Bergen Catholic celebrates their 2024 NJSIAA Football Non-Public A State Championship.
(Photo by Andee Fagan/OnNJ Sports)
November 30, 2024

Bergen Catholic dynasty continues with fourth straight championship title in Non-Public Group A Final win over Don Bosco Prep

By Sunil Sunder Raj
Bergen Catholic , Bryan Porter , Dante DeLuca , David Matesic , Devin Sisler , Dominic Campanile , Don Bosco Prep , Ethan Cohall , Met Life Stadium , Najee Calhoun , Non-Public Group A Final

The Bergen Catholic Crusaders (11-1) completed the mission for a four-peat in a 25-7 victory over the Don Bosco Prep Ironmen (8-4) in the Non-Public Group A Final at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Don Bosco Prep’s defense quickly forced Bergen Catholic’s offense into a three-and-out on its opening possession of the game.

After a short punt, the Ironmen offense started out with excellent field position near midfield. A pass interference call assessed against the Crusaders’ defense pushed the ball into Bergen Catholic territory.

Don Bosco Prep kept the drive alive by converting a critical fourth-down play. However, the Ironmen’s drive, with 11 plays and five minutes of the clock, was chewed up. The drive ended on a turnover on downs after Ironmen quarterback Devin Sisler got sacked on the fourth down.

The Crusaders’ offense was more efficient on their second offensive series, rapidly pushing the ball into Don Bosco’s end of the field. Bergen Catholic quarterback Dominic Campanile completed the drive by taking the direct snap and plowing straight ahead into the end zone for the five-yard touchdown with less than five minutes left.

Don Bosco Prep was able to regain their composure on the ensuing offensive possession. Quarterback Devin Sisler got into a groove, completing five consecutive passes in a row that enabled the Ironmen to advance into Crusaders’ territory. Ironmen running Dante DeLuca finished the drive off in style, taking the handoff and rumbling 20 yards to the end zone, which tied the game up at 7-7.

In the second quarter, Don Bosco Prep had to punt the ball away near the end zone, which quickly went south as Bergen Catholic’s Ethan Cohall blocked the punt. The ball was kicked out of play, resulting in a safety and a 9-7 Crusaders lead with less than four minutes to go.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Ironmen offense was backed up deep in their end at the one-yard line after a terrific punt by Bergen Catholic punter Aidan Talley.

Don Bosco Prep attempted to gain some breathing room by running the ball, but this backfired. Running back Dante DeLuca was tackled in the end zone by a host of defensive players, led by linebacker David Matesic. This culminated in a second Crusaders safety of the game and an 11-7 advantage with 19 seconds into the fourth quarter.

The Ironmen were forced to kick the ball away, and Bergen Catholic commenced their drive near midfield. Facing a second and five at the Don Bosco Prep 48-yard line, wide receiver, Bryan Porter took the handoff on a jet sweep, raced to the left side of the field, turned on the jet burners, and dashed into the end zone, extending the Crusaders’ lead to 18-7.

Don Bosco Prep, attempting to turn the tide, looked as though they had a solid drive cooked up by moving into Bergen Catholic territory, but a sack and a pass that fell short of the first-down marker extinguished any momentum.

The Crusader’s offense capitalized on the defense stepping up again to the plate, utilizing a pound-and-ground plan by running the ball between Dominic Campanile and Najee Calhoun, splitting up the carries.

On third down and six at the 26-yard line, Bergen Catholic went back to a familiar, successful target in Bryan Porter, who once again came swooping down on a jet sweep. Porter quickly accelerated to the end zone for a magnificent touchdown by sliding into the end zone, widening the Crusaders’ margin to 25-7 with less than five minutes remaining. That turned out to be the final score as Bergen Catholic accomplished the four-peat.

For more coverage of the 2024 NJSIAA Football Non-Public A State Championship, check out the gallery from, OnNJ Sports photographer, Andee Fagan.

About the Author

Sunil Sunder Raj