State Title Recap: DePaul Catholic 33 – Pope John – 21

<!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>In a game that was was much closer than the score indicates, the DePaul Catholic Spartans defeated the Pope John Lions. In the process, DePaul has been crowed the 2025 NJSIAA Non-Public Champions of Group B.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>There are a few difference makers that took over the game at various points. Their impact on either side of the ball, for either team, was felt and is everlasting in this memorable game.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">DePaul Catholic Top Performers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["396564"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674df693e0ed7"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In what is apparently his third-straight state championship game appearance, [player_tooltip player_id='396564' first='Nolan' last='James'] has finally reached the mountain top. With his two previous appearances being with Don Bosco, a change to green rewarded James. In his final high school game before he is off to Boston College, the Spartans rode James into the sunset. James went for 244 yards and 2 scores on 29 attempts fr an 8.4 yards per carry average. It was more of a slow burn for James, as his longest run was just 33-yards. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>As he puts the crowning piece on his career, James finishes his senior season with 243 carries, 1921 yards, and 19 touchdowns. In-all, James has career numbers of 584 carries, 4125 yards, and 38 touchdowns.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["275127"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674df693e0f43"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">Although DePaul relied on a heavy dosage of the aforementioned James to lead them to victory, [player_tooltip player_id='275127' first='Derek' last='Zammit'] remains one of top quarterback prospects in 2026 by showcasing his instincts. Compared to what he is capable of, Zammit had a relatively pedestrian day through the air (9-13, 115 yards, 1 TD), but showed he knows when to tuck-it-and-run. Although 8 carries and 46 yards may seem like he just ran to escape pressure when nobody was open, consider that Zammit also scored twice on the ground. His three total scores accounted for 18 of his team's 33 points.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>For the season Zammit went 150-222, 2576 yards, 35 touchdowns, 4 interceptions. With yet one more year to play next year, Zammit will add to his already impressive 363-567, 5662 yard, 62 touchdown, 15 interception, 17 rushing touchdown career next fall.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["1099792"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674df693e0f89"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='1099792' first='Logan' last='Monteyne'] might not have forced turnovers like [player_tooltip player_id='218550' first='Dez' last='Jones'] or scored like [player_tooltip player_id='1033349' first='Elijah' last='Burress'], but given how Pope John force-fed their lead back all game long, Monteyne's performance warrants recognition. Monteyne led the Spartans in total tackles with to on the game, 5 of which were solo stops. Both those numbers ended up leading his team. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Concluding his season with 99 tackles (42 solo), 3 tackles for loss, 3 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, and 1 interception, expect Monteyne next year to add to his career totals of 123 tackles (53 solo) as he looks to defend his championship. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:heading --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Pope John Top Performers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["344220"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674df693e0fcd"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">As I had correctly anticipated my <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/11/state-championship-game-preview-non-public-groups-a-and-b/">game preview</a> piece, Coach Gaston and I were aligned that they would win the game if [player_tooltip player_id='344220' first='Tylik' last='Hill'] was featured heavily. Hill gave a valiant effort in the defeat, leading all players with a game-high 33 touches. Those touches rendered a net of 188 yards and 3 scores in the process. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>A back I truly enjoyed watching over the last several years, Hill concludes his career with 640 carries for 4398 yards, and 46 touchdowns. My understanding is that Hill's recruitment is still open. Although I am not sure why teams have yet to offer, someone is going to get themselves a steal.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block --> <!-- wp:acf/evaluation-block {"name":"acf/evaluation-block","data":{"player_evaluations_0_player":["624700"],"_player_evaluations_0_player":"field_62ab9d62ecf2c","player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"","_player_evaluations_0_override_profile_image":"override-player-profile-image","player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"","_player_evaluations_0_not_in_database":"field_62aba48cecf2d","player_evaluations":1,"_player_evaluations":"field_62aba7547dc44"},"mode":"preview","alignText":"left","anchor":"acf-block-674df693e100f"} --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"placeholder":"Add evaluation here...","className":"text-gray-700"} --> <p class="text-gray-700">In another correct prediction from my <a href="https://prepredzone.com/2024/11/state-championship-game-preview-non-public-groups-a-and-b/">game preview</a> coverage, [player_tooltip player_id='624700' first='Tyler' last='Houser'] would be utilized to control the tempo and the clock. He did that, and then some, for the Lions. Despite coming up short on the scoreboard, the Demon Deacon-to-be was all over the field on Friday. Houser led all participants with 14 tackles in the game and 10 solo stops. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph --> <p>Houser's senior campaign was arguably his best. He concluded the season with 124 tackles (93 solo), 13 tackles for loss, 6 sacks, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception, and 1 pick six. For his career, Houser finishes with 300 tackles (192 solo), 32.5 tackles for loss, 11.5 sacks, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 interceptions, 1 blocked kick, and 3 defensive scores. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- /wp:acf/evaluation-block -->