It's late October, the weather is getting colder, the seasons have changed, and things are changing in North Jersey High School Football.
For the first time since 2019, the Green Knights took down Bergen Catholic in a game that will go down in New Jersey football history. SJR defeated BC 43 to 42 in an overtime thriller in Oradell.
"It has been a long road, but it doesn't just happen." -says Coach Augie Hoffmann
"You see how these guys are, they play right to the end, they could have easily folded, but they didn't. It is a championship program. We are still getting back, and I think this win was a great step in that direction. Do I want to say things are changing? Absolutely, but we just have to keep it going."
The Green Knights wasted no time, piecing together a flawless opening drive that never lost a yard. Kyshawn Bryant finished it off with a six-yard rush into the end zone.
"I thought Gary (Nova, Offensive Coordinator) did an unbelievable job that drive," said Hoffmann
"That was a great series that he called. That guy puts in so much time and work. It is not easy to call plays, and he did a great job. I am so proud of our staff and the kids for staying the course,"
With the game tied at 7 heading into the second quarter, the Green Knights lit a fire that the Crusaders' defense could not put out, scoring 21 unanswered points.
The first drive of the quarter, a Nate Bailey 48-yard reception, allowed Mason Geis to connect with David Forster for a 40-yard touchdown. The following drive, SJR went nine plays and 69 yards and scored yet another touchdown, this time, Bailey for one yard.
At this point in the quarter, St. Joseph's defense was mauling Bergen Catholic's offense while QB Mason Geis was surgically picking apart the Crusader defense. Geis finished a flawless quarter connecting with Stalin Knowlden for a 15-yard touchdown.
"That was a great play by Stalin (Knowlden), he did a great job getting open to put us up at the end of the half," said Mason Geis.
With the score 28-7 in favor of SJR, and both teams making halftime adjustments, the Green Knights were certainly feeling good about themselves.
In the 3rd quarter, the Crusaders were able to cut the lead down to 14 after a Najee Calhoun rushing touchdown, but that was the only action in the quarter.
At 28-14 to begin the 4th quarter, no one in Oradell could have predicted what was about to ensue over the next 12 minutes in the game.
On the second play of the 4th quarter, Mason Geis hit Stalin Knowlden on a 41-yard touchdown which gave the Green Knights a very comfortable lead with 11 minutes to play.
Then, with the score at 35-14, things got uncomfortable for the Green Knights real quick.
The Crusaders marched down the field on the next drive, and Najee Calhoun scored a touchdown. The next play, the unthinkable happened: the Crusaders attempted an onside kick, and recovered, putting BC at the 50-yard line.
If the Green Knights weren't already hitting the alarms, they certainly would be now. Austin Busso took a screen pass to the house on the first play and cut the lead down to just seven.
When the Green Knights got the ball back, they failed to gain much yardage and the Crusaders took over. This time around, BC kept moving the ball until a critical 4th & 3 came when Trey Tagliaferri connected with Bryan Porter for a 30-yard touchdown, quieting the SJR fans and lighting up the BC supporters, tying the game at 35.
Heading to overtime SJR would be hard pressed not to haveflashbacks to just 11 months ago, when Bergen Catholic beat the Green Knights in OT of the state semifinals.
"We have been there before, we knew what had to be done to win the game," said Mason Geis
Bergen struck first with a rushing touchdown from Najee Calhoun. Towards the end of the drive, the Green Knights struggled with high emotions, miscommunication, and penalties.
"We were dealing with some personnel, we were trying to mix and match personnel, we got a little out of hand, tensions were high, but we have to fix that," said Coach Hoffmann.
As the offense came on the field, Mason Geis and company tried to set the high emotions aside and looked to even the score.
"You have to keep your focus after that; you don't have a choice. They score, we gotta come back and score," said Coach Hoffmann.
The Green Knights' offense wrote up a perfect drive that resulted in a touchdown from Mason Geis to Jaak Krisulevicz. But the job was not finished; the Green Knights wanted to win the game, not tie, and Coach Hoffmann decided to go for the two point conversion and the win.
As the Green Knights offense came onto the field, one player was missing. Geis had left the game with an injury after the touchdown pass. On came Lamar Best, who had played just one snap in the game.
The play was set up: Lamar Best in shotgun, Nate Bailey out wide. Then, Best motioned to the left, and Bailey came in at the QB position. Bailey took the direct snap, and was hit by two defenders at the goalline before he dove forward to cross the goal line and convert the two point conversion. Pandemonium ensued.
"It felt amazing," said Bailey.
"I just want to have my guys as much as they have mine. They told me I was going to score, and I told them the same thing, so we all had it our way,"
As Bailey crossed the mark by just inches, the emotions sank in for the Montvale faithful; they just beat Bergen Catholic in a game that will go down in history.
"I still don't know; it still feels surreal. But we are going to enjoy this win for sure," said Nate Bailey
"The win feels spectacular, it is about that time. Seven straight? Not anymore. It's 1-0 now," said senior tight end Brady Shust.
With SJR's record at 6-2, this team reclaimed the rivalry crown and may have also established their identity for the remainder of the season.
