Don Bosco Prep finds a way in 20-17 win over Bergen Catholic

Lately against Bergen Catholic (Oradell, N.J.), it seems as if Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, N.J.) always finds a way.

That held true on Saturday, as Don Bosco Prep capitalized on a botched punt recovery by Bergen Catholic to complete a come-from-behind victory and defeat the Crusaders, 20-17.

With the score tied 17-17 and under three minutes to play, Don Bosco Prep recovered a punt that was fumbled by Bergen Catholic's J.P. Garcia. That set up a 24-yard field goal by Cameron Baels that was the difference for Don Bosco Prep.

Both teams struggled offensively early in the game.

Bergen Catholic scored first, with 2:38 remaining in the first half. Senior quarterback Jonathan Germano plunged into the end zone from a yard out to give his team a 7-0 lead.

Led by quarterback Frank Nutile, Don Bosco Prep's offense finally got going on the ensuing drive. A big catch by Dan Yankovich set up a 22-yard field goal by Baels to narrow the deficit to 7-3 entering halftime.

The Ironmen grabbed their first lead early in the third quarter. Nutile connected with Mike D'Alessandro, who broke a tackle and walked into the end zone to make it 10-7.

Bergen Catholic head coach Nunzio Campanile's methodical offense responded with a long drive that ended up giving the Crusaders the lead. Germano bought himself time in the pocket and found tight end Garrett Dickerson, who discovered a hole in the Don Bosco Prep secondary for a 4-yard touchdown, making it 14-10.

After forcing Don Bosco Prep to punt, Bergen Catholic had the momentum until Germano was intercepted by D'Alessandro. That set up Nutile finding Elijah Ibitokun-Hanks on a wheel route that left the receiver wide open down the sideline for a 51-yard touchdown to make it 17-14 late in the third.

Like a heavyweight title fight, Bergen Catholic swung back in the fourth quarter, using a Ryan Rose field goal to knot the score at 17-17 with 4:42 left.

Bergen Catholic's defense, which was its Achilles heel in losses to St. Joseph Regional and Cocoa, maintained momentum with a huge stop, forcing Don Bosco Prep to punt with just over two minutes remaining.

However, it was special teams that betrayed the Crusaders, as Garcia could not handle the punt, setting up Bael's game-winning field goal.

Bergen Catholic had one final chance, advancing the ball to Don Bosco Prep's 30-yard line. However, Jared Finkel fumbled after catching a pass to seal the victory for Don Bosco Prep, its 11th straight win over Bergen Catholic.

While Don Bocso Prep now is the clear favorite in the Non-Public Group IV playoffs, the bracket appears much more wide open than in recent years.

The Ironmen could get tested in their Thanksgiving Day rivalry with Non-Public Group III favorite St. Joseph Regional, which beat Bergen Catholic but lost to Paramus Catholic, another Non-Public Group IV contender.

St. Peter's Prep, whose only loss is to St. Joseph Regional, could also be a factor.

Bergen Catholic will look to rebound next week against Friendship Collegiate Academy while Don Bosco Prep travels to Hackensack.