The stage is set for a marquee non-conference showdown as West Boca Raton (Boca Raton, FL) welcomes Bergen Catholic (Oradell, NJ) tonight at 6:30 p.m. Both programs enter the matchup undefeated at 1-0, but the numbers suggest two very different styles of play will collide under the lights.
Here’s what you need to know:
What: Florida High School Football
Who: Bergen Catholic vs West Boca Raton
When: Friday, Sept. 5, 2025
Time: 6:30 p.m. ET
Live stream: Watch here Now
Bergen Catholic, ranked No. 16 nationally and holding the top spot in New Jersey, opened its season with a narrow 22-21 victory. The Crusaders leaned on a balanced offensive attack, averaging 87 rushing yards and 154 passing yards per game. Quarterback Trey Tagliaferri has been a steady hand, putting up 154 passing yards while also leading the team in total offense with 148 yards. Najee Calhoun has been effective on the ground, averaging 47 rushing yards, while receiver Austin Busso leads the aerial game with 75 yards.
On the other side, West Boca Raton has been explosive from the start. The Bulls, ranked No. 43 nationally and seventh in Florida, dominated their opener with a 50-7 victory. Running back Javian Mallory powered the ground game with 119 rushing yards per contest, setting the tone for an offense that racks up 329 rushing yards and 436 total yards per game. Quarterback Trey Moran adds 77 passing yards on average, while receiver Billy Clancy III chips in with 40 receiving yards.
Defensively, the contrast is equally sharp. Bergen Catholic’s Jackson Vaughn anchors the unit with 8 tackles per game and has already recorded 2.5 sacks. The Crusaders’ defense averages 58 tackles per contest, signaling their aggressive style at the line of scrimmage. West Boca Raton, while not as statistically dominant on defense, has relied on efficiency, limiting opponents to just 7 points in their opener. Linebacker Maxwell Reid has been a key contributor with 4 tackles per game.
Both teams also have players capable of putting points on the board in key moments. Bryan Porter and Tristan Lamb each average 8 points per game, making them reliable scoring threats for Bergen Catholic and West Boca Raton, respectively.
The meeting carries added intrigue as it pits Bergen Catholic’s East Coast pedigree against West Boca Raton’s rising Florida profile. Bergen Catholic has thrived in pressure games for years, while the Bulls are looking to prove they belong in the national conversation.
With Bergen Catholic’s disciplined passing attack facing off against West Boca Raton’s ground-heavy dominance, tonight’s game could come down to who controls the pace. If the Crusaders can slow Mallory and the Bulls’ rushing attack, they’ll have a chance to grind out another close win. But if West Boca finds early success on the ground, the home crowd in Boca Raton could see their team pull off a statement victory against one of New Jersey’s most respected programs.
Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m., and all eyes will be on how these two undefeated teams set the tone for the rest of their seasons.
