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Tampa Catholic at Bergen Catholic (NJ)

SPCjessica2004

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SPCjessica2004 All-State 1st Team

SPCjessica2004

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Hey guys and gals, here's my preview for the Tampa Catholic vs Bergen Catholic game this upcoming Saturday at 2pm up in New Jersey. Please note that this preview is slanted toward Tampa Catholic for obvious reasons; however, I think I gathered some good information on Bergen Catholic as well. I wrote it from the perspective of a Bergen Catholic fan wanting to know more about TC than a TC fan wanting to know about Bergen Catholic.


Tampa Catholic (0-0) @ Bergen Catholic (1-0)
Where: Crusader Stadium, Oradell New Jersey
When: Saturday, 9/10 at 2pm.

It's the Crusaders vs Crusaders when Tampa Catholic travels just shy of 1,200 miles north to take on national powerhouse Bergen Catholic. Tampa Catholic went into this game expecting to have 2 games under its belt in preperation for their toughest game of the season; however, weather and adjusted practice times have wrecked havok on TC. For the 2016 season, the Crusaders only have less than 1 half of a rain soaked kick off classic game against Tampa Gaither in the books. TC did not have a week 1 game scheduled and their week 2 game against Admiral Farragut Academy was cancelled.

Bergen Catholic on the other hand traveled to fellow powerhouse Archbishop Wood out of Pennsylvania and came away with a 34-16 win. Superstar QB Johnny Langan threw for 4 touchdowns and rushing for 133 yards in the win.

About Tampa Catholic:

Tampa Catholic is a well known and well respected football program that really made a name for itself under the leadership and guidance of former head coach Bob Henriquez. TC really came to power in the mid 1990's when players such as Kenny Kelly, Darrell Jackson and Quincy Hipps stalked the halls. Tampa Catholic has played in two state championship games, 2007 and 2009 and has numerous final 4's to there credit in the past 10 seasons.  The current Crusaders coaching staff has numerous former NFL players coaching at the skill positions.

TC defensive coordinator David Lewis played for the Bucs, Rams (in LA) and San Diego.
TC WR coach Jeryis Mcintyre, played for the Kansas City Chiefs
TC Linebackers coach, Richard Wood played for the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Outside of the names listed above, Tampa Catholic also has a group of coaches who have long an accomplished resumes including former SPC (St. Pete Catholic) head coach Dan Mancuso and offensive coordinator Mike Fenton who won a state championship with the Jefferson Dragons in 2010.

About Bergen Catholic:

The Crusaders of Bergen Catholic do not need much of an introduction- their reputation preceeds them. Part of that reputation includes consistently playing teams from Florida. In 2015, the Crusaders knocked off Delray Beach American Heritage and fell shy of IMG Academy. In 2012 the Crusaders came up short against powerhouse Cocoa. In 2011 the Crusaders made a rare trip to Florida to play powerhouse Tampa Plant, coming up just short. BC is a traditional powerhouse in NJ.

The Players:

Tampa Catholic has historically been one of the most talent rich programs in the Tampa Bay area and this year is no exception. It starts at the top for Tampa Catholic with QB Austin Sessums, RB Devan Barrett and WR/CB's Darius Corbett and Bentlee Sanders. Being added to the mix is highly thought of WR Ahmaren Brown. Defensively the Crusaders have a strong linebacking group led by Raymond Benefield, Leon Bright and Ian Huggins (Who doubles as a DE). Tampa Catholic brings back most of their team from a 10 win season in 2015.

Bergen Catholic, like Tampa Catholic has a strong dual threat QB in Jr. Johnny Langan; however, only 6 players with starting experience return. One player that will be key for the Crusaders of BC is Sophomore running back Josh McKenzie. Tampa Catholic has a plethora of big bodies up front, but little depth- an area BC should be able to exploit as the game moves on.

Rankings:

According to MaxPreps. Bergen Catholic is ranked 3 in NJ and 97 in the US.  Tampa Catholic is ranked 36 in Florida and 316 in the US.  Tampa Catholic is also ranked #12 in MaxPreps Small School National rankings.   In the Florida AP Poll, Tampa Catholic is ranked #4 in Class 3A.

The storylines:

This is an important game for Tampa Catholic for a myriad of reasons; however, none bigger than the stigma that the Crusaders don’t show up for big games. Many pundits (myself included) point to TC’s biggest rivals. Against their biggest rival, Tampa Jesuit- the Crusaders are 0-17 since 1999. Against Clearwater Central Catholic, (Crusaders second biggest rival) are 5-14 against the Marauders. Tampa Catholic has run into Jacksonville Trinity Christian the past few seasons in the final 4 in 3A. In their somewhat defense, both the Tigers of Jesuit and Marauders of CCC are powerhouses themselves and JaxTCA is one of the top teams in the nation for all classifications. In other words, while the TC Crusaders have struggled- the teams they've lost to are highly ranked and thought of themselves.

For Bergen Catholic it’s a youth movement. I already alluded to the Crusaders of BC only returning 6 players with varsity experience; however, even the players they have now are young. BC is aiming to mix and match their talents between both the run and pass.

My prediction:

This is a good game for Tampa Catholic to schedule early in the year; however, I wish it were under different circumstances. Without the benefit of a full game and essentially having 2 weeks off, I expect the Crusaders to come out sloppy. Bergen Catholic may only have 1 game under their belt, but 1 is better than none plus BC is playing at home. TC has the athletes and speed to make this an interesting game.

I give a tip of the hat to Tampa Catholic on the experience factor, but big games like this typically come down to depth. A battle of attrition is a battle that TC cannot win. The only way I see Tampa Catholic winning is if they build a big lead and hold on in the end- Bergen Catholic ,despite being younger has a bigger margin for error and their coaching staff is pretty amazing as well.

I’m going:

Bergen Catholic 35, Tampa Catholic 17

I think that Devan Barrett will prove to be a tough load to bring down for Bergan Catholic, but I think BC's offense will get going early and often. I expect this to be a 21-7 type game at halftime with the Crusaders of TC cutting into the lead in the 3rd, but come the 4th quarter- I think BC will pull away.

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181pl All-American

181pl

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It will be a helluva lot worse than 35-17. You're talking about a team that hasn't been able to beat Jesuit in the last 15 years. They are playing a team that plays in the hardest league in the United States and beats team that would dismantle Jesuit. Teams like Don Bosco, Paramus Catholic, St. Peters, and St. Joes.

 

TC cant touch a team like Cocoa or TCA, so they wont get close to Bergen. Hell, Plants 2011 state champs barely beat a Bergen team that was mediocre by their standards.

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SPCjessica2004 All-State 1st Team

SPCjessica2004

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Yeah, they got hammered. I was optimistic based on some conversations I've had- but, I was VERY concerned that this turned out to be Tampa Catholic's first game of the year. Bergen Catholic was always going to win, but I was hoping for a bit more of a battle. Still, credit Bergen Catholic. Tough game to watch past the 7 minute mark of the 2nd quarter.

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181pl All-American

181pl

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Jessica, the game would have been closer if Bergen had to travel but BC still wins. Better coaching, better system, better lines. TC has not and will not be a nationally elite program. They should stay out of tnese games. We have no national programs left in the TB area. Even Plant and Armwood would now get manhandled by top 50 type programs.

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Cat_Scratch College Walk On

Cat_Scratch

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Yeah, they got hammered. I was optimistic based on some conversations I've had- but, I was VERY concerned that this turned out to be Tampa Catholic's first game of the year. Bergen Catholic was always going to win, but I was hoping for a bit more of a battle. Still, credit Bergen Catholic. Tough game to watch past the 7 minute mark of the 2nd quarter.

I know how you feel, Like when Cocoa was getting hammered in the second half against Gorman. It's a gloomy feeling.

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FLFB Junior Varsity Starter

FLFB

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Hell, Plants 2011 state champs barely beat a Bergen team that was mediocre by their standards.

Hardly, actually the opposite is true

 

The only team they lost to other than Plant was MNC Don Bosco who fielded arguably their best team ever (the first game was an 11 pt game, the only non blowout game DBP played outside the Manatee game)

 

They were 8-0 vs teams not named Don Bosco Prep and Plant, including wins over La Salle college (PA) on the road 41-17, Friendship Collegiate (DC) 48-32, St Joseph Regional 30-17, and Paramus Catholic 58-36

 

That was easily one of their best squads

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HSFBfan Junior Varsity Starter

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Hardly, actually the opposite is true

 

The only team they lost to other than Plant was MNC Don Bosco who fielded arguably their best team ever (the first game was an 11 pt game, the only non blowout game DBP played outside the Manatee game)

 

They were 8-0 vs teams not named Don Bosco Prep and Plant, including wins over La Salle college (PA) on the road 41-17, Friendship Collegiate (DC) 48-32, St Joseph Regional 30-17, and Paramus Catholic 58-36

 

That was easily one of their best squads

Hes right 2011 was actually a good squad for Bergen...Qb was Tanner McEvoy now playing for the Seattle Seahawks. Also had plenty of playmakers but everyone understand DBP was undefeated and had multiple NFL players on that roster

 

 

Carroo- Dolphins

Shumate- Bucs

Hamilton-will be drafted 

Wright- played at Colorado CFB--dont know if he is still there

 

Had multiple other players who were just beasts

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