Oradell, Saturday, Nov. 23—The NJSIAA Non-Public Group A Semifinal between No. 4 St. Joseph Regional and No. 1 Bergen Catholic had everything you’d expect from two rivals vying for a championship spot, ending with a dramatic 20-14 overtime win for the Crusaders.
St. Joseph’s defense controlled the first half, while their offense made its mark early in the second quarter. Senior running back John Forster broke through the middle for a 13-yard touchdown run at 11:49, giving the Green Knights a 7-0 lead. Forster, who carried the offensive load for St. Joe’s, finished with a game-high 153 yards on 26 carries. On the other side, Bergen struggled to find its rhythm, with their lone scoring opportunity—a field goal attempt—sailing wide left. At the half, the Green Knights had Bergen pinned down, 7-0.
Momentum stayed with St. Joe’s after the break. Junior quarterback Lamar Best, just weeks removed from a broken collarbone, connected with senior wide receiver Mekhi Rossignol for an 11-yard touchdown with 5:15 left in the third quarter, stretching the lead to 14-0. Best, showing grit in his return, threw for 42 yards on 4-of-9 passing and added 32 rushing yards. Rossignol hauled in three passes for 20 yards, including that score.
Then, Bergen Catholic woke up. Senior QB Dominic Campanile got the Crusaders on the board with a 1-yard sneak late in the third, cutting the lead to 14-7. Campanile took control in the fourth, tying itat 14-14 with another rushing touchdown, this one from 2 yards out, with just under four minutes left. His performance was key: 14-of-17 passing for 116 yards, plus 41 rushing yards and two scores on 20 carries.
Overtime brought the kind of tension only a rivalry game can deliver. St. Joe’s had first possession but came up empty when their field goal attempt missed. Bergen took full advantage. Senior running back Najee Calhoun drove the Crusaders to the 1-yard line and punched in the winning touchdown. Calhoun’s 108 yards on 19 carries capped a gritty team effort, sending the Bergen faithful into celebration.
“Hats off to Bergen Catholic for the way they played the second half,” said St. Joseph Regional head coach Augie Hoffmann.
Despite the heartbreaking loss, Hoffmann remained proud of his team. “The guys gave it everything. This is a very special team. I couldn’t be more proud of them. I can’t wait until next year.”
With the win, Bergen Catholic advances to the Non-Public Group A Final at MetLife Stadium on Friday, Nov. 29, where they’ll face No. 2 Don Bosco Prep. Bergen has won four of the last five meetings between the teams.