Stepinac has won 82 games, including four CHSFL championships, over the past decade despite playing in the state’s best conference and against an elite non-league schedule.
Graduation has never been an issue.
According to the Crusaders this week, don’t expect that to change in 2024. Despite a roster that’s been almost completely overhauled after graduating 21 college-bound players, Stepinac is set to embark on an ambitious schedule while keeping its usual lofty expectations.
Garrison Heslop, Denzil “DJ” Williams, and Zaire Spellman make up the core of players returning from last year and are nurturing a young group of underclassmen stepping into prominent roles. Williams is a tackle who committed this summer to play at Boston College. Heslop and Spellman also have garnered Division I interest.
Stepinac opens its season on Friday on the road against Maryland power McDonogh as part of the Mid-Atlantic Pigskin Classic. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. at Salesianum High School in Delaware.
The Crusaders follow that game up with a gauntlet: at Maryland’s Archbishop Spalding, the No. 30 ranked team in the nation, then at home vs. St. Joseph Regional of NJ and arch-rival Iona Prep.
KDJ caught up with the Crusaders and head coach Mike O’Donnell this week.
Season Schedule: Stepinac Football.
