DePaul Catholic showed exactly why they’re the standard in Non-Public Group B. Behind a gutsy, legacy-building performance from senior quarterback Derek Zammit, the Spartans jumped out early and never surrendered control, defeating Paramus Catholic 21–12 on Friday morning at MetLife Stadium to claim their third state title in four years.
For a quarterback who entered the week on crutches after an ankle injury, Zammit looked nothing like a limited player. He looked like a closer.
Spartans Set the Tone Early
The Spartans’ experience on championship weekend showed immediately. Zammit opened the game, orchestrating a 14-play, 65-yard touchdown drive that bled more than seven minutes and ended with a 1-yard plunge. He went 5-for-5 passing on the drive, part of an 8-for-8 start that kept Paramus Catholic’s defense on its heels.
The Spartans got the ball right back and needed only six plays before Zammit ripped off a 22-yard touchdown run to close the first quarter. By the time the dust settled on the opening 12 minutes, DePaul led 14–0 and controlled the entire rhythm of the game.
Zammit’s Backbreaker
Paramus Catholic tried to steady itself in the second quarter, but it was Zammit again who broke things open after halftime. Facing 2nd-and-14, the senior bounced to the right sideline and turned the corner for a 69-yard touchdown, giving DePaul a commanding 21–0 advantage.
That run capped an unbelievable three-TD day for a player who wasn’t supposed to be fully healthy. He finished with 97 rushing yards, 58 passing yards, and a program-record three rushing scores in a state final.
Paramus Catholic Fights Back
Down three scores, the Paladins finally found life behind junior running back Chukwuma Odoh, who powered in a 1-yard touchdown late in the third quarter to make it 21–6.
In the fourth, Paramus Catholic made it interesting.
Senior quarterback Marco Green, who had missed most of the season with an injury, sparked the offense in relief. He went 9 of 12 for 147 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown strike to Odoh that cut the deficit to 21–12 with 8:52 left. A bad snap wiped out the extra-point attempt and killed a chance to make it a one-score game.
PC’s receivers heated up in the second half as well, with Aiden Acevedo hauling in five passes for 96 yards.
But DePaul’s defense never bent far enough to let the momentum flip truly. After the failed conversion, the Spartans controlled the final minutes and iced the program’s fifth straight championship-game appearance with a win.
By the Numbers
● Total Yards: PC 268, DePaul 249
● PC After Halftime: 194 yards
● Zammit: 8/9 passing (58 yards), nine carries for 97 yards & 3 TD
● Green (PC): 147 passing yards in relief
● Odoh (PC): 2 total TDs
● Acevedo (PC): 5 catches, 96 yards
● Zammit’s Career: 93 total TDs
A Dynasty That Just Keeps Rolling
With the win, the Spartans (8–4) add another trophy to an already stacked run, three titles in four seasons, five straight championship-game appearances, and a senior QB who leaves having started every one of them.
Paramus Catholic (6–7) may have fallen short, but their second-half surge showed a program trending upward under Russo.
DePaul, meanwhile, walks out of MetLife once again as the heavyweight of Non-Public Group B.
Photo Credit: Devon Gray
(Left to Right: Ryhen Thomas, Corey Davis, Patrick Maignan, Jaxon Bastante)
