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Fordham-bound James Dunnemann II (6) returns to help bolster an experienced unit on defensive side for Seton Hall Prep, while veteran wide receiver Caleb Pasols (11) may not be tall (5-foot-7), but he is one fleet-footed and talented offensive option for Pirates in 2024. Veteran senior defenders include, from left, linebacker Dylan Gilmore (27), Dunnemann and Justin Cook (33). SHP's coaches on defense include, from left, John Peluso, Max Ruiz, first-year DC Lou Zampella, Joe DeMattia and Carlos Pasols, who is Caleb's dad. In bottom photo veteran head coach Bill Fitzgerald addresses his team following their final summer workout before team meets again for l pre-season workouts Aug. 5 in Kelly Athletic Complex. (SC photos and also by PJ Candido/SHP) continued from page 1) They will continue to compete for the starting job while others also continue to strive for playing time to start the new campaign. There are two upcoming home pre-season scrimmages, noon, Monday, Aug. 19, vs. Nottingham, and noon, Thursday, Aug. 22, vs. Paramus Catholic. Then, getting off to a strong beginning, starting with a win over Union, appears to be almost essential for a group of Pirates who are definitely yearning to prove that they can be a strong team in 2024. “A quick start is really important,” said senior defensive end and Fordham commit James Dunnemann II. “Last year we didn’t begin very well, then had a strong finish; but I feel if we can have a hot start with this group then we can build momentum which will definitely help us make November a special time for us. “We’re asking young guys to be able to do a lot, but I’ve seen the talent here close-up and I think everyone is ready for the challenges ahead against our great schedule.” The strength of the Pirates could be on defense where four veteran senior starters return in linebackers Justin Cook and Dylan Gilmore, who is Jack’s twin brother, along with D-ends Tyler Amato and Dunnemann. Another senior, David Manzo, saw significant action in the secondary last fall and will be a DB to watch along with sophomore Taylor Daniels, who already has offers from Syracuse and Marshall, and started nine games as a freshman. “We have a ton of talent on all three sides of the ball,” said Cook, who said he has offers from the University of Massachusetts, Central Michigan and Bucknell. “But, we definitely have the most experience on defense with me and Dillon as returning starters at linebacker and Dunnemann and Amato as veteran D-ends. “The four of us have molded well together along with other experienced guys like Manzo, and we’re all working together to make sure everyone is on the same page.” Gilmore, who came to SHP last year after spending his first two years at Bergen Catholic, likes the energy of the young group of incoming Pirates on the ‘D’ unit. “We have a lot of new, younger guys who are going to be awesome for this team,” said the veteran LB. “The seniors have to embrace the responsibility of leading the way and we know that our great coaches will ‘coaching them up,’ making sure the younger guys know how things work around here, which means always giving 100 % no matter how things might be going at the moment in any game. “We have great chemistry on this team and everyone is really buying into what we need to do in order to be successful.” SHP has a new defensive coordinator this season in former Hudson Catholic head coach Lou Zampella who takes over for the legendary Ed Stinson, who had etched a superb career as the head man at Hoboken before becoming the DC at The Prep. “It’s not the easiest job any time you replace a legend in Ed, and I have big shoes to fill;, but, I know that I am taking over the defense for a team where the kids are always coached up with a great staff,” said Zampella, who is a captain in the Hoboken Fire Department. “We’re putting in a new system and we’ll see how the personnel fits what we’re trying to do, but we know that we plan to have multiple looks and there is definitely talent here along with some good, veteran leadership.” Offensively, it all starts with the quarterback position which has two talented players competing for the starting job in the sophomore Davis and senior Jack Gilmore. “We push each other every day and we motivate each other,” said Davis, a strong young man at 6-foot, 195 pounds and already with five FBS offers from Maryland, Duke, West Virginia, Arkansas State and Bethune Cookman. “We have a great head coach who teaches us everything he knows, and we’re both continuing to learn the ropes when it comes to reading defenses and focusing on coverages.” “I have no doubt that both of us will be able to lead this team,” said Gilmore. “It’s good to have someone to compete against and we’re both excited about looking to try and lead this team.” Fitzgerald, a former outstanding QB at St. Peter’s Prep who also played at Union (N.Y.) College, is thrilled to have two frontline signal callers competing for the starting nod. “They are two tremendous young men and I know that our players are responding well to both of them,” said the SHP head mentor. “They’re competing for the job and we’ll make a decision pretty soon and go from there. “Last year, with the injuries, we ended up needing three quarterbacks at times, and in most instances you need more than one.” Whether it’s Davis or Gilmore behind center the SHP QB will have a dynamic wide receiver to look for in fleet-footed senior Caleb Pasols, a sprinter on the track team, who had 23 receptions and scored four TDs a season ago. Despite his lack of size (5-7, 150) Pasols is quick and strong plus is also ultra-valuable as a return man on punts and kickoffs. And, with the graduation of superb receivers such as Vicari (52 receptions for 864 yards and 5 TDs in 2023) and Danny Easter (30 receptions for 464 yards and 5 TDs), the return of a first-rate pass-catcher like Pasols is a huge plus for an inexperienced Pirates offense. “I’m looking foward to take on more responsibilities as a wide receiver this season,” said Pasols, who recently garnered an offer from Ithaca College. “I’m excited to see what our new-look offense can do and watch our talented, young guys step up and get the job done.” With the graduation of Dunmore, who was last fall’s leading rusher (974 yards, 13 TDs) the competition appears to be strong at the running back position with veterans such as seniors Bryce Robbins and Max Figueroa along with promising sophomores Colin Moore and Jayden Johnson. The offensive line will be comprised of new starters with the graduation of key standouts such as tackle Tyler Dunn. In terms of special teams, in addition to talented players like Pasols on punt and kick returns, the kicking game itself is in solid hands with veteran junior Declan Farrell, who handled kickoff duties last fall while working behind the since-graduated, record-setting field goal kicker Jack Catchpole. Farrell, who has immense potential to continue a rich tradition of outstanding SHP kickers, will take on the multi-tasking of past Pirate greats such as current Yale University standout Nick Conforti, a former all-state punter at SHP, who was also a superb placekicker in high school. “Jack was a great kicker and I learned a lot behind him last year,” said Farrell. “I feel that I’m prepared to step in and try to repeat his success. “I think we’ll have improved special teams overall with our coverage team looking really good. “I’ve always admired the great ones like Nick and Jack, and I’ve improved my punting a lot so I’m ready to do whatever we need done in the kicking department this season.” Overall, it’s an intriguing SHP team ready to embark in the new campaign when full pre-season practice commences on Aug. 5. “These kids have worked really hard since January, and they’re excited about the opportunities that will be there for them this season,” said Fitzgerald. “I’m proud of the players we have here and I am looking forward to coaching our guys. “It’s a young group, and we’re trying to harness some really good talent, but I enjoy this process and it’s an exciting time as we look ahead to our season opener with Union. “I’m happy with the things we’ve accomplished this summer and I believe that we will continue to get better each and every day.” NOTES- Kenyon “KJ” McClain, a rising junior starting safety with several FBS college offers, recently transferred to St. Joseph of Montvale to become part of the secondary for coach Augie Hoffman’s Green Knights who come to the KAC on Sept. 7 for that big early-season game…KJ’s older brother, graduated SHP all-state safety Jaylen McClain, is currently competing for playing time as a freshman at Ohio State…Caleb Pasols’ dad, Carlos, is one of the veteran assistant coaches on the defensive side of the ball…SHP tight ends coach Gerry Moore is a former head coach at Parsippany and Hanover Park…There are 17 seniors on the current SHP roster…Along with Caleb Pasols, among the other multi-sport athletes on the Pirates gridiron roster is the 6-5, 245-pound Dunnemann, who is a forward on the SHP basketball team….In addition to a first-ever football game with Union to get the season off an running, the Pirates’ 2024 schedule includes another first-time opponent in Chaminade (N.Y.) on Sept. 14 in Mineola….SHP has won 12 Parochial A North state titles with most recent one achieved back in 1985. Follow Steve Tober on 'X' (formerly Twitter) @Chattermeister
Seton Hall Prep's contenders to be team's starting quarterback this season are seen in action last season as Kahden Davis (17) and Jack Gilmore (16) worked behind center in the 2023 campaign. The Pirates boast outstanding returning placekicker in junior Declan Farrell (32), whose new jersey number is 17 while Davis is No. 8. (Photos by PJ Candido) Ccopyright 2005 Sideline Chatter - comments - contact the webmaster
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