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Last season was about building a foundation for the new Paramus-Mahwah-Lyndhurst tri-op.

This winter, expectations were in place and a few key transfers sprinkled into the mix.

Two of them stepped into the spotlight on Friday and a title drought ended in the process.

Givanni Masi broke a 2-2 tie with 5:18 to go in regulation and second-seeded Paramus-Mahwah-Lyndhurst held on from there to win the Big North Silver Cup, 3-2, over fourth-seeded Clifton United at the Ice Vault in Wayne.

This is the first championship in the tri-op’s history and first title for any of the three schools since Paramus won the Big North Silver Cup in 2012.

“It means the world,” said Paramus-Mahwah-Lyndhurst head coach Jake Rizer. “I mean, these kids have just worked. They’ve worked so hard all year. They love each other. It’s just been a joy to come to the rink every single day. It’s great to see them get rewarded for it.”

Masi began his career at Mahwah and notched seven goals as a freshman in the 2023-24 season. He moved on to Don Bosco Prep last season and returned for his junior year.

“It was pretty big adjustment getting used to the new kids, everything, but got used to them pretty quick,” Masi said. “All family now. Feels good to get on top.”

This was his eighth goal of the season and fourth in February. He was also named MVP.

“He’s an incredible player,” Rizer said. “He’s patient with the puck, got a ton of skill. He’s unselfish. But my biggest thing with him is just how good of a kid he is. All that stuff doesn’t really matter if he’s not coachable.”

Michael Montana tied the game 1:49 before intermission and Trevor Rascher put Clifton United (11-9) ahead, 2-1, 1:12 into the second.

Eric Cadou, a junior transfer from St. Joseph (Mont.), knotted the game at 2-2 near the midway point of the middle frame with his 21st goal on a deft breakaway move.

In goal, EJ Scherer stopped 18 shots in the win.

The freshman has been on quite a run. He posted an .895 save percentage in his first six games. He now has a .918 save percentage in seven games since.

“He’s definitely hit a different gear and it goes back to the love the kids have for each other,” Rizer said. “He loves them, he plays hard for them. They play hard in front of him, they block shots, they do everything for each other.”

These two teams will meet again Wednesday in a game rescheduled from the Ice Vault Classic in December.

Paramus-Lyndhurst-Mahwah (12-9-1) is feeling a wealth of confidence with a seven-game unbeaten streak and the state tournament around the corner.

“We’re going good,” Masi said. “Just keep rolling. Keep doing what we’re doing.”

Recent Rutgers grad and Bergen County native Jake Thistle will perform on "American Idol" Monday. He shared secrets of the TV appearance.

NORTH JERSEY, NJ — Jake Thistle was three years old and living in Paramus when a Super Bowl halftime show made him want to be a musician, he said.

His parents let him stay up late to watch TV on that fateful Sunday in 2008, perhaps to instill an interest in sports, says the singer — who'll appear on TV's "American Idol" Monday.

Their attempt didn't work.

Instead, he was inspired by the music, he says.

The performer? The late Tom Petty.

"For whatever reason, it just entirely mesmerized me," he recalled in an interview with Patch on Wednesday.

Now, the 21-year-old recent Rutgers graduate will play music on TV for the first time, appearing on the ABC program this Monday night.

He'll appear before judges Lionel Richie, Carrie Underwood, and Luke Bryan, hoping to head to the next round of stardom.

Thistle couldn't say whether he proceeds to the next round, but he was able to reveal which song he picked for the audition.

He chose "Can't Find My Way Home" by Blind Faith, the British supergroup that included Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Ginger Baker, and Ric Grech.

Thistle graduated from Paramus High School in 2022, released two singles in 2023, performed around the country, and graduated from Rutgers last month. Now he'll get what may be his big break.

Thistle's music blends classic rock with modern pop.

He started playing gigs a few weeks before his 10th birthday when a family friend suggested he try out an open mic at Mama’s Café Baci in Hackettstown.

"It really snowballed from there," he said.

He continued in the public schools in Paramus, where he had an "incredible time because Paramus has such a great music program throughout the schools. My parents didn’t know that when they moved here. It was a great environment for fostering what I wanted to do."

While studying at Rutgers, Thistle kept playing shows, and especially enjoyed performing at Asbury Park. But "Idol" will bring his biggest audience yet.

"The thing about New Jersey for me is," he said, "honestly, out of everywhere I could be from, this is the place I would want to be from. It's such a great place creatively. There's so much talent that comes out of New Jersey, so many people to look up to...it's just a master class in songwriting."

Thistle, an only child, says his parents still live in Paramus, and he hopes to move back to the area from New Brunswick eventually.

For now, he hopes his neighbors will cheer him on.

"I’d really appreciate it for people tune in to that part of my journey," he said. "I’m trying to hang around as long as possible in the scene. I'm hoping this is a good introduction for me to a larger audience. I'm really excited to see what happens."

"American Idol" airs at 8 p.m. this Monday on ABC, and will stream on Hulu the next day.

❄️ ???? Ice & Fire An Ecstatic Dance and Sound Journey of Transmutation and Dynamic BalanceFebruary 7 | Hosted at Pure Bliss Yoga – Edgewater February invites us into contrast.

Cold air and warm breath. Stillness and movement. Rest and ignition. As winter deepens, the earth holds us in quiet clarity. Beneath the frost, a steady flame burns—our inner fire, our intentions, our life force gathering strength. Ice & Fire is an invitation to explore this sacred balance through movement, music, and embodied ritual. We will open with a Plant Spirit Meditation and Intention-Setting Circle, to thaw the ice, hone in on our intentions and awaken the agni (our inner fire) to manifest them forward into 2026, the year of the Fire Horse. This time of year between the Winter Solstice and the arrival of the Lunar New Year is a magical, liminal space of inner wisdom, somatic healing and transmutation. Here and now, we gather to dance the space between opposites: softness and power, release and renewal. Through freeform movement, we shed what has cooled and awaken what is ready to rise. This is not about forcing change—but listening, warming from within, and moving in harmony with the season’s wisdom. Let music carry you like wind over snowfields. Let rhythm kindle your inner hearth. Let dance become the place where stillness and vitality meet.

✨ What Is Ecstatic Dance? Ecstatic Dance is a guided yet unstructured movement experience where participants dance freely without choreography or verbal communication. It is a somatic practice that supports emotional release, creativity, presence, and authentic self-expression in a supportive, non-judgmental environment.

???? What to Expect• Opening Community Connection — Arrive, ground, and connect• Plant Spirit Meditation and Intention-Setting Circle — an opportunity to reflect, journal and meditate guided by the wisdom of a plant specially curated by herbalist Khadija for this liminal experience (optional but highly recommended add-on).• Guided Somatic Warm-Up — Gently awaken the body and nervous system with Inna, a certified ecstatic dance instructor.• Extended Ecstatic Dance Journey — A curated musical arc designed to build heat, release energy, and restore balance with DJ Narr, hailing from Brooklyn• Closing Sound Bath — A meditative sound immersion for integration and rest with the Pure Bliss sound healer collective.• Nourishment — Complimentary water and fresh fruit; warming herbal elixirs and snacks available for purchase.

???? PROGRAM FLOW Presented by Zeni and the Pure Bliss Yoga collective• 5:00–5:30 PM — Doors Open for Plant Spirit Meditation | Arrival & Grounding• 5:30–6:30 PM — Plant Spirit Meditation and Intention-Setting Circle with Khadija (doors closed during this time)• 6:30–7:00 PM — Doors Re-Open for Ecstatic Dance | Arrival & Grounding• 7:00–8:00 PM — Somatic Warm-Up & Seasonal Invocation with Inna• 8:00–9:45 PM — Ecstatic Dance Journey with DJ Narr• 9:45–10:30 PM — Sound Bath, Closing Circle & Integration• 10:30–10:45 PM — Mingling and Goodbyes

????️???????? What to Wear / Bring• Comfortable, layered clothing for warmth and movement• A refillable water bottle • Bare feet, socks, or indoor-only dance shoes• An open heart and willingness to explore balance within

???? Community Agreements To keep the space safe, respectful, and expansive:1. Dance with Yourself First — If dancing with others, all contact must be consensual (FRIES: Freely Given, Reversible, Informed, Enthusiastic, Specific).2. No Alcohol — We honor clear presence and embodied awareness.3. No Talking on the Dance Floor — Let movement and body language speak. (There will be a lounge area for this and also it’s permitted on the outskirts of the dance floor).4. Grounded Feet — No outdoor shoes on the dance floor.5. Be Yourself — All emotions, expressions, and energies are welcome.

???????? Herbal Elixirs & Nourishment A seasonal elixir bar will offer warming, grounding herbal blends and raw deserts crafted with organic and locally sourced ingredients to support movement, immunity, and integration.

???? Accessibility & Reciprocity Dance is for everyone.• Sliding-scale or supported options are available—reach out if cost is a barrier.• Generous Dancer tickets help sponsor another community member’s experience.

???? Meet the cold with courage. Honor the stillness. Dance the fire awake.

❄️ ????Energy exchange: Early bird $35 | $55 with plant spirit meditation

Regular $45 | $65 with plant spirit meditationGenerous dancer ticket $55 | $75 with plant spirit meditationChildren's Ticket (Under 18, Must be accompanied by an adult) $17 | $25 with plant spirit meditation.Studio members get 15% Off

Class of 2029 quarterback prospect Walker Snee will be leaving one of New Jersey’s top high school football powerhouses and taking his talents elsewhere for the 2026 season.

Snee tells Rivals on Friday afternoon that he’s leaving perennial national power (NJ) and transferring to Paramus Catholic (NJ). Snee is the son of former NFL offensive lineman Chris Snee and grandson of 2-time Super Bowl champion Tom Coughlin.

This past season was history making for Snee at Bergen Catholic as he became the first freshman ever to score a varsity touchdown for the Crusaders. Though Snee saw minimal time on varsity, the young quarterback made the most of his playing time, especially running the rock.

The 6-foot-1, 185-pound quarterback completed 12 of 26 passes for 59 yards and then on the ground rushed for 271 and scored three touchdowns for Bergen Catholic.

The Paladins bring back a bevy of talent on both sides of the ball, including 2027 four-star cornerback Austin Barrett, 2027 athlete Nehki Martin and 2028 athlete AJ Lopez.

Paramus Catholic ended the last season with a 6-7 record and as the state’s No. 13th ranked team, according to the final New Jersey 2025 High School Football Massey Rankings.

More about Paramus Catholic High School

Paramus Catholic High School, located in Paramus, New Jersey, is a private, coeducational Roman Catholic college preparatory school serving students in grades 9–12. Known for its strong academic curriculum, championship athletic teams, and vibrant student life, PC fosters spiritual, intellectual, and personal growth. With a commitment to excellence and service, Paramus Catholic prepares students to lead with integrity and faith in a diverse, global society.

How to Follow New Jersey High School Football

For New Jersey high school football fans looking to keep up with scores around the Garden State, staying updated on the action is now easier than ever with the Rivals High School Scoreboard. This comprehensive resource provides real-time updates and final scores from across the state, ensuring you never miss a moment of the Friday night frenzy. From nail-biting finishes to dominant performances, the Rivals High School Scoreboard is your one-stop destination for tracking all the New Jersey high school football excitement across the state.

Lucas Reeves gets up at 5 a.m. to make the hour and a half-long drive from Nazareth (PA) to Oradell each day.

On Thursday night, the Bergen Catholic freshman and his family will make the commute back home on Interstate 78 West in joyous spirits.

Reeves picked up a decisive 2-1 decision win in the second-to-last bout in the NJ.com No. 5-ranked Crusaders’ thrilling 30-27 home victory over No. 8 Paramus Catholic.

“He was the hero,” Bergen Catholic’s head coach Dom Santoli said. “He’s a gamer and he’s ready for competition. The young guys believed in themselves.”

Bergen Catholic led the match 27-24, but the 132-pound Reeves was down 1-0 in the third period vs. Paramus Catholic standout sophomore River Hibler. Hibler was riding high and Reeves worked into a reversal with the clock ticking late.

Reeves knew how big the moment was. He delivered.

“This is my first real home dual meet with this school,” Reeves said. “My dad went here and was a Division-I football player [at Iona]. Here is a whole different level. I was going for my one [point] and he kind of slipped out and it was right there. It was big for my team.”

Senior state medalist Sowzy Tsay stayed off his back at 138 and held Nicky Pallitto to a 7-0 decision to seal the match.

In the bout prior to Reeves’ win, state medalist Matt Mulligan picked up three more big points for Bergen Catholic.

The Elmwood Park native beat fellow sophomore Joey Pellicci 7-6 in an epic battle of state-ranked 126-pound wrestlers, who could meet again on Sunday in the county final. Mulligan watched tape on the Beast of the East medalist and came into the matchup with confidence.

“That was my first time wrestling him,” Mulligan said of Pellicci. “I saw that he had good defense and re-attacks. I had to come up with my shots and finish them. I knew I was going to win that match.”

The match started with two clashes between state-ranked wrestlers that had the gym in a frenzy.

Paramus Catholic state finalist Seach Hibler worked into a reversal and set up a Peterson to stick sophomore star Gideon Gonzalez in the second period at 144. Six more points came for the Paladins at 150 when Nick Barone caught fellow senior Joey Rondinelli on his back at the end of the first period.

The early uneasiness from the Bergen Catholic crowd made it seem like both outcomes could decide the match.

“The older kids made some mistakes and that happens,” Santoli said. “It was some dynamic fireworks from the young guys who put us in that position [to win].”

Bergen Catholic got pins from freshmen Ryan Halal at 106 and Anthony Riotto at 113 while seniors Danny Washburn (165) and AJ DiGiovanni (175) also added bonus for the Crusaders. Washburn won by major and DiGiovanni won by tech. Sophomore Manny Gusfa won by decision at 157.

Santoli had nothing but good things to say about Paramus Catholic. The Paladins took a 53-19 loss to Bergen Catholic last year after beating the Crusaders 40-30 in 2024 to snap a losing streak that dated back to 1986.

Piela has his program in an ideal spot and Santoli came away highly impressed with his opponent.

“That was the best Paramus Catholic team I’ve ever seen in my life,” Santoli said. “Hats off to Jon [Piela] and his staff. They’re tough. They never stopped and they were banged up. I’m not surprised their culture is like that. I’m not surprised because Jon is a winner.”

The win for the Crusaders once again came without senior state medalist Joey Canova, who is nearing a return from a torn ACL late last season. Sophomore Marcos Asan is still working his way back from an undisclosed injury that Santoli is giving him time to recover from.

Santoli ended the night by rounding his team up in the corner of the gym. He was happy with the win, but he laced into his kids and let them know that he was unhappy with their focus and preparation ahead of the match.

Those are two areas Santoli said he wants to see improvement in, but he knows how important this win was.

It mattered for Big North United Division implications, it mattered for Non-Public A seeding purposes, it mattered for the psyche of his team, and it mattered for the state of his program.

After a pair of years of coming up short in high-profile duals, Bergen Catholic wrestling is beginning to look like vintage Bergen Catholic wrestling again.

“When we wrestled St. Peter’s [at the Catholic Duals], we gave it away,” Santoli said. “Giving away two matches in the year I think would’ve crushed some of these guys, and it would’ve hurt my spirit too.

“I’m just trying to a build a culture of guys who care about each other. We have some cleaning up to do, but I’m happy with the kids. We’ve got something cooking.”