Montvale, NJ—Bergen Catholic and St. Joseph Regional delivered a hard-fought defensive battle Saturday, with the Green Knights emerging with a narrow 10-7 victory over the Crusaders in a matchup between two of New Jersey’s top high school football programs.
Points were difficult to come by throughout the contest, as Bergen Catholic recorded its lowest offensive output of the season. Despite the loss, the Crusaders showed discipline, committing only 17 penalty yards, their fewest in a game this year.
St. Joseph Regional found just enough offense to secure the win, getting a strong performance from quarterback William Mitchell and a productive outing from wide receiver Stalin Knowlden.
Mitchell completed 16 passes for 172 yards and a touchdown, helping the Green Knights generate the points they needed in a tightly contested matchup. Knowlden proved to be a key target in the passing game, finishing with 130 receiving yards and a touchdown.
The Green Knights’ ability to connect on a significant scoring play proved decisive in a game where both defenses made life difficult for opposing offenses. Bergen Catholic kept the contest close but ultimately came up short by three points.
For the Crusaders, the defeat leaves them at 4-4 overall. Bergen Catholic has gone 1-2 since seeing its three-game winning streak come to an end, and the team will look to regroup as the regular season continues.
St. Joseph Regional also stands at 4-4, but the victory provided a boost in front of its home crowd. The Green Knights have now won four of their last five home games, demonstrating their ability to compete in close matchups on their own field.
Both programs will look to build on Saturday’s performance as they prepare for their next opponents. Bergen Catholic will return home to face DePaul Catholic, while St. Joseph Regional will host Paramus Catholic.
Up Next:
- Bergen Catholic: Hosts DePaul Catholic on Saturday at 1 p.m.
- Joseph Regional: Welcomes Paramus Catholic on Saturday at 1 p.m.
