Credit: Bergen Catholic High School
Previewing the 2024 NJ Private High School Football Season
Published: Wednesday, August 14, 2024
by Kyle Ferreira
There’s one thing that's guaranteed every high school football season: the private schools will dominate.
Despite New Jersey's smaller size, it is home to some of the very best private Catholic
schools, which also have some of the top football teams in the state. From Don Bosco
Prep to St. Augustine Prep, Division I talent is constantly produced at these parochial
schools. Once again, these schools are making the biggest headlines. From a potential
four-peat to unprecedented player moves, the 2024 season will cook up something amazing.
Time to hit the stories.
The More the Merrier:
It’s no secret Bergen Catholic is the state’s best football program. Nationally ranked,
losing only two games since 2021, and winning three straight Non-Public A Championships
helps significantly. For the Crusaders and Head Coach Vito Campanile, it’s still business
as usual this season, and a fourth straight championship is a possibility.
Once again BC has huge expectations, and being ranked 19th in the MaxPreps Preseason
Top 25 only adds to it. The season opener is their toughest in a while, with powerhouse
IMG Academy coming up to the Garden State in a battle of behemoths. However, with
Ohio State commit Quincy Porter and the talent of riches amongst the program, it should
be manageable for NJ’s best.
St. Joe’s (Montvale) Transfer Pursuit:
The transfer portal at the college level has become somewhat normalized these past
few seasons. High school athletes in the ranks transfer as well; whether it’s because
of playing time or other factors, it just happens. In this new era, the Saint Joseph
Regional in Montvale is using it to their full advantage.
Former Willingboro quarterback Lamar Best, Seton Hall Prep safety KJ McClain, and
others made the move to the Green Knights for this season. The new arrivals only enhance
an already talented roster that includes Penn State commit Jahmir Joseph and Rutgers
commit John Forster. With the return of former HC Augie Hoffman, the Green Knights
should be contending for a championship this season.
Talent Galore in Wayne
DePaul Catholic has always produced quality Division I talent. Notably, former Ohio
State and now Cleveland Brown’s safety Ronnie Hickman attended the private school
in Wayne. This season, it seems like everyone is eventually heading to the highest
level of college football.
Wide Receiver De’zie Jones and safety DeShawn Stewart are committed to play for HC
Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2025. Elijah Burress, son of former New York
Giants WR Plaxico Burress, is committed to playing for Marcus Freeman and Notre Dame.
HC Nick Campanile understands the potential his team has, and after losing in the
Non-Public B Final, it’s about bouncing back this season.
Like every other season, the private ranks never disappoint, and this season could
be historic for the Garden State’s most skillful programs.
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