Bergen Catholic releases 2023 football schedule: Complete analysis

New Jersey’s No. 1 football team is looking for No. 3.

Bergen Catholic will seek its third straight Non-Public A football title in 2023 and has an ambitious schedule that includes a showdown against a national power from Florida in addition to the usual North Jersey heavyweights. The Crusaders, who finished No. 21 in USA TODAY's Super 25 rankings last year, released their schedule Monday.

This will be the sixth season for the Crusaders under coach Vito Campanile. Bergen Catholic returns quarterback Dominic Campanile, who saw a lot of action as a sophomore. While replacing parts of the defense lost to graduation, Bergen Catholic will bring back standout receiver Quincy Porter at defensive backs Chris Mimmo and Kaj Sanders.

Here’s a game-by-game look at the Crusaders' 2023 schedule. The Crusaders will have a bye in Week 6. Times and locations are still subject to change.

Aug. 25: at Red Bank Catholic, 7 p.m.

The Caseys have been the dominant team in the Shore Conference the last two years, going 10-2 in 2022 and winning the Non-Public B state title in 2021. These two schools have been preseason scrimmage partners, but will meet this year when it counts. Bergen Catholic has won the previous two meetings.

Sept. 2: vs. Iona Prep (N.Y.), 1 p.m.

The Gaels scored a big win for New York last year, downing Don Bosco, 42-35, and are now stepping in to play the Crusaders for the first time since 2009 (a 38-2 Bergen Catholic win). Iona Prep finished 9-3 last year, losing in the AAA championship game to St. Anthony’s.

Sept. 8 or 9: at Chaminade-Madonna (Florida), TBA

This will be Bergen Catholic’s first trip to Florida since 2011 when it played Tampa Plant (and lost 12-7). The Lions were 13-1 last year and won the Florida 1M (Metro) title. They accepted an invitation to the GEICO State Champions Bowl Series and were downed by Bishop Gorman in Nevada in the first round.

The Lions return quarterback Cedrick Bailey (offers from Texas A&M, Pitt and Georgia Tech) and superstar wide receiver Joshisa Trader (offers from Ohio State, Alabama, Georgia, LSU … and pretty much everyone else). Chaminade-Madonna finished No. 9 in the nation last year in USA TODAY's Super 25 rankings.

Sept. 16: at Seton Hall Prep, 1 p.m.

The Pirates haven’t beaten Bergen Catholic since 2005, a run of eight straight for the Crusaders. Vito Campanile coached at Seton Hall Prep from 2015-2017.

Sept. 22: at Don Bosco Prep, 7 p.m.

In case you’re keeping count – and we do – this will be Bergen-Bosco LXXVIII (78). It’s North Jersey’s best and best-known rivalry. Last year, the Crusaders broke out new black jerseys at home against the Ironmen and were promptly whipped 31-7. It was their only loss, as Bergen Catholic dominated Don Bosco in the Non-Public A title game, 45-0.

Don Bosco leads the all-time series 41-35-2 and is the only team to beat Bergen Catholic since 2019.

Sept. 30: vs. DePaul, 1 p.m.

Move over Kelce brothers, this is the Campanile Bowl, pitting Vito against his youngest brother Nick, the head coach at DePaul. That’s a good storyline, but the better one might be that these are the two reigning non-public football champions in New Jersey. Bergen Catholic won Non-Public A, while DePaul won Non-Public B in 2022. The Crusaders downed DePaul, 35-7, last season.

Oct. 14: vs. St. Joseph Regional, 1 p.m.

They don’t ever call it the Karcich Bowl, but they could. Tony Karcich led Bergen Catholic to three state titles (1974, 1980 and 1982) before turning the Green Knights into perennial powers. The field at St. Joe’s is now called Karcich Field. Bergen Catholic has won the last three meetings, but this game is almost always close.

Oct. 21: at St. Peter’s Prep, 1 p.m.

The Crusaders travel to always-tough Caven Point to take on the Marauders. Bergen Catholic has won the last four meetings between these two North Jersey powerhouses, including two wins in 2021.

Oct. 28: at Paramus Catholic, 6 p.m.

Bergen Catholic has beaten the Paladins seven times in a row, shutting them out in three of the last four meetings. This school is Vito Campanile’s alma mater.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Bergen Catholic NJ football: 2023 schedule breakdown