By Tom Szieber
Posted: Sunday, October 11, 2015 10:45 pm
Bergen Catholic got a big win over a Big North United Division rival on Friday night, but it was anything but easy.
Playing in their first game without injured Tennessee-bound quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, the Crusaders proved that they are more than capable of winning a low-scoring, scrappy affair. A failed two-point conversion ended up being the difference, as Bergen held off DePaul's attempt at a late game-winning drive to beat the Spartans, 15-13.
“I think it says a lot about our kids’ commitment to each other,” said Bergen Catholic head coach Nunzio Campanile. “I told the kids it would probably be an ugly game. Our kids had to find a way to be successful, and they’ve always been good at facing adversity, and they really displayed that [Friday].”
With just 9:06 to play, it looked like DePaul might be closing in on a tie game when running back Kareem Walker punched one in from the 5. But DePaul’s attempt at trickery on the ensuing two-point try failed, as Hasise Dubois’ reverse pass fell short, stymied by three Bergen Catholic defenders.
DePaul tried to mount another scoring drive, but its last possession came to an end with 2:21 on the clock, when Shelton Applewhile missed Terrell Vasil downfield on fourth down.
“I thought [DePaul] played really hard, and showed the type of program and character they have,” Campanile said. “I think it is a great indication of the coaching and talent in this league. It is hard to win games in this league week in and week out. There aren’t going to be a lot of games that anyone runs away with.”
Just as BC proved it could win with the young QB duo of Johnny Langan (76 rush yards, 2 rush TD) and Patrick Holly, the Spartans proved they could hang with one of the United opponents that often overshadows them. DePaul even led, 7-6, at the half, following a five-yard scoring pass from Applewhite to Duboise.
But Langan’s second touchdown run -- from 13 yards out -- put a stamp on his fantastic rushing day, and gave BC back the lead for good.
“Johnny is an unbelievable competitor and a great athlete,” said Campanile. “He expects to go out there and be the best player on the field, and he plays with that mentality. And Patrick is a true drop-back passer, he really understands the offense. He makes good decisions and he can throw it.
"Right now, they both have some things they bring to the table. And we are going to use them to see who gives us the best chance on each play. We know we have two really talented kids.”
Meanwhile, just miles away in Ramsey, Paramus Catholic was busy upsetting Don Bosco Prep on a last-second Hail Mary. With just five seconds to play, quarterback Allan Walters hit receiver Donald Stewart in the end zone from 35 yards out to give the Paladins a 19-16 win. It capped off a huge day for Stewart, who also caught a 13-yard touchdown in the third, and totaled 151 receiving yards.
“This [division] as wide open as it can get,” said Campanile. There isn’t one team that can’t beat another team. I think that if you really look, everybody has something that gives them a chance to win. I think that we have a bunch of great players. But I think every team in this league has a bunch of great players. ”
Both results certainly showed just how narrow the gap is between all the teams in the United. The Paladins and Spartans both came into Friday night at 1-3, and both showed that they are bigger threats in their respective playoff sections than their records would suggest.
They are also clearly still factors in a Big North United Division that is anything but decided.
In other action, Mendham came with the biggest almost-comeback of the weekend, rallying from a 28-point fourth quarter deficit against Morristown to force overtime. The Minutemen trailed, 28-0, with just 9:22 to play, but quarterback Dan McHugh led a furious comeback, throwing three touchdowns and rushing for another to spearhead the effort. He ran in a two-point attempt to tie the game at the 1:12 mark, putting a bow on a 13-of-22, 292-yard day. The Colonials were able to get the Mendham momentum under control in overtime, though, winning 34-28 on Andrew Chilson’s third touchdown of the day.
Salem made a loud statement to South, Group 1 and the state of New Jersey, drilling Pennsville, 40-13. Running back Jonathan Taylor rushed for 160 yards and a touchdown, and the Rams turned an early 7-0 into a 26-7 lead at the half. The win gives them a huge, 21-point lead in the South, Group 1 power point standings, and look to be the favorite in a section that has six one-loss teams.
Of all the St. Joseph’s to play this weekend, Jersey’s only successful one was St. Joseph of Metuchen, who rolled over Perth Amboy, 34-0. St. Joseph of Montvale meanwhile, had a flat performance on Saturday against another St. Joe’s -- St . Joseph’s Prep of Philadelphia -- and lost, 28-5. And St. Joseph of Hammonton suffered its second loss of the season, falling to Mt. St. Joseph of Maryland, 29-0.
And Sayreville head coach Chris Beagan had a big day in his return to Monroe, leading the Bombers to a 41-13 victory over the Falcons. It not only snapped a two-game losing streak for Sayreville, but kept it alive in the race for the GMC Red Division title. Quarterback Jayson DeMild cashed in twice on the ground, and threw a touchdown pass to Coray Williams as well in the victory.
Tom Szieber can be reached by emailing tom@gridironnewjersey.com.