Seton Hall Prep football opened the season in on August 27 against their archrival Delbarton. Seton Hall Prep is a noticeably young team as only eight starters return. The complete opposite is the case for Delbarton, a senior-heavy squad led by experienced offensive and defensive lines.  

The Pirates got off to a perfect start. Liam Londergan ’24 found Brody Davis ’23over the middle to put The Prep in stellar field position. Next, Mason Mac ’23 scored for the Pirates on a 29-yard run. However, Delbarton was quick to respond. Rob Russo found Sean McCarthy wide open for a 39-yard score. The Prep struggled to move the ball after their opening possession. Delbarton took advantage of their great defensive play; Ryan Trafford found the end zone twice, extending the Green Wave’s lead by 14. However, Delbarton was unsuccessful on a 4th and 11 from the 50, and Seton Hall capitalized. Londergan marched the offense down the field and found Davis for a touchdown.

The Pirates entered halftime down 21-14 ut The Prep’s defense came out energized in the second half, only allowing six total points. Coach Fitzgerald’s offense started to find its rhythm as Luigi Pantano ’24 found the end zone on a 5-yard run. After a failed 4th down from Delbarton, Seton Hall found the end zone again to take the lead 26-21. Delbarton did not go down easily as Rob Russo connected with Ryan Trafford on 3rd and 5 for a 65-yard score. Trafford totaled three touchdowns in the game as Delbarton took the lead 27-26 with two minutes left. Quarterback Londergan was stellar in the last drive. With 1:30 left in the game, on 3rd and 15, he fired a bullet to Mac for the first down in Delbarton territory. On the next play, Liam found Julius Vicardi ’24 for a touchdown. The Prep led 32-27 with thirty seconds left, and Delbarton could not answer. The Prep was victorious in the first game of the season, winning 32-27.