’s taught me the Xs and Os, but at the end of the day, it’s all about beating the guy in front of you.
Toal: My dad (Don Bosco coach Greg Toal) was a boxer, too, so he brings a totally different attitude to football. When I played under him, it changed who I was. Practices were so intense, everything was so intense, by the time you got to the game, you knew you were prepared.
The Post: Cushing, you missed the first five games of his 2005 freshman season with a torn right labrum. Toal, you missed all of ’07 with a torn left labrum. Did you guys discuss the injuries?
Cushing: I texted him. It’s a depressing injury. I hit somebody with my left shoulder and all of sudden my arm is feeling like a numb, tickling sensation. I never hurt my shoulder before so I didn’t know what it was. The trainers told me it was a stinger and to give it 10 minutes. But in 10 minutes, I couldn’t feel my leg touching the ground.
Toal: I also never had a shoulder injury. The trainers told me it was a stinger; I’d be back in 5-10-20 minutes. They kept checking me. I felt hot all the way down my side.
The Post: The goal for 2008?
Toal: I just want a chance to prove myself. As of right now, people forgot about me. People doubt me. They don’t think I’m what I used to be. I had a good freshman year, but I haven’t been healthy. I know I can play. I believe in myself. But I just want a chance to be 100-percent healthy.
Cushing: This is what we’ve been working for our entire lives. I hate saying it, but this is what we’ve been all about; what we know. Your whole life, you hear only one percent make it (to the NFL) and blah, blah, blah. You don’t believe it because you were always one of the best. Now that the opportunity is here, I’m focused. I don’t want anyone to take that away.
The Post: Best college moment?
Cushing: Standing up there after the (2007) Rose Bowl with (WR) Dwayne Jarrett, you know, two Jersey guys, Southern California football team, both MVPs of the game. It was a big thing for the state (of New Jersey). I didn’t even know there was a defensive MVP of the game. The year before, I just saw Vince Young holding the damn trophy up.
Toal: Beating Clemson in double overtime in Death Valley. I scored the touchdown to win the game. It went from 85,000 screaming fans, not being able to hear yourself think, to dead silence. That was pretty cool. But hopefully the best moment is still to come.