Cover Story In the misty gloom of a rainy December night at MetLife Stadium, the strains of “Pride and Glory” drifted skyward as Marauder Nation greeted the Marauders themselves along the sideline. The game had been played. The season was at an end. And the scoreboard told the story: Prep 34, Paramus Catholic 18.
All In
by Mike Wright, ’10
For a team whose chemistry and unselfish play had contributed so much to victory, it was only fitting that many hands should come together to raise the NJSIAA trophy (on the cover) and the Gillen Trophy, presented to the #1 ranked team in New Jersey (above).
All in. From the very first practice of the new year, until the final whistle of their championship season, it was a slogan that embodied everything that was the 2014 Saint Peter’s Prep Football team. Behind one of the most accomplished senior classes in school history, the Marauders stayed true to their motto and completed their remarkable season by claiming the 17th state championship in the program’s storied history. After their convincing 34-18 victory over Paramus Catholic in the title game, Prep was awarded the state’s #1 overall ranking, as well as the #1 spot atop the tri-state. In addition, the Marauders were ranked as high as the top 10 in the entire nation. Adding to to this team’s long list of achievements, the members seniors who will go on to play college football at the Division I level include nationally heralded players such as Brandon Wimbush (Notre Dame), Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama), Jordan Fox (Stanford), Dave Tolentino (Navy), and Corey Caddle (Fordham).
“As the years passed, [the senior class] only built on the chemistry that they developed as freshmen, so obviously they were a very special group,” said Kolton Huber, ’16 (#10) celebrates his touchdown with classmate KJ Gray, en route to a decisive, nationally-televised win over Bergen Catholic. It was an early statement game for Prep, and prefigured a playoff rematch.
athletic director and head football coach Rich Hansen, who has now led Prep to four state championships (1989, 1994, 2005, 2014). “I was really, really proud of these guys, because their talent, their chemistry, their work ethic, and their unselfish fabric all came together and this senior class was able to take that and go out, produce, and perform every week.” After rolling past Henry Wise (MD), 35-9, to open the season, Prep moved on to face Bergen Catholic in yet another anticipated chapter in what has become a stirring rivalry. In front of a national audience on ESPNU, the Marauders turned in one of their most impressive performances of the season, dominating the Crusaders in a 49-20 victory.
“I think that game kind of reinforced all the things we believed,” said Hansen. “I don’t think you ever go into a game 18 spring 2015 n SPPREP.ORG n PREP MAGAZINE