IMG Academy is coming off a 10-0 campaign in 2023 – finishing ranked No. 4 nationally – and will carry an 18-game win streak into the fall.
Bergen Catholic went 11-1 and won its third consecutive Non-Public A state title. The Crusaders finished ranked No. 21.
Expect both teams to be ranked in the MaxPreps Top 25 to begin next season as they both return plenty of talent.
Quincy Porter helped Bergen Catholic win its third consecutive state title last fall. He is regarded as one of the top wide receiver prospects in the Class of 2025. (Photo: Andee Fagan)
,
Alex Graham,
Ksani JIles,
Donovan Johnson,
Amari Jones,
Breck Kolojay,
Gavin Nix,
Donovan Olugbode,
Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng,
Keenyi Pepe,
Kaden Strayhorn and
Jayden Wade are some of the notable players returning for IMG.
Wade saw action as an eighth grader last year and threw for 199 yards and a score. Expect him to be a big contributor under center as a freshman next season. The 6-foot-4, 190 pound quarterback has already landed offers from Arizona, Georgia, Oregon and a handful of other FBS programs.
Porter was named the
2023 MaxPreps New Jersey Player of the Year after hauling in 48 receptions for 1,066 yards and 16 touchdowns. He is the top-rated player in the state from the Class of 2025 and seventh-rated wide receiver.
This will be the second meeting between the two national powers.
Shea Patterson led the Ascenders to a 59-47 win in 2015, throwing for 202 yards and two touchdowns while
Jarrett Guarantano had a huge game in a losing effort. The former Tennessee quarterback completed 30 of 38 passes for 379 yards and four touchdowns to go with 64 yards rushing and another score.
Bergen Catholic is expected to take a road trip to Ohio for a showdown against
Massillon, which is coming off a 16-0 season, Division II state championship and No. 10 national ranking.
