SEASON OUTLOOK
Bergen Catholic will need a deep roster to overcome the tough schedule and travel it faces.
Photo by Vincent Carchietta
Bishop Gorman (Las Vegas). While the showdown with Don Bosco Prep may be the most highly anticipated game on the schedule (per usual), Bergen Catholic will have its hands full when it travels 2,500 miles to Las Vegas against the nation’s No. 11 team.
Question mark: Will the team’s defense hold up to the rigors of its schedule? The Crusaders certainly have the potential to be good on both sides of the ball, but they need to fill some key positions up front and in the secondary. Bishop Gorman’s prolific passing attack will be a good challenge in the secondary, while Don Bosco Prep’s grind-it-out offense will test the defensive line.
J.J. Kulcsar is another name to remember on the BergenCatholic offense.
Photo by Vincent Carchietta
As usual, North Jersey’s non-public programs are strong, with Bergen Catholic, Don Bosco Prep, St. Joseph Regional and St. Peter’s Prep all expected to play well. In Central Jersey, Piscataway returns lots of young talent from a section title-winning squad. Timber Creek should be the top team in South Jersey.
Overall outlook: Bergen Catholic’s offense will score plenty of points; its defense should be solid as well. Its games against Bishop Gorman and Cocoa are big, but the challenge of beating Don Bosco Prep for the first time since 2004 will be as much mental as it will be physical. Under Campanile, the team has confidence to achieve its goals, a confidence that was only boosted by a very strong performance at the Palmetto State 7-on-7 this summer.
Coach quote: “I think our expectations probably haven’t changed a whole lot. But with the work we’ve done and experience we have, I think our kids now really believe we’re ready to meet those expectations. We want to be the best football team in New Jersey. We think that’s within our reach, and that’s something we can control. We play the best teams in New Jersey and we can determine on the field if we’re the best team or not. After three years together of doing it one way, they have bought into what we’re doing. We have a system in place where I believe our kids work as hard as anyone, anywhere, and they enjoy doing it. That’s a great recipe for success. That’s why I believe we can do what we set out to do.”
- Head coach Nunzio Campanile
