2014 In Review: The Crusaders were 8-3, losing to St. Peter's Prep in the Non-Public Group 4 semi-finals, after beating Paul VI. They scored 279 points for a 25.36 average, while allowing 262 points for a 23.82 average. Wins included Don Bosco, St. Joe's (Montvale), DePaul, and St. Edward's (Ohio), while their other losses were to St. Peter's Prep and Paramus Catholic.

Departures: RB Corey Russo - Villanova, T Mike Adzima - Navy (prep), P John Bowers - Rutgers walk-on, LB Kyle Cook - Bryant, QB/WR Corey Gaarn - Temple walk-on, T Joe Woerner - Temple walk-on, DB Matt Sherlock - New Hampshire, DT Connor O'Brien - Old Dominion for wrestling, WR Danny Halligan - Fordham, TE Mike Aniello - Johns Hopkins, G Tim Andrelczyk - American International, LB Jack Reilly - Union, LB Hunter Ordukhanyan - Union, RB Kyle Ellerson - Yale, DT Sebastian Calixte - Monroe JC (NY), OL Jack Koch - Hobart, DB Anthony Leithauser - College of New Jersey

Offense: Bergen Catholic runs a multiple offense and returns four starters. Back at quarterback is senior Jarrett Guarantano (6-foot-4, 200). Running back will be a committee of senior Ryan McCarthy (5-foot-11, 185), junior Melvin Covin (5-foot-8, 185), and a little help from freshman Josh McKenzie (5-foot-9, 185). When a fullback is used, it will be senior Frank Feaster (6-foot-1, 230).

One receiver is back in senior Gene Coleman (6-foot-0, 190). The other wide receiver will be sophomore Johnny Langan (6-foot-2, 195). Lining up in the slot will be junior Ankuary Camillo (5-foot-10, 170) and Andrew Vito (5-foot-9, 155). The tight end will be senior Korab Idrizi (6-foot-4, 225) and junior Connor Hebbeler (6-foot-4, 220) will also play.

Two starters return to the line in senior left guard Joe Cruz (6-foot-1, 270) and senior left tackle Frank Jerkovic (6-foot-1, 285), moving from center. Center is in the hands of senior Matt DiScola (5-foot-8, 230). The right side has not been determined, but participants competing are senior Vinnie Karabatsos (6-foot-1, 245), senior Bobby Finstra (6-foot-3, 260), senior Will Gentilello (6-foot-2, 215), and junior CJ Jaramillo (5-foot-11, 240).

Defense: The Crusaders will run both a 4-3 and 3-3 this year, returning five starters, plus another who returns to BC after starting elsewhere last year. Back on the line are senior Sal Mauro (6-foot-3, 240) and Feaster at the ends. The tackles will be Cruz, junior Erik Massey (6-foot-2, 215), and Hebbeler.

Linebacker will have junior Shqipron Idrizi (5-foot-10, 200) in the middle, along with senior Jevon Dunmore (5-foot-10, 200) on the weak side, and senior Danny DeLorenzi (6-foot-2, 210) on the strong side. Dunmore returns to BC after starting last year at DePaul. Pushing hard for time is senior Trevor Weingarten (6-foot-1, 195).

Three starters return to the secondary in cornerback Emmanuel Appiah (6-foot-1, 175), junior Jahmel Johnson (5-foot-9, 165), and senior free safety Nick Tighe (6-foot-0, 195). The strong safety will be McKenzie. Also pushing for time are juniors Nick Palmer (5-foot-8, 155) and Isaiah Dean (6-foot-1, 180).

Special Teams: Feaster and a host of others are in line for the kicking spot, while punter is undecided. The return men will be Appiah, Johnson, and Palmer.

Schedule:

Saturday, 9/5, American Heritage (Fla.) at home, 1PM

Saturday, 9/12, St. Peter's Prep at home, 1PM

Saturday, 9/19, IMG Academy (Fla.) at home, 1PM

Saturday, 9/26, at St. Edward's (Ohio), 1PM

Saturday, 10/3, Paramus Catholic at home, 1PM

Friday, 10/9, at DePaul, 7PM

Saturday, 10/17, St. Joe's (Montvale) at home, 1PM

Friday, 10/30, at Don Bosco, 7PM

Saturday, 11/7, Friendship Academy (Wash. DC) at home, 2PM

Concerns: Inexperienced offensive line and the kicking game. There are talented players on the offensive line, but they need to prove it. The kicking game was a strength last year and it is currently wide open.

Recruiting: Guarantano has committed to Tennessee. Mauro has 15 1-AA offers plus Army and Navy. Coleman has 15 offers from 1-A and 1-AA, including Rutgers and Syracuse. Korab Idrizi has interest from Buffalo, Temple, and numerous 1-AA's. Feaster has an offer from Holy Cross and interest from Marist and others. Dunmore is an intriguing prospect with interest from Yale and other Ivies. Tighe has Ivy and Patriot League interest. Jerkovic has strong academics and will play somewhere in 1-AA. Cruz, McCarthy, and others will play somewhere.

Appiah is the top junior, but will be too old to play next year - he will either go prep or stay at BC.

Langan is the top sophomore who can play several positions, such as WR, QB, LB, or SS.

McKenzie is the top freshman who is also a very good wrestler.

Coach's Comments: "We have a talented group, with a chance to be very good. We lost a lot from last year, but we're replacing them with talented kids and we have a chance to take the next step." - Head Coach Nunzio Campanile