Joshua Bennett
Don Bosco Preparatory High School and Bergen Catholic High School are two all-boys Catholic schools in New Jersey with a long-standing rivalry. Both schools have strong athletic programs, with football and basketball being notable sports of competition. The schools have clashed on the football field 83 times, with Don Bosco leading the series 45-35-2. However, Bergen Catholic has won the last three football games, showcasing their prowess in this sport. In basketball, the rivalry is intense, with both schools trading wins and losses, and the games often going into overtime. The schools also offer a range of extracurricular activities and rigorous academics, with Don Bosco being known for its campus aesthetics and Bergen Catholic for its academic excellence.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Football rivalry | Don Bosco leads the all-time series 45-35-2 as of 2023 |
| Bergen Catholic won the 80th edition of the rivalry in 2024, making it their third straight rivalry win | |
| Don Bosco won the 83rd edition of the rivalry in 2023 | |
| Basketball rivalry | Don Bosco and Bergen Catholic have both lost to Rutgers Prep |
| Don Bosco lost to Hudson Catholic in triple overtime, while Bergen Catholic fell to Phelps (Pa.) | |
| Don Bosco's Dylan Harper was outstanding in a game in 2022, scoring a team-high 34 points | |
| Bergen Catholic is ranked No. 1 in the North Jersey Top 25, while Don Bosco is ranked No. 2 | |
| School type | Don Bosco is a private, Catholic, college preparatory high school for boys only |
| Bergen Catholic is a Catholic school | |
| Campus | Don Bosco's campus features grottos |
| Don Bosco has a reputation for forcing students to shave with a well-used razor if they show up with stubble | |
| Academics | St. Joe's is considered marginally better academically than both schools |
| Bergen Catholic is considered a much better school academically |
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What You'll Learn
Football rivalry
The Don Bosco Prep Ironmen and the Bergen Catholic Crusaders are two of the top high school football programs in the United States. The rivalry between these two New Jersey schools is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the state, with a history of close competition.
The 2023 season marked the 20th anniversary of the Great American Rivalry Series, which featured the 83rd clash between these two football powerhouses. Don Bosco entered the game with a 45-35-2 advantage in the all-time series. However, the Bergen Catholic Crusaders emerged victorious, reversing their fortunes with a final score of 24-20. This win marked the third consecutive victory for the Crusaders against their rivals.
The rivalry between Don Bosco and Bergen Catholic extends beyond the football field. Both institutions are private Catholic college preparatory high schools for young men, offering rigorous academics and a wide range of extracurricular activities. When it comes to athletics, Don Bosco has been described as a football program with a school attached, indicating the high priority they place on the sport. On the other hand, Bergen Catholic is known for producing elite athletes across various sports, including basketball.
The intensity of this rivalry is not just felt by the players but also by the passionate fan bases of both schools. The 2023 showdown at the historic Granatell Stadium was anticipated to draw a crowd of 6,500, with supporters from both sides coming together to cheer for their respective teams.
The Don Bosco Prep vs. Bergen Catholic rivalry is a testament to the passion, dedication, and camaraderie that embody high school football. With a long history of close competition and the prestige of producing some of the nation's top athletes, this rivalry continues to be one of the most anticipated matchups in New Jersey high school football.
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Basketball rivalry
Don Bosco Preparatory High School and Bergen Catholic High School are two of the premier high school basketball programs in the United States. Both schools are located in New Jersey and have a rich history of athletic success, particularly in football and basketball. The rivalry between the two schools is intense and well-known, with both sides passionately supporting their teams.
On the basketball court, the rivalry between Don Bosco and Bergen Catholic is just as fierce. Both teams have experienced success at the state and regional levels, and their matchups are often closely contested. In January 2022, Don Bosco and Bergen Catholic faced off in a highly competitive game at the Caldwell showcase. The game went into triple overtime, with Don Bosco ultimately emerging victorious by a score of 70-64. Dylan Harper, an Ironmen sophomore, was the standout player, scoring a team-high 34 points.
Bergen Catholic, also known for their strong basketball program, suffered another defeat at the showcase, losing to Rutgers Prep 75-68. The Crusaders were missing their standout sophomore point guard, Elliot Cadeau, due to an ankle injury. Despite the loss, the Crusaders remained confident in their abilities and were determined to bounce back.
The rivalry between Don Bosco and Bergen Catholic extends beyond the basketball court and onto the football field. Their football rivalry is one of the oldest and most prestigious in New Jersey, with both schools producing talented teams year after year. In September 2023, the Don Bosco Prep Ironmen and Bergen Catholic Crusaders faced off in the 20th season of the Great American Rivalry Series. The game, played at the historic Granatell Stadium, marked the 83rd meeting between these powerhouses, with Don Bosco holding a slight advantage in the all-time series.
The intensity and passion associated with this rivalry are evident, whether on the basketball court or the football field. The competition between Don Bosco and Bergen Catholic exemplifies the spirit and dedication that define high school athletics. As these two schools continue to strive for excellence, their rivalry remains a showcase of the talent and determination that embody New Jersey's premier athletic programs.
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Academic performance
When it comes to academic performance, opinions vary on which school—Bergen Catholic or Don Bosco Preparatory High School—is better. Both schools are private, Catholic, college preparatory high schools for young men, with Bergen Catholic catering to grades 9 through 12 and Don Bosco to grades 9 through 12.
Some people consider Don Bosco to be better academically. One person on Reddit commented that Bergen Catholic is a "jock institution with a school attached," while another stated that Don Bosco has a stronger academic reputation. Additionally, a graduate from Don Bosco mentioned that their friends who attended a lower Bergen County high school had to ask for help with college-level writing, suggesting that Don Bosco may better prepare its students for college-level courses.
On the other hand, some people believe that Bergen Catholic is superior academically. One person on Reddit mentioned that St. Joe's is marginally better academically than Don Bosco, but if sports are a priority, then Bergen Catholic could be a better option. Another person commented that Bergen Catholic carries an outsized reputation for academics, implying that its academic reputation may be stronger than its actual scholastic achievements.
Both schools offer rigorous academics at the AP, Honors, and College Preparatory levels, and are accredited by The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. They also provide a range of extracurricular activities, clubs, and athletics.
In terms of Ivy League acceptances, according to one source, The Frisch School (a Jewish school) is ranked first in Bergen County, Bergen Catholic is second, Don Bosco Prep is third, and St. Joe's is also mentioned as having a significant number of acceptances.
Overall, both schools are highly regarded academically, and the decision between the two may depend on other factors such as sports programs, campus environment, and personal preferences.
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School rankings
Don Bosco Preparatory High School and Bergen Catholic High School are two all-boys Catholic schools in New Jersey with a long history of rivalry, particularly in football and basketball.
Academic rankings
Bergen Catholic is considered to be marginally better academically by some. The school offers rigorous academics at the AP, Honors, and College Preparatory levels, with a broad range of extracurricular activities, clubs, and athletics. It is accredited by The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of several associations, including The National Catholic Education Association and The National Association of Secondary School Principals.
Don Bosco Prep is also academically rigorous, offering AP, Honors, and College Preparatory-level courses. The school is solidly founded on Catholic philosophy and is administered by the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco, a religious order of priests and brothers. It is accredited by The Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of various associations, including The National Honor Society and The National Catholic Education Association.
Athletic rankings
Bergen Catholic's football team, the Crusaders, has had a successful run in recent years, winning five of the last six games against Don Bosco as of 2024. However, Don Bosco's football team, the Ironmen, still leads the all-time series. Don Bosco Prep is known for its strong football program, with one source stating that it is "a football program with a school attached."
In basketball, Don Bosco and Bergen Catholic have both faced losses against other teams, with Don Bosco losing to Hudson Catholic and Bergen Catholic falling to Rutgers Prep. Bergen Catholic was ranked No. 1 in the North Jersey Top 25, while Don Bosco was ranked No. 2, indicating a close rivalry.
Student life and Campus
Don Bosco's campus has been described as impressive, featuring grottos and unique traditions, such as the legendary "AIDS razor."
Both schools have a wide variety of clubs and extracurricular activities, with Don Bosco offering clubs like the Bagpipe and Drum Corps, the Knights of Don Bosco, and the Math Honor Society, while Bergen Catholic students participate in honor societies and community service programs.
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Campus facilities
Bergen Catholic High School is a diverse, Catholic community that prepares young men to become leaders by deepening religious faith, developing academic excellence, and strengthening social consciousness and responsibility. The school has an extensive network of over 11,000 alumni spanning the United States and the world. The school has been accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Elementary and Secondary Schools since 1989.
Don Bosco Prep, on the other hand, is a private Catholic college preparatory high school for young men, with students from grades 9 through 12. The school is administered by the Salesian Society of St. John Bosco and offers rigorous academics at the AP, Honors, and College Preparatory levels. Don Bosco Prep has state-of-the-art campus facilities, from classrooms to activity centres and science labs. The campus, nestled in a wooded area of Ramsey, New Jersey, includes Immaculata Hall, which houses the Sacred Heart Chapel, the Kelly Family Wellness Centre, a nurse's office, athletic training room, gym, and youth ministry offices. The campus also features a modern theatre/assembly hall, guidance and administrative offices, and cutting-edge science labs.
The newest campus addition, Savio Hall, is a modern space for world languages classes, a Business Pathway board room, and an Engineering Pathway/Robotics lab. The original school building, St. John's Hall, is now home to the Mary Help of Christians Chapel, as well as the band, theology, computer science, art, and advancement programs. The Don Bosco Prep campus also boasts Granatell Stadium, a 5000-seat outdoor arena, and multiple gathering spots, including The Quad, Alumni Park, and the Major Thomas Kennedy Memorial Park.
Both schools offer robust academic and extracurricular experiences, with Bergen Catholic emphasising its alumni network and Don Bosco Prep showcasing its modern facilities and a range of gathering spots for students.
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Frequently asked questions
The rivalry between Bergen Catholic and Don Bosco is historic and intense, especially when it comes to football. Both schools have strong football programs, with the Bergen Catholic Crusaders and the Don Bosco Ironmen facing off in the annual Great American Rivalry Series. The rivalry has been described as "epitomizing what high school football is all about."
While the Don Bosco Ironmen have historically held the advantage in the all-time series, Bergen Catholic has won five of the last six matchups as of 2024, including three straight rivalry wins. The overall record stands at 41-37-2 in favor of Don Bosco.
Both Bergen Catholic and Don Bosco Preparatory High School are private Catholic institutions with rigorous academic programs. Don Bosco is known for its strong football culture, while Bergen Catholic is considered a better academic institution by some. However, St. Joe's is mentioned as being marginally better than both schools academically.
Don Bosco's campus stands out for its unique features, including grottos. A former student recounted the school's tradition of requiring students with stubble to shave using a well-used razor. Meanwhile, Bergen Catholic's campus is less prominently discussed, with one individual noting that they had not visited in 30 years.
Both schools have competitive basketball teams, with close matchups in recent years. In 2022, Don Bosco lost to Hudson Catholic in triple overtime, while Bergen Catholic fell to Rutgers Prep. Don Bosco also faced Bergen Catholic in a closely contested game, with Bergen Catholic ranked No. 1 and Don Bosco ranked No. 2 in North Jersey.
