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Despite Early Exit, BC Proves Its Worth

Nunzio Campanile talks things over with the BC Red Team (courtesy Ralph Dickerson)

DUNCAN, SC---The 2013 Palmetto State Showdown certainly ended sooner than both Bergen Catholic teams had wanted, as both the Red & Gold teams bowed out in their first playoff games. But you would have to say that the tournament was once again a success for the Crusader program.  BC chooses to compete in this prestigious tournament in order to compete against some of the finest talent in the country, and the high competition level prepares BC's players for the grind of a demanding regular season schedule that takes them all over the country.  Here are my final thoughts after watching all the action thanks to Play On Sports:

-The two-team system proved to be both a blessing and a curse during this tournament for the Crusaders.  Having two teams in this year's tournament allowed a lot of players the chance at playing time, and this may ultimately help to develop more offensive/defensive options for the upcoming fall.  On the other hand, the two team system also prevented BC from putting out their best collective 7 players at one time on the field, as other schools did during the weekend.  BC held a draft to pick their two squads, rather than doing what some other schools did, and just load up their "A" squad with varsity talent while leaving the "B" team with JV players.  This gave both teams balance, but may have been their undoing in the playoff round.  Nonetheless, a lot more BC players got the chance to experience a great playing opportunity this weekend, and most importantly, got the chance to compete at a high level.

-It had to be a tough pill to swallow for the Gold Team, as they lost their first playoff game as the #2 overall seed.  This team finished (8-3) for the tournament, and really played with a confidence on both sides of the ball.  I know its only a 7 on 7 tournament, but it was refreshing to see the defense flying around the field, and be staunch in the secondary.  BC needs to play better this year on defense than they played in 2012, and an entirely new defensive approach may just be what the program needed.

-Kyle Vadis, JP Garcia, and Garrett Dickerson were just a couple of Crusaders who really shined down South.  Vadis emerged as the go-to receiver for the Gold team and made a lot of huge plays on the outside.  BC is looking for someone to be a threat down the field on the outside this year on offense, and Vadis certainly made his presence known this weekend as he looks to win the job.  JP Garcia is a clutch player who has a knack for making big plays in pressure situations.  In a game against Union County (SC), Garcia intercepted a pass, then caught a clutch touchdown in between two defenders, and finally hauled in the PAT, all in a span of 40 seconds.  Garcia is a perfect leader for this team, and hopefully his work ethic is contagious for all the other young Crusaders to emulate.  Finally, Garrett Dickerson again showed glimpses of his dominance as a tight end, and his potential continues to be off the charts.  If Garrett can play with the same swagger he showed in this tournament during each game this season, then every BC tight end receiving record will be wiped away this fall, and BC will be a contender for a state crown.  These three players will play a big part in the fate of the 2013 Crusaders, and all three are off to great starts.

-I wouldn't be shocked if this quarterback competition lasts the entire summer, as each Crusader QB produced in South Carolina, and are worthy of more chances to win the job.  Because of the 7 on 7 rules, we could not see the running arsenals of each quarterback, and how they could manage the offense on the run, but from the pocket we got to see decision-making, accuracy, and arm strength.  There is no clear favorite in the clubhouse yet, but it should be interesting to see who emerges with the whole package in the upcoming weeks.

-BC's linebackers looked fast and in tremendous shape down in Duncan, and will need to be impact players this season, rather than BC having to rely just on their vaunted defensive line and improved secondary.  Jake Campbell looked strong in his return to his middle linebacker position, and should prove to be the anchor of that unit.  We'll find out who'll emerges on the outside, but there are many options to choose from for the BC coaches to mull over.

-It's great to hear the respect that BC has garnered at this event over the past couple of summers, as it is another example of how BC is branding itself around the country.  There is a buzz around the Crusaders when they compete, not only as the lone contender from the North, but because they have consistently won games at this 7 on 7, and have done so without having the luxury of some of the highest ranked players in the nation on their sidelines.  The Crusaders play a tough brand of football, and use their intelligence and talents to beat opponents who are blessed with better pure athletes.  I hope BC continues to play in South Carolina, because the competition they play is invaluable, and the experience especially prepares the younger players for the national travel that the upperclassmen have come to expect within a BC football season.

-Finally, I'm curious to see what these performances do for the rest of the summer for members of the program.  Will the early exits by both BC teams fuel players to pick their games up another notch, or will some be content with what they did in pool play?  Will BC generate momentum going into next weekend's Rutgers 7 on 7 tournament, or will the idea of playing against other Garden State foes not excite this young team after playing against some of the best from the South?  Which player will become the next Crusader to have their coming out party at the varsity level, and stake their claim for serious playing time this fall?

There is a lot to be excited about for the young Crusaders after their performances this weekend, but there is still a lot of work to be done.  But isn't that what the summer is all about!

ABOUT DAN LONG

Dan Long graduated from Bergen Catholic in 2003 where he coined the immortal phrase "Crusader Crazies" for the raucous BC student section. He is currently the radio voice of Bergen Catholic football, and a weekly contributor to BergenCatholicFootball.com.

Crusader Teams Impress After Day One

The BC Gold team looks on during one of their games on Friday in Duncan, South Carolina

DUNCAN, SOUTH CAROLINA---Bergen Catholic once again has a team near the top of the standings after the first day of competition at the Palmetto State 7 on 7 Showdown, and both Crusader teams remain in the thick of the hunt for a team title in a loaded 20-team field.  The BC Gold team finished Day 1 with an impressive (6-1) record, which would place them in a tie for second place overall, behind undefeated Byrnes A.  The BC Red team finished (3-3-1), and closed out their day with a lopsided victory that will hopefully carry momentum over to Saturday morning's games.  Seeing that I am not in South Carolina, and am basing my thoughts on the plethora of BC games I watched all day long online courtesy of Play On Sports, here is what I saw from the Crusader teams.

-Breakout Performer: #13 Kyle Vadis (Sr-Wide Reciever)  Kyle has followed in the footsteps of John Tsimis and JJ Kulcsar before him, and has had his coming out party while down in Duncan.  Vadis was all over the field, and routinely in the endzone on Friday, and has become the go-to receiver for the BC Gold team.  Whether it was hauling in tough catches across the middle, or burning his defenders down the field for countless 40-yard touchdowns, Vadis was a man possessed, and his play has to excite the BC coaches and fans. Vadis has always shown great potential, but it is clear that after years of learning behind Tsmis and Kulcsar, Vadis is ready to show what he can do on the outside.  It will be interesting to see if he'll have to make any adjustments on Saturday to new coverage schemes and top defenders placed in front of him after the buzz about his game circulates around the other tournament teams, but for right now, Kyle Vadis is the story for the Crusaders down South.

-Most Feared Crusader: #8 Garrett Dickerson (Sr-Tight End) Garrett and all of his accolades are certainly known already by the two broadcasters calling the games online, and this respect was understandable after Dickerson's performance in the Red Team's first game of the day against Valdosta A.  Dickerson was unstoppable as he picked apart the secondary and had his way against a variety of defenders.  The chiseled senior showed off his athleticism, speed, and hands on Friday, and may be asked to try to do even more on Saturday in order to push his squad deep into the playoffs.  When opponents start to double team you in 7 on 7 competitions, you know that you're doing something right.  In order for the Crusaders to have a big year this fall, Garrett Dickerson has to continue to take his game to another level.

-Checking Out the QB Competition: By including two teams in the tournament field this summer, head coach Nunzio Campanile has allowed four different quarterbacks the opportunity to earn precious reps against quality competition, and each candidate showed off their strengths on Friday.  On the Gold Team, senior Colin McGovern and junior Mike Aniello were strong in leading the Crusaders to 6 wins in 7 games.  McGovern was able to use precision passing to move drives and find receivers in the back of the endzone, while Aniello uncorked a couple of beautiful 40-yard bombs which caught receivers in stride for scores.  On the Red Team, junior Corey Gaarn used his deft touch to split defenders and find seams for his receivers, while sophomore Jarrett Guarantano used his strong arm to move the ball down field quickly and efficiently.  As is expected with a tournament littered with great athletes on defense, all of the BC QBs had their share of mistakes on Friday, but the coaches have to be happy that there are few question marks at the most important position on the field.

-Interceptions that Sealed the Deal: The BC Gold team won two games on Friday afternoon in thrilling fashion, thanks in part to timely interceptions with less than a minute remaining in the games.  Against North Gwinnett (GA), senior JP Garcia took away an intended fade pass in the corner of the endzone, and managed to tap one foot in bounds, and guaranteed his side a win in their first game of the day.  JP is no stranger to dramatic interceptions in a season, and his play today just seemed to give his team the confidence that fueled them to a hot start.  In their final game of the day against Greenville (SC), senior De'Shuan Morris jumped on a pass at the goal line and sealed the game for the Crusaders.  Morris is in his first season with the Crusaders, and is quickly making a name for himself in the BC secondary.

On the Horizon:  Saturday will present each Crusader team with three more pool play games before the playoffs are seeded for the single-elimination tournament.  The Red Team (3-3-1) is in the middle of the pack, and will be looking for a strong finish on Saturday morning in order to garner a favorable seed.  The Red team will play Greenville (SC) at 8:30 am, South Durham (NC) at 9:40 am (streamed live), and Byrnes A (SC) at 11:25 am.

The Gold Team is in position to possibly secure one of the top four seeds in the tournament, and needs to continue to play with confidence early on Saturday morning.  The Gold team will play Byrnes A (SC) at 8:30 am, Union County (SC) at 9:40 am (streamed live), and Berkeley (SC) at 11:25 am.

After that, all teams will be seeded for the playoffs, and hopefully both BC teams get a chance to go deep in the tournament.  Games will be streamed again at www.playonsports.com on Saturday, and in order to watch the action live, fans must again purchase a subscription.

ABOUT DAN LONG

Dan Long graduated from Bergen Catholic in 2003 where he coined the immortal phrase "Crusader Crazies" for the raucous BC student section. He is currently the radio voice of Bergen Catholic football, and a weekly contributor to BergenCatholicFootball.com.

BC Kicks Off 2013 Summer Down South

Two BC squads will compete down in South Carolina during this weekend's 7 on 7 tourney

ORADELL---The 2013 Bergen Catholic Football season began with Sunday's first summer practice at Crusader Stadium, but the season will officially kick off with a pair of 7 on 7 tournaments that the Crusaders will participate in over this weekend.  Over 40 members of the varsity program will travel down to Duncan, South Carolina for the third consecutive season to participate in the Palmetto State Showdown, while members of the BC sophomore class will compete at the Hasbrouck Heights 7 on 7 tournament as well.

For the first time ever, BC will field two teams at the 20-team event, and will look to replicate the successes they enjoyed during last summer's tournament.  In 2012, the Crusaders shocked the rest of the prestigious field by going undefeated in pool play on their way to the top overall seed for the playoff round.  BC advanced all the way to the championship game, where they locked horns with tournament host and national power, Byrnes High School, who the Crusaders had defeated earlier in pool play.  The Rebels outlasted BC (25-21) the second time around, on their way to a tournament title.  BC's Jon Germano was named co-MVP of the entire tournament, and Kyle Queiro was awarded Defensive MVP honors.

The 2013 tournament field includes 20 total teams from 17 different high schools hailing from South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and New Jersey.  As was the case with last year's tournament, the winner of the 2013 Palmetto State Showdown will advance to the National 7 on 7 Tournament held at Hoover, Alabama on July 25-26.  The Palmetto State Showdown has garnered a reputation for hosting some of the best collective talent in the country, as countless future Division I players have competed in the event over the past 6 years.

"We bring our team to this tournament because we believe the competition is unmatched," said Nunzio Campanile.  "It's a great challenge to our players and an excellent way to kick off our summer.  It is a first class event with incredible organization and true hospitality.  We hope to come back every year."

7 on 7 tournaments focus solely on skill players on both sides of the ball, as there are no lineman used during play.  Defenses need only to touch an offensive player with one hand to whistle the play dead, as there is no tackling allowed.  The field is only 40 yards long, and each offense needs to move the ball 15 yards in 3 plays in order to keep their drive alive.  A touchdown is worth 6 points, and then the scoring team can attempt a 1 point PAT from the 5-yard line or go for 2 points from the 10 yard line.  Defenses can generate points of their own, as every interception counts as 3 points, and a turnover on downs is worth 1 point.  Teams play two 22 minutes halves, and each team will play 10 pool play games before advancing to the single-elimination playoff round.

Crusader fans will get their first chance to some new faces in BC uniforms, and witness what is expected to be a very competitive summer at several important positions on offense, defense, and special teams.  BC fan can watch streaming broadcast coverage from South Carolina courtesy of Play On Sports on the following link: WATCH HERE

Updates will also be provided on the BC Athletics Twitter Account which can be seen on the right side of the screen.

ABOUT DAN LONG

Dan Long graduated from Bergen Catholic in 2003 where he coined the immortal phrase "Crusader Crazies" for the raucous BC student section. He is currently the radio voice of Bergen Catholic football, and a weekly contributor to BergenCatholicFootball.com.

2013 Crusader Football Camp

Join Nunzio Campanile at the 2013 Crusader Football Camp this summer at Bergen Catholic!

ORADELL---The 2013 Crusader Football Camp will be offered over two weeks this summer at Bergen Catholic for all athletes ages (8 to 14). The camp focuses on developing skills, sportsmanship & success for the future football stars of tomorrow.

The camp will feature two separate sessions in Oradell:

July 15-19

July 22-26

For more information and to sign-up for the 2013 Crusader Football Camp, please open the camp brochure in the following link:

2013 Crusader Football Camp Brochure

Reflecting on a Wild Season

The 2012 Bergen Catholic Crusaders will be remembered for their share of classic games

ORADELL---The 2012 Bergen Catholic football season can be best summarized as an absolute roller coaster ride, with the high and lows coming with every snap of the ball.  The season ended last Friday night with another painful close loss, but the year cannot be examined just with the result of the championship game, we must all take time to step back and be witness to how extraordinary this season was in the context of the program's history.  We can then be able to see the good alongside the bad, and realize the part this season will play for the future of the Crusader football program.  It was one wild ride, and in the end it speaks to character of the young men who so proudly represented Bergen Catholic each and every time they stepped onto a football field.

BC was able to humble St. Anthony's, the reigning state champs in New York in their season opener, before handing Bishop Gorman their only defeat of the 2012 season in their own backyard and on national television.  The pouring in of alumni support from around the country was incredible for the players and for the program, and spoke to the immense pride and passion that exists for BC football, especially now as the Crusaders have branched out to the national stage.  If fans around the nation had never heard of Bergen Catholic before this season, this year's team has successfully put the BC football program on the map thanks to their tremendous game in Las Vegas.  But as the Crusader faithful were sky high after that win in the desert, we all experienced a crushing low the following week back in the Garden State against a long-time rival.

Thanks to a blistering start which saw St. Joe's jump out to a (21-0) lead in the first half, the Crusaders had to claw their way back into the game, which they did, and eventually took a lead on the road in the second half.  The teams traded scores, but it looked like BC was primed to take a commanding lead late in the contest before a fumble changed the entire complexion of the ball game.  Despite this crushing set back, BC still was resilient enough to force overtime.  In OT BC came up one point shy of forcing double overtime, and had to stomach a cruel loss in Montvale, which left BC's ego bruised and beaten for the first time in the year.  That game would prove to be a microcosm of the entire 2012 season.

BC got healthy in their following two home games against Passaic County Tech and DePaul Catholic, defeating these two Wayne schools with relative ease, as the Crusaders attempted to regain the same swagger they displayed on the national stage earlier on in the season.  But just as it looked like BC had righted the ship, they produced a lack-luster performance at Crusader Stadium against Cocoa High School from Florida, which still proves to be the one head-scratching game from the season, and the largest loss of the year for the scarlet & gold (10 points).  BC desperately needed a week off to clear their minds and get re-focused on the season at hand, especially with a match up against archrival Don Bosco Prep waiting in the wings.

As part of an emotional and classic contest, the Crusaders and Ironmen played in front of over 7,000 fans at Overpeck Park as the highlight of the Bergen County Fair.  Bosco forced two late BC turnovers which proved to be the difference in the game, and once again left the Crusaders wondering what they needed to do to finally beat Don Bosco Prep.  BC needed to regroup quickly, as they had a date with Friendship Academy awaiting them down in  Washington D.C. the following weekend, and the Crusaders were in desperate need of a victory.  Following the crippling events of Hurricane Sandy, BC journeyed down to the nation's capital to take on a team that was littered with extraordinary talent and hungry to make amends for their loss to BC in the previous season.  Despite a chaotic chain of events late in the game, BC once again had the character and poise to force overtime with a late field goal, and would claim victory in OT thanks to a defensive stop and an offensive score.  This emotional victory fueled BC into the playoffs, and had them playing their best football of the year.

Notre Dame didn't stand a chance in the Non-Public Group 4 quarterfinals, as the Crusaders played their most complete and well-rounded game in quite some time as they prevailed (63-0) at home.  BC marched confidently into their Thanksgiving day match up with Paramus Catholic, and used forced turnovers and savvy 4th down execution to get past the Paladins on the road.  That set the Crusaders up with yet another shot at the six-time reigning state champion Ironmen, a foe that had not beaten in eight long years.  In front of yet another large crowd under the lights in Ramsey, BC received a perfect start to their game and jumped out in front (21-0) in a blink of an eye.  After responding with two consecutive scores, DBP had closed to withing one score late in the game and had their fans believing that another epic win over BC was in the cards, but the Crusaders would crush these hopes at a comeback thanks to a Bryan Smith interception and JJ Kulcsar touchdown catch.  The celebration which followed the game will forever be remembered as being epic for the entire BC community, and made grown men cry in jubilation.

Oh what a difference a week makes.

Last Friday the Crusaders followed a familiar script from their 2012 season of falling behind early, only to rally later and put themselves in a position for a victory.  The roller coaster ride of a state final ended yet again in despair and dejection, rather than celebration and exultation.  The dream ending was not meant to be that night, but this season will be remembered for the amazing amount of close games which left us all breathless.  The touchdowns, the ESPN-shown catches, the interceptions, the kickoff recoveries, all of these made for an incredibly special season in Bergen Catholic football history.

I would like to thank all the BC coaches and players for allowing me to take this crazy ride with them, from the summer time until the state final at MetLife Stadium.  They provided me with an in-depth look at their amazing commitment and love for the BC football program, and each and every person affiliated with the program have honored the BC name with their actions.

I would like to thank all the BC parents, families, and friends who have sacrificed so much so that their excellent student-athletes can wear the scarlet & gold each week, and compete against the best in the nation each and every week.  Your support inspires me to do more at BC, and furthers to strengthen my belief in the special quality that is inherient in every Bergen Catholic parent.

While this season may not have ended the way we had all hoped for, it will still go down in history for the extrordinary moments and people it produced.  We were witness to Jon Germano and JJ Kulcsar each rewriting the offensive record books in Oradell, and saw a senior class finally lead the Crusaders to a win in Ramsey over Bosco.  What this team leaves is a foundation for the future, and a model that the younger Crusaders need to follow in order to get all the way back atop the Non-Public Group 4 mountain.

Future Bergen Catholic champions are being forged from the fires of the 2012 football season, and these leaders will return stronger and more confident thanks in part to what they endured this past fall.  This will be remembered as an extremely special season, and I wish everyone the best for the Holiday season and in the New Year.

Don't hang your heads BC fans, for tomorrow belongs to the Crusaders.

ABOUT DAN LONG

Dan Long graduated from Bergen Catholic in 2003 where he was the Sports Director of BCTV and coined the immortal phrase "Crusader Crazies" for the raucous BC student section. He is currently the radio voice of Bergen Catholic football, the founder of DL Sports Media, and a weekly contributor to BergenCatholicFootball.com.