Bergen Catholic’s fans support their team. (Denis Gostev)
In a battle of tri-state powers, Jonathan Germano delivered a definitive victory for Bergen Catholic and New Jersey.
“We wanted to make a statement with this game,” the senior quarterback said.
They sure did with Germno leading the way, tossing four touchdown passes, running for a score and collecting 306 yards in the air to lead nationally-ranked Bergen Catholic to a dominant 59-21 non-league win over Long Island-power St. Anthony’s in front of more than 3,000 people in South Huntington Friday night.
“I don’t get too caught up in the New York, New Jersey thing,” Bergen coach Nunzio Campanile said. “I’m more concerned about playing great teams.”
The victory ends the three-time defending CHSFL champion’s winning streak at 29 games in the two teams’ season opener. It was the most points St. Anthony’s havs given up in 26 seasons under coach Rich Reichert.
“They really had their way against us on offense,” Reichert said.
St. Anthony’s got on the board thanks to a 15-play drive that ended with a 5-yard scoring run by Naim Jones to end a string of 24 straight Bergen points with 48.4 seconds remaining in the first half. Germano would then lead Bergen on a four-play, 80-yard drive that saw him complete all four of his passes. It included a 36-yard touchdown strike to J.J. Kulcsar over the middle with 10 seconds left before intermission to give his team a 31-7 lead.
“We put a lot of time and effort into the two-minute drill,” Germano said. “It worked out pretty well today.”
John Feaster caught touchdown passes of 66 and 8 yards as Germano was 13-for-18 on the night. Running back James Dawson ran for 132 yards on 20 carries.
“I didn’t think they were as good watching the film until we saw them,” Reichert said. “I’d be very surprised if they lose a game in Jersey.”