Two familiar rivals meet once again on November 28 at MetLife Stadium as Paramus Catholic and DePaul Catholic square off for the Non-Public Group B championship. The stage is massive, the history between them is thick, and both teams bring quarterbacks capable of flipping a game with a single snap. This matchup has delivered firepower, frustration, and chaos in recent years — and Friday feels primed for more of the same.
Paramus Catholic
Paramus Catholic rolls into the championship at 6–6, battle-tested from a roller-coaster season but fueled by the fire that got them here. The Paladins’ offense runs through senior quarterback Marco Green, who threw for 1,484 yards and 11 touchdowns on the year.
When Green finds his rhythm, the offense hits another gear — and when he connects with junior standout Nehki Martin, it becomes outright dangerous. Martin has piled up 915 yards and eight touchdowns, establishing himself as the top receiver in the entire bracket.
The run game leans more steady than explosive, but senior Achylles DuPont brings the balance this offense needs with 533 yards on the year. When he’s downhill from the jump, defenses tighten up, giving Martin room to punish them over the middle.
The defense has had its ups and downs, but some dudes have stepped up. Grayson Abbruzzese leads the charge with 11 solo tackles, and Austin Barrett plus Aiden Acevedo do the dirty work inside. They’ll need their cleanest, most locked-in performance to stand up to DePaul’s attack.
DePaul Catholic
DePaul enters at 7–4 with an offense built to stretch defenses both sideline-to-sideline and down the seams. Senior quarterback Derek Zammit drives everything they do, stacking 1,769 passing yards and 11 touchdowns with an eye-popping 697 rushing yards. Few players in the state stress a defense like he does — once he breaks contain, a drive can flip in seconds.
His go-to guy is senior receiver Mason James, whose 645 yards and six touchdowns give Zammit a trustworthy, crisp route-runner to pair with his improvisation. Add 758 rushing yards from senior running back Marquan Carter, and the Spartans have a balanced attack early in games.
But DePaul’s most significant advantage comes on defense. Senior linebacker Jaxon Bastante anchors the unit with 70 total tackles and two sacks. Up front, Logan Nagle has been a problem for offenses, piling up 17.5 tackles for loss and 32 solo stops. Add in Teyvion Monroe’s 49 tackles, and DePaul boasts a front that rarely gives quarterbacks clean pockets or breathing room.
Last Time They Met
These two already met back on September 26, and it was DePaul that walked away with a 26–14 win. Paramus Catholic actually led 14–6 at halftime, but DePaul owned the second half, outscoring the Paladins 20–0 behind a defense that tightened up and an offense that leaned on its stars.
Paramus Catholic moved the ball all night. Marco Green threw for 268 yards on 20 completions, while the Paladins stacked up 204 rushing yards behind a strong effort from the backfield and seven grabs for 89 yards from Nehki Martin. They even got a 90-yard kick return and an interception from Austin Barrett, but only turned all that production into two touchdowns.
The Spartans answered with efficiency and physicality. Derek Zammit accounted for 136 passing yards and two scores through the air while adding 121 rushing yards, and Marquan Carter punched in 76 rushing yards and two touchdowns of his own as the Spartans finished with 221 yards on the ground. On the other side,
DePaul’s defense racked up four sacks, 11 tackles for loss, two fumbles, and 93 total tackles, slowly wearing Paramus Catholic down and pitching a shutout after the break. That first meeting is the blueprint: Paramus Catholic can move it, but DePaul has already shown it can close the door late.
Recent History: All green and white
The recent history leans hard toward DePaul:
- 2025: DePaul 26–14
- 2024: DePaul 55–28
- 2023: DePaul 28–12
- 2022: Paramus Catholic 44–22
- 2021: DePaul 40–7
Paramus Catholic has shown it can break through, but DePaul has largely dictated this matchup with its defense and pace. That trend still looms. If Paramus Catholic doesn’t start fast, this game could slip out of reach before halftime — just as it has in most of the recent meetings.
Key Matchups
Paramus Catholic’s passing game vs. DePaul’s pressure
Marco Green and Nehki Martin are one of the most productive passing duos in the state, but the Spartans’ front is fast and disciplined. Nagle and Bastante will challenge Paramus Catholic’s protection from the opening snap, forcing Green to make quick, clean reads.
Containing Derek Zammit
It’s what every opponent says, and few accomplish. Paramus Catholic must seal the edges, stay disciplined in the scramble lanes, and force him into tight-window throws. If he’s allowed to dictate tempo or break contain, the game can swing toward DePaul in a hurry.
The turnover battle
DePaul is at its best when creating short fields. Paramus Catholic needs steady possessions and clean football to avoid giving the Spartans extra scoring chances.
Keys to Victory
Paramus Catholic
- Connect on downfield shots, particularly to Martin.
- Control pace with DuPont’s ground game.
- Keep Zammit in the pocket.
- Create an extra possession through defense or special teams.
DePaul Catholic
- Allow Zammit to run when space presents itself.
- Pressure Green on third downs.
- Establish physicality early with Carter.
- Push Paramus Catholic into predictable passing downs.
Prediction
The Spartans arrive with a deeper roster, a hotter defense, and a quarterback capable of flipping a game in one snap. Paramus Catholic can trade blows through the air, but slowing Zammit for four full quarters remains the most challenging assignment the Paladins will face all year.
Prediction: DePaul Catholic 31, Paramus Catholic 24
