Non-Public B Championship Game: DePaul Vs RBC Standout Performers
In this article:
The Non-Public B championship game came right down to the wire as the Depaul Catholic Spartans defeated the Red Bank Catholic Caseys 19-17 in an upset win. Here are the standout performers from this matchup. Sabino Portella NJ #73 RB…
Access all of Prep Redzone
Continue reading this article and more.
Continue ReadingThe Non-Public B championship game came right down to the wire as the Depaul Catholic Spartans defeated the Red Bank Catholic Caseys 19-17 in an upset win. Here are the standout performers from this matchup.
Portella was once again as he is always the workhorse for the Caseys. He had double-digit carries in the first quarter and finished the game with 24 carries for 99 yards. Portella has the size, burst, and build to be a solid back at the FCS level and finishes his high school career as one of the best backs in the state. Portella has opted for Division One wrestling as he will be taking his talents to the University Of North Carolina.
It might not show in the box score but these two young men made the biggest difference in the game. Red Bank has the ability to rely on their run game, game after game. These two interior rushers made it difficult for Red Bank to get anything going on the ground after second-half adjustments. Whether it was eating up double teams or penetrating upfield and creating opportunities for others their impact was felt. This forced Red Bank Catholic to put the ball in the hands of their sophomore quarterback Frankie Williams Frankie Williams 6'1" | 180 lbs | QB Red Bank Catholic | 2025 State NJ ; who will be good in the future but not ready to have to elevate an offense.
Caldwell doubles as an offensive lineman, but I believe if Caldwell and Vidal could both be full-time interior rushers, DePaul would have a more than stout run defense.
Highlights
The most impressive player on the field on Friday was Derek Zammit. For being just a freshman who hasn’t even started a full season. His pocket presence and awareness was something to behold. The way he ripped the football in the middle of the field with accuracy, also added some athleticism to make play with his legs. He put the full spectrum of QB play on display and that is something you don’t see in freshman quarterbacks especially at that moment on the biggest stage.
Zammit got it done on the biggest stage winning a state championship in his first year. With incumbent starter Patrick Grusser Patrick Grusser 6'2" | 190 lbs | QB St. Joes Regional | 2024 State NJ entering his senior season it will be interesting to see how head coach Nick Campanile handles this dynamic going into next year.
Stopping this Red Bank rushing attack was a total team effort and when a cornerback makes a difference in run defense I have to point it out because they typically get any love in that aspect. In the case of Domnie he played the forced position beautifully all night and even had a textbook tackle for loss on a run play where he defeated a block on his way to making the play. Domine is a solid all-around corner and will take his talents to Delaware State next fall.
When the names of the top wide receivers in the 2025 class come up or in the state period, Dez Jones Dez Jones 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR DePaul Catholic | 2025 State NJ ‘s name seems to never make its way into the conversation. After yesterday’s performance, I believe everyone should be taking notice of the impact that Dez Jones Dez Jones 5'11" | 175 lbs | WR DePaul Catholic | 2025 State NJ had on the game. He took a deep pass 60 yards for a touchdown and showed how explosive he can be with the ball in his hands. Jones is a complete wide receiver that is a game-changer when called upon to make plays.