The Bergen Catholic Crusaders(11-1) cruised past the Delbarton Green Wave(10-2) 24-14 in the Non-Public A Final at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Bergen Catholic won their third consecutive state championship title.
Bergen Catholic rolled past Donovan Catholic 42-13 in the semifinals. On the flipside, Delbarton dispatched Seton Hall Prep 38-23.
In the first quarter, the Crusaders benefitted from an extended kickoff return by Anthony Perrotti to the Green Wave 32-yard line. They were able to move the ball inside the red zone. Once at the t10-yard line, running back Kaj Sanders took the handoff and barreled straight through for the score.
@BergenCathFBall RB #KajSanders @kajsanders_ 10 yd. run against @DelbartonFB in the first quarter of the Non-Public A Final 🏈 pic.twitter.com/aB5L83XRca
— Player Video Interviews By Sunil (@SunilSunderRaj3) November 29, 2023
The Crusaders wasted no time widening their advantage as running back Dante Kain powered into the end zone for a two-yard touchdown.
@BergenCathFBall RB #DanteKain @DanteKain2 2 yd. TD run against @DelbartonFB puts the Crusaders up 13-0 against @DelbartonFB in the first quarter of the Non-Public A Final 🏈 pic.twitter.com/bRLjsnm4Qf
— Player Video Interviews By Sunil (@SunilSunderRaj3) November 29, 2023
However, Delbarton responded late in the quarter. With an excellent starting field position in Crusaders' territory, Green Wave running back Philip Folmar exploded through a line of players and scampered past the goal line for the 12-yard score.
@DelbartonFB #PhilipFolmar @philfolmar23 12 yd. TD run against @BergenCathFBall in the first quarter of the Non-Public A Final 🏈 pic.twitter.com/gjPQKLwyek
— Player Video Interviews By Sunil (@SunilSunderRaj3) November 29, 2023
Folmar made his presence known again in the second quarter, crashing into the end zone for the one-yard touchdown that tied the game up at 14-14.
@DelbartonFB #PhilipFolmar @philfolmar23 1 yd. TD run against @BergenCathFBall in the second quarter of the Non-Public A Final 🏈 pic.twitter.com/7M4HQ3FaFX
— Player Video Interviews By Sunil (@SunilSunderRaj3) November 29, 2023
Once the third quarter got underway, the Crusaders regained their composure and found a rhythm on the offensive side of the ball. Bergen Catholic jumped back in front 21-14 on an 11-yard score by Sanders.
@BergenCathFBall RB #KajSanders @kajsanders_ scores his second TD of the game from ten yards out putting the Crusaders back in front 20-14 against @DelbartonFB in the third quarter 🏈 pic.twitter.com/v7SSDomRlk
— Player Video Interviews By Sunil (@SunilSunderRaj3) November 29, 2023
Bergen Catholic stretched out the lead to 24-14 late in the fourth quarter on a 20-yard field goal from kicker Guytano Bartolomeo. The Crusaders' defense was dominant in the second half, forcing a turnover on downs with an incomplete pass that sealed the victory and three-peat for Bergen Catholic.
@BergenCathFBall kicker #GuytanoBartolomeo @Guytano23 splits the uprights on a 20 yd. field goal that expands the Crusaders lead to 24-14 against @DelbartonFB in the fourth quarter of the Non-Public A Final 🏈 pic.twitter.com/Jexwzre8X1
— Player Video Interviews By Sunil (@SunilSunderRaj3) November 29, 2023
As the final whistle sounded, the Crusaders doused head coach Vito Campanile with a bucket of water, and players and coaches streamed onto the field to celebrate along with the Bergen Catholic fans and Crusader Crazies in the stands.
@BergenCathFBall pulls off the three peat in 24-14 win over @DelbartonFB in the Non-Public A Final tonight @MetLifeStadium @JSNSPORTINGNEWS 🏈🏆 pic.twitter.com/4fgfwGhMI1
— Player Video Interviews By Sunil (@SunilSunderRaj3) November 29, 2023
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