Delbarton

It was another impressive year for the Green Wave in 2023, cruising to a 10-2 record and squaring off with Bergen Catholic in the state final. Unfortunately for Delbarton, they couldn’t find the endzone in the second half, and Bergen Catholic took home the Non-Public Group A title.

The Green Wave were 4-0 against the United a season ago, putting up electric offensive numbers and having a dominant defense. To get to that state championship game, they had to go through Don Bosco and new division rival Seton Hall Prep at home, powering to a 6-0 home record.

Senior wideout Phillip Folmar will return for the 2024 season. He also worked on the offense’s ground game last season. Folmar led the team in receptions with 47 for 579 yards and four scores while rushing for 349 yards and eight touchdowns. The defense will have last year’s sack (4) and TFL (9) leader Kyle Chiecchio back for his senior season as the defense looks to replicate its success from 2023.

DePaul

The Spartans finished 2023 with a 6-6 record, and looking back on their season, they could never separate themselves from the .500 mark. Even though the offense put up outstanding numbers, scoring 289 points, it unfortunately was the lowest in a division filled with offense. This was tough on their defense, allowing 274, but they made big stops in the team’s wins.

Depaul also ended the year with a 2-2 division record, a 3-2 home record, and a 3-4 road record. The story came once the state playoffs began, and the Spartans rolled right through St. Mary and hit the road to play St. Thomas Aquinas. Nolan James and company led a comeback and advanced to the state finals but eventually fell to Red Bank Catholic.

The Spartans are poised to be a threat in the United White this year, with many of their stat leaders returning. James will return after his 1,422-yard and eight-touchdown season. Derek Zammit returns as the team’s starting quarterback and will have plenty of targets like De’zie Jones and Elijah Burress to throw to. DePaul has what it takes to hoist the state title in November; now they just need to go to work and get it done.

Pope John

The Lions finished second to Delbarton with a 7-4 record, but knowing the program they were not satisfied with how the season ended. Pope John came out of the gates as hot as any team in the conference, winning five of their first six games. While they only won two of the last five, you can see that they were in the game all but one loss. 

Even more impressive, the Lions were road warriors, rolling to a 4-1 record away from home including an impressive win at DePaul. Pope John will consider a first-round exit in the state playoffs a disappointment after the season they had.

Tylik Hill is primed to top his incredible 2023 season, during which he rushed for over 1,000 yards and led the team in total touchdowns with 15.  Tyler Houser will lead the defense after his box office season of 121 tackles, with 17.5 being for a loss, two and a half sacks, and fumble and pick returned for a touchdown.

Seton Hall Prep

The Pirates are the new kids on the block in the United White Division after spending their 2023 season in the United Red Division. Seton Hall finished the year 5-7 but turned some heads in the state playoffs. After losing four of their first five games, the Pirates rattled off three-straight wins, with the last two coming on the road in the states, to face Delbarton in the semifinals.

Seton Hall lost to its new Division rivals but put up a fight in a challenging road environment and had to be proud of the run they made. The offense put up big numbers that helped them go on that streak in the states, but the defense proved to be their Achilles heel.

Some new faces will take the field on opening night this year for Seton Hall, with many of last year’s starters graduating. A name to watch will be senior Ben Mitrow, who, in limited carries, found pay dirt four times in 2023. Caleb Pasols joins him on the offensive side of the ball as both will look to be leaders on a young offense. This Pirates defense could turn some heads this season as starters like Justin Cook and Dylan Gilmore return for their senior years.

St. Peters Prep

Last season may look like a year to forget for the Marauders but don’t sleep too much on them entering the 2024 season. With a young team, it’s fair to say they were getting vital experience that should prove successful this season. 

One of the games to look at from 2023 would be when they traveled to Delbarton and nearly upset the eventual state finalists. They should look back on that game to show that they can play with anyone this season. Last season is in the past, and everyone starts in the same spot on opening night.

Returning on offense is junior duel threat quarterback Tyler Bell, who threw eight touchdowns and ran for four in his sophomore season. Bell will have senior Jalen Kline as his lead back again this season for their first year in the United White. Kline was your classic hardnosed running back, carrying the ball 151 times for 701 yards and five scores. Keep an eye on these two and the young Marauders squad poised to improve this year.