WEST ORANGE- No doubt it’s been a tough haul for Seton Hall Prep during the past four seasons both in and out of the rigorous Super Football Conference United White Division and without a winning record since a 7-4 mark in 2021.
Last year’s 3-7 ledger, which followed a 2-8 mark in 2024, is still fresh in the hearts and minds of the Pirates who do have some nice talent on hand as they prepare for the season opener 4 p.m., Friday, Aug. 28, at Mount Saint Joseph of Baltimore, Md.
While reversing last fall’s results against formidable foes such as DePaul (week 1 opponent, Sept. 4, in Wayne) and Delbarton (Sept. 19 at home) will be a supreme challenge, a fresh attitude and determined approach are ever-present for the 2026 SHP squad.
As the Pirates held their annual Media Day on Wednesday, July 22, one could certainly sense a positive attitude very much in the air on a beautiful summer afternoon at Brendan P. Tevlin Memorial Field as the team was winding up its summer workouts before some time off prior to full-scale pre-season practice beginning Aug. 3.
“I’m very confident about this team, and I feel that we’re much improved with everyone fully on board to work together and have success,” said Cameron McClain, the Pirates’ highly-recruited junior defensive lineman. “We have some young guys who are hungry along with strong senior leaders who are ready to get out there and continue to work hard each and every day in order to have a winning season.”
Potential is a great thing - and that valuable ingredient is ever-present for the young Pirates – but they also know that they must go out and produce positive results as they shoot for their first winning season in five years.
“Our kids have done a great job, and I’m very proud of the work they’ve put in from Jan. 5 to now,” said Bill Fitzgerald, the team’s ninth-year head mentor. “There is certainly some potential with this group, but potential also means you haven’t done anything yet, and we know there is a great deal of work that continues to be ahead for us in order to accomplish what we want to this season.
“Our emphasis this summer has been blocking, tackling and taking care of the football. We need to make big plays offensively and take away the big play on defense.
“The league is too good so we have to try not to play both our opponent and ourselves, but look to make the full focus each week on the next opponent.”
Coming up with that big play on offense could be enhanced with the return of starting quarterback Jaylin Bullock, a powerful 6-foot-1, 235-pound senior, who had to sit out the first four games last season in accordance with NJSIAA guidelines regarding the sit-out period following a second transfer, but is ready for a full season on the field in 2026.
Bullock had played at St. Peter’s Prep as a freshman before spending his sophomore year at Montclair.
“I’m excited to have a full season this year and I am honored to play for Seton Hall Prep,” said the Pirates’ talented veteran signal caller. “I feel that I’ve improved in terms of reading defenses and I continue to try and slow the game down in my approach so I can make sure to make the plays I need to in order to help us win.
“I’m determined to be that leader our team can count on.”
While SHP will have an entire new cast of wide receivers for Bullock to throw to, there are two young, talented and experienced running backs to hand the ball off to in sturdy junior Leonard West (5-8, 220) and promising sophomore Adonis Rabrun (5-9, 205).
“We have a very promising running game with guys who can do different things to get the job done in moving the ball downfield plus a very capable O-Line which has grown a lot as a unit,” said West who is the team’s leading returning rusher (423 yards, 2 touchdowns in 2025). “We’ve all put in hard work both in the meeting room and on the field, and I believe we’re a more disciplined group which is in terrific shape and with a great attitude.”
