The Bergen Catholic (Oradell, NJ) varsity football team will host St. Joseph Regional (Montvale, NJ) in a home playoff game today at 1 p.m. This matchup is part of the 2024 New Jersey High School Football Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA – Non-Public A tournament.

Bergen Catholic vs St. Joseph Regional Football Game Info:

What: New Jersey High School Football
Who: Bergen Catholic vs St. Joseph Regional
When: Saturday, November 23, 2024
Time: 1 PM
Bracket: 2024 New Jersey High School Football Playoff Brackets: NJSIAA – Non-Public A
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Game preview: Bergen Catholic vs St. Joseph Regional

As the 2024 football season reaches its climax, a highly anticipated playoff matchup between St. Joseph Regional (SJR) and Bergen Catholic is set to unfold today at Bergen Catholic’s home field in Oradell, NJ. Both teams have proven themselves throughout the season, but this game will determine who advances to the next round of the playoffs.

Team Records and Performance Overview

St. Joseph Regional enters this game with an overall record of 6-4, having faced a challenging season in both league and non-league play. Their league performance was particularly tough, finishing with a 1-2 record, but they have been a formidable opponent at home with a 3-3 mark. On the other hand, Bergen Catholic boasts an impressive 9-1 record and is coming off an undefeated 3-0 league campaign. They’ve been dominant at home, winning all four of their home games.

Head-to-Head Breakdown

These two teams met earlier in the season on October 26, where Bergen Catholic emerged victorious with a 28-17 win. The game featured a strong first half from Bergen Catholic, leading 14-0 at the break. Though St. Joseph Regional responded in the second half with a 10-point effort in the second quarter, it wasn’t enough to overcome Bergen Catholic’s late push.

Scoring and Key Players

In terms of scoring, Bergen Catholic has been the more explosive team this season, averaging 34.3 points per game compared to St. Joseph Regional’s 30.1. Bergen Catholic’s offense is led by quarterback Dominic Campanile, who has been outstanding with 187.5 passing yards per game, and running back Najee Calhoun, who averages 107.4 rushing yards per game. On the receiving end, Quincy Porter is a top target, averaging 89.3 yards per game.

St. Joseph Regional has its own offensive stars, most notably Lamar Best, who has been a dual threat. Best averages 58.7 rushing yards and 158.1 passing yards per game. Nathan Bailey has been another key contributor, with 56.3 receiving yards per game.

Team Comparison

Looking at the overall statistics, both teams are evenly matched in some areas. St. Joseph Regional averages 369.6 total yards per game, slightly ahead of Bergen Catholic’s 362.2. In rushing yards, Bergen Catholic has the edge, averaging 174.7 compared to St. Joseph Regional’s 167.4. Both teams are fairly strong defensively, with St. Joseph Regional averaging 58.2 tackles per game and Bergen Catholic just behind at 56.3 tackles per game.

Common Opponents

Both teams have faced several common opponents this season, but Bergen Catholic holds the advantage, having gone 5-0 against these teams, while St. Joseph Regional posted a 3-1 record. In particular, both teams defeated Paramus Catholic, Seton Hall Prep, and Pope John XXIII, but Bergen Catholic’s wins have been more dominant. Most notably, they defeated Seton Hall Prep 41-10 and Pope John XXIII 63-7, showing their offensive prowess.

Looking Ahead

As both teams head into this playoff game, the stakes are high. Bergen Catholic has the advantage on paper, but St. Joseph Regional’s resilience could lead to an upset. With key players like Lamar Best and Nathan Bailey, SJR has the tools to make a game of it, especially if they can exploit Bergen Catholic’s defense.

This game promises to be a thrilling encounter between two powerhouse teams in New Jersey high school football, with Bergen Catholic aiming to continue its dominant season and St. Joseph Regional looking to upset the odds and advance further in the tournament.

Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM today.