Bridgewater-Raritan looks to grow again this week with trip to No. 6 Piscataway on deck

As Bridgewater-Raritan’s season heads to its second week on Friday, it will be hard to top last week’s season-opening instant classic.

After three quarters, the Panthers trailed Notre Dame 34-10 in Lawrenceville. What followed was a hectic effort that showcased the resolve and fight that Bridgewater-Raritan head coach DJ Catalano was looking for.

Quarterback Declan Kurdyla tossed four touchdown passes in the quarter and the Panthers miraculously recovered two consecutive onside kicks within a minute to mount a massive comeback attempt. Though a potential go-ahead 42-yard field goal was blocked with 40 seconds to go, it showed the “Never Say Die” attitude that every coach can hang their hat on.

Next up for Bridgewater-Raritan is another road trip to a tough opponent, No. 6 Piscataway. The Chiefs bring a distinct system to the table that Catalano described as “What they do, they do very well.”

You can hear the Big Central Game of the Week presented by Bellamy & Son Paving live on Central Jersey Sports Radio Friday with game time at 6 pm, and pregame at 5:45 with Mike Pavlichko and Alec Crouthamel calling all the action. Click here to listen live.

After going 3-7 in his first season taking over for Rick Mantz, Catalano – who was Mantz’s offensive coordinator in 2022 – and his young Panthers team are looking for continued growth and progression week after week, especially in a tough American Silver Division in the Big Central Conference.

Kurdyla has stepped up for now-graduated quarterback Jack Bray and has impressed Catalano and the staff with his potential and athleticism through only one varsity start in his junior campaign. Kurdyla aside, many of the Panthers’ big contributors are two-way players, a fact that Catalano says can be a positive and negative from a depth standpoint.

Another versatile weapon at Catalano’s disposal is senior Ja’Sante Johnson, who converted from cornerback to defensive end because of his endless motor, athleticism, and a need at the position.

Though the season is still young, Bridgewater-Raritan can take another step forward in its program’s development with a strong performance against a tough Piscataway team on Friday.

Click below to hear Bridgewater-Raritan head coach DJ Catalano talk with Central Jersey Sports Radio’s Alec Crouthamel: