Bergen Catholic and DePaul Win in Impressive Fashion
Bergen Catholic and DePaul looked very good in their wins over Smyrna (Del.) and Cardinal Hayes (Bronx), respectively.
Bergen Catholic 52 Smyrna (Del.) 6
Quarterback Steve Angeli was nearly perfect, completing 14-of-15 for 360 yards and five touchdowns to five different receivers*. He also had plenty of help; Ryan Butler ran hard and caught a 92-yard pass along the right sideline before being tackled at the 20yard line before he ran the final two yards on the following play. The defense also had a big day led by linemen DJ Samuels and Sydir Mitchell and cornerback Fabian France.
The score was 38-6 at the half and after Angeli’s fifth touchdown pass in the third quarter, the game went to a running clock and many substitutions were made.
Bergen did what it was supposed to today in impressive fashion. If there were any negatives, it was the defense being flagged for a few penalties and giving Smyrna two first downs on their opening drive.
*Stats courtesy of northjersey.com’s Greg Mattura
DePaul 40 Cardinal Hayes (Bronx, NY) 19
DePaul came out fast and furious, especially on defense, leading 21-0 after the first quarter. The Spartans had good field position on their first drive after the Hayes punter evaded the rush before being tackled at their 39-yard line. Touchdowns by Tyler Brown, Anthony Almeida, and Marshawn Ferguson put DePaul in control of the game.
The Spartans added two more scores in the second quarter with AJ Rodriguez throwing touchdown passes to Brown and Almeida. Cardinal Hayes settled down, gaining yards on the ground resulting in two second quarter touchdowns. DePaul scored on their first possession of the second half when Rodriguez found a wide open Almeida for his third touchdown to make it 40-13.
DePaul was impressive. Their offense scored with Rodriguez throwing four touchdown passes, Almeida scoring three touchdowns, and Brown two. The defense, led by Qyaeir Price, played fast and physical. If somebody is going to beat them this year, their A-game will be needed.