Victories have been few and sometimes far between in recent seasons for the Bishop O’Connell Knights’ varsity football team.
The private-school squad hopes to change those results during the 2026 campaign, which begins with an afternoon non-conference home contest at 4 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 28, against the Washington-Liberty Generals in an all-Arlington showdown.
“Our team is excited about the season, has a lot of energy and wants to be better. We have put in a lot of hard work in the offseason, have had good weight-room participation and we’ve had good workouts,” O’Connell head coach Todd Sabatino told ARLnow.
The injury bug hurt O’Connell throughout its roster and season in 2025. The team finished with a 2-9 overall record last year, losing its final four games.
The Knights had won just two and three times, respectively, each of the previous two years, and have not had a winning season since a 6-4 mark way back in 2008.
From 2012 to 2014, O’Connell finished 5-5 each season, then did the same in 2016.
The Knights are optimistic about their chances of a winning breakthrough this fall for multiple reasons. They have an experienced and talented roster, plus more depth and size.
“We won’t have nearly as many two-way starters and players this season. That helps,” Sabatino said.
There have also been adjustments to the coaching staff’s responsibilities. A favorable schedule includes six opponents that had losing records a year ago.
Ryan Turpin returns as the starting quarterback. The senior threw for 824 yards and six touchdowns last season.
Behind him in the offensive backfield are returning running backs Nick Morris and Pierce Hall. Morris, a senior, ran for 713 yards and five TDs last season and had 11 catches. Hall, a junior, ran for 164 yards and a score during an injury-filled season.
Top returning receivers for the Knights are Xavier Reid, Connor Morrison, Jon Tyler, Kian Kaboli, Jack Weber, Doug Kelly, Alex Clarke and James Fatzinger. A top newcomer at the position is Jake Sikra, a transfer from Chantilly High School. Reid had 11 catches last season, Tyler 10 and Kaboli and Fatzinger six each.
The offensive line will be anchored by returning starter Kaiden Alt along with Leul Robel and Andrew Fabian.
“We have some young players on the offensive line, but they will get better as the season goes,” Sabatino predicted. “Overall, the offense has a lot of skill. It’s a matter of putting things together.”
Regarding O’Connell’s defense, Sabatino will be more hands-on this season with a unit he said played well in O’Connell’s two scrimmages.
“Our defense is going to be a strong point,” Sabatino said. “Our safeties can make plays.”
Key players on defense will be Weber, Reid, Kaboli, Alt, Jayden Campbell, Santiago Aceves Villanueva, D.J. Vann and Scott Shaw.
A new defensive assistant coach for O’Connell is former University of Texas walk-on player Kyle Hrncir.
“He’s a nice addition,” Sabatino said.
Some of O’Connell’s toughest games are expected to be against Washington Catholic Athletic Conference Metro Division rivals St. Paul VI Catholic, Archbishop Carroll and St. Mary’s Ryken. Those games occur in the second half of the regular season.
