Non-Public A Title Game Standouts: Delbarton vs. Bergen Catholic
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On Tuesday, November 28 at MetLife Stadium, Delbarton and Bergen Catholic met in East Rutherford to battle at the Meadowlands for the right to be named the NJSIAA Non-Public Group A State Champion. This honor went to Bergen Catholic, who…
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Continue ReadingOn Tuesday, November 28 at MetLife Stadium, Delbarton and Bergen Catholic met in East Rutherford to battle at the Meadowlands for the right to be named the NJSIAA Non-Public Group A State Champion. This honor went to Bergen Catholic, who ended up victorious by a score of 24-14.
In this game there were standouts on both sides of the ball. Below are a few who laid it out and left it all on the field for their respective teams.
Delbarton
In one sense, the score of this game could have been Bergen Catholic 24, Phillip Folmar Phillip Folmar 6’0″ | 170 lbs | WR Delbarton | 2025 State NJ 14. Scoring both his team’s touchdowns, Folmar was a load to handle on the ground. Rushing 17 times in this one, Folmar found his way to 71 yards and 2 scores. He also returned 3 kickoffs for a total of 60 yards – including a 28-yard long return.
For as effective as Folmar was in this one, he would not have had as many opportunities open up for him if it was not for teammate Ryan Trafford Ryan Trafford 5’11” | 210 lbs | RB Delbarton | 2024 State NJ . Taking pressure off of Folmar, Trafford was a threat and lightning to Folmar’s thunder. Trafford rushed for 83 yards on 17 carries in this contest.
Martin, the senior defensive lineman for Delbarton, was a powerful force in the trenches all game long as he gave the Crusaders’ offensive linemen fits. In the last game of his high school career, Martin made 7 tackles, including 2 for a loss and 1 sack.
The Dartmouth-bound Riley made a lasting impact in the final game of his high school prep career. Riley led all defenders in tackles in this game, setting the pace for both teams with 12 stops in the contest.
Highlights
Not a player we have covered yet here at Prep Redzone, Bailey may have saved his finest moment of the season for the biggest game of the season. A well-built junior defensive back for Delbarton, Bailey contributed with 4 tackles in this one; however, his biggest impact just might have been the pick-six he registered to narrow the score and keep the Green Wave within striking distance.
Highlights
Bergen Catholic
In a Tuesday night of low-scoring and minimal offensive output, Sanders found a way to break out and bust loose. The Rutgers commit heads to Piscataway as a three-time champion. Bergen Catholics’ star rusher did what he does best, run the rock. A constant threat who kept the pressure on, Sanders rushed 21 times for 110 yards and found the end zone twice in the title game. He also made one stop on defense.
Although he did not score in this one, Porter absolutely impacted the game. The state’s most polished and college-ready receiver for my money opens up so many things for an offense that defenses will not be able to stop him – they best hope they can only contain him. Porter tied a season high with 7 receptions in this one as he went for 97 receiving yards.
Although the Bergen Catholic defensive line shined in many ways from many spots in this game, we first start with a linebacker. Irby-Mason, a junior, will be back next year in hopes to make the three-peat a four-peat. In this game, Irby-Mason registered 6 tackles. Moreover, he was a part of perpetual meeting of the defensive minds at the quarterback as he recorded 1 of many team sacks in the game.
Like Irby-Mason, Fludd will be back for one more go next year. A bigger, interior defensive lineman Fludd did not record a sack in this game. What Fludd did do, however, gets me as a former bigger, interior defensive lineman, excited and giddy inside. Aside from controlling the middle with 2 tackles, the 6’3″ 285 pounder actually picked off a pass in the game-of-all-games.
Leading the group of fierce and hungry defensive linemen was senior Anthony Morales Anthony Morales 6’2″ | 240 lbs | DB Bergen Catholic | 2024 NJ . Morales, now a three-time state champion, registered 7 tackles as he gets to ride off into the sunset. Beyond those tackles, Morales made 1 tackle for loss and sacked the quarterback twice.
In a game of defensive standouts, perhaps no defender stood out more than Benjamin Carey Benjamin Carey 6’0″ | 215 lbs | DL Bergen Catholic | 2025 NJ . A junior who will look to be a four time state champion next year, Carey went a bit crazy in the state final. Carey made 6 tackles from his defensive line spot. His havoc play numbers were impactful as he made 2 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, and recovered a fumble.