Bergen Catholic came back from a 17-14 deficit in the third quarter to score 21 unanswered points and beat Don Bosco, 35-17, earning a trip to play St. Joe’s (Montvale) at Giants Stadium next weekend.
After pinning Bergen down in its own territory and forcing a punt, Bosco started with the ball on the BC 42. Two Bergen penalties gave the Ironmen a first down on the 17 and opened the scoring with a 19-yard field goal from Guy Fava.
Bosco had a nice drive, beginning on their 26 and marched into BC territory. Jahquil Batts found Kyle Monangai for 22 yards down to the 20 and Monangai followed it up with a 14-yard touchdown run, making it 10-0 midway through the second quarter. Bergen marched into Bosco territory, but Michael Courtney intercepted in the end zone. Bergen returned the favor when Pierson Tobia intercepted and returned the ball to the Bosco 23. Two plays later, Andrew Boel found Tyler Devera for the 23-yard score with 1:40 left in the half.
BC went in front in the third quarter when Rahmir Johnson went 44 yards for the score, following a Jeremiah Grant interception. On the following drive, Bosco was back up on a 56-yard run by Monangai. Bergen was forced to punt and pulled off the play of the game when the Crusaders audibled and Anthony Corbin took the snap, broke through the line and went 78 yards for the touchdown to put BC back in front, beating the only defender he had to beat. Bosco was forced to punt and Johnson scored again, this time from 62 yards to make it 28-17 with 30 seconds left in the quarter.
Bergen closed the scoring when Batts was sacked in the end zone, fumbled, and the ball was recovered by AJ Longo for the touchdown.
Bosco did a good job running the ball, especially from Monangai, but once Bergen was two scores in front, Bosco was forced to pass, not their strong point. With the exception of Monangai’s touchdown run, it was all Bergen in the second half.