Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
TAPinto.net
Championship Football Continued at Bloomfield, with State Sectional Titles and an Appearance in the Sectional Final, at MetLife Stadium
By Mike Lamberti,
8 hours ago
Credits: Jerry Simon
Sam Cavallaro's ascension to head football coach at Bloomfield High began in 1966. Cavallaro had success as head coach at Bayonne prior to his arrival at Bloomfield.
That first team would finish 4-5 in '66. The next two seasons, Bloomfield had back-to-back records of 4-3-2. In 1969, the Bengals would put together a 7-2 record, defeated Montclair for the first time since 1945, and won a state sectional title. (This was before the NJSIAA playoff format, which would begin in 1974).
Bloomfield would defeat Montclair, again, in 1970 and 1971, and put together a combined 13-5 record. The 1973 Bengals are considered one of the school's best-ever teams. That squad was 8-0-1, defeated Montclair, and won a second sectional title under Cavallaro.
In 1974, the NJSIAA officially started a playoff format, and the Bengals played in that first championship game, at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. A big win over Montclair helped lead the way into that playoff game. The Bengals were defeated by Morristown, in Atlantic City, and finished 8-2 overall.
Bloomfield was 5-2-2 in 1975. Two years later, the Bengals were 9-1 and back in the playoffs. In that 1977 season, Cavallaro won his 100th career game as a head coach and the Bengals won an NNJIL title, as Gibby Carter had a standout year as the team's quarterback. Gibby's younger brother, Mike, was a junior on that '77 squad.
Cavallaro would step down as head coach following the 1981 season. He had a 78-58-11 mark at Bloomfield, and in 2008, would be inducted into the Essex County Football Coaches Hall of Fame.
Joe Biscaha, who had some big years at Passaic Valley, would take over and coach for three seasons. In 1985, Al Rotella, a legendary coach at Verona, was at the helm and in 1986, George Middleton held the job.
In 1987, Chet Parlavecchio was named the new head coach, and in 1988, the Bengals snapped a dubious losing streak, which had hit 40 games (0-39-1) with a win in the second game of the season, at home against Paramus Catholic, 7-0. It was the first win for the team since 1983.
The '88 Bengals were 3-5-1, and the following year, Bloomfield was back in the playoffs for the first time in 12 years, with an 8-1 regular season.
Parlavecchio would depart as head coach after the 1990 season, and Mike Carter, an assistant to Parlavecchio, was promoted to head coach. In his first game as head coach, in 1991, Bloomfield defeated Montclair, 12-0.
For 33 seasons, Carter has been the head coach. Only Bill Foley has held the football head coaching position longer. In 2024, Carter will begin his 34th year at the helm.
He's taken Bloomfield to the state playoffs 12 times, and in 2012, guided the Bengals to the sectional final, at MetLife Stadium. There, the team lost a heartbreaker, in double overtime, to Montclair. In 2012, the Bengals were 9-3 and Carter won his 100th career game as head coach.
In 2024, Bloomfield will look to make the playoffs for the first time since 2017.
Get updates delivered to you daily. Free and customizable.
Welcome to NewsBreak, an open platform where diverse perspectives converge. Most of our content comes from established publications and journalists, as well as from our extensive network of tens of thousands of creators who contribute to our platform. We empower individuals to share insightful viewpoints through short posts and comments. It’s essential to note our commitment to transparency: our Terms of Use acknowledge that our services may not always be error-free, and our Community Standards emphasize our discretion in enforcing policies. We strive to foster a dynamic environment for free expression and robust discourse through safety guardrails of human and AI moderation. Join us in shaping the news narrative together.
Comments / 0