Non-Public, Group A Semifinal Preview

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As we head into Semifinal weekend, we will finally determine who-will-face-who to earn the right to be named the outright champion. Non-Public Group A's playoff bracket features two games on Saturday, November 18 where Donovan Catholic will travel to Bergen Catholic and Seton Hall Prep will travel into Delbarton.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Below are a handful of athletes that I suspect to have big games and play key roles in determining the outcome of each.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Donovan Catholic @ Bergen Catholic</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>It is hard to believe that the most electric tailback in the state might be just a sophomore. Yes, that is how good Donovan's [player_tooltip player_id='284069' first='Najee' last='Calhoun'] is. Coming off of an outstanding freshman year, Calhoun is the lead back in the stable and produced to the tune of 1111 yards and 18 touchdowns on 178 carries. Calhoun has scored in every game this year, including five multi-score games and five 100+ yard games - with one, 270+ yard game. On defense [player_tooltip player_id='768029' first='Za'eir' last='Day'] is a player I got a look-see at during the spring camp circuit where I liked him a lot. On the season, Day has taken away just about any daylight for rushers as he has made 46 tackles (22 solos). Day has made 6 tackles for loss and sacked the quarterback 7 times as well. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As Calhoun looks to make headlines, Rutgers-bound [player_tooltip player_id='366473' first='Kaj' last='Sanders'] will look to check little bro. The senior has rushed for 755 yards on 90 carries for 12 scores this season in an offense that appears to pass a bit more and spread the ball around. Sanders is also an outstanding defender in the secondary has he has made 32 tackles (13 solo) and made a tackle for loss on the year. An under-celebrated defender from Bergen Catholic is [player_tooltip player_id='977141' first='Ethan' last='Cohall']. Cohall is about as dynamic as they come when playing safety. Filling the ally Cohall has made 47 tackles (24 solo) with 5.5 tackles for loss. Adding to that total, he has recorded 1 sack, 2 forced fumbles, recovered 1 fumble, and picked off two passes during his junior campaign. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Seton Hall Prep @ Delbarton</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a loaded defense, this week I like the Pirates' [player_tooltip player_id='1022242' first='Justin' last='Cook'] to leave his mark on the game. Cook seems to be heating up, having made double-digit tackles in 4 of his last 6 games. All-in, Cook has made 97 tackles (15 solos), recovered a fumble, blocked a kick, and intercepted 2 passes. Where Cook commands the defense, [player_tooltip player_id='1087592' first='Michael' last='Dunmore'] does that for the offense. Looking to conclude his prep career as a champion, Dumore has slashed 165/944/11 as Seton Hall's lead rusher. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Delbarton may not get all the glitz and glam of other non-public teams, but they are certainly a hard-nosed, grind-it-out type of team. A defensive headliner for them is [player_tooltip player_id='995369' first='Kyle' last='Checchio']. A junior, Checchio has quietly put together an outstanding campaign as he has made 71 stops (40 solo) on the year. Moreover, Checchio has made 9 tackles for loss, 4 sacks, and one scoop-and-score. [player_tooltip player_id='343146' first='Philip' last='Folmar'], also a 2025 graduate, gets things done all over the field. As Delbarton's primary returner, Folmar has gained 142 kickoff yards and 30 punt return yards on the season. Offensively he gets much of his work done at wideout, having gained 42/504/3 through the air. Folmar has gone for 41/232/6 on the ground and he has even completed a pass for 11 yards as well.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph -->