Bergen Catholic 38 Seton Hall Prep 28 

Bergen Catholic scored 14 unanswered points in the last six minutes to beat Seton Hall Prep, 38-28. They responded very well when Seton Hall took the lead, especially in those last six minutes. 

First Quarter: Bergen was in good field position after a Seton Hall punt and scored five plays later on a 20-yard Steve Angeli-to-Christian Carti pass. The score stayed that way until late in the quarter when Caeden Craig scored on a 5-yard quarterback keeper for the Prep. The score was set up by an interception by Jackson Dowd in BC territory that gave the Pirates a first-and-goal on the 8.  

Second Quarter: On their next possession, Craig scored his second of three touchdowns, this one from three yards out to give the Prep a 14-7 lead. It didn’t stay that way for long as BC went 80 yards, scoring when Ryan Butler went 48 yards through the line, running through one tackler. Seton Hall Prep made it to midfield, but DaQuan Stewart intercepted for the Crusaders. 

Third Quarter: Bergen came out with the ball and marched down the field as far as the 2-yard line and went ahead on a 19-yard field goal from Giancarlo Carbonaro. Seton Hall Prep went down the field late in the quarter with Craig scoring another 3-yard touchdown to put the Pirates in front early in the fourth quarter, 21-17. 

Fourth Quarter: Bergen went to work, striking quickly on a 70-yard pass to Santino Correa over the middle with Correa running the distance. After exchanging punts, Craig found Myles Thomason on the left sideline, who outraced the BC defense for a 57-yard touchdown and a 28-24 lead with six minutes left. Bergen’s first play on the ensuing drive was all they needed as Butler went 65 yards for the score, regaining the lead. The Crusader defense forced the Prep to punt with Chris Mimmo returning it to the SHP 23. BC ran five plays, all from Butler with the last one being a 5-yard run between the tackles for a touchdown with one minute left. Seton Hall’s last attempt to come back ended with a Kaj Sanders interception with 29 seconds left. 

Summary: For the second consecutive week, Bergen was punched in the mouth and found itself behind. Their responses are what won the game for them. Not once, not twice, but three times BC scored shortly after Seton Hall took the lead. The second and third times it took 1:19 and 0:21, respectively. Butler ran for 239 yards and three touchdowns, getting stronger as the game went on. Angeli missed two series in the first half being shaken up, but returned for the rest of the game, completing 12-of-21 for 217 yards and two touchdowns. 

I was impressed with Seton Hall Prep, but Bergen had just a little bit more and may have worn them down late in the game. The SHP receivers get open and catch the ball.  Craig completed 19-of-32 for 278 yards, one touchdown, and two interceptions – after the first quarter, he was 17-25-259 with a touchdown and interception. One who stood out on defense was Dowd, as he seemed to be in the middle of everything.