Helping to anchor the SHP O-Line this season is talented returning starter Domenic Carratello (5-11, 265), who has generated interest from a number of Division III colleges.

Rabrun, who saw some varsity reps as a freshman last year, could be one of the sophomores to watch on the Essex County football scene this fall.

“I’m very grateful for being here and for the opportunity to play for Seton Hall Prep,” said the Pirates’ young running back. “Coach ‘Fitz’ trusts putting the ball in my hands and the best thing I can do is what needs to be done for our offense to have success moving the ball downfield.

“We have the capabilities and we have to make sure to focus more on all the things that help you win games. I think that last year we just made too many of those little mistakes that add up, and that’s part of the motivation this year to be a different team that has learned from experience.”     

In the past SHP seemed a bit more able to capitalize on other teams’ mistakes such as in defeating favored St. Joseph of Montvale, 28-27, in 2020 while completing a fine 8-2 season, or in 2021 in knocking off both Don Bosco Prep (20-7) and Delbarton (34-21) during a 7-4 campaign. There was also a thrilling 34-30 victory over St. Joe’s in the NJSIAA Non-Public, Group A playoff quarterfinals in 2022 during a respectable 6-6 season.

“If you look back at the first couple of years, we were the beneficiaries of other team’s mistakes), but – unfortunately – what goes around comes around, and we haven’t handled that well lately, and that’s on me.

“I know that we’re determined to cut down on those mistakes and this group has the type of positive attitude and strong work ethic to help us have a successful season.”

Defensively, the Pirates have some good experience in key spots, including Power 5 recruits such as the premier edge rusher McClain (offers from Purdue, Minnesota, Temple, UConn, Penn State and Memphis) and talented senior defensive back Taylor Daniels (Minnesota commit) plus other seasoned performers in big D-lineman Joshua Griffith (6-5, 255 and with offers from Maine and Wofford) along with other solid seniors in sturdy linebackers Colin Moore and Jayden Crawford and safety Jayden Johnson.

“We’ve all been working very hard since January and we are ready to come out at full speed and win games which is the main goal,” said Daniels, who missed last year’s season-opening 14-12 victory vs. St. John Vianney due to a high ankle sprain. “We have a talented group on defense and I’m excited to get going with this season, make plays out there and be the team leader I need to be.”

Daniels, who has been a standout track sprinter, is also key return man on special teams which will look to a new kicker this season following the graduation of standout Declan Farrell (Middlebury College). Senior Jackson DeStefano and junior Brandon Williams are vying for time on the field in the placekicking and punting departments.

“We have a great group of guys on this team who are determined to have a strong season,” said McClain. “There is definitely talent here and now we have to go out there and get the job done together.”       

NOTES – Among its setbacks last fall, SHP lost to DePaul 38-14 and Delbarton 28-7 along with losses against other Catholic school powers St. Peter’s Prep (42-3), Don Bosco Prep (40-7 in the regular season and 42-7 in a playoff quarterfinal) and Bergen Catholic (40-0)…Bullock’s older brother, former St. Peter’s Prep all-state QB Tahj Bullock, has completed his college career after stops at three schools (Virginia Tech, Akron and Colorado State)….Cameron McClain’s big brothers Jaylen (Ohio State) and KJ (Tennessee) are DBs at the next level. Jaylin, who does a great deal of community service in the Columbus, Ohio area, also recently held a successful youth football camp at SHP…Among the first-year SHP assistant coaches joining the staff this fall are Danny Agyeman (running backs), former Montclair assistant Chuck Anderson (outside linebackers) and Stefaun Whitehead (cornerbacks)…the Pirates’ veteran O-lineman Domenic Carratello has been in contact with D3 colleges including Macallister and Carlton from Minnesota along with Grennell of Iowa and Case Western in Ohio.

Seton Hall Prep 2026 Schedule:
Friday, Aug. 28: at Mount Saint Joseph (Md.), 4
Friday, Sept. 4, at DePaul, 6
Saturday, Sept. 12, at Chaminade (N.Y.), 1
Saturday, Sept. 19, vs. Delbarton, 1
Saturday, Sept. 26: vs. Pope John, 1
TBA: at St. Peter’s Prep, TBA
Saturday, Oct. 17: vs. St. Joe’s (Mont.), 1
Saturday, Oct. 24: vs. Irvington, 1
Friday, Oct. 30, at Immaculata, 7                      . 

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