Non-Public B Title Game Standouts: DePaul vs. Red Bank Catholic
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On Tuesday, November 28 at MetLife Stadium, DePaul and Red Bank Catholic met in East Rutherford to battle at the Meadowlands for the right to be named the NJSIAA Non-Public Group B State Champion. This honor went to Red Bank…
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Continue ReadingOn Tuesday, November 28 at MetLife Stadium, DePaul and Red Bank Catholic met in East Rutherford to battle at the Meadowlands for the right to be named the NJSIAA Non-Public Group B State Champion. This honor went to Red Bank Catholic, who ended up victorious by a score of 14-7.
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.
DePaul
Perhaps one of the most active games for any DePaul player, Monteyne had a breakthrough game for himself. In appearing in only his fifth game of the season Monteyne, just a sophomore, performed like senior who has had 30ish career starts. Monteyne made a career high 10 stops in this one, including 1 tackle for loss and 1 sack. He looks to build up0n this performance during his season finale as he strives to be counted on more as a junior.
Nitolli, a junior, had himself a really strong game to conclude this season. With his 5 tackles, Nitolli also got home on the quarterback once. This performance gives him a cool 115 tackles on the season with 10 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, a blocked kick, a pick, and a scoop-and-sc0re.
Highlights
A versatile athlete, Lopez has migrated to the defensive side of the ball on a full-time basis. Playing the “star” position – a hybrid sam backer/strong safety – Lopez made 10 stops in this one.
James, a talented junior running back, did all he could in this cold and windy defensive struggle of a game. One of the top rushers from the 2025 class, James churned and burned for 87 yards on 26 attempts in this one. Also used as a passer – likely on trick plays – James completed both his pass attempts for 27 passing yards. James was not done there, however, as he hauled in 2 passes for 26 receiving yards. James also made 4 tackles on defense.
Red Bank Catholic
For my money, Luke Wassef Luke Wassef 5’10” | 190 lbs | RB Red Bank Catholic | 2025 NJ was the player of the game in this matchup. The Caseys’ running back rushed 14 times for 84 yards. This total was short of the game’s lead by just 3 yards. Beyond grinding out tough yards in the cold during a defensive battle, Wassef hauled in his only pass reception of 12 yards, converting that for a score. Lastly, Wassef has battle scars from the defensive side of the game too, leading all participants on either team with 12 tackles, including getting home on a partial sack.
A junior, Gutridge had a solid performance in the state final. Standing stout and playing tough at his linebacker spot, Gutridge made 6 tackles in this one to go along with a partial sack to add to his ledger.
Typically I find myself praising quarterbacks for absolutely lighting it up, but today I find myself praising Frankie Williams Frankie Williams 6’1″ | 180 lbs | QB Red Bank Catholic | 2025 State NJ for playing a clean, crisp game throughout terribly cold, windy weather conditions throughout a defensive struggle of a contest. Williams was 5 of 7 for 61 yards with 2 touchdown tosses in this one, while he also rushed 10 times for 22 yards. Modest numbers – yes – but note that he did not turn the ball over, he paced the offense, controlled the tempo, and made just enough big plays when it mattered to propel his team.
Graham goes out as a champion. Aside from putting in that work on offense, the Caseys’ two-way lineman made a big impact on defense. Along with a ring, Graham capped off his career with a 7-tackle, 1 tackle for loss, and 1 sack performance. On the season he totaled 87 tackles, 19 tackles for loss, and 7 sacks.
When it mattered most, the Caseys gave their best player the ball and Red Bank Catholics’ best player delivered. Emmanuel Ross, a Stanford-bound prospect, did caught 3 receptions in this game for 33 yards, scoring once on a 24-yard strike. More than typical, the Caseys gave the ball to Ross as rusher too, carrying 5 times for 26 yards.