O'Connell 2025 Preview

Bishop O'Connell enters 2025 with confidence and momentum, coming off a season that laid a strong foundation on both sides of the ball. Head coach Todd Sabatino, now in his third year at the helm (but with deep roots in the program dating back to his time as an assistant from 2006 to 2012), is leading a group that has bought into the process—from the weight room to the classroom to the chalkboard.

Last season brought noticeable progress, particularly in the run game, where the offense improved by nearly 1,000 rushing yards. That development came in year one of a new offensive scheme, and now with a full year of film and offseason tweaks, the Knights are looking to take another step forward. Defensively, the staff simplified their approach to help players play faster and focus on fundamentals—especially tackling.

The team has responded with a strong offseason, crediting Strength and Conditioning Coach George Nutter for pushing them to new levels. The leadership group has embraced what it means to commit fully, and the early signs in the weight room and team meetings are promising.

A few position battles will headline fall camp, especially at quarterback, where two talented transfers—senior Piero Fichera and junior Ryan Turpin—are competing for the starting role. Both bring varsity experience and have energized the team during the offseason. The loss of key contributors like QB Graham Deaton, TE Scott Anderson, and H-back Joseph Williams creates opportunities for new leaders to emerge, and the staff is confident in the depth and internal competition.

The returning linebacker duo of Josh Taliaferro and Eli Moran will anchor the defense. Taliaferro was a WCAC Honorable Mention last season, and Moran is a tackling machine with breakout potential. In the backfield, Anthony Pham and Nick Morris are expected to carry the load, with sophomore transfer Pierce Hall also likely to contribute. Meanwhile, nearly the entire wide receiver room is back, creating a deep, experienced group ready to take advantage of continuity in the offensive system.

Names to watch include Zander Scheid (WR/FS), who is fully healthy after an early-season injury last year and has had a strong offseason. Xavier Reid (CB/WR) had five interceptions last season and is poised for more. Turpin and Fichera are both dynamic quarterback options, while the offensive line—though undersized—is strong, battle-tested, and a year deeper into the system.

O’Connell opens the season with a personal twist: a matchup against Washington-Liberty, where Coach Sabatino and his offensive coordinator Jonathan Nieto both previously coached under Coach Shapiro. New QB coach Andrew Bolfek also played at W-L. That connection adds extra juice to an already important opener.

If everything clicks, O'Connell could be a surprise team in the WCAC. The program is trending in the right direction, with a strong culture, familiar staff, and a hungry group of returning starters.