Bergen Catholic tested at start
Crusaders reveal 2024 schedule: Open at the beach vs. IMG, then at Massillon
Bergen Catholic is starting its 2024 football season at the beach with a beast of an opponent.
Crusaders coach Vito Campanile announced the team will open the season against IMG Academy of Florida in Ocean City, New Jersey, as part of the Battle of the Beach series.
It will be the first time the Crusaders have competed in the Battle of the Beach. It will be their second meeting all-time against the Ascenders. IMG defeated Bergen Catholic, 59-47, in 2015.
IMG finished 10-0 last season and No. 4 in the USA TODAY Super 25 national rankings.
“They’re going to be good everywhere,” said Campanile. “There are a couple of things about this that I love, first is I have as much trust in this football team as any I have ever been a part of. I think they’re unbelievably competitive and this gives us direction on what we’re doing. We have 27 weeks to prepare and we will use every single day that we’re together.”
The following week, Bergen Catholic will face another team that finished in the Top 10 in the USA TODAY Super 25, taking on Massillon of Ohio on the road. Massillon went 16-0 last year, winning the Division II Ohio state title.
Bergen Catholic has won the last three Non-Public A state titles and is 34-2 in that span. The school has never won four state titles in a row.
Here’s a breakdown of the Crusaders’ 2024 football schedule. (Exact time and dates scheduled to change).
Aug. 29 vs. IMG (Fla.) at Ocean City
IMG has become synonymous with high school sports excellence.
The Bradenton school was mythical national champion in high school football in 2020 and 2023 (called mythical because it’s not won on the field but bestowed by media organizations). As of last September, they had over 18 players drafted in the NFL.
The Ascenders went 10-0 last year under coach Billy Miller.
The 2024 team is expected to feature Alabamacommit running back Anthony Rogers and linebacker Nathaniel Owusu-Boateng (offers from Alabama, Florida and Florida State).
Sept. 6 at Massillon (Ohio)
High school football fans everywhere know of Massillon. It’s the school where Paul Brown coached before he went to Ohio State and the NFL (for those who don’t know, he’s who the Cleveland Browns are named for).
The school boasts 25 state championships and went 16-0 last year. In their six playoff games, they outscored opponents, 219-34. They are in their 129th season of high school football (and we think we’ve been playing for a long time in North Jersey) and have the second-most wins of any high school football program in America.
Massillon finished 10th in the nation last year, and return two standout Division I offensive tackles in Nolan Davenport (Virginia Tech, Michigan State) and Jaezen Lewis (E. Michigan and Kent State).
Sept. 14 at Iona Prep (N.Y.)
Another road game for Bergen Catholic to start 2024. The Crusaders beat Iona Prep, 38-7, last season. The Gaels lost to Cardinal Hayes in the New York AAA Championship, 30-29, missing two field goals at the end. Iona Prep has been in three straight AAA finals and returns quarterback Joey Gaston, who threw for 15 touchdowns last year and ran for nine more.
Sept. 21 at Pope John
The Lions are now coached by former Bergen Catholic All-County linebacker Dom Gaston. The two schools did not play last year. Bergen Catholic has won all six prior meetings, including 41-0 in 2021.
Sept. 28 vs. Don Bosco
The last time Bergen Catholic hosted Don Bosco was the last time Bergen Catholic lost a game on New Jersey soil (also the only appearance of Bergen Catholic’s black jerseys). The Ironmen thumped Bergen Catholic, 31-7, in 2022, with the Crusaders getting revenge on the Ironmen in the state final.
This is Bergen-Bosco LXXX (80). Don Bosco leads the all-time series 41-36 with two ties. Bergen Catholic has won four of the last five and defeated the Ironmen last year, 38-15.
Oct. 12 vs. Paramus Catholic
After a bye week, the Crusaders welcome the Paladins to “The Jack.” This is still a heated rivalry. It’s where Vito played quarterback in high school. Paramus Catholic hasn’t knocked off the Crusaders since 2014. Bergen Catholic triumphed, 42-13, last year.
Oct. 19 at Delbarton
Interesting that a state final rematch from 2023 is not the headliner on the Crusaders’ schedule, but here we are. Bergen Catholic pulled out a 24-14 win over the Green Wave in last year’s state final. The Green Wave return dynamic receiver/quarterback Phillip Folmar (Boston College offer).
Oct. 26 at St. Joseph Regional
The game between the Crusaders and Green Knights last season was the closest game Bergen Catholic played against a New Jersey opponent. Bergen Catholic won, 28-23.
St. Joe’s has made significant changes since, bringing back former coach Augie Hoffmann to lead the program. The Green Knights have to find a new starting quarterback, but return standouts Nate Bailey, Jahmir Joseph and John Forster to a powerful offense.
Nov. 2 vs. Seton Hall Prep
Bergen Catholic ends the regular season at home against the Pirates, a team they beat, 38-0, last year. Seton Hall Prep has been in the Non-Public A semifinals the last two seasons. They haven’t defeated Bergen Catholic since 2005.