1. What made you go to Prep?
   
   It was kind of predestined. I grew up right down the road in Kearny, both my parents were from Jersey City, and my older brother went to Prep. There was never a doubt.
   
   
   
2. What's your most lasting memory of Prep?
   
   Beating Bergen in Giants Stadium to win the 1994 championship. We had a great group of players and coaches, and it was an amazing ride.
   
   
   
3. How important was football to your prep experience?
   
   Football was paramount to my Prep experience. Being the starting QB for the #1 team in the state was my identity and I loved every minute of it. Of course, attending Prep was more than just football, and the entire experience has played a huge role in helping me become the man I am today.
   
   Equally as important, I made lifelong friendships during my time at Prep. A transformative experience for me.
   
   
   
4. What are you doing now? 

         
          For my day job, I am a compliance professional in the financial services industry but I’m most passionate               about coaching my sons and other young men. I have two boys, and both are very active in youth sports. I             also coach football for Bergen Stars, a travel team, and on the 7v7 football circuit. 
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1. What can you tell us about the Bubba Fund? 
   
   It’s a scholarship fund vested at St Peter’s Prep in loving memory of my friend and teammate Bill “Bubba” O’Donnell. The Foundation has been active since 2017, and we continue to host a few events a year to raise tuition assistance funds for student-athletes associated with Prep football. It’s a great way to keep Bill’s memory alive. He was a great friend and teammate.
   
   
   
2. How has your Prep experience helped you in the real world?
   
   I’ll often leverage my Prep network to help navigate real life situations. The brotherhood is a real thing, and guys are always willing to help one another.
   
   I’ve also seen my Prep background benefit me beyond my Prep network because once people hear you’re associated with St. Peter’s, they assume they’re dealing with someone who has integrity. That really matters. ​

Prep Football Alum Cody Simon, '20 and RJ Oben, '19 faced off on opposite sides of the field in this year's College Football Playoff National Championship. Ohio State defeated Notre Dame by a score of 34-23 and OSU Captain and defensive leader Cody Simon was named the Defensive Player of the Game. Cody became the third Prep Football graduate to star on a national championship team in recent memory. He joins 2015 graduate Minkah Fitzpatrick (University of Alabama) and 2008 graduate Will Hill (University of Florida).

Both RJ and Cody played instrumental roles in their teams road to the finals. In the CFP Semifinals, Ohio State defeated Texas in the Cotton Bowl and Notre Dame defeated Penn State in the Orange Bowl. In the Quarterfinals, Ohio State routed the #1 seeded Oregon Ducks while Notre Dame upset the #2 seeded Georgia Bulldogs. Oben had the biggest defensive play of the game when he turned the corner and executed a perfect strip sack of Georgia QB Gunner Stockton. The forced fumble set up ND in Georgia territory and led to a TD before the half to put ND up 13-3. In the Rose Bowl, Simon led the Buckeyes to a huge win over Oregon. Cody was named the Rose Bowl Defensive MVP and finished the game with 11 tackles, 2 sacks, 3 TFLs, and 1 pass defended.

When the book was closed on the 2024-25 college football season, Cody had a dream season capped off with an amazing playoff run. Oben shined in his own sense. This article in the Haitian Times recaps his college career and this year's playoff run. Congrats to both Marauder alum!

Members from the 2024 Marauder Football team were honored with Super Football Conference All-Division selections. The following Marauders made the team.

1st Team: Sammy Bartoszek, Justin Gonzalez, Jordan Rodriguez, Emmett Haughney

2nd Team: Tyler Bell, Andres Perez, Hunter Watson, Olu Olubobola, Julian Cruz, Kyron Grayson

Honorable Mention: DJ Brown

A full list of SFC All-Division selections can be found on the SFC website here.

​The fourth quarter started with a Pope John turnover, thanks to a Kyle Wise interception. Prep would take advantage of the turnover with a 26 yard touchdown on a quarterback run from Tyler Bell, and retook the lead 44-40. After the Lions scored another touchdown, Prep responded yet again with a 33 yard touchdown from Tyler Bell to Hunter Watson. The Marauders would recover a surprise onside kick after the touchdown, and Tyler Bell threw it to Christian Cruz from 22 yards out to seal the game for Prep. In addition, Bell's pass to Cruz would be his sixth of the night, setting a school record for most touchdown passes thrown in a game.
Prep improves to 4-4 on the season, and the Marauders next game will be on November 1 where they will host Don Bosco at 7PM at Caven Point.

Senior DJ Brown received a special honor before the Pope John game. The Super Football Conference recognizes one player from each team as a nominee for the Steve DiGregorio Young Man of the Year Award. According to information released by the SFC: "The SDYMOY focuses on commitment to community service, strong character, selflessness before selfishness, and the positive contributions that you have made to your community, your school and your team culture. From the 114 nominees, a selection committee will choose 8 divisional winners and 1 SFC Young Man of the Year winner to represent the entire conference. "

On a rainy afternoon in Bergen County, the Marauders fell to the Green Knights of St. Joe’s Regional 38-14. Before the game began, there was a pregame ceremony honoring the late Rocco Rodden, a St. Joe’s football player who was tragically killed less than a year ago. 

The game started out with a 7-7 tie midway through the first quarter, and the Marauders got on the board thanks to an Andres Perez rushing touchdown from 16 yards out. From that moment on, St. Joe's would have all of the momentum. St. Joe’s closed out the first quarter with a 14-7 lead, and their defense played a major role into the second quarter. St. Joe’s forced four turnovers that quarter, and built up their lead to 28-7 as the game went into halftime. 

The third quarter featured a field goal by St. Joe’s to extend their lead 31-7, and the fourth quarter had another St. Joe’s touchdown to widen their lead to 38-7. However, Prep did not give up and played until the very end. The Marauders would get another touchdown late in the fourth quarter on a 20 yard pass from Tyler Bell to Hunter Watson to make the game 38-14, and that would be the last score of the game.
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Prep falls to 2-3 on the season, and the Marauders next game will be on October 5 where they will host Seton Hall Prep at 1PM at Caven Point.

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