St. Joseph Regional Shocks Bergen Catholic in Epic Overtime Upset: High School Football Thriller Reshapes National Rankings

In a heart-pounding finish that left fans breathless, St. Joseph Regional pulled off a stunning 43-42 overtime victory against the powerhouse Bergen Catholic on Friday night, delivering one of the biggest upsets in New Jersey high school football this season. The Green Knights, ranked outside the top 20 nationally, overcame a 14-point deficit in the fourth quarter to edge out the No. 5-ranked Crusaders in a game that will be remembered for its dramatic twists and unyielding intensity.

This overtime thriller not only highlighted the unpredictable nature of high school football but also sent shockwaves through the national Power 25 rankings, potentially knocking Bergen Catholic from their perch and boosting St. Joseph Regional into the spotlight. With both teams vying for supremacy in the competitive Non-Public A division, the win marks a pivotal moment for the Montvale-based Green Knights as they chase a state championship.

Green Knights’ Fourth-Quarter Miracle Turns Tide Against Crusaders

The game at Bergen Catholic’s home field in Oradell, New Jersey, started with the Crusaders asserting dominance, building a commanding 28-14 lead by halftime. Bergen Catholic’s explosive offense, led by senior quarterback Jake Steinfeld, who threw for 250 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, seemed unstoppable. Their ground game pounded away with running back Marcus Johnson rushing for 120 yards and two scores, setting the tone for what many expected to be a rout.

But St. Joseph Regional refused to fade. Trailing 35-21 entering the fourth quarter, the Green Knights mounted a comeback fueled by sheer determination. Junior quarterback Tommy Reilly orchestrated a 75-yard drive, capping it with a 22-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Alex Rivera, narrowing the gap to 35-28 with 8:12 left. The defense, which had struggled early, stepped up when it mattered most, forcing a fumble on Bergen Catholic’s next possession that senior linebacker Mike Torres recovered at the Crusaders’ 40-yard line.

From there, St. Joseph Regional’s running back duo of Ethan Patel and Chris Lombardi took over. Patel, a speedy 5’10” sophomore, broke free for a 35-yard scamper, setting up Lombardi’s one-yard plunge to tie the game at 35-35 with just 2:45 remaining. The stadium erupted as the extra point sailed through the uprights, but the drama was far from over. Bergen Catholic responded with a quick drive, Steinfeld connecting with tight end Ryan Kowalski for a 15-yard touchdown, but a blocked extra point by St. Joseph Regional’s special teams unit kept the score at 41-35, forcing overtime in this high-stakes high school football clash.

Statistics from the game underscore the back-and-forth battle: St. Joseph Regional amassed 380 total yards, with 220 on the ground, while Bergen Catholic finished with 410 yards but critical turnovers proved costly. Reilly completed 18 of 25 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns, no interceptions, earning him game MVP honors from local media outlets.

Overtime Drama: Heroic Plays Seal St. Joseph Regional’s Upset Victory

Overtime in high school football is rare and riveting, and this one lived up to the hype. Under New Jersey’s rules, each team gets one possession from the 25-yard line, with the option to go for two after a touchdown. St. Joseph Regional won the coin toss and deferred, putting the pressure on Bergen Catholic to score first.

The Crusaders didn’t disappoint initially, as Johnson bulled his way into the end zone from three yards out, giving Bergen Catholic a 42-35 lead after the extra point. Now it was do-or-die for the Green Knights. Reilly, cool under pressure, handed off to Patel for gains of 10 and 15 yards before scrambling for 12 on third down. With the ball at the 8-yard line, Reilly faked a handoff and lofted a perfect fade route to Rivera, who hauled in the touchdown pass in the corner of the end zone, tying the score at 42-42.

The stadium fell silent as St. Joseph Regional lined up for the two-point conversion. Coach Mike McGee called a bold play: a reverse option with Rivera flipping the ball back to Reilly, who then found Lombardi wide open in the flat for the game-winning conversion. The 43-42 upset was sealed, and chaos ensued—players piled on, fans stormed the field, and Bergen Catholic’s sideline stood in stunned disbelief.

This overtime sequence wasn’t just luck; it was the culmination of weeks of preparation. St. Joseph Regional’s coaching staff had drilled two-point plays relentlessly, and the execution was flawless. “We practiced that exact scenario a hundred times,” Reilly said post-game. “When the moment came, it felt like muscle memory.” The win improves St. Joseph Regional’s record to 7-1, while Bergen Catholic drops to 8-1, a rare blemish for the program that has won three straight state titles.

National Power 25 Shake-Up: How the Upset Alters High School Football Landscape

The ramifications of this St. Joseph Regional upset extend far beyond New Jersey. Bergen Catholic entered the week ranked No. 5 in the USA Today Super 25 national high school football poll, praised for their balanced attack and suffocating defense that allowed just 12 points per game. A loss to an unranked opponent like St. Joseph Regional—previously No. 23 in New Jersey—could plummet them several spots, opening the door for teams like Mater Dei (California) or IMG Academy (Florida) to climb.

Conversely, this victory catapults St. Joseph Regional into national conversations. Pollsters like MaxPreps and 247Sports are already buzzing about a potential top-15 debut for the Green Knights. Their schedule, which includes wins over Don Bosco Prep and DePaul Catholic, now looks even stronger. National analyst Tom Luginbill of ESPN tweeted, “St. Joe Reg’s resilience in OT vs. Bergen Cath is the upset of the year so far. Watch for them in the Power 25 next week.”

In the broader context of high school football, this game exemplifies the parity that’s making the sport more exciting. With recruiting implications high—several Bergen Catholic seniors hold Division I offers from schools like Rutgers and Penn State—the loss stings, but it also humanizes these teenage athletes. St. Joseph Regional’s underdog story resonates, drawing comparisons to past upsets like Cass Tech’s 2016 win over a top-ranked foe.

Coaches’ Perspectives: Strategies and Emotions Behind the Thriller

Post-game press conferences revealed the emotional depth of this overtime upset. St. Joseph Regional head coach Mike McGee, in his fifth year, choked up while addressing his team’s grit. “These kids believed when no one else did,” McGee said. “Bergen Catholic is a dynasty, but we matched their physicality and outsmarted them in the clutch. This win is for Montvale.” McGee’s defensive adjustments in the second half—switching to a 4-3 alignment to contain Johnson’s runs—were key, holding Bergen Catholic to just 45 yards on the ground after halftime.

Bergen Catholic coach Vito Campanile, a veteran with over 200 career wins, was gracious in defeat. “Hats off to St. Joseph Regional; they earned it,” Campanile remarked. “We had our chances, but a couple of mistakes—like that blocked PAT—cost us. We’ll learn from this and come back stronger.” Campanile highlighted Steinfeld’s performance, noting the QB’s 320 total yards despite the loss, and praised his seniors for their leadership.

Players echoed their coaches’ sentiments. Bergen Catholic’s Johnson, who finished with 165 rushing yards, said, “It hurts, but respect to them. That two-point play was genius.” On the other side, Rivera, who had 110 receiving yards and two scores, added, “This upset proves we’re for real. High school football is about heart, and we have plenty.” These quotes capture the sportsmanship that defines elite programs like these.

Behind the scenes, preparation was meticulous. St. Joseph Regional scouted Bergen Catholic extensively, identifying weaknesses in their secondary. Film study revealed tendencies in Steinfeld’s reads, which Reilly exploited. The team’s conditioning program, emphasizing endurance for late-game surges, paid dividends in the fourth quarter and overtime.

Future Implications: Playoff Push and Recruiting Boost for St. Joseph Regional

As the regular season winds down, this upset positions St. Joseph Regional for a deep playoff run in the NJSIAA Non-Public A tournament. Their next game against Paramus Catholic on October 28 could solidify a top seed, with a potential rematch against Bergen Catholic in the finals. The Green Knights’ balanced roster—featuring underclassmen like Patel and Rivera—suggests sustainability, unlike Bergen Catholic’s senior-heavy lineup facing turnover.

Recruiting-wise, the win is a goldmine. Reilly, already drawing interest from Boston College, and Lombardi, a Penn State target, saw their stock rise overnight. National scouts attending the game filed glowing reports, and St. Joseph Regional’s program could attract more blue-chip talent. For Bergen Catholic, the loss is a wake-up call; they’ll regroup for their remaining games, including a crucial matchup with Don Bosco Prep that could salvage their national ranking.

In the evolving world of high school football, where transfers and NIL deals are commonplace, stories like this remind us of the pure essence of the game—underdogs triumphing through teamwork and tenacity. St. Joseph Regional’s overtime upset against Bergen Catholic isn’t just a win; it’s a narrative that could inspire teams nationwide as playoffs approach. Fans and analysts alike will watch closely to see if the Green Knights can build on this momentum and claim a state title, forever etching their name in high school football lore.

With temperatures dipping into the 50s under the Friday night lights, the atmosphere was electric, with over 5,000 spectators witnessing history. Social media exploded post-game, with #StJoeUpset trending locally and videos of the two-point conversion garnering millions of views. This thriller has all the makings of a classic, one that high school football enthusiasts will dissect for years.

Looking ahead, both teams face tough sledding. St. Joseph Regional must integrate injured players back, while Bergen Catholic works on red-zone efficiency. Regardless, this game has elevated the level of competition in New Jersey, proving that in high school football, anything is possible—especially in overtime.