DePaul Catholic defeated Pope John, 33-21, decisively last Friday at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford in a highly anticipated epic battle between the two rival Catholic high schools in the Paterson Diocese.
It was more than the DePaul Spartans’ juggernaut of consistent scoring that drove them to clinch the NJSIAA’s 2024 Non-Public B State Championships Title on Oct. 29.
Nick Campanile, head coach for DePaul Catholic High School in Wayne, credited the players’ on-field teamwork for their victory over the Lions of Pope John Paul XXIII Regional High School in Sparta. He also pointed to the leadership senior players assumed — and grew into — over the season.
Over the past four years at DePaul, these seniors have also improved academically and grew spiritually.
“It was an excellent game. The kids on both teams played hard. DePaul made the plays it needed to make. Our players stepped up and won the game,” said Campanile, who paid tribute to his many senior players. “They understood the game, which they taught to the younger players. The sophomores especially looked up to the seniors.”
That afternoon, DePaul won its second state title in three years. The top-seeded Spartans (10-1) beat No. 6 seed Pope John (5-7), 33-21. DePaul entered the game ranked No. 4 in the New Jersey Super 25 rankings. Pope John was unranked, having made a Cinderella run to the final after going 2-7 during the regular season, according to the Record.
One of DePaul’s standout leaders was Ya’Sire Howell, a senior linebacker. This year, he used his boisterous yet respectful personality to become a “vocal leader” on the team, Campanile said.
“Ya’Sire steps up and says what’s on his mind. He is the first in line at every drill,” Campanile said.
Howell said about last week’s win, “It felt good to get the guys a second championship ring and see the smile on the coach’s face.”
“We stepped up with our talent and leadership to bring ourselves together as a team and win the game,” said Howell, who also credited the coaching. He also described his leadership style. “I’m not afraid to say what’s right and wrong. We have a goal and must do what we can to reach that goal.”
Bishop Kevin J. Sweeney led a prayer before the game. He publicized the anticipated matchup on his and the diocese’s social media accounts. Russell Petrocelli, DePaul’s principal, and Gene Emering, Pope John’s principal, thanked Bishop Sweeney for his presence and enthusiasm. Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh, a 1992 DePaul alumnus, also attended to cheer on the players.
“Congratulations to the DePaul Catholic Spartans for winning their League Cham-pionship, and congratulations to the Pope John Lions for playing a hard-fought game. It was a great day for the Diocese of Paterson at MetLife Stadium!!” Bishop Sweeney wrote in a post on social media.
Emering said he wished the game had ended differently for the Lions but also noted, “These players had an experience that will be long-lasting.”
“These kids were trying to do their best. They stayed together and worked hard. They made it to the Meadowlands and competed well. It’s a great story,” said Emering, who praised everyone for demonstrating respectful sportsmanship.
DePaul led the first quarter, 13-7. Pope John gained in the second quarter, 15-13, only to lose the lead to DePaul, 19-15. By the end of the third quarter, DePaul led 26-21. DePaul then widened its lead in the fourth quarter to the final 33-21 score when Nolan James scored his second touchdown, according to the Record.
Praying with Bishop Sweeney before the game were Frank Lennie, a DePaul chaplain, and Father John Calabro, a chaplain and theology teacher at Pope John.
A Christian, Howell said weekly Masses, religion classes, and praying before classes at DePaul have “increased my faith.”
“I go to church more. Before I would get on the field, I prayed by myself before the game that we would stay safe — and win,” Howell said.
The senior players became better students over the four years at DePaul. Howell made the honor roll for the first time this fall.
“The seniors are all great athletes and are students who take school seriously. They will influence DePaul’s football program for years to come,” Campanile said.
