Batastini, at 5-foot-11 and 200 pounds, is the leader of a defense that has not yielded more than 14 points in any of its nine games this season.
A heartbreaking 14-13 postseason loss to Holy Cross last week means the Crusaders' annual Thanksgiving-week matchup with Pennsauken (9-1) is the last time the Bishop Eustace defense, with nine senior starters, will take the field together.
And regardless of how dynamic Pennsauken's offense might be, those seniors have every intention of ending their careers on a high note.
"Chemistry and experience is one of the biggest reasons why our defense has had so much success," said Crusaders coach Rob Cormier, whose team (4-5) will be at home against Pennsauken at 6 p.m. Wednesday. "We don't play the same defense week-to-week. With these kids, we can adapt our defense every week to the offense that we're going to see. And having so many seniors allows us to do that.
"They've played together for all these years. They've worked out together for all these years. They have a bond. And they want to win their final game."
Stopping Pennsauken quarterback Manny Cortez, of course, is the most pressing issue facing Bishop Eustace. The dual-threat quarterback enters the game with 36 touchdown passes, just four shy of the South Jersey single-season record of 40 set in 1999 by Holy Cross' Jason Amer.
"We have to watch him all game, make sure he doesn't break contain, which is easier said than done," said Batastini, who is Bishop Eustace's career leader in tackles with 195 - 80 this season - despite being a varsity starter for just two seasons. "It would mean everything for us to do well. It would make our season worth it."
Batastini pointed out that his team was in this same position at the end of last season but pulled off a 12-7 upset of Pennsauken.
