SPP Football Blog - Saint Peter's Prep Football

9/28/2025

Prep vs St. Joe's Regional Recap

On a perfect Saturday afternoon at Caven Point, the Marauders took on the Green Knights of St. Joe’s Regional in a top 5 matchup in the state. The game was an instant classic, and Prep had a come from behind win 29-28 thanks to a bold late successful two-point conversion.

The game started out as a shootout, and both teams scored two touchdowns in the first quarter. Prep scored on two runs from Tyler Barksdale (8 carries for 56 yards, 1 TD) and Tyler Bell (17/23 passing for 167 yards and 2 TDs), while the Green Knights scored on a passing touchdown and a 75 yard kickoff return. With the game at 14-14 heading into the second quarter, both teams would also score a touchdown in the second quarter. Bell would throw a 23 yard touchdown to Chris Horn (2 catches for 28 yards, 1 TD), followed by another rushing touchdown by St. Joe’s.

After a high scoring first half where the score was 21-21 at halftime, the game turned into a chess match in the second half. St. Joe’s had the only score of the third quarter, meaning that the Marauders trailed 28-21 heading into the fourth. With 1:07 left in the game, Bell connected to Hunter Watson (6 catches for 86 yards, 1 TD) from 19 yards out for what looked like the game tying touchdown. However, Coach Hansen decided to roll the dice and send his offense out on the field for a two-point conversion. Abdul Turay (15 carries for 100 yards) scored on the sweep, and the Marauders gamble paid off to go up 29-28. St. Joe’s tried to respond, but Will Maloof executed a strip sack and Julian Cruz recovered the fumble to ice the game and give Prep its biggest win of the season so far. The defense shined throughout this game with 3 takeaways on an interception by Ty'ire Clark (8 total tackles) and forced fumbles by Jordan Rodriguez (6 total tackles) and Will Maloof.

Coach Hansen was selected as the SFC/Alliance Orthopedics Coach of the Week for the win. Prep’s 5-0 start is the best since the 2021 season, and the Marauders have already surpassed their win total from last year before the calendar turns to October. They will travel to Seton Hall Prep on October 4th with kickoff scheduled for 1PM.

9/20/2025

Prep vs Delbarton Recap

Junior CB Ryan Wooten celebrates an interception in the 2nd quarter, which was Prep's 3rd takeaway in 3 straight possessions.

On the last Saturday afternoon of the summer, Prep traveled to Delbarton to take on the Green Wave in a top 10 matchup. The Marauders left no doubt, and sent a message to the state with a 42-7 win.

After a scoreless first quarter, it was the defense that got on the board first for the Marauders. With just under 4 minutes left in the second quarter, Ty’ire Clark had a pick six and returned a 66 yard touchdown. The defense forced another turnover on the next possession thanks to a Darius Anderson Jr forced fumble and recovery on a QB sack. With less than a minute left in the first half, Tyler Bell hit Hunter Watson on a 63 yard touchdown to make the score 14-0. Ryan Wooten then intercepted another pass with under 30 seconds left in the half to put the Marauders into the locker room with a 14-0 lead.

The second half had another deep touchdown pass from Bell to Watson, this time for 73 yards. Bell also had a 3 yard rushing touchdown to make the score 28-0, before Delbarton finally scored with a touchdown of their own right before the end of the third quarter. That would be their only score of the game. The fourth quarter had a pair of rushing touchdowns from Tyler Barksdale and Abdul Turay, and the Marauders spoiled the homecoming game for Delbarton.

The 4-0 start for Prep is their best since 2021, and the Marauders have already matched their win total from last year less than a month into the season. They will return home to Caven Point on September 27th for a top 5 showdown against St. Joe’s Regional, with a scheduled 1PM kickoff.

Darius Anderson celebrates his strip sack and recovered fumble to thwart Delbarton's drive inside Prep's 30 YL.

Tyler Bell celebrates after one of his TDs -- he accounted for 2 passing and 1 rushing on the day.

9/12/2025

Prep vs Shabazz Recap

Ty'ire Clark is a threat any time he touches the ball. In this one he found the endzone on a 63 yard kickoff return.

At Alumni Stadium at Kean University, the Marauders took on the best team in Essex County the Shabazz Bulldogs. Hudson County reigned supreme over Essex County, as the Marauders shutout the Bulldogs 50-0.

The defense was the headline for tonight’s game. Back to back sacks from Jordan Rodriguez and Will Maloof set the tone for the night on Shabazz’s opening drive. The front 7 was dominant and caused nine rushing plays to go for zero or negative yards in the opening half. LB Evan Pratt led the way with 9 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and 1 sack. DL Sebastian Gray added 8 total tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, 1 sack, and 2 QB hurries. It was the Marauders first shutout since 2021, and the defense made the statement that they are one of the best in the state.

Sebastian Gray and Evan Pratt combine for a tackle on the Shabazz ball carrier. The two Marauder defenders accounted for FIVE tackles for loss.

For the second week in a row, the Prep offense scored 35 points in the first half. The first touchdown came in the first quarter when Tyler Bell (7/14 passing, 89 yards, 3 TDs) found Hunter Watson (3 catches for 50 yards and 2 TDs) on a 41 yard touchdown pass. The rest of the scoring came in the second quarter, where the Marauders scored from the air, the ground, and on special teams. Bell and Tyler Barksdale (7 rushes for 54 yards) ran for touchdowns, Prep forced a safety which lead to a Ty’ire Clark 63 yard kickoff return, and Bell and Watson connected once again for a 1 yard touchdown pass with four seconds left in the half. Prep started the second with an onside kick that they recovered. Amari Jones scored on a 3 yard touchdown pass from Tyler Bell and Abdul Turay ran for a 27 yard touchdown that came with a successful two-point conversion. This made the score 50-0 with 1:59 left in the third quarter, and that would be the last score of the game. Turay finished the game with 116 rushing yards on 10 attempts.

The Marauders best start since 2022 continues to grow as they move to 3-0 on the season. Their next game will be on September 20th when they travel to Delbarton for a 1PM kickoff time. It is expected to be a Top 20 matchup, and Prep will look for their first road win of the season.

LT Olubobola opens the hole for RB Abdul Turay who finished the day with over 100 yards rushing.

The Offense was all smiles after this 50 point outburst at Kean University.

RB Abdul Turay was selected as the Zone6ix Player of the Game after rushing 10 times for 116 yards and a TD.

9/6/2025

Prep vs Union City Recap

QB Tyler Bell let's a ball fly. He finished 13/18 for 265 and 5 TDs passing on the afternoon.

On a late Saturday afternoon in Hinchcliffe Stadium in Paterson, New Jersey, an old Hudson County football rivalry was renewed between Saint Peter’s Prep and Union City. Once again, the Marauders came up on top of the Soaring Eagles with a 42-15 victory.

Of the five touchdowns that the Marauders scored in the first half, Tyler Bell contributed to all of them. Four of the touchdowns came from the air, and the other came on a 1 yard run. Bell threw to Hunter Watson (4 catches for 109 yards, 3 TDs) on the first three scores of the game, and also connected with Christian Cruz (2 catches for 41 yards, 1 TD) for the last score of the half. The Prep defense also played very well in the first half. Union City did not gain a first down until the second quarter, and the defense held the Soaring Eagles to under a 100 yards of total offense for the entire game.

Christian Cruz's TD in the 2nd quarter became a viral moment.

QB Tyler Bell and WR Hunter Watson continue to have a strong connection.

RBs Abdul Turay and Tyler Barksdale each rushed for over 50 yards.

Prep went into the half with a 35-7 lead, and were on cruise control for the rest of the game. Bell threw a 12 yard touchdown pass to Amari Jones (4 catches for 51 yards, 1 TD) in the third quarter, and Union City scored another touchdown plus a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter. Bell finished the game with six total touchdowns, including five touchdown passes and one from the ground. The Marauder offense also managed to rush for over 160 yards on the day with Sr Tyler Barksdale leading the way with 78 yards on 9 attempts. Junior Abdul Turay added over 100 scrimmage yards with 56 yards on 6 carries rushing in addition to 2 catches for 60 yards. The defense was led by Jordan Rodriguez with 9 total tackles, 2 TFLs, 1 sack, and 1 pass breakup.

The Marauders are now 2-0 to begin the season, their best start since 2022. Their next game will be on September 12 where they will face Shabazz at 7:30 PM at Kean Alumni Stadium in Union, NJ.

YOUR CART

Prep vs St. Joe's Regional Recap

Prep vs Delbarton Recap

Prep vs Shabazz Recap

Prep vs Union City Recap

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