Bull Session Week Three
September 25, 2025
I saw one of the best games I’ve seen recently was last week’s Old Tappan-Ramapo game. It had two good teams trading blows with Old Tappan’s winning drive coming late in the fourth quarter, and Ramapo driving the field before being stopped inside the 5-yard line, as time expired. It was a great atmosphere in the second half, and a game I was glad to attend. I remember several years back, a couple of Catholic school supporters saying they “don’t understand how someone would watch Old Tappan.” It wasn’t singling out Old Tappan as much as they were condescendingly dismissing a good public school. I don’t care if it is a Catholic school, a large public school, or a small public school. If it is a good game, I don’t care who plays it; I just enjoy it. On all three levels, the kids play hard to win the game. If you watch an Alabama game, you do know the NFL has better teams, don’t you? I remember when I chose to see Westwood at Mahwah in 2013 instead of Don Bosco-Paramus Catholic, went to a Bergen Catholic game the following day, and had a couple of Bergen Catholic supporters, followed by St. Joe’s (Montvale) coaches laughing when I said I went to Mahwah the night before. But the Westwood-Mahwah game was a good one that included controversy. Nobody left that game thinking they made a mistake. Back to last week’s game, that is why I go to high school football games: to see a game like that. And everyone who was there will agree with me…..Speaking of Old Tappan, I mentioned in my game story, that it is a good place to watch a high school game…..One of the uniforms I like is Cranford’s, especially the home blue jersey…..With a new car, I have a 90-day free trial with satellite radio. It is the first time I have had it. There are some positive things, but I will probably pass on the subscription when it is due. I find myself switching stations too frequently while driving. Besides, I have my iPod…..Pet Peeves: sandals with socks, and that includes slides. I know some of you do that, but I think it’s gross….. Some of the best performances of the week, courtesy of NJ.com. Please note that I try to avoid naming the same person two weeks in a row. Passing: Pierce Asfalg of Cedar Grove: 25-33-256-2, Brody Nugent of Old Bridge: 15-22-305-5, Michael Branagh of Mahwah: 12-15-276-4, Zachary Miceli of Old Tappan: 18-27-265-4, Sam Meekings of Voorhees: 23-36-341-3, Richie Trotman of JFK Iselin: 8-11-184-5, and Derek Zammit of DePaul: 20-24-267-3. Rushing: Ace Etienne of Manasquan: 30-268-5, Aiden Binns of Burlington Township: 17-318-4, Axcel Bailey of Overbrook: 16-211-3, Logan Stevens of Bernards: 19-208-3, Michael Napolitano of Hasbrouck Heights: 16-198-5, Shaun Jackson of Sayreville: 18-197-4, Isaiah Bennett of Manville: 10-139-3, Kevin Randolph of Teaneck: 8-190-3, and Avery Cano of Lyndhurst: 17-183-4. Receiving: Ryan Benitez of Voorhees: 9-212-3, Xavier Andujar of Cedar Grove: 12-180-1, Jahmir Campfield of Cedar Creek: 4-162-3, David Moore of West Orange: 7-155-2, Anthony D’Ambrosio of Holy Cross: 6-153-2, Shane Small of Old Tappan: 9-127-4, and Hunter Watson of St. Peter’s Prep: 2-136-2…..I wish Jaxson Dart the best of luck in his first start at quarterback for the Giants. I hope the G-men don’t ruin him. After the Saints game next week, they get the Eagles twice in three weeks, and I am concerned Dart will be abused in those two games. As for the Eagles, I think they have as good a chance as any team to win the Super Bowl this year. But it’s still early. As for the Jets, I think they have a good chance to win against Miami ….. Bergen Catholic plays Don Bosco tomorrow night, but I still think Phillipsburg-Easton (Pa.) is the best rivalry in New Jersey. Don’t believe me, go to a Thanksgiving game between those two schools. Each school would rather win that game than a state game….. That’s all for this week! I will be back with more bull soon!