A year after suffering a seven-point loss to Haldane in their season opener, the O’Neill Raiders opened the 2026 season with a statement.

O’Neill shut out Haldane 40-0 last Friday at Waldo Wood Field, scoring 20 points in the second quarter, 14 in the third and six in the fourth.

“This game was really a year in the making,” O’Neill coach Adam DiBenedetto said.

The Raiders had lost to Haldane 14-7 in September 2025. Before this year’s opener, DiBenedetto reminded his players of that game and the opportunity they had to avenge the loss in what has become known as the “Bridge Game” or “Battle of the Hudson.”

“We talked about the opportunity we had in front of us to get our season off to a good start and avenge the loss to Haldane last year,” DiBenedetto said. “And we really did that.”

The foundation for Friday’s performance, he said, was laid months earlier.

“I credit a lot of this team’s success to their work ethic starting back in January when we started offseason workouts,” DiBenedetto said. “They were ready from the beginning to make this season a good one.”

The Raiders wasted little time establishing control.

O’Neill opened the game with a 19-play, 96-yard scoring drive, capped by a touchdown pass from Isaac Post to David Prosperie.

“I can’t remember any drives in previous years that consisted of that many plays,” DiBenedetto said.

Trey Murphy added a 1-yard touchdown run, and the Raiders took a 20-0 lead into halftime when Post connected with Murphy on a 42-yard screen pass on the final play of the first half.
O’Neill continued to pull away in the second half.

Freshman Zachary Parks, who moved to the community in June, scored on a 2-yard run in the third quarter. DiBenedetto said Parks has been “very impressive so far.”

Murphy followed with his second rushing touchdown, this one covering 28 yards.

Jake Bione closed out the scoring with a 32-yard touchdown reception from AJ Mackey.

Murphy finished with 184 yards on 22 carries and two rushing touchdowns, while also scoring once through the air. Post completed 6 of 15 passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns.

DiBenedetto also credited Prosperie, Keegan Arbogast and Riley Shuman for their contributions. Arbogast accounted for four points on his kicks, while Shuman had an 11-yard reception. Parks finished with 41 yards on six carries in addition to his touchdown.

“The offensive line played very well, especially for a first game of the season, and especially when you are still getting the kinks out,” DiBenedetto said.

The defense was equally impressive, pitching the shutout in the first game with David Buck serving as defensive coordinator.

“Defensively, they played really well,” DiBenedetto said. “Defensive Coordinator David Buck coached the defense to a shutout in his first game in that position.”

DiBenedetto also singled out two of the Raiders’ players from Garrison, Murphy and Ames Jannetta.

“This game meant a lot to Trey Murphy and Ames Jannetta, our two Garrison kids,” he said. “Trey obviously stood out in the game, but Ames played a great game on the defensive end with some really great tackles. His contributions really might not show up on the stat sheet, but he is one of our best players.”

The Raiders will have little time to celebrate their opening-night victory.

O’Neill will host Beacon at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 10, in the much-anticipated Remembrance Bowl.

The game commemorates a Christmas Day football game planned in 1944 that was never played because the two teams, made up of airborne soldiers, were deployed to fight in the Battle of the Bulge. O’Neill and Beacon will share a meal Wednesday evening at O’Neill and learn about the history behind the game.

Beacon also enters Thursday’s game with a 1-0 record after defeating Ketcham 27-14 in a nonleague game last week.

DiBenedetto welcomed the opportunity to participate in the Remembrance Bowl but said the Raiders’ primary focus will remain on the game itself.

“It’s a great opportunity,” he said, “but we have to remain focused on the job at hand,” which is beating Beacon.”