A funny thing happened last Friday night en route to Bergen Catholic-Don Bosco Prep: The Sequel — or what we were considering the second installment of the New Jersey's Game of the 21st Century.
But, just miles from the campuses of both prep powers In Old Tappan, we might have witnessed the greatest game in New Jersey history. Only after
Devin Fuller intercepted a desperation
John Robertson pass at the 5-yard line as time expired was the scoreboard operator's night finally completed and this duel between two of the state's best dual-threat quarterbacks done.
Northern Valley (Old Tappan) 63,
Paramus 56 represented more than just a 48-minute thrill ride into the North 1, Group 3 title game as it was the first time two teams combined for 100 points in a state playoff game.
This one was most memorable for the dynamic exploits of Fuller and Robertson.
As much recognition as Fuller has rightfully earned across his breakthrough campaign, Robertson recorded even better numbers: 292 yards and a touchdown passing, 267 yards and seven scores running and individual state records for most touchdowns (eight) and points responsible for (50).
Fuller was hardly a slouch himself, finishing with 367 yards and six scores on 24 carries while throwing for another 98 yards and a touchdown. In a strange closing twist, Fuller's teammate
Keith Rodman scored the winning touchdown with 1:01 remaining to mark the 10th and final lead change in this instant classic.
Other items from around the Garden State:
2. Bergen Catholic (Oradell)-Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) secure rematch: Ever since Don Bosco's 38-18 triumph over Bergen Catholic on Oct. 2, people have been pointing toward the seemingly inevitable rematch in the Non-Public Group 4 finals. That rematch is just days away now, as Don Bosco will try to overcome the Crusaders for its fifth-straight state title under the New Meadowlands Stadium lights Friday, Dec. 3 at 8 p.m.
Bergen Catholic rolled up its second-consecutive 60-point performance in a surprisingly easy 60-17 road rout of Seton Hall Prep in the group semifinals. Meanwhile, the top-seeded Ironmen easily dispatched of Savon Huggins and St. Peter's Prep, 37-0.
TOP PERFORMERS*
Sam Bendtsen, Verona football: In the Hillbillies' 20-19 loss to New Providence in the North 2, Group 1 semifinals, he caused a fumble, recovered a loose ball and recorded three sacks.
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Aaron Fant, Madison football: Rolled up 172 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns, including an 87-yard kickoff return for the go-ahead score as the Dodgers downed previously undefeated Rutherford, 34-25, in the North 2, Group 2 semifinals.
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Marcin Koc, Wallington football: The senior's school-record, 40-yard field goal with 52 seconds left represented his eighth career game-winning kick as Wallington overcame Cresskill and reached the North 1, Group 1 finals for the first time since 1991.
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Tanner McEvoy, Bergen Catholic (Oradell) football: BC's senior quarterback did it by air (9-for-17, 163 yards, 3 touchdowns) and on the ground (11 rushes, 184 yards, 2 touchdowns) in the Crusaders' rout of Seton Hall Prep.
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Dajuan Lee, Phillipsburg football: Made 19 tackles, 15 solo, in the Stateliners' North 2, Group 4 semifinal loss to top-seeded Piscataway.
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Jabrill Peppers, Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) football: The Ironmen freshman defensive back is a future big-time Division I recruit and showed why in a 37-0 rout of St. Peter's Prep. Peppers scored on an 87-yard fumble return and brought back an interception 94 yards to paydirt.
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Delon Stephenson, Sayreville (Parlin) football: The junior powered Sayrville into the North 2, Group 4 title game with two interceptions - including a 98-yard touchdown on one return - and a 14-rush, 136-yard, one-touchdown performance with his running-back duties.
COMING UPWith football the lone remaining fall sport still in season, all that's on the slate this week are some of the remaining Thanksgiving rivalries. Here are three to watch this Thursday:
* St. Joseph Regional (Montvale) at Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey): Both teams have designs on state titles - St. Joe's in Non-Public Group 3, while Don Bosco will face Bergen Catholic again in Non-Public Group 4 - but this is always a hotly-contested affair between two-thirds of Bergen County's Holy Trinity of high school football. St. Joseph's
Christopher Andrews and Pittsburgh-recruit
Gary Nova of Don Bosco are two of North Jersey's top quarterbacks.
* Atlantic City at Holy Spirit (Absecon): Before
Donta Pollock, Stanford-recruit
Anthony Sarao and Holy Spirit face St. Joseph Regional for the Non-Public Group 3 crown Dec. 3 at Rutgers University, it must first face an Atlantic City squad that will look for redemption after getting upended by Oakcrest in the South Group 3 semifinals.
* Phillipsburg at Easton (Pa.): Although Phillipsburg lost in the North 2, Group 4 semifinals, beating its cross-the-border rival in one of the nation's longest-standing rivalries would give the Stateliners' record-setting quarterback
Justin Scourzo a fine sendoff.
RECRUITING NEWS
St. Peter's Prep (Jersey City) star
Savon Huggins has a visit scheduled to Florida for the weekend of Dec. 10 and is believed to have the Gators among his top three along with Notre Dame and Rutgers. Fighting Irish coach Brian Kelly watched Huggins play in person and Notre Dame is believed to be the favorite. Former Marauder Will Hill starts for Florida at safety while current teammate
Keith Lumpkin committed to Rutgers over the summer. ...
Bergen Catholic (Oradell) star quarterback
Tanner McEvoy has lined up visits to South Carolina (Dec. 10), Michigan (Jan. 7), North Carolina (Jan. 14) and Rutgers (Jan. 21). McEvoy's brother, Colin, is a former BC standout and current fullback at Rutgers. ...
Seton Hall Prep (West Orange) record-setting running back
Kevin Monangai recently picked up his first Division I offer from Central Michigan. He was also over offered by Monmouth, a FCS program.
