November 20, 2009
An incoming crusade
Sheldon Royster's 36-yard catch set up the winning score against Bergen Catholic.
Click Here for photos from Prep's win over Bergen Catholic in September.
By Jason Bernstein
Editorial Director
When St. Peter’s Prep and Bergen Catholic squared off back in September, both sides knew it might not be the last time these North Jersey powers would see each other this season.
Eight weeks later the Marauders and Crusaders find themselves facing each other once again, this time with a spot in the NJSIAA Non-Public, Group IV championship game on the line.
A lot has changed since St. Peter’s left Oradell with a 26-23 victory back on Sept. 26, but both teams seem to have been energized since then. The Marauders and Crusaders have both gone 6-1 since that meeting, the only loss for each squad coming at the hands of Don Bosco Prep.
This time around the game will be at Caven Point, a stadium which has been a house of horrors the last two times to Crusaders entered. Led by Will Hill, the Marauders dominated, winning by scores of 63-14 and 41-7 in 2006 and 2007.
Hill might now be at Florida, but containing the St. Peter’s Prep offense is still a daunting task for any team. Few quarterbacks in the state have a stronger arm than the Marauders’ Raphael Ortiz. The junior’s arm was on display when he completed 10-of-15 passes for 193 yards and two touchdowns, completing huge passes to Sheldon Royster, Brendan Dolaghan and Corey Davis. Running back Savon Huggins is one of the state’s top backs and rushed for 109 yards in the first meeting between these two teams
Bergen Catholic brings an impressive cache of weapons as well with QB Mike Halligan, RB Doug Rigg and receivers Cameron Dickerson and Tanner McEvoy. Halligan can beat a team with his arm and his legs, but the most dangerous threat of the group is McEvoy. The 6-foot-5 junior wide receiver hauled in an 11-yard touchdown pass, returned one punt for a touchdown and had a second punt return score called back due to a penalty.
Containing McEvoy on returns will be imperative for the Marauders to win the rematch. McEvoy and Don Bosco’s Tony Jones have exploited the St. Peter’s special teams for touchdowns this season.
McEvoy’s touchdowns helped Begen Catholic overcome a 20-point deficit to take a 23-20 lead in the fourth quarter. But the Marauders, who were heavy underdogs in the first game, responded with a Huggins touchdown followed by a recovery on a fumble forced by teammate Gianni McLaughlin. It was the third turnover St. Peter’s Prep forced in the game.
The Marauders won’t be catching anyone by surprise this time around. But recent history and home field advantage are on their side. Will that be enough to hold off the Crusaders? We’ll find out Saturday afternoon.