Bishop Eustace Crusaders
Players to watch: Bishop Eustace suffered a major loss with the graduation of running back Mekhi Simmons, the Crusaders’ all-time leading rusher, but is happy to bring back senior Roman Faiola, who has started at quarterback for the past two years and can make things happen with his arm and his legs. Eustace also welcomes in sophomore transfer Eric Beach, another promising quarterback who has a big arm and will like throwing to talented receivers like junior Delano Mann, who had an impressive 2024 campaign and is capable of big numbers. Senior Noah Glenn is an experienced running back who will be in line for more carries and other assets in the passing game are sophomore transfer Sincere Portobanco, senior wideout Colin Boyle, junior wide receiver Tommy Dromgoole and sophomore wide receiver Massimo Faiola. The offensive line has veteran returners in seniors Yariel Mendez and Alex Hess, and juniors Will Kraft, Landon Bailey, Connor Donaghy and Matt Morris. On the other side of the ball, Mann is a returning all-conference player at defensive back. Glenn and Morris are key pieces on the defensive line, Kraft is a contributor at linebacker and Roman Faiola is one of the top safeties in the division. Bailey, Mendez and Hess are other experienced defensive linemen, while Dongahy returns at linebacker and the secondary includes Dromgoole, Portobanco, senior Kyle Wagman and juniors Colin Boyle and Matt Serlenga. Sophomore kicker Kaleb Noonan is an important returner on special teams and other sophomores expected to see more time after showing promise as freshmen are running back/defensive back Miles Balmores and tight end/defensive end Cooper D’Alessandro.
Outlook: The Crusaders went 6-3 last year for their first winning season since 2017, and they have the potential to build on that success and contend in the WJFL United Division this fall.
Camden Catholic Fighting Irish
Players to watch: Two huge pieces of the ground attack are back for Camden Catholic: junior running back Nymir Daily and junior center Lars Stegner. Daily rushed for 832 yards and 12 touchdowns and added three TDs on receptions behind a talented line led by Stegner. Other experienced players up front include juniors Madden Rosario and Cole Trotz. The running game will play a crucial role since the Irish must find a new starting quarterback following the graduation of all-conference selection Mike Moritz. Junior Shane Alessi appears to be ready for the job after transferring from Haddon Township, where he played well as a sophomore. Senior Daniel Leahy should be one of his top targets at wide receiver. Defensively, Rosario is a returner on the line, and contributors at linebacker include Leahy and Trotz.
Outlook: The Irish rebounded from two straight losing seasons by going 9-2 and winning the WJFL Patriot Division title last fall. Despite losing several key players to transfer, they expect to stay competitive under new head coach John Martino, a successful longtime assistant in South Jersey who is excited to lead a program for the first time.
Cherokee Chiefs
Players to watch: Four all-conference players, including star running back Murad Campfield, received their diplomas, so new leaders will have to emerge for Cherokee. Junior quarterback Cooper Burti should be ready for that responsibility after earning the starting job as a sophomore and throwing for 1,001 yards and four touchdowns to go with 232 yards and seven TDs on the ground. He has several dangerous targets in the passing game in senior wide receivers Steven Barbagiovanni and Josh Schartoff and senior tight end John Serzan. Senior Dylan Kolinsky and junior Brendan Markovsky are ready to share the load out of the backfield. The offensive line was hit hard by graduation but has experienced returners in seniors Gavin Helligman, Chris Bryski and Teddy Skversky. Seniors Micah Lee, Jon’te Truesdale and Skversky and junior Jonah Bluestein are key players on the defensive line, and the linebacker corps consists of Kolinsky, Schartoff and junior John Franz. Seniors Lorenzo Lontak and Barbagiovanni pace the secondary. Senior Matt St. John is back to handle the kicking duties after connecting on 3-of-5 field goals and 16-of-20 extra points and will also look to contribute at wide receiver.
Outlook: The Chiefs’ 5-6 record last year included a close playoff victory over Old Bridge before their run ended with a loss to Atlantic City in the sectional semifinals. As new head coach Shawn DiVece takes over the program, they expect to be competitive in one of the WJFL’s premier divisions, the American, and to make some noise in the postseason as usual.
Cherry Hill East Cougars
Players to watch: Cherry Hill East graduated a special senior class but will look to continue the program’s recent resurgence under a new crop of leaders. At the top of that list are senior two-way linemen Dominic Canzano and Ona Pela, who both made the all-conference team for their contributions on offense at guard and tackle, respectively. On defense, Canzano recorded 57 tackles, two sacks, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, while Pela posted 54 tackles, 2.5 sacks and 14.5 tackles for loss. Canzano and Pela are both receiving college recruiting interest along with senior Ryan Moyer, who made an impact at both tight end and linebacker as a junior. Junior Josh Greenberg and sophomore Matthew Fingerman are competing to take over as the starting quarterback, and senior Jaden Green is looking to be a difference-maker at running back as well as linebacker. Green suited up for St. Augustine as a sophomore but was unable to play last year. Other returners looking to play bigger roles at the skill positions are senior running backs Tymir Gayle and Bo Pasternak, senior wide receivers Shane Peeler, Kyle Fisher and Keon Simmons, and junior tight end Trevor Levin. Juniors Jayden Pitter and Gavin Haney are other key linemen. Defensively, Canzano and Pela are joined up front by seniors Tony Vega and Matthew Brown. Junior Dillon Haddock (91 tackles, two forced fumbles, interception) leads the linebackers along with Moyer and Pasternak, and Simmons (50 tackles, forced fumble) is a returning all-conference player in the secondary. Peeler and senior Brody Connors are also experienced defensive backs, and other veterans pushing for time are senior Cole Haddock and juniors Marquine Manning, Ben Allen, Lawrence Forman, Colin Gorman, Liam Sweeney and Austin Morissey. Senior Joe Bovino will handle the kicking.
Outlook: In one of the program’s best seasons in decades, Cherry Hill East captured its second division title in three years, ended a 12-year drought against rival Cherry Hill West, earned its first playoff win since 1991 and finished with a 9-1 record. There are certainly important holes to fill but the Cougars expect to build on that momentum.
Cherry Hill West Lions
Players to watch: Senior Hayden Baker is back for his third season as the starting quarterback at Cherry Hill West and is a threat to opposing defenses as a passer and a runner. He will be assisted in the ground attack by junior running backs Clayton Tyson and Judah Carter, while his targets in the passing game include senior tight end Ryan Breeze and junior wide receiver Derek Hughes. Senior center/guard Cole Stapleton received all-conference accolades last year and is back to lead the offensive line along with senior Colin Rorke and junior Anthony Vanella. Defensively, Breeze recorded 79 tackles, seven tackles for loss and an interception at linebacker and Baker had 43 tackles and a sack from his safety position. Both were named to the all-conference team. Tyson is another experienced linebacker and senior Moses Tassy will look to have an impact at defensive end. Hughes joins Baker in the secondary, and other experienced returners include seniors Londie Gonzalez and Justice Jones and juniors Nick Fareas and Xavier Gandia. Vanella will handle the kicking duties for the third year in a row.
Outlook: The Lions finished 2-7 in 2024 in their fifth and final season under Justin Arabia, who stepped down in January. Former defensive coordinator Mark Wojcik, who has also coached for several college programs, was elevated to the top spot and is eager to restore Cherry Hill West’s winning tradition.
Clearview Pioneers
Players to watch: New head coach Mike Wilson is attempting to establish a winning culture at Clearview, and he has a young roster to mold that is mostly made up of sophomores and juniors. That group includes sophomore quarterback Bennett Durkin, who gained valuable experience at the most important position on the field as a freshman and will look to continue making progress. The other returners around him on offense are senior Brody Selfridge and sophomore Matthew Geserick on the line and senior Mason Jones at running back. Varsity newcomers to watch offensively include junior lineman Ben Catarincchia, junior tight end Sam Hubbard, sophomore running backs Tony Blackwell and Landon Schlegel and sophomore slots Ashton Burgos and Griffin Botticello. On the other side of the ball, Selfridge, Geserick, Catarincchia and Hubbard are important players up front. Sophomores Ryan Ligameri and Mason Toal hope to make an impact at linebacker along with Schlegel, and the secondary is led by Jones and junior Jake Martell at safety. Junior Josh White and Burgos will line up at cornerback and junior Brendon Kiss is another safety to watch. Kiss will be the kicker as well, and freshmen looking to contribute right away are slot Luke Gabriele, running back/linebacker Antonio Green, wide receiver Robert Seney and two-way lineman Luke Landis.
Outlook: The Pioneers are coming off a winless season and have been in rebuilding mode in recent years, but there is optimism around the school thanks to the addition of Wilson. He comes over from Schalick, where he led a similar program revival and helped the Cougars develop into a sectional title contender.
Eastern Vikings
Players to watch: Eastern must replace all-conference quarterback Logan Dawson, a three-year starter, and senior Nick Curreri will be a candidate to take over after serving as the backup as a junior. Whoever wins the job will have the benefit of three returners on the offensive line: all-conference right tackle Elijah Hahm, a senior, along with senior right guard Humberto Cuellar and senior center Chris Crespo. The Vikings also have several talented skill-position players, including wide receivers Terry Cook, a junior named all-conference, and Vincent Rosa, a senior who led the team in catches and receiving yards. Senior running back Max Cutler scored six touchdowns, and other backs looking to earn carries are junior Jayden Jardine and senior Michael Borromeo. Seniors Bruce Magladry and Zach Wood are experienced tight ends and junior Kenan Clymer adds depth at wide receiver. Rosa, a cornerback, was an all-conference selection on defense and leads the secondary along with Cook and Clymer. Senior Anthony Pryor and junior Jacob Wolf are returners on the defensive line, while Wood and Magladry are top linebackers to watch. Veterans hoping to make an impact include senior Cory Townsend and juniors Wes Davis, Brayden Dove, Joseph Guity, Brandon Kennerup, Mason Langenbach and Chase Wharton.
Outlook: The Vikings made significant strides last fall as they qualified for the playoffs and finished with a 5-5 record. The next goal is to contend for their first winning season since 2018.
Gloucester Catholic Rams
Players to watch: Gloucester Catholic was hit hard by graduation and transfer but has several talented returners to build around. Juniors Diego Torres and Brayden Startare are key two-way linemen who will be especially important on offense in protecting and opening holes for the Rams’ young skill-position players. Junior Mike Lazorka will look to seize the starting quarterback job, while junior Roman Mazzola and sophomore Zy’Air Mercado could be in the backfield mix. Senior Jon Ridinger is a veteran tight end and junior Anthony Polidoro will contribute at wide receiver. Defensively, Mercado joins Torres and Startare on the line, and the linebacker position is solid thanks to Ridinger and Mazzola. Lazorka and Polidoro are experienced players in the secondary.
Outlook: The Rams’ 2-7 record last fall included several close losses, and if they can find a way to pull out the tight games they can push for a winning season.
Haddonfield Bulldawgs
Players to watch: The Bulldawgs fielded an inexperienced team in 2024, but many of their young players made huge strides and appear ready to build on the momentum this fall. That includes senior quarterback Van Lefakis, who threw for nearly 1,200 yards and 12 touchdowns in his first season as the starter. The Keenan twins, juniors Dan and Mike, are multi-dimensional athletes who have an ability to contribute in many ways. Dan, who lines up at quarterback and running back, rushed for 274 yards and four TDs last year, while Mike scored four total TDs as a wide receiver/running back and made the all-conference team. Dan also served as the kicker, converting all 27 of his extra points and 4-of-6 field goals, including the game-winner on Thanksgiving against rival Haddon Heights. Senior running back Brody Leonard led Haddonfield in rushing as a junior and is another top playmaker. Senior Jack McKeever and junior Cormac Flanagan are big targets in the passing game at tight end, and senior wide receiver Jax Marshall also hopes to be involved. Seniors Logan Rhea and Michael Grant and junior Billy Mumbower are linchpins on the offensive line and will be responsible for creating space for the skill players. Defensively, Rhea posted 72 tackles and eight sacks at defensive end, and Dan Keenan had 90 tackles, four tackles for loss and three forced fumbles at linebacker. Flanagan, Mumbower, Grant and senior Henry DyReyes are other key returners up front, and Leonard and McKeever are experienced linebackers. Senior Hutch Rhyne and Mike Keenan are ball hawks in the secondary and Flanagan made the all-conference team as a punter.
Outlook: Even with a revamped roster last season, Haddonfield went 7-4 and reached the sectional semifinals. Another year older and wiser, the Bulldawgs have the potential to do some damage in 2025.
Kingsway Dragons
Players to watch: A strong core returns for Kingsway, including two talented quarterbacks and a running back coming off a breakout season. Senior David Oravetz was the starter under center last fall and threw for 1,136 yards and 11 touchdowns to go with three TDs on the ground. Junior Ashton Ford is another athletic QB who had a touchdown pass and two TD runs as a sophomore. Cole DeNick, a junior running back, averaged 7.3 yards per carry and scored 13 total touchdowns to earn all-conference accolades, and it will be exciting to see what he can accomplish as an upperclassman. Senior Za’Hir Paynter is another playmaker out of the backfield, with junior Aidan Licciardello and sophomore Amari Terrell adding depth at running back. Senior wide receivers Christian White and J.D. Johnson each had three TD catches last year, and junior wide receiver Luca Lentini added 35 receptions. They are joined at the position by senior Mason Bryan and sophomore Chase Daciw. Senior Jordan Hernandez leads an experienced offensive line that also includes seniors Christopher Gatta, Nathan Warming and Gavin Dietiker and sophomore James Trew. Yet another weapon on offense is senior kicker Zack Burlingame, an all-conference selection who made 26-of-29 extra points and 4-of-7 field goals, while accounting for a number of touchbacks and handling the punting duties. Three all-conference members are back to pace the defense: Hernandez, a defensive lineman, along with Bryan and senior Andrew Wands in the secondary. Hernandez recorded eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, Bryan picked off two passes and Wands had 61 tackles, five tackles for loss and an interception. DeNick is a force at linebacker and Lentini is a key piece of the secondary as well. Other contributors on D include senior lineman Kaden Hood, senior linebacker Anthony Totten and senior defensive back Tommy Gardler. Senior Mitch Davis is expected to be a contributor on both lines along with two transfers from Camden Catholic: Tristan Owen, a senior, and Chris Owen, a junior.
Outlook: The Dragons, who went 8-3 and reached the South Jersey, Group 5 semifinals last fall, have finished with a winning record and at least a sectional semifinal appearance in every full season since 2019. They expect that streak to continue in 2025.
Lenape Indians
Players to watch: Kellen Pierce earned the starting quarterback job for Lenape last year as a sophomore and showed an ability to make plays with his arm and his legs. He threw for nearly 1,000 yards and seven touchdowns and rushed for six TDs as well, and should only get better with a year of experience under his belt. His favorite target will likely be senior tight end Connor Hepperlen, who received all-conference recognition after making 15 catches for 251 yards and two touchdowns as a junior. The receiving corps is also strong with dynamic senior Dev’Yne Smith and physical senior Nemo Brown leading a group that includes juniors Malik Gadson and Dylan Gambetta as well. Junior Jackson Mickno, a strong presence up front, is poised for a big season on the offensive line along with senior Quinton Richardson-Wright. Other veterans on the line are seniors Andrew Johnson, Antonio Pettiford and Joseph Innamorato and juniors Khalil Fulton, Sterling Miles and Markeim Briscoe. Senior Reggie Lawrence is ready for an expanded role at running back, and big things are also expected of him at linebacker, where he is joined by Hepperlen. Richardson-Wright, Johnson, Briscoe and Miles lead the defensive line, and experienced players in the secondary are Smith and Gambetta.
Outlook: Although the Indians finished with a 1-9 record during a rebuilding season last fall, they were competitive in most of their games and had three losses decided by one score. Look for improvement in 2025.
Moorestown Quakers
Players to watch: Moorestown will have a much different look this fall, especially on offense, where it must replace starting quarterback Will Mindnich and top playmakers Luke Dengler and Chase Caulder. Whoever wins the QB job in camp will likely lean on junior running back Ben Labroli, a three-sport athlete who flashed potential on the gridiron as a sophomore. Junior Cole Muhlschlegel and sophomore Brandon Cohen will also vie for carries out of the backfield, and targets in the passing game include senior wide receivers M.J. Janulis and Jack Keenan. Senior Dominic Gordon and junior Daulton Wiley are returning starters expected to anchor the offensive line. Senior Brody Kelly will lead the defense at linebacker, with senior Michael Damerjian and juniors Alex Waldhauser and Max Cevallos also contributing at the position. Junior Cole Caccuro is a potential standout on the defensive line, which also includes senior Max Knowland and sophomore Connor Dixon. The special teams are solid thanks to the return of all-conference junior punter Caleb Delgado and senior kicker MJ Janulis.
Outlook: After a 2-8 rebuilding season in 2024, there are opportunities for the returners and newcomers alike to take on bigger roles and help the Quakers make strides this fall.
Paul VI Eagles
Players to watch: Three all-conference players are back to lead Paul VI, including two-way standouts Tyree Roane and Nathan Klecko. Roane, a senior wide receiver/safety, was honored for his offensive efforts after catching 44 passes for 632 yards and six touchdowns to go with five rushing TDs. He also had 31 tackles and two interceptions on defense. Klecko, a junior running back/defensive end, likewise could have been recognized on either side of the ball but was named to the all-conference defense after recording 39 tackles and eight sacks. The grandson and son of former NFL players Joe and Dan Klecko, respectively, he also rushed for 905 yards and scored 10 touchdowns. Roane and Klecko are joined on offensive by returning starting quarterback Daulton Phalines, a senior who threw for 1,541 yards and 11 TDs to go with two scores on the ground. Senior running back Matt Greco will also get his share of carries, and wide receivers looking to connect with Phalines include junior Kevin Bunt and seniors Kevin Alexander Hamilton-West and Nick Ried. Senior Francis Wolk is a three-year starter at center and sophomore tackle Jackson Reuter is another key player up front. Junior Anthony Jackson gives the Eagles a second playmaker at defensive end to go with Klecko. He recorded 61 tackles and nine sacks to make the all-conference team. Senior Wally Murphy is yet another dangerous pass rusher, and the linebacker corps is led by junior Owen Smith and senior Christian Burton. Ried, Hamilton-West and Bunt join Roane in the secondary.
Outlook: The Eagles went 8-3 last fall as they captured a division championship and earned a playoff win for the second year in a row. Expectations will remain high with so many top players back in the fold.
Seneca Golden Eagles
Players to watch: Junior Anthony Tirico has put together back-to-back stellar seasons as Seneca’s starting quarterback and should only get better as an upperclassman. A multi-dimensional athlete, he threw for 1,853 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed for 899 yards and 12 scores as a sophomore to make the all-conference team. He will direct an offense that also brings back senior Brody Phillips, who can line up in the backfield or as a receiver. He ran for 445 yards and caught 41 passes for 449 yards while scoring four TDs last year. Tirico will also look to spread the ball to senior tight end Colin Smith along with senior Kingston Williams and juniors Nate Sauerwald, Jahseh Jett and Gabe Atz at wide receiver. The offensive line is also experienced—senior all-conference selection Pat Degnan leads a unit that also includes juniors Cayden McCormick-Giletto and Christian Alexander. Williams, a defensive end, recorded 73 tackles, seven sacks and two forced fumbles and was joined on the all-conference defense by Jett, a defensive back who totaled 34 tackles and two fumble recoveries. Alexander and Degnan also wreak havoc on the D-line, and senior transfer Sean O’Reilly is a standout linebacker who led Camden Catholic in tackles and had three sacks last season. Smith, junior Bobby Livingstone and senior Liam Brewer are other linebackers to watch. Junior Chase Horner wracked up 88 tackles at safety and Phillips returns in the secondary as well. Senior Tyler Hood is back as the kicker after converting 28-of-31 extra points.
Outlook: A third straight appearance in the sectional final capped off the Golden Eagles’ 8-4 season in 2024. They look like contenders again and are eager to bring home their first title.
Shawnee Renegades
Players to watch: With a strong nucleus returning from a team that reached the South Jersey, Group 4 final last year, hopes are high in Medford. The optimism starts with sophomore quarterback Cole Anderson, who took over the starting job in Shawnee’s fourth game and proceeded to run for 906 yards and 13 touchdowns while improving each week as a passer and finishing with 438 yards and five TDs through the air. Senior running back Brett Lundberg is another top playmaker who rushed for 1,243 yards, averaged 6.4 yards per carry and scored 12 TDs to make the all-conference team. Senior Lucas Solomen was the starting quarterback until breaking his ankle against Camden; he can play wide receiver as well and will contribute in a variety of ways. Senior running back Tyler Nickles will also have the ball often as a rusher and receiver, while other targets in the passing game are senior wide receivers Tommy McAneney, Michael Bartasius and Jack Creaney and senior tight end Joey Cleaver. Senior Christian Pinto started all 12 games at guard, senior John Mozier started at tackle, and other offensive linemen with varsity experience are senior center Colin Wall, senior guards Michael Scheuren and Matt Duffy, and junior tackles Jacob Frank and Eric Stoughton. Cleaver leads the defense at linebacker after racking up 44 tackles, five sacks, three interceptions and three forced fumbles a year ago. Seniors Jackson Manigrassi and James Gilmartin are other talented linebackers, and veterans up front are Mozier, Frank and junior Ben Eifermman. Lundberg and Nickles are standouts in the secondary, with McAneney, Bartasius and Creaney also contributing. Bartasius will once again handle the kicking duties, and junior Oliver Jung is back after making great strides at punter.
Outlook: The Renegades got hot in the second half of last season with Anderson at QB, and won five in a row on their way to their second sectional championship game in four years and an 8-4 final record. With so many key players back in the mix, they appear to be contenders again.
Washington Township Minutemen
Players to watch: A core group that has been playing together since youth football and helped end Washington Township’s sectional championship drought last fall is back to lead the Minutemen, who enter the season as one of South Jersey’s top teams. Six all-conference players are part of the nucleus, including senior Cole Aquino, a three-year starter at quarterback who threw for 1,621 yards and 11 touchdowns last year. He directs an offense that can grind out long drives behind its stout line or score in a hurry thanks to its multiple playmakers. Senior running back Colin Beeler rushed for 1,146 yards and 10 touchdowns, and senior wide receiver Paris Pratt had 40 catches for 626 yards and five TDs. Both joined Aquino on the all-conference team. Senior running back Jaylen Robinson (7.6 yards per carry, seven TDs) and senior tight end/fullback Andrew Osborn (five TDs) are other threats out of the backfield. In addition to Pratt, Aquino’s many targets through the air include senior wide receivers Jyair Moore and Jake Wisor, junior wide receivers Issac Parra and Anthony Forte, and senior tight ends Ray McFall, Ethan Binder and Paul Dombrosky. Senior Darion Joyner, a transfer from Camden Eastside, will also contribute at wide receiver. All-conference senior left guard Stephen Davidson, a three-year starter, highlights an offensive line that brings back all five starters: senior left tackle Dante Morici, junior center Jake DiRidolfo, junior right guard Gunner McFall and senior right tackle Jordan Palmer. Washington Township is just as impressive defensively, as Robinson is one of the premier linebackers in the state. He had 105 tackles, 26 tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks and was joined on the all-conference team by junior defensive end Gabe Palaganas, who recorded 63 tackles and 9.5 sacks. Osborn, Binder and Ray McFall round out the gifted crop of linebackers, and other key players on the defensive line are seniors Ethan Wechter and Jayden Sanchez. Senior Parker Reese had 57 tackles and five interceptions—two of them in the sectional final—and is a standout in a secondary that also features Pratt, Moore and senior Markeith Carr. Senior Luke Sheets is coming off another solid season as the kicker, having converted 36-of-40 extra points and all four of his field goal attempts, and Reese is back as the punter.
Outlook: The Minutemen’s 10-3 record last fall included the program’s first sectional title since 1995. They are talented in all three phases of the game and will continue to set the bar high as this senior class looks to add more accomplishments to its collection.
