DON BOSCO’S JALEN BERGER, AT LAST, WILL GET CHANCE TO PLAY FOR STATE TITLE

He grew up watching and idolzing the North Jersey greats, the likes of Jabrill Peppers and Rashan Gary and Brandon Wimbush and Minkah Fitzpatrick dominating on the biggest stage New Jersey football has to offer. He grew up waiting his turn to shine in the Non-Public Group 4 final under the bright lights of MetLife Stadium, just like those others all destined for greatness at higher levels did before him. It seemed inevitable that, at some point, Don Bosco Prep's Jalen Berger would join that list and have the spotlight on him in a state final, earning the opportunity to lead the Ironmen to the state's most coveted and competitive championship. That chance has finally arrived for one of the nation's top recruits. After years of highs and lows and ups and downs since enrolling at Don Bosco Prep in 2016, Berger will be the main attraction when his Ironmen take on St. Peter's Prep in next week's Non-Public Group 4 final. At last. "I've been waiting my whole life for this," Berger said following Don Bosco's 10-8 win over St. Joseph (Mont.) in Saturday's semifinals. "I've been tired of watching other teams play at MetLife. I just wanted to actually step on that field and play." It has not been all smooth sailing for Berger, a dynamic four-year starter and four-star recruit with at least 30 major Division I college offers, since arriving in Ramsey. At the start of this season, the number of head coaches Berger had played for (3) was greater than the number of state playoff wins (2) he was a part of. He has seen three division rivals - Paramus Catholic, Bergen Catholic and St. Joseph - all win state titles during his high school career, while suffering a pair of losses in the state semifinals. At one point this season, with Don Bosco sitting at 2-4, Berger’s career record with Don Bosco was 16-22 and, even with Don Bosco’s recent five-game win streak, still stands at under .500 at 21-22. At any point, he could have jumped ship - like we’ve seen many other high-profile players do before him, particularly in the ever-changing landscape of North Jersey non-public football. But Berger, much like Don Bosco Prep this season, stayed the course. "Frustrating," he said. "But it's always been about sticking to the process. Trusting the process." "He's shown an incredible amount of loyalty to Don Bosco," coach Dan Sabella said. "So it's exciting he gets to play on the big stage. Jalen's earned it." Much like the stars he watched come through Jersey before him, Berger appears destined for similar success at the next level and potentially beyond as his career continues at a college of his choosing (which he'll decide on and announce Jan. 4). With St. Joseph (Mont.) focusing much defensive attention on Berger on Saturday, especially with a limited Kyle Monangai (ankle) in the backfield, Berger still had a major impact on the outcome. It was his 52-yard run down the Don Bosco sideline early in the fourth quarter and key 15-yard reception on a 3rd-and-12 which helped set up the Ironmen's crucial field goal with 6:26 left - ultimately the game-winning points in an eventual two-point win. “Just Jalen being Jalen,” Sabella said of Berger, who has rushed for 1,023 yards and 14 TDs this season, while adding another 302 yards and 3 TDs receiving. “You get to this time of year, everyone’s banged up. But Jalen’s a competitor. He had to make some plays for us and everyone here knew Joe’s was keying on him, knowing he’s the guy when Kyle’s not out there. And Jalen still came through when we needed it. That’s just the kind of player he is.” In a game when the Don Bosco Prep struggled for much of the afternoon, Berger still accounted for more than 71 percent of his team’s total yardage. Don Bosco Prep had 109 yards of offense; Berger was responsible for 78 of those, with 51 yards rushing and 27 receiving. Now, Berger has one game left in his high school career, one final opportunity to leave his mark among New Jersey's all-time greats and leave as a champion. Berger has trusted the process. Now Don Bosco Prep is trusting, and relying on, him.

DON BOSCO’S JALEN BERGER, AT LAST, WILL GET CHANCE TO PLAY FOR STATE TITLE

Photo Credit: Don Bosco Prep Athletics