December 16, 2011

Junior point guard Kavon Stewart is one of five returning starters for Hudson Catholic. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Hudson Catholic Hawks Photo Gallery

Hudson Catholic is well aware of the expectations. With all five starters back and a couple of key additions to last year's 22-win team, the bar has been understandably set high.

But for a Hawks squad loaded with Division 1 talent and widely considered among the top five teams in the state, the key has been to avoid the pitfalls that can come with such hype and pressure. Read More

2011/2012 Boys Basketball Previews: Bayonne, Dickinson, Marist, St. Peter's Prep

2011/2012 Girls Basketball Previews: Harrison, Holy Family, Kearny, Marist, St. Anthony

December 15, 2011

Junior guard Doris Ilic is poised to have a breakout season for North Bergen. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

North Bergen Bruins Photo Gallery

How do you replace three four-year starters at guard? For North Bergen the answer is quite simple - size and plenty of it.

While the Bruins lost the trio of Ashley Vazzona, Ashley Heredia and Jazmin Palma to graduation, last season's Hudson County finalist will have one of their biggest lineups in recent memory. Read More

2011/2012 Girls Basketball Previews: Lincoln, Secaucus, Union City

December 14, 2011

UCLA-bound senior Kyle Anderson is one of two returning starters for St. Anthony. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

St. Anthony Friars Photo Gallery

It was only eight months ago when St. Anthony was crowned as the nation's No. 1 team. But while the images of that memorable 33-0 season are still fresh in the minds of many, but in the eyes of head coach Bob Hurley, its past history. With just two starters and few contributors from that team back, Hurley doesn't view this season as a title defense, but rather a quest for the many newcomers to make a name for themselves. Read More

2011/2012 Boys Basketball Previews: Lincoln, North Bergen, Union City, Weehawken

December 11, 2011

The North Bergen football team rides down Kennedy Boulevard during a victory parade. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

North Bergen Football Victory Parade Photo Gallery

NORTH BERGEN – Every day Sergio Rodriguez watches the video of his game-winning touchdown pass to Debray Tavarez, just to make sure it really did happen.

One week and countless viewings later, the reality of the touchdown and the state championship that came with it is slowly starting to take shape. Read More

Hockey: St. Peter's Prep struggles in loss to Bergen Catholic. Read the Game Story. Click Here to View Photo Gallery.

Girls Volleyball: Coaches make their All-League selections

December 9, 2011

Senior Lisa Rovatsos looks to win her fourth county championship with Bayonne. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Bayonne Bees Photo Gallery

As the three-time defending county champions, it'd be easy to understand why there'd be pressure placed on Bayonne. But in the eyes of head coach James Turner, the pressure won't be from a slate of league contests where they'll have a target on their back. Instead it will be in the quiet confines of their own gym. Read More

2011/2012 Girls Basketball Preview: St. Dominic Academy

Football: Secaucus, Weehawken, Harrison get NJIC honors

Football: Photos from North Bergen's championship victory

December 4, 2011

Debray Tavarez catches the game-winning touchdown with no time remaining. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Montclair vs North Bergen Photo Gallery

EAST RUTHERFORD – With consecutive overtime victories, North Bergen's playoff run for retiring head coach Vincent Ascolese had exhibited all the characteristics of a fairytale story.

Who knew those wins would pale in comparison to the final chapter.

Debray Tavarez hauled in a 22-yard touchdown pass from Sergio Rodriguez as time expired to give the Bruins a stunning 14-13 victory over previously unbeaten Montclair for the NJSIAA North 1, Group IV championship at MetLife Stadium. Read More

December 3, 2011

Can the Bruins send out retiring head coach Vincent Ascolese with an eighth state title? (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

North Bergen Bruins Photo Gallery

After two weeks of hype and preparation, the big day has finally come for North Bergen and Vincent Ascolese. The Bruins' 39-year head coach will be coaching his final game today as North Bergen squares off with undefeated Montclair for the NJSIAA North 1, Group IV championship.

Below is the list of our complete coverage from this past week, leading up to today's big game.

Ascolese looks to end career with a title

North Bergen defense ready for the challenge

Can anybody stop Khalif Herbin?

Bruins' Rodriguez comes through in relief at QB

North Bergen seeks special teams edge

December 2, 2011

Senior DT Nick Garcia (right) makes one of his 25 tackles for loss from this season. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

North Bergen Bruins Photo Gallery

NORTH BERGEN – Cornerback Denzell Leitch and the rest of his Bruin defense understand the challenge that lays ahead of them. They've seen the mind-numbing point totals Montclair has put in its first 11 games of the season. But Montclair's sparkling resume has not intimidated North Bergen in the least. Read More

Football: HCIAL coaches make All-League selections

December 1, 2011

2010 File Photo: Montclair's Khalif Herbin has scored 42 touchdowns this season. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Lincoln at Bayonne Football Photo Gallery

The first time Union City head coach Wilber Valdez viewed film in preparation for his 2010 season opener against Montclair he thought he had a problem - a broken DVD player.

Instead, Valdez was alerted of something far more troubling for him and his staff than a malfunctioning electronic device - the speed of Montclair's Khalif Herbin. Read More

November 30, 2011

Sergio Rodriguez has seven passing touchdowns and four rushing touchdowns. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

North Bergen Bruins Photo Gallery

NORTH BERGEN – Throughout the season, Sergio Rodriguez has heard the comparison to Tim Tebow from his North Bergen teammates. Despite some up-and-down moments one thing is undeniable, just like the Denver Broncos quarterback, Rodriguez has excelled at winning games.

The Bruins have gone 6-2 since Rodriguez took over as starting quarterback and now they are one game away from a North 1, Group IV championship heading into Saturday's title game with Montclair at MetLife Stadium. Read More

More Coverage: Bruins look to find edge on special teams

November 29, 2011

D.J. Singleton (left) and Brandon Napoleon were presented as Semper Fidelis All Americans. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

JERSEY CITY and NORTH BERGEN – North Bergen's Vin Ascolese and the St. Peter's Prep tandem of Brandon Napoleon and D.J. Singleton have racked up plenty of accolades during their high school careers. They can add another honor to their already stellar resumes - All Americans.

The talented trio of Hudson County standouts were formally selected and introduced as participants in the Semper Fidelis All American Bowl on Jan. 3, 2012 at Chase Field in Phoenix. Read More

November 26, 2011

St. Peter's Prep RB Jared Crayton rushed for a touchdown and returned a punt for a score. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

St. Peter's Prep at Union City Football Photo Gallery

UNION CITY – Whether it be as a runner, receiver or defender, St. Peter's Prep senior Jared Crayton had seemingly accomplished all possible individual milestones this season.  But the standout running back had one more on his personal checklist - a special teams touchdown.

With his 73-yard punt return for a touchdown Crayton did just that and in the process helped power the Marauders to another league championship. Crayton scored two touchdowns on the afternoon as St. Peter's Prep closed out the season with its 12th-straight league title after defeating Union City 28-7 at Roosevelt Stadium. Read More

November 22, 2011

St. Anthony tight end Nate Ortiz has committed to Delaware State University. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

St. Anthony Friars Photo Gallery

After a season of uncertainty, Nate Ortiz has found his home for the next four years.

The St. Anthony tight end made his commitment to Delaware State University on Sunday, picking the NCAA Division I Football Championship Subdivision team after visiting the campus this weekend. Read More

November 20, 2011

Bergen Catholic's Chucky Wingate (1) and Mike Gerst (21) celebrate after a touchdown. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

St. Peter's Prep at Bergen Catholic Football Photo Gallery

ORADELL – When St. Peter's Prep lost to Bergen Catholic three weeks ago, the Marauders walked off that field wondering if the better team had truly won that night.

This time, after suffering a convincing 42-21 loss to their Bergen County rivals in the NJSIAA Non-Public, Group IV semifinals the answer was painfully clear to the Marauders' head coach. Read More

November 19, 2011

Debray Tavarez (3) celebrates with North Bergen fans after the Bruins' overtime victory. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

North Bergen at Union City Football Photo Gallery

UNION CITY – As an emotional Eric McMullen dropped to one knee and gazed out towards the fence behind the west end zone of Roosevelt Stadium, assistant coach Mike Ascolese went to his star running back and pointed out beyond Kennedy Boulevard and towards North Bergen's next destination.

Visible from the field was the Meadowlands and MetLife Stadium where McMullen and the rest of the Bruins will be playing for a state title in two weeks after a 10-7 overtime victory over Union City in the semifinals of the North 1, Group IV playoffs. Read More

November 18, 2011

(Clockwise from top right) North Bergen's Vincent Ascolese, Union City's Wilber Valdez, Prep's Rich Hansen and Bayonne's Rick Rodriguez. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Hudson County Varsity Football Photo Gallery

And then there were four.

After 10 weeks of football only four football teams in Hudson County remain standing for some of them it is a familiar foe standing in their way this semifinal weekend. Tonight North Bergen and Union City return to the site of their Oct. 28 slugfest won by the Soaring Eagles. The Bruins aren't the only Hudson team looking for revenge, on Saturday St. Peter's Prep gets another crack at Bergen Catholic after falling short on Oct. 28. But this time the matchup will be in Oradell. Meanwhile Bayonne looks to pull of its second-straight upset in Union County as it squares off with Elizabeth.

Game by Game Previews:

Friday: Bayonne at Elizabeth; North Bergen at Union City;

Saturday: St. Peter's Prep at Bergen Catholic.

HCV's Staff Picks

November 16, 2011

Kearny's season came to an end after losing to Bridgewater-Raritan in the Group 4 semifinals. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Kearny KardinalsPhoto Gallery

WARREN – The end of Kearny's playoff run came with the sound of a sickening clank.

After 100 minutes of play and four rounds of penalty kicks, Bridgewater-Raritan's Zak Jones scored on a shot off the lower left post to deal the Kardinals a heart-breaking 5-3 loss in the NJSIAA Group 4 semifinals last night at Watchung Hills High School. Read More

November 14, 2011

Tyhearn Williams had the game-winning touchdown for Bayonne on a fumble recovery. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Bayonne Bees Photo Gallery

Few people, if any, gave Bayonne much of a chance in its North 2, Group IV first round playoff game against Westfield.

Someone forgot to tell that to the Bees who returned to the Peninsula City on Saturday with a 13-7 victory for one the biggest upsets in the opening weekend of the state football tournaments. Read More

November 12, 2011

North Bergen celebrates in the end zone after winning in overtime over Passaic Tech. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Passaic County Tech at North Bergen Football Photo Gallery

NORTH BERGEN – Vin Ascolese is rarely at a loss for words. But when it came time to describe his emotions when he ended last night's game with an overtime touchdown, the standout senior couldn't explain what it meant for his team and his family.

In an ending seemingly pulled from the pages of a Hollywood movie script, Ascolese scored the game-winning touchdown on the final play he and his grandfather would have on their home turf as North Bergen defeated Passaic County Tech 20-14 in the first round of the NJSIAA North 1, Group IV playoffs at Vincent Ascolese Field. Read More

Boys Soccer:
Kearny wins first section crown since 2004. Photo Gallery

November 11, 2011

St. Peter's Prep celebrates after winning the Hudson County Championship 2-0. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

St. Peter's Prep vs Union City Boys Soccer Photo Gallery

KEARNY – Facing a physical Union City defense, Andrew Romero knew it’d be imperative to take advantage of any scoring opportunities coming his way. On his first chance to come his way, Romero did just that.

Romero’s goal just 71 seconds into the game proved to be the difference for St. Peter’s Prep as it won its first Hudson County championship with a 2-0 victory last night at Kearny High School. Read More

State Football Playoffs: Power Poll and Staff Picks

Game by Game Previews:

Friday: Hoboken at Weequahic; Notre Dame at St. Peter's Prep; Passaic Tech at North Bergen; Roxbury at Union City.

Saturday: Bayonne at Westfield; Memorial at Montclair.

November 9, 2011

Harrison Joao Conceicao (left) battles for possession with Whippany Park's Tony Roveto. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Whippany Park at Harrison Boys Soccer Photo Gallery

HARRISON – Giving up a game-tying goal in the last moments before halftime like the one Whippany Park's Tyler Raff scored might have triggered the emotional letdown capable of sinking a season for some teams. For Harrison, it served as the wakeup call it sorely needed.

The Blue Tide would respond with a pair of second half goals en route to a 3-1 victory over Whippany Park in the semifinals of the NJSIAA North 2, Group I playoffs. Read More

Cross Country: McNair wins N2G2, Snyder's Kendall fourth

November 7, 2011

Haley Durning (1) and her teammates celebrate Kearny's third-straight county title. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Bayonne vs St. Dominic Academy Girls Soccer Photo Gallery

HARRISON – Even with her scoring totals down from the previous three seasons, Kearny's Mercedes Lois hasn't been hesitant to keep firing shots when the opportunity arises.

With her Kardinal team in dire need of a goal, the timing for Lois to regain her scoring touch couldn't have been any better. Read More

HCT Boys Soccer Semifinals:
Union City stuns top-seeded Kearny. Photo Gallery
St. Peter's Prep holds off Harrison. Photo Gallery

November 5, 2011

Bayonne's Malcolm Robinson (3) goes airborn for his second touchdown of the game. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Bayonne at Memorial Football Photo Gallery

WEST NEW YORK – Malcolm Robinson could hear the playful ribbing from his teammates and assistant coach Jammal Lord before he could even reach the Bayonne sideline. For the second time of the game, a long Robinson run has stalled just one yard short of the end zone.

“I was already getting it on the sidelines from the coaches and the players,” said Robinson with a smile. “But hey, what can you say. I love those guys and they're the reason I can do what I do.” Read More

November 4, 2011

Rory Duffy and St. Peter's Prep won their 10th-straight game last night after beating Don Bosco. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Don Bosco at St. Peter's Prep Boys Soccer Photo Gallery

JERSEY CITY – During the course of its impressive regular season, St. Peter's Prep gradually started to attract attention from beyond their Hudson County confines. In their state tournament debut, the Marauders sent a not so subtle reminder to the rest of the state that they are a team to be reckoned with.

Playing in what might have been its best performance on the season, St. Peter's Prep dominated  Don Bosco Prep 3-0 in the quarterfinals of the NJSIAA Non-Public, North A tournament, looking every bit the part of a title contender in the process. Read More

Girls Soccer: Secaucus falls at Dayton. Photo Gallery

Football Week 9: Power Poll and Staff Picks

November 2, 2011

Kevin Ortiz scored in the second half as top-seeded Kearny advances to the next round. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Memorial at Kearny Boys Soccer Photo Gallery

KEARNY – Kearny head coach Billy Galka said he never looked at the record of his team's first round opponent. He knew that Memorial would provide a challenge much greater than its three wins or No. 16 seed would indicate upon first glance.

The top-seeded Kardinals knew that it was a team which required their complete attention and effort in order to advance and past the West New York school for a third time this season. Read More

November 1, 2011

Bayonne's Matt Mullin (45) is mobbed by his teammates after a fourth-quarter touchdown. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Bayonne at St. Anthony Football Photo Gallery

JERSEY CITY – When Bayonne's Matt Mullin plowed through the line midway through the fourth quarter he saw more than just yards of open field in front of him. For him and his teammates it was the sight of the state playoffs for the first time after years of crushing defeats.

Mullin's 31-yard touchdown run with 5:53 left in the game allowed the Bees to punch their ticket to the state playoffs for the first time since 2007 as they defeated St. Anthony 19-7 last night at Caven Point.
Read More

Hudson County Cross County Championships: Results, Photos

October 31, 2011

Heavy snow didn't stop the running of the Hudson County Championship Meet. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Hudson County Championship Meet Photo Gallery

BAYONNE – The track at Steven Gregg Park provides plenty of obstacles for runners on a normal day. But on Saturday morning, the many participants would encounter one they never could have envisioned - a driving snow storm.

Running in weather conditions more suited for cross country skiing instead of running, the Memorial boys and St. Dominic Academy girls emerged victorious in the Hudson County Cross Country Championships. Read More

October 29, 2011

Captains Allie Perricone, Jackie McCaffery and Danielle Muzones celebrate with the title. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Bayonne vs Secaucus Girls Volleyball Photo Gallery

JERSEY CITY – It didn't take long for any concerns Secaucus may have had about nerves from its young team in a championship match environment to be put to rest.

Even with the presence of four freshmen in the lineup, the Patriots showed they were still the gold standard of girls volleyball in Hudson County. They scored seven of the first eight points and rode that early momentum to their third-straight county championship in a 25-17, 25-19 win over Bayonne last night at Saint Peter's College. Read More

October 28, 2011

Junior cornerback Tre Bell and the Marauders will face one of the state's top passing offenses. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Hudson County Varsity Football Photo Gallery

With Halloween and November on the horizon the time for teams to earn their way into the state playoffs is almost over. While some teams have already punched their tickets to next month's post-season, for others this is their last chance to show they belong. Seven of this weekend's games will involve some sort of playoff implications headlined between the latest chapters in the North Bergen-Union City and St. Peter's Prep-Bergen Catholic rivalries.

Week 8 Power Poll and Staff Picks

October 27, 2011

Memorial's Karla Calderon added to her scoring records with three goals in a win over Ferris. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Ferris at Memorial Girls Soccer Photo Gallery

WEST NEW YORK – Memorial head coach Michael Leibovitz doesn't want to think about the challenge that lies ahead with replacing standout midfielder Karla Calderon.

One only needs to look at the stat sheet and Calderon's stranglehold on the school record book to see just how valuable she has been for four seasons and how irreplaceable she will be, when she graduates this spring. Read More

State Playoff Brackets Released:
Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer, Girls Volleyball.

October 26, 2011

Elmer Hernandez (left) and Miguel Lopez celebrate after a first half goal for Ferris. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

North Bergen at Ferris Boys Soccer Photo Gallery

JERSEY CITY – Roberto Escobar was confident this type of performance would eventually come. Even as his Bulldogs struggled to generate offense for most of the season, he was the potential to be a team capable of scoring in a big way.

Yesterday might have been only one game, but for Ferris it was a glimpse into the type of offense Escobar always felt it was capable of. Read More

October 23, 2011

QB Laquan Rouse (left) spins to break the tackle as he scores a touchdown for Snyder. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Hudson Catholic at Snyder Football Photo Gallery

JERSEY CITY – When Laquan Rouse's senior season appeared to be in jeopardy, he vowed to his Snyder teammates that he'd come back and make a difference.

Even at less than 100-percent, the Tigers quarterback and is acting on his promise as he led the way for Snyder in its first win of the season - a 16-6 victory over Hudson Catholic yesterday at Caven Point.
Read More

Hudson County Tournament Results:
Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer and Girls Volleyball Coming Soon!

October 22, 2011

Rutherford senior RB James Trevellin (far right) runs for a big gain. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Rutherford at Secaucus Football Photo Gallery

SECAUCUS – Moments after it's second gut-wrenching loss in as many weeks, the message from within Secaucus' postgame huddle was clear - they were not going to fall apart from this, a point senior linebacker Tom Kessler stressed to his teammates of by remind them "no matter what, we're still a family."

Kessler and the rest of the Patriots remain confident of better days ahead, but that was of little solace as Secaucus fell just short in its 21-20 showdown with Rutherford last night at Kane Stadium. Read More

October 21, 2011

Freshman Brianna Campbell made 15 saves in the win for Holy Family Academy. (Photo: Jason Bernstein)

Holy Family Academy at McNair Girls Soccer Photo Gallery

JERSEY CITY – As someone who was once in the same position of playing goalie as a freshman, defender Alexis Ogbin has always been there to provide helpful advice to current keeper Brianna Campbell.

Little can truly prepare a goalie for the pressure Campbell faced in the second half yesterday, but the freshman was able to thrive in her chaotic surroundings and leave with a victory. Read More

Girls Volleyball:
Bayonne gets top seed in HCT. Complete Bracket

Football Week 7 Preview: HCV's Power Poll. Staff Picks