Bergen Catholic will certainly get a shot to prove how good it is, as the Crusaders will take on a host of national title contenders.
Photo by Vincent Carchietta
In 2012,
Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.), not Don Bosco Prep, enters the season as the top team in New Jersey.
Luckily for head coach Nunzio Campanile and staff, Bergen Catholic’s roster has the talent and experience to capture a non-public Group IV section title in 2012.
MaxPreps Preseason Top 25 High School Football Early ContendersThe team is led by quarterback
Jonathan Germano, a returning starter behind center who tossed for 2,239 yards and 31 touchdowns last season. There is plenty of depth behind Germano, including junior
Johnny Sebastian, three sophomores that Campanile likes, and a highly touted incoming freshman in
Jarrett Guarantano.
For the first time in his tenure at BC, Campanile will have a primary back, not a committee, in
James Dawson.
Kyle Queiro will contribute as a skill player for theCrusaders this season.
Photo by Vincent Carchietta
Despite the loss of last year’s top receiver John Tsimis, Bergen Catholic should still have plenty of weapons in
J.J. Kulcsar,
Kyle Quiero and
Garrett Dickerson, the team’s top defensive player who will play both defensive end and tight end.
Three starters on the offensive line,
Carmine Goldsack,
Chris McBride and
Rich Queen, are seasoned and bring physicality to the offense.
The defense is not as experienced as the offense, but still returns a half-dozen starters, led by Dickerson, a blue-chip recruit that Campanile says is as talented as any player he’s coached.
Phil Rigoglioso will join him, while 6-foot-3, 270-pound
Bradni Black could be the team’s one-technique lineman. According to Campanile, Black comes from the Virgin Islands and, though he lacks football refinement, is extremely advanced physically.
The team’s linebacking group returns two starters, while the secondary will feature Quiero as well as
Sebastian and
Colin McGovern. The team still needs to find a bona fide safety.
Local look: "Before Bergen Catholic can be considered contenders for a national title, they still have the big beast - Don Bosco - in their own backyard. The two schools still remain formidable rivals, although it has been quite one-sided over the past few seasons with Bosco winning the last 10 meetings between the two foes. This year's regular season game will actually be the centerpiece of a Bergen County fair in October. This Crusader team looks ready to perhaps claim the title as best team in New Jersey. Senior quarterback Jonathan Germano directs the offense with verve and precision and has a fleet of weapons at wide receiver. Garrett Dickerson will have a breakout season on defense. Coach Nunzio Campanile also implored his team to hit the weight room hard in the offseason to get stronger for the challenges to come."
- Darren Cooper, Bergen Record
