Credit: NJ.com
Will It Be Four Straight for Bergen Catholic?
Published: Friday, November 29, 2024
by Kyle Ferreira
Is the town of Oradell ready for another state championship?
It’s no secret that one of the best high school football programs in the nation resides in the Bergen County borough. Bergen Catholic has been known to produce players that range from All-Americans to NFL starters. Specifically in the last four years, it has been pure domination by the Crusaders.
With a 49-4 overall record since 2020, virtually no one has been able to dismantle this juggernaut of a program. Year in and year out, no matter who the players are, head coach Vito Campanile gets the best out of his players. The talent that has come through the past few years is extraordinary.
Ohio State defensive tackle Tywone Malone, Notre Dame quarterback Steve Angeli, and Rutgers defensive back Kaj Sanders developed and blossomed at BC. Even after they all graduated, the talent train kept moving at full speed; look no further than senior wide receiver Quincy Porter.
College football will get to know Porter in due time when Ohio State comes calling next Fall, but New Jersey has enjoyed him. Porter is arguably one of the state’s most decorated players, and with 41 career receiving touchdowns, there’s no stopping him. The phenom is otherworldly, closing in on his second 1,000 receiving yard season.
For Porter, his chemistry with his QB is hands down one of the best in the state. Senior QB Dominic Campanile has proven time and time again that he can lead this squad, just like his father who coaches him. The lefty Holy Cross commit has commanded the offense well and has helped his squad to a 10-1 record so far.
Since Dominic’s freshman year in 2021, it has been championship after championship for the Crusaders. But for the elder Campanile, the job is never finished. Vito Campanile’s success and his football-minded family were even highlighted back in 2021 in the New York Times prior to the program’s incredible run.
But the standard was set way before that, 2018 to be exact, when Vito took over the head coaching position. Excluding the Covid-affected 2020 season, the Crusaders have taken home three straight Non-Public A state titles. This Friday, they will look to secure a school-record fourth straight at MetLife Stadium.
Winning four straight championships is impressive at any level, but the way the Crusaders have done it is unbelievable. The last program to even come close to this feat was from 2006 to 2011 by Don Bosco Prep.
Speaking of Bosco, the Crusaders will face their most prominent rivals in the championship game on Friday.
Besides the Ironmen, the only team to play the Crusaders close this season was St. Joseph (Mont.). In the two matchups featuring Bergen Catholic and Saint Joseph (Mont.), the Crusaders only won by a combined 17 points. What’s even more insane is the Saint Joseph could have ended BC’s amazing run last week in the semifinal round.
The Green Knights were in control for most of the game, having a 14-0 lead at one point. But two massive touchdowns near the goal line by Campanile would keep the Crusaders in it. In overtime, after a missed field goal from the Green Knights, the Crusaders would capitalize, and junior running back Najee Calhoun would score.
There were multiple opportunities from St. Joseph to disrupt Bergen Catholic’s historic run in the game. But even with all the talent and publicity, the most recognized program in the state continues to block it out. Coach Campanile has built a program where toughness and accountability are keys to success.
If the Crusaders can get it done Friday, another title will be added to one of the greatest chapters in their program's history.
Kyle Ferreira can be reached at kyle.ferreira@student.shu.edu.Posted in: sports,