Delbarton football opened its 2025 campaign on the road in Lakewood, Ohio, falling 48–28 to nationally ranked St. Edward on Saturday afternoon. 

The host Eagles struck early, racing out to a 13–0 lead before extending the margin on a Green Wave miscue. A fumble by quarterback Gavin Gilardi was returned for a touchdown, stretching the deficit to 20–0 midway through the first quarter.

Senior captain Matt Tafuri provided a spark moments later, busting straight through a big hole thanks to the offensive line for an 85-yard touchdown run — Delbarton's first score of the season — to cut the lead to 20–7. But St. Edward answered immediately, returning the ensuing kickoff for a touchdown and piling on two more scores to take a commanding 41–7 advantage at the half.

After a spirited and uplifting halftime message from head coach Brian Bowers, Delbarton battled back in the second half behind a resilient "one play at a time" mindset. Running back Kobe Irbe-Mason capped the Green Wave's opening drive with a 2-yard touchdown, and the defense followed with a forced fumble and an interception by sophomore Chaz Cusimano to swing momentum.

On the very next play after Cusimano's pick, Gilardi connected with Grant Van Raaphorst for a 92-yard touchdown strike, bringing the score to 41–21. St. Edward responded with another touchdown — the fourth of the day for Zach Hackleman — but Delbarton struck once more, as Gilardi hit Xavier Rodriguez in stride for a 73-yard touchdown to make it 48–28 in the fourth. The score would hold as the final.  

Gilardi finished an efficient 7-for-10 passing for 189 yards and two touchdowns. Tafuri carried six times for 99 yards and a score, while Irbe-Mason added 19 tough yards and a touchdown on 11 carries. Van Raaphorst (4 catches, 113 yards, TD) and Rodriguez (73-yard TD) highlighted the receiving group who showed their speed and agility throughout the afternoon.

Defensively, co-captain Michael Sclafani paced the Green Wave with 12 tackles, while Cusimano tallied 8 stops and an interception. Chase Houser forced a fumble, Matt O'Leary added 9 tackles, and Chris Dadas recorded Delbarton's lone sack.

The Green Wave (0–1) will look to bounce back on Saturday, September 6, when they travel to Malvern, Pennsylvania to face Malvern Prep. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.