For the fourth year in a row, the Bergen Catholic Crusaders won the Non-Public A state football championship. They played the Don Bosco Ironmen at Met Life Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Some high school sports fans call this the biggest local football rivalry. Bergen Catholic outscored Don Bosco 25–7.
Luke Timmerman, a fifth grader from Patrick M. Villano, made a prediction about the game before kickoff.
- “It’s going to be a close game, and I think Bergen Catholic is going to win 24-21,” Timmerman said. He attened the game on November 29, 2024.
Both teams came out strong in the first quarter. It was a close battle, being tied at the end of the first quarter. The Crusaders earned a safety from a blocked punt and scored two more points pushing Bergenc Catholic to the lead at halftime with a score of 9-7. In the third quarter, Bergen Catholic scored another touchdown making it 16-7 . In the end, the Crusaders earned another safety and a touchdown making the final score 25-7.
Vito Campanile is the head coach of the Crusaders. His son, Dominic, is the team’s quarterback.
“It was one of the more special years winning the state championship with my son,” Vito said. “My son is a senior, so he won all four championships.”
Vito has some advice for young people who want to play high school football.
“My advice is to surround yourself with teammates that will challenge you and make you better,” Vito said. “Confidence builds courage. You have to get out of your comfort zone to get better.’’
