Tag: Bergen Catholic

Did Bill Belichick just promote ‘The Battle at the Beach’ during the NFL Draft on ESPN?

Bill Belichick touts the ‘Battle at the Beach’ on ESPN.

Bill Belichick appears to be a high school football nerd. Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show on an ESPN platform, Belichick promoted the ‘Battle at the Beach’ which will feature Bergen Catholic this August.

A guest speaker at least year’s Rutgers football coaching clinic, the remarks from Belichick on ESPN were certainly surprising. His son, Stephen Belichick, is a former Rutgers long snapper who is now a defensive coordinator with the Washington Huskies.

The annual showcase event, featuring some of the top high school programs in the region but also the country, has quickly gained traction as an elite set-up. The ‘Battle at the Beach’ traditionally takes place in late August in Ocean City, New Jersey.

This year, the marquee game at ‘The Battle at the Beach’ will be IMG Academy (Bradenton, Florida) against Bergen Catholic (Ramsey, New Jersey).

To hear Belichick, a six-time Super Bowl winner as a head coach, speak about the game was certainly surreal.

IMG Academy finished as the fifth-best team in the nation in the USA TODAY Sports Super 25.

[lawrence-related id=37644,37638]

Bergen Catholic, after another state title, ended the year at No. 23 in the rankings.

New Jersey high school basketball game produces its own version of Michael Jordan’s ‘The Shot’

St. Peter’s Prep produced an instant-class with Richie Rosa’s game winner.

The only thing missing from the game-winner was Craig Ehlo falling down in the background.

It wasn’t a frame-by-frame, mirror image of Michael Jordan’s game-winning basket in the 1989 NBA playoffs, but Thursday night’s game-winner by sophomore guard Richie Rosa of St. Peter’s Prep had a very similar feel to it. Jordan’s iconic moment, simply known as ‘The Shot’ is a classic moment in NBA history.

Rosa’s shot, from about 18 feet, definitely had some Jordan-esque vibes to it.

Rosa’s jump shot at the buzzer on Thursday night sends St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City, New Jersey) through to the NJSIAA Non Public North A finals. The Marauders have now won five in a row and will face Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey, New Jersey) on Monday night.

 

Great shot by Rosa and those Jordan vibes are undeniable.

 

Don Bosco features five-star guard Dylan Harper (a Rutgers basketball commit) and is ranked No. 13 in the most recent USA TODAY HSS Super 25.

Unlike Jordan, who did an iconic series of fist pumps, Rosa chose not to celebrate. Instead, the sophomore walked stoically while his teammates mobbed him.

After a shot like that, Rosa can do whatever he wants.

Film Breakdown: Bergen Catholic edge rusher Anthony Morales brings potential to Rutgers football

Film Breakdown: Rutgers football added Preferred Walk-On (PWO) Anthony Morales to their 2024 roster.

On Wednesday, Rutgers football added Preferred Walk-On (PWO) Anthony Morales to their 2024 roster. Morales recorded a career-high in total tackles (41), tackles for loss (16.5), and sacks (6.5) for the Bergen Catholic Crusaders last season.

In three seasons with Bergen Catholic, Morales has logged 91 total tackles, 26.5 tackles for loss, and 11 sacks in 35 games. The 6-foot-2, 240-pound defensive end received offers from Marist and Wagner, electing to join the Scarlet Knights.

Film Review

Morales is a hard worker who has a relentless motor. He has excellent ball instincts, which can lead to multiple forced turnovers for the Scarlet Knights in the upcoming years.

The future Scarlet Knight has excellent discipline when playing run defense. As the edge rusher, he maintains outside leverage, making it difficult for offensive tackles to reach him because of his strong technique. He can beat opposing linemen with his quickness and strength.

Athleticism Stats are according to Hudl.com
Bench Press (lb) 185lb Bench Press (Reps) Squats (lb)
325 18 485

[lawrence-related id=35144,35140,35105]

Morales offers multiple pass-rush moves, beating linemen with violent hands. Also, Morales has athletic footwork, making him have excellent lateral quickness. He should continue to build his speed to add another pass-rush move on the Power Five level.

[lawrence-related id=35107]

The Oradell, New Jersey native is a four-down player who can grow into a contributor on the Rutgers defense.

 

 

Anthony Morales breaks down his Rutgers football commitment this week

Anthony Morales talks about why he picked Rutgers football.

On Wednesday, Rutgers football received a commitment from Anthony Morales. The Bergen Catholic defensive end joins the Scarlet Knights as a Preferred Walk On (PWO).

For Rutgers, the addition of Morales adds a quality player with upside. A starter last season at Bergen Catholic (Oradell, New Jersey), Morales is the latest player from the state’s top program to join Rutgers.

Also part of the 2024 recruiting class for Rutgers from Bergen Catholic is four-star athlete [autotag]Kaj Sanders[/autotag].

During his senior year this past fall, Morales had  career-highs in total tackles (41), tackles for a loss (16.5) and sacks (6.5). Thet 6-foot-2 and 240 pound edge also had an interception and two fumble recoveries.

“Rutgers has a great football team with an amazing coaching staff. When I visited, the coaches reminded me of my coaches at Bergen Catholic,” Morales told Rutgers Wire on Wednesday following his commitment.

“They value hard work and want each player to succeed in every aspect of their life. Rutgers also has excellent academics, which will help prepare me for my career. Rutgers is definitely the best choice for me.”

Sanders has been advised during the recruiting process by Latish Kinsler, a former college star at Cincinnati who spent time in the NFL with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Jets. Kinsler is now an advisor to some of New Jersey’s top high school players.

[lawrence-related id=35107,35088]

His son is Jordan Kinsler, a running back at Rutgers.

As for Morales, he had scholarship offers from Marist and Wagner. when he opted for Rutgers

A hard worker, Morales has the upside to grow into a contributor on the Rutgers defense. He has a strong motor and good instincts for getting to the ball.

[lawrence-related id=35093,35068,35047]

Offered by Rutgers a PWO slot last week, Morales said the commitment was exciting for him.

“I got in touch with the safeties coach (Drew Lascari), who was recruiting me to Rutgers,” Morales said.

“I told him that my family and I have come to a decision and that I was going to commit to Rutgers.”

 

Rutgers football lands Bergen Catholic edge rusher Anthony Morales

Anthony Morales has committed to Rutgers football.

Anthony Morales committed to Rutgers football on Wednesday. The Bergen Catholic standout was offered by the Scarlet Knights last week.

Morales, a talented edge rusher from Bergen Catholic (Oradell, New Jersey), joins Rutgers as a Preferred Walk On (PWO).

Last season, he posted a career-high in total tackles (41), tackles for a loss (16.5) and sacks (6.5). Morales, who checks in at 6-foot-2 and 240 pounds, also had an interception and two fumble recoveries.

Bergen Catholic finished the season undefeated and was the consensus top team in New Jersey this past fall.

Morales also holds offers from Marist and Wagner.

He posted about his commitment on Wednesday evening via X, the social media platform that was formerly known as Twitter.

 

Landing Morales was a big win for Drew Lascari, the safeties coach at Rutgers. Lascari was also pivotal in the Scarlet Knights landing class of 2025 linebacker [autotag]Talibi Kaba[/autotag].

[lawrence-related id=35068,35047]

Kaba committed to Rutgers on Tuesday night. He is a three-star and the No. 12 player in New Jersey according to 247Sports.

Rutgers football recruiting: Bergen Catholic’s Anthony Morales gets an offer

Anthony Morales was offered by Rutgers football.

Rutgers football sent out an offer to Bergen Catholic athlete Anthony Morales on Thursday.

The offer for Morales, a 6-foot-2, 240-pound defensive end, was as a Preferred Walk-On (PWO). His production last fall for Bergen Catholic (Oradell, New Jersey) was impressive.

Morales posted a career-high in total tackles (41), tackles for a loss (16.5) and sacks (6.5)..He also had an interception and two fumble recoveries for the state’s top team.

In the 2024 recruiting class, Rutgers landed Bergan Catholic defensive back Kaj Sanders, a top-five recruit in New Jersey and a four-star player.

On Thursday, Morales posted on X (the social media platform formerly known as Twitter) about the PWO offer:

 

Morales is certainly an intriguing offer from Rutgers. Were the Scarlet Knights to land Morales, it would be another in-road to a program that has become the dominant force of New Jersey high school football.

[lawrence-related id=34851,34838]

Bergen Catholic finished the season 11-1 and as the consensus top team in New Jersey.

Rutgers 2024 recruit Kaj Sanders advances to the NJSIAA Non-Public A Championship

Rutgers 2024 recruit Kaj Sanders and the Bergen Catholic Crusaders defeated Donovan Catholic to advance to NJ’s Non-Public A Championship. 

On Friday, Rutgers football 2024 recruit Kaj Sanders and the Bergen Catholic Crusaders defeated Donovan Catholic, 42-13, to advance to New Jersey’s High School Football Non-Public A Championship.

The four-star recruit recorded a season-high rushing yards (188) in the semifinal round, helping his team advance to their third consecutive Non-Public A Championship.

Sanders played a focal point in the Crusaders’ semifinal victory, recording three touchdowns in three of the four quarters. The future Scarlet Knight recorded 14 carries for 188 yards and three rushing touchdowns, averaging 13.4 yards per attempt. Sanders’s longest rush came in the third quarter when he recorded a 78-yard touchdown, improving the Crusaders lead to 35-7.

[lawrence-related id=32287]

Through 11 games of his senior season, Sanders has recorded 104 carries for 937 yards and 15 rushing touchdowns, averaging nine yards per carry. Sanders is ranked No. 41 in New Jersey with his 15 recorded touchdowns.

For his Bergen Catholic career, the Oradell, New Jersey, native has logged 153 carries for 1307 yards and 19 touchdowns in 34 games.

On the other side of the ball, Sanders added two tackles against the Griffins to increase his total tackles to 34 this season. In three seasons with the Crusaders, Sanders has registered 88 total tackles.

According to 247Sports, Sanders is the No. 8 ranked prospect in New Jersey and No. 59 for his position among his 2024 recruiting class.

On Tuesday, November 28, Sanders will lead the Crusaders against the Delbarton Green Wave in the Non-Public Group A Championship.

[lawrence-related id=32284]

Preview: Can No. 1 Bergen Catholic win NJ’s Non-Public A Playoff Bracket?

NJ’s Non-Public Group A section playoffs begin on Friday. Can the Crusaders capture their third consecutive section title?

New Jersey’s Non-Public Group A section playoffs begin on Friday, with No. 1 Bergen Catholic getting a first-round bye.

Rutgers football has three 2024 recruits within New Jersey’s Non-Public A Playoff Bracket, with Kaj Sanders (Running back / Defensive back) playing for Bergen Catholic (Oradell, New Jersey) and Gabriel Winowich (Running back) and AJ Surace (Quarterback) playing for Notre Dame (Lawrenceville, NJ).

Heading into the Non-Public A Section Playoffs, the Crusaders (8-1) have beaten five out of 13 schools in the bracket (St. Joseph Regional (Montvale), Don Bosco Prep, Seton Hall Prep, St. Peter’s Prep, and Paramus Catholic). Bergen Catholic is seeking its third consecutive Non-Public A Section Title and will have a high chance of capturing this season’s title.

When the playoffs kick off on Friday, No. 8 Paul VI (Haddonfield, New Jersey) will face off against No. 9 Notre Dame, with the winner playing No. 1 Bergen Catholic in the second round.

 

Notre Dame is 10-0 and is led by Rutgers’ top recruits, quarterback AJ Surace and running back Gabriel Winowich. Winowich is ranked No. 3, and Surace is the No. 9 prospect in New Jersey, according to 247Sports.

[lawrence-related id=31544]

On the other hand, Paul VI is 7-1 and is led by wide receiver Tyree Roane, who has nine touchdowns on the season. Roanne is ranked No. 88 in New Jersey with his nine recorded touchdowns.

NJ Division Non-Public Group A High School Football Rankings

Power Rankings are according to MaxPrep Sports

No. School Record Power Rating Strength of Schedule Rating
1 Bergen Catholic 8-1 59.90 40.8
2 Delbarton (Morristown) 8-1 54.00 29.0
3 St. Joseph Regional (Montvale) 6-3 48.70 37.3
4 Donovan Catholic (Toms River) 7-2 40.10 26.1
5 St. Augustine Prep (Richland) 7-2 39.90 22.0
6 Don Bosco Prep (Ramsey) 4-5 39.60 41.3
7 Pope John XXIII (Sparta) 7-3 35.50 22.6
8 Seton Hall Prep (West Orange) 3-6 30.90 39.8
9 St. Joseph (Metuchen) 7-2 25.90 8.4
10 St. Peter’s Prep (Jersey City) 1-8 24.20 45.6
11 Paramus Catholic (Paramus) 3-7 23.40 32.4
12 Paul VI (Haddonfield) 7-1 23.30 1.5
13 Notre Dame (Lawrenceville) 9-0 16.60 -10.7
14 St. John-Vianney (Holmdel) 3-7 3.40 11.4
15 Hudson Catholic (Jersey City) 0-6 -3.80 8.1
16 Camden Catholic (Cherry Hill) 2-6 -15.60 1.2

 

Rutgers 2024 recruit Kaj Sanders recorded two touchdowns in Week 8

Rutgers 2024 recruit Kaj Sanders recorded seven carries for 116 yards and two touchdowns, lifting the Crusaders past the Marauders in Week 8. 

On Friday, Rutgers football recruit Kaj Sanders recorded two more rushing touchdowns, totaling nine touchdowns on the season. The four-star prospect totaled seven carries for 116 yards and two rushing touchdowns, lifting Bergen Catholic  (7-1, 4-0) past St. Peters Prep (1-7, 0-4) 37-7 to improve their record to 7-1.

Sanders averaged 16.6 yards per carry and ripped off a 42-yard rushing touchdown in the first quarter to give the Crusaders a 7-0 lead. Also, the future Scarlet Knight registered a 39-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter to extend the Crusaders’ lead to 28-0.

On the defensive side of the ball, the defensive back added one solo tackle on Friday, totaling 31 tackles on the season.

The Oradell, New Jersey, native has recorded a touchdown in seven of eight games this season. Through Week 8, Sanders has registered 77 carries for 645 yards and nine rushing touchdowns, averaging 8.4 yards per attempt.

[lawrence-related id=31389,31392]

The 2024 prospect is ranked No. 8 in New Jersey and No. 59 in the nation among his recruiting class, according to 247Sports.

Sanders and the Crusaders will finish their regular season schedule against the Paramus Catholic Paladins (3-6, 1-3) on Friday before the state playoffs.

[lawrence-related id=31378]

How did Rutgers’ four-star recruit Kaj Sanders perform in Week 7?

Kaj Sanders and the Bergen Catholic Crusaders defeated St. Joseph Regional 28-23 to take over first place in their conference standings.

On Sunday, the Bergen Catholic Crusaders (6-1, 3-0) defeated the St. Joseph Regional Green Knights (5-2, 2-1) 28-23 to take over first place in New Jersey’s Super-United Red Football standings. Rutgers’ four-star 2024 recruit Kaj Sanders led the way for the Crusaders in Week 7, guiding Bergen Catholic to their sixth victory in the 2023 season.

While playing against the Green Knights, Sanders recorded 21 carries for 168 rushing yards and one touchdown, averaging eight yards per carry. The Oradell, New Jersey, native logged season-highs in carries and rushing yards in his Week 7 matchup against St. Joes. Also, Sanders registered the game-winning touchdown, recording a 26-yard touchdown rush, giving the Crusaders their final points.

After Week 7, Sanders has logged 70 carries with 529 rushing yards and seven touchdowns, averaging 7.6 yards per attempt. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound athletic prospect has logged 42 points, scoring a touchdown in Bergen Catholic’s first seven games. The future Scarlet Knight has averaged 75.6 rushing yards per game, leading the Crusaders in rushing yards.

On defense, the highly recruited defensive back recorded four tackles in Week 7 (three solo and one assist), improving his total tackles to 30 on the season. According to 247Sports, Sanders is ranked the No. 8 prospect in New Jersey and No. 59 among safeties in his 2024 recruiting class.

[lawrence-related id=30719]

Sanders and the Crusaders will head to Jersey City, New Jersey, to take on St. Peters Prep (1-6, 0-3) in a conference showdown on Friday.