There is the narrow season-opening Week Zero loss in Baltimore followed by state power DePaul needing a fourth quarter rally to come from behind for a 28-17 victory in Wayne.
Then a much more satisfying result as a second half surge resulted n a 30-11 triumph at Chaminade on Long Island.
Now, in Week 3 with longtime rival Delbarton (2-1) coming to Brendan P. Tevlin Memorial Field on Saturday afternoon, perhaps it is a prime opportunity to turn the proverbial corner as the 2026 season is still developing for Seton Hall Prep (1-2), which has given every indication that it is an improved football team over last fall’s 3-7 edition that fell to the Green Wave 28-7 in Morris Township and was handled fairly easily by the same team, 40-0, during a 2-8 campaign in 2024.
The Pirates look for their first victory over Delbarton since a 32-27 season-opening triumph in 2022 during a 6-6 campaign when the Green Wave visits the Kelly Athletic Complex in West Orange for Saturday’s 1 p.m. kickoff.
The Green Wave leads the all-time series with SHP, 8-5, including in three of the four playoff matchups between the two teams.
How this Saturday's contest unfolds could depend on whose O-Line can better help its ground assault proceed.
"I think it's going to be a real physical game," said SHP Coach Bill Fitzgerald. "We're similar in that we've both had success running the ball and I think it could be a little of an 'old-school' type game in that sense."
While the Pirates have been very much in every one of their first three contests, Delbarton could easily be 3-0. Following back-to-back wins vs. out-of-state opponents in the Gilman (Md.) School (21-0, Aug. 29) and Erasmus (N.Y.) Hall (28-12, Sept. 4), the Green Wave was edged by St. Joe’s of Montvale (1-2), 24-17, on Saturday, Sept. 12, when the Green Knights’ star receiver Stalin Knowlton hauled in two fourth-quarter touchdown receptions, including a game-winning catch with just 19 seconds remaining.
Delbarton is looking to return to its winning ways this fall after a rather unaccustomed 4-6 record last fall and a win over rival SHP on Saturday would go a long way in helping to lead the Morris County team in that positive direction.
SHP must continue to move the ball effectively on the ground with both of its top two running backs in senior Leonard West (37 carries for 199 yards and 1 TD) and sophomore Adonis Rabrun (23-219-1). Senior quarterback Jaylin Bullock (17-of-22 for 196 yards and 2 TDs passing) has also been effective in the rushing department with 37 carries for 147 yards and 2 more TDs.
The Pirates’ top receivers include seniors Cadel Beriford (5 receptions for 51 yards and1 TD), Sebastian Cox (5-80-1), Benjamin Ross (4-41) and West (4-33-1).
Defensively, SHP has Power 5 talent in senior Minnesota commit Taylor Daniels (13 solo tackles, 23 assists for 36 total tackles) along with powerful D-lineman Cameron McClain (1 sack and 10 tackles) who is one of the nation’s more highly-recruited juniors.
"Our kids have continued to practice really well," continued Fitzgerald. "We could be 3-0, but I think we still need to learn how to win the close games, and hopefully we benefit from our experiences and can turn more of those games into victories."
Delbarton’s offense is led by junior QB Gavin Glardi (13 of 30 for 192, 2 TDs, 1 Int.), workhorse senior running back Kobe Irby-Mason (60 carries for 450 yards and 5 TDs) and senior wide receiver Jack Castelllano (7 receptions for 72 yards).
The Green Wave has strength defensively with senior linebacker Vince Achilarre (29 solo tackles, 7 assists for 36 total tackles) and ever-present senior D-lineman Luke McBride (17 tackles, 3 TFL, 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries).
