Darren Cooper

Sports Columnist at The Record (Bergen County)

Articles

Bogota searching for new football coach as Brian Appleton bumps up to AD

1 week ago | dailyrecord.com | Darren Cooper

Instead of leading a football program, Brian Appleton will guide an entire athletics program. The veteran Bogota football coach was approved as the school’s new athletic director by the district’s Board of Education on June 17. He posted 29 victories and four winning seasons in seven years with the Bucs, who are slated to open their new field this fall. Appleton informed the team of his promotion after practice.
New Jersey's largest HS football conference launching its own broadcast network

2 weeks ago | dailyrecord.com | Darren Cooper

The Super Football Conference is launching its own streaming network, offering games for $99.99 annually. The SFC Network aims to capitalize on the conference's large number of teams, featuring regular-season matchups and potential original programming. Challenges include maintaining an audience that is known to be transitory and provincial. MORRIS TWP.
VOTE for the North Jersey Softball Player of the Week for May 26-June 1

3 weeks ago | northjersey.com | Darren Cooper

After an exciting start to the high school softball playoffs, it's time to look back on the best performances. Read about the players who stood out last week and let us know who you think should be the North Jersey Player of the Week in the poll at the bottom of this page. Voting closes at 5 p.m. Thursday. Audrey Amoruso, Indian HillsIn a thrilling 1-0 win over Kittatinny, Amoruso tossed a shutout and drove in the game’s lone run.
VOTE for the North Jersey HS Sports Team of the Week for May 19-25

1 month ago | northjersey.com | Greg Mattura |Sean Farrell |Darren Cooper

After another fun week of the spring high school sports season, it's time to look back on the top team performances. Read about the teams that stood out last week and let us know which one should be the North Jersey Team of the Week in the poll at the bottom of this page. Voting closes at 5 p.m. Thursday. Don Bosco baseballThe Ironmen captured their 10th Bergen County championship and extended their winning streak to 13 games with a 5-1 victory over Pascack Valley. Need a break?
VOTE for the North Jersey Softball Player of the Week for May 19-25

1 month ago | northjersey.com | Darren Cooper

After a fun finish to the high school softball regular season, it's time to look back on the best performances. Read about the players who stood out last week and let us know who you think should be the North Jersey Player of the Week in the poll at the bottom of this page. Voting closes at 5 p.m. Thursday. Janina Barna, RutherfordWith star pitcher Giana Yaniero injured, the Bulldogs have had to rely on their offense to carry them through.
New Pascack Valley football coach vows to stay the course

1 month ago | northjersey.com | Darren Cooper

Rob Bernier is moving from the Brook to the Valley. After one season at Saddle Brook, Bernier, 55, was approved as the new head football coach at Pascack Valley by the district’s Board of Education on May 19. A longtime assistant in Ramsey and Saddle Brook, Bernier takes over for Len Cusumano, who stepped down in March after leading the Panthers to a sectional title in 2024, saying he wanted to prioritize his time differently.
VOTE for the North Jersey Softball Player of the Week for May 12-18

1 month ago | northjersey.com | Darren Cooper

After another exciting week of the high school softball season, it's time to look back on the best performances. Read about the players who stood out last week and let us know who you think should be the North Jersey Player of the Week in the poll at the bottom of this page. Voting closes at 5 p.m. Thursday. Briana Darling, HackensackThe speed merchant is back on this list for the second week in a row. For the week, she scored eight runs and was credited with 16 stolen bases in three games.
Softball: Ramsey and IHA to meet for Bergen County title and shot at history

1 month ago | northjersey.com | Darren Cooper

WOOD-RIDGE -- Immaculate Heart Academy and Ramsey have met plenty of times on the softball diamond, but next time, the stakes are as high as they’ve ever been. IHA has a chance to become the first team in the 51 years of the Bergen County Tournament to win four straight titles when they meet the Rams in the county final at the Wood-Ridge Athletic Complex at 2 p.m. on May 24.
North Jersey football community reacts to death of Bergenfield coach Rob Violante

1 month ago | northjersey.com | Darren Cooper

People across the North Jersey football community were devastated to hear the news of Bergenfield coach Rob Violante's death. Violante had been the head coach at Bergenfield since 2011 and was about to enter his 15th season tied as the longest-tenured head coach in school history. He won 61 games with the Bears and reached the playoffs five times. Here were some of the reactions from coaches and administrators who knew him.
Bergenfield NJ football coach Rob Violante killed in car crash

1 month ago | northjersey.com | Darren Cooper

Bergenfield High School football coach Rob Violante was killed in a two-car crash on the Taconic State Parkway in New Castle, N.Y. on the afternoon of May 14. Four people were killed and a fifth is in critical condition. A southbound Sprinter van crossed the median and collided with a Honda sedan that was traveling north in the left lane, according to New York state police. The New Jersey Football Coaches Association confirmed that Violante was one of the people killed in the crash.