Calhoun Runs Wild: Bergen Catholic Defeats Massillon 35-21

With rain pouring down from the opening kickoff to the final whistle, junior running back Najee Calhoun carried the ball 42 times for 250 yards and two scores as Bergen Catholic (NJ) (1-1) took down the Massillon Tigers (2-1) 35-21 at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. In the first half alone, Calhoun racked up 146 yards on the ground. Leading the way for the Tigers was senior running back Ja’Meir Gamble who finished with 75 yards and a touchdown.

Back and Forth Early

After forcing a quick three-and-out to start the contest, Massillon began their first drive on their 49-yard line. On their third play from scrimmage, Gamble took the handoff to the left side and raced 32 yards for a Massillon touchdown.

Bergen would begin their next drive at their own 26 and it would not take long for them to respond. A series of short runs moved the Crusaders near midfield and on third and five, Dominic Campanile found Ohio State commit Quincy Porter down the left sideline for a 56-yard touchdown, tying the game at 7-7.

Late in the first quarter, Massillon tight end Deangelo Zimmerman got behind the defense and Jalen Slaughter got him the ball. 26 yards later, Zimmerman crossed the goal line and the Tigers retook the lead at 14-7.

On the ensuing kickoff, Anthony Perrotti returned the ball 75 yards down to the Massillon 20. Four plays later, Dante Kain rumbled in from four yards out to tie the game at 14-14 after the first quarter.

The Crusaders forced a three-and-out on the Tigers’ next drive and, after a punt, Bergen took over on their 24-yard line. It wouldn’t take long for them to score as Calhoun ripped off a 45-yard touchdown run to put the Crusaders on top at 21-14.

Midway through the quarter, Campanile dropped back to pass and was picked off by Tra’yon Williams who took it to the house for the Tigers, tying the game again at 21-21. Both squads would have attempts again in the first half but neither could convert, heading into halftime tied 21-21.

Crusaders Take Control

A couple of minutes into the third quarter, Slaughter was intercepted by Bergen’s Ethan Cohall, setting the Crusaders up deep in Tiger territory. Calhoun would find the endzone again, this time from two yards out to give Bergen a 28-21 lead.

The defense came out strong on the next drive and forced a Massillon punt after three plays. Starting from their 24-yard line, the Crusaders would orchestrate a 14-play drive to get down to the one-yard line. On play fifteen, Campanile fumbled the snap into the endzone, which his own lineman Mikey McMahon recovered for a Bergen touchdown, extending their lead to 35-21 with ten minutes to go.

The Tigers would get the ball three more times in the fourth but only managed three first downs total. With a minute left to play, Campanile would take two kneel-downs to seal a 35-21 win for the Crusaders.

Keys to the Game

All eyes were on Ohio State commit Quincy Porter, the 12th-ranked wide receiver in the 2025 class, but a constant downpour from start to finish limited his impact. In stepped junior Najee Calhoun, carrying the ball 42 times for 250 yards and gaining positive yards on all but five carries.

On the other side, the Tigers continued to pass the ball despite the weather. Jalen Slaughter managed to make some plays under pressure and finished with 137 yards and a score through the air. Senior running back Ja’Meir Gamble led the way with 75 yards on the ground, averaging 6.25 yards per carry.

Next Week

The Massillon Tigers will look to get back into the win column next week when they host the Canisius Crusaders (NY) next Friday night.

Bergen Catholic will be on the road again next week when they travel to Iona Prep (NY) on Saturday afternoon.

Top Performers

Bergen Catholic Crusaders

Najee Calhoun: 42 carries 250 yards 2 TD

Dominic Campanile: 8-15 109 yards TD 2 INT

Quincy Porter: 6 catches 96 yards TD

Massillon Washington Tigers

Ja’Meir Gamble: 12 carries 75 yards TD

Jalen Slaughter: 18-32 137 yards TD INT

Deangelo Zimmerman: 2 catches 44 yards TD

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

Massillon 9:30- Ja’Meir Gamble, 32-yard run (kick good)

Bergen Catholic 7:44- Dominic Campanile to Quincy Porter, 56 yards (kick good)

Massillon 1:56- Jalen Slaughter to Deangelo Zimmerman, 26 yards (kick good)

Bergen Catholic 0:00- Dante Kain, 4-yard run (kick good)

2nd Quarter

Bergen Catholic 10:12- Najee Calhoun, 45-yard run (kick good)

Massillon 6:00- Tra’yon Williams interception return (kick good)

3rd Quarter

Bergen Catholic 7:24- Najee Calhoun, 2-yard run (kick good)

4th Quarter

Bergen Catholic 10:11- Mikey McMahon fumble recovery (kick good)