2024: Massillon 21, Bergen Catholic, NJ 35

September 7, 2024October 1, 2024
by Don Engelhardt

Bergen Catholic defeats Massillon with Second Half Surge

Game Statistics

Massillon’s 18-game winning streak came to an end on this rainy Friday night. After running the table last year with a 16-0 record and capturing the Division II state championship, the Tigers found the going a bit too difficult against national power Bergen Catholic in this Week 3 game. While the two teams left the field at halftime tied at 21 apiece, it was all Bergen in the second half as the Crusaders left town with a 35-21 victory; big for them, but respectable for the Tigers on this national stage.

Prior to the game Massillon head coach Nate Moore billed Bergen, which entered the game rated No. 17 in the country, as perhaps the best opponent to ever visit Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. And he was certainly close. They were big and physical and fast. Plus, they appeared to have worked out the kinks from last week’s close loss to No. 5 IMG Academy. Twelve of their players hold offers from Power 5 universities and another two have offers from MAC schools.

The Tigers did everything they could to stay in the game, but Bergen switched up in the second half as the heavy rains set in, going to a 2- tight end set, “ground and pound” offense to control the clock. That created much difficulty for Massillon defenders as they tried to push through the large blockers to get initial hits at the line. On defense, knowing that passing would now be difficult in the wet conditions, the Crusaders rushed one of the outside linebackers in addition to their very large and talented front-4 linemen on every play, which caused havoc for Massillon offense. Suddenly, the run game struggled and quarterback Jalen Slaughter was under constant pressure, limiting him to just short passes. So, in the second half, the Tigers were able to gain just 14 yards on the ground and 57 in the air, while never crossing the 50 yard line. That’s how good this Bergen team is.

The first half of the game was classic football between two very good teams, with the scoring going back and forth throughout and the skill players making big plays. After holding Bergen to a 3-and-out, the Tigers needed just three plays to cover 51 yards for their initial score. It began with a screen pass over the middle from Slaughter to tight end Deangelo Zimmerman that picked up 18 yards. And it ended with a 32-yard run by Ja’Meir Gamble, who tried the middle and then scooted to the outside, beating several defenders to the end zone. Mateo Herrera kicked the PAT to give Massillon the early lead.

Bergen came right back when quarterback Dominic Campanile (Toledo offer) connected with 6’-4” Quincy Porter (Ohio State commit) on a 56-yard touchdown bomb to tie the score. Later in the first quarter Massillon drove 47 yards in four plays for their second score. This one was a 26-yard TD pass from Slaughter to Zimmerman, who ran a hitch pattern and left the defender considerably behind. But Bergen again responded. After returning the ensuing kickoff to the Tiger 20, they needed just four plays, all on the ground, to drive the ball into the endzone, with Dante Kain’s 4-yard run. So, it was 14-14 as the quarter ended.

The Crusaders scored again on their next possession, when Najee Calhoun (Pitt offer) burst through the middle and raced 45 yards for a score. After an exchange of punts, Massillon took over at the Bergen 45. On the first play, Gamble raced around the left side and broke several tackles before finally being stopped at 24, only to fumble. Nevertheless, it all balanced out when, two plays later, Massillon’s Tra’Yon Williams leaped high in the air to intercept Campanile’s errant pass and he sped to the right corner for a 27-yard score.

Bergen again drove down the field searching for points and made it to Massillon 22. However, disaster struck. The pass was on target, although a little low. But Daylan Pringle had read the play and broke early enough to dive in front of the intended receiver to make the interception. That’s how the half ended, with the teams tied at 21.

The second half was another story, with the Crusaders taking control of the game by putting up two early scores. That is the mark of a great team. The first score was a 2-yard run by Calhoun off a 20-yard drive and second was when Mikey McMahon recovered a quarterback fumble at the goal line, off a drive that covered 76 yards.

For Massillon, Slaughter completed 18 of 32 passes for 132 yards and one touchdown. Gamble rushed 13 times for 98 yards (7.5 ave.) and a touchdown. He also caught 6 passes for 20 yards. Braylyn Toles caught 4 balls for 32 yards. Jaydyn Williams and Tyler Hackenbracht each recorded 12 tackles. Hackenbracht also averaged a fine 38.3 yards on his 8 punts. Mylen Lenix was credited with 1.5 quarterback sacks.

For Bergen, Campanile completed 9 of 16 passes for 125 yards and one touchdown. Porter caught 6 of the passes for 85 yards and the score. But Najee Calhoun had the big night, rushing 42 times for 227 yards (5.4 ave.) and two touchdowns.

Next week, another out-of-state opponent will face the Tigers, the more familiar Canisius, from Buffalo.
Go Tigers!

Photos by Rob Engelhardt