Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.) vs. Curtis (River Ridge, La.)
Malachi Dupre and Curtis will be playing their first game since winning the mythical national title.
File photo by Roddy Johnson
Bergen Catholic has just seven returning starters back from a team that went 8-4 against one of the nation's toughest schedules last season.
This game against Curtis will be the Crusaders' 16th against a non-New Jersey opponent since 2006. They have fared well in those outings, compiling a 13-2 record including winning three out of four last year. In addition to playing defending MaxPreps mythical national champion Curtis this week, Bergen Catholic is set to play two other defending state champions in Jordan (Sandy, Utah) and Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas) in the next two weeks.
Check out the MaxPreps tri-state metro siteA total of 11 starters return from the team that earned Curtis its 24th state championship and first national title last season. The Patriots, winners of their last 28 games, have most of their experience back at the skill positions. The receiver corps are led by senior
Malachi Dupre (
rated a four-star prospect by 247Sports) along with Houston recruit
Henry Smith. Along with blue chip linebacker
Kenny Young, the strength of Curtis' defense is a secondary that features three players rated three stars or higher.
Mitch Stephens: Curtis 28, Bergen Catholic 20
Kevin Askeland: Curtis 28, Bergen Catholic 14
Jamie DeMoney: Curtis 35, Bergen Catholic 7
Stephen Spiewak: Curtis 35, Bergen Catholic 28
Leland Gordon: Curtis 42, Bergen Catholic 27
Colin Ward-Henninger: Curtis 28, Bergen Catholic 14
