Earlier in the season, St. Peter’s Prep hosted Bergen Catholic and dominated throughout the game. On Saturday, however, the game was much closer, when the two teams met in the NJSIAA Non-Public Group 4 semifinals.
The two teams could not have been more evenly matched. St. Peter’s rank 30th in the DigitalSports National Football Rankings and 2nd in New Jersey. Bergen sits right behind the Marauders at 31st in the nation.
Despite St. Peter’s opening the game up with a touchdown, it was the Crusaders who entered the half leading 14-10. Then quarterback Brandon Wimbush and receiver Minkah Fitzpatrick turned up the heat.
The dynamic duo connected for three touchdowns in the third quarter of 42-, 44-, and 64-yard bombs. Those three scores were the only of the second half, leading to St. Peter’s 31-14 victory.
Wimbush finished with 25 completions on 39 attempts to gain an incredible 430 yards and four touchdowns. On top of that, the senior took the ball himself nine times for 98 yards.
Reeling in nine of Wimbush’s passes, Fitzpatrick finished with 274 yards accompanying his three touchdowns.
Now the Marauders advance to New Jersey’s ultimate matchup. St. Peter’s Prep is set to play Paramus Catholic, the best team in the state and 13th in the nation by DigitalSports, in the championship game. The two heavyweights face off on December 5 at 8:00pm.