Highland Tartans 

July 14, 2023 

2022: 

• 6-5 
• Lost to Seneca in the Central Jersey Group 3 quarterfinals after beating Manasquan in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Timber Creek, Absegami, and Clearview 
• Losses were to Hammonton, Rancocas Valley, Paul VI, and Downingtown West (Pa.) 
• Scored 342 points for a 31.09 average 
• Allowed 242 points for a 22.00 average 

Graduation: 

• RB Angelo Rodriguez – LIU 
• DL Jonathan Graham – Seton Hill (Pa.) 
• DB Asa Murray – Kutztown (Pa.) 
• OL Andrew Dworacek – Rowan 
• WR/DB Avant Stewart – Sussex County Community College 
• OL/DL Byron Williams – Sussex County Community College 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters:  6 

Quarterback: 

• Connor Leary, Senior, 6-1-½, 175 – 3-year starter; passed for 1,610 yards per nj.com 

Running Back: 

• Nehemiah Butler-Mayhew, Senior, 5-10, 195 – returning starter; rushed for 657 yards per nj.com 
• Matt Tuttle, Senior, 5-7, 155 – returning starter slot receiver who will see action here 
• Mike Furlow, Senior, 5-10, 220 – part of the rotation 

Wide Receiver: 

• Matt Tuttle, Senior, 5-7, 155 – returning starter at slot receiver 
• Mekhi Brown, Junior, 5-10, 180 – projected starter at slot receiver 
• Eli Thompson, Junior, 6-3, 190 – returning starter at outside receiver 
• Jeff Neris, Senior, 6-2, 190 – returning starter at outside receiver 
• Xavier Miller, Senior, 5-11, 175 – part of the rotation 
• Zyaire Miles, Junior, 5-9, 160 – competing 

Tight End: 

• Jaiden Smith, Junior, 6-1, 220 – competing 
• Patrick McLaughlin, Senior, 6-2, 210 – competing 
• Jack Conway, Senior, 5-10, 220 – competing 

Offensive Line: 

• Billy Taylor, Senior, 6-0, 306 – 3-year starter; could play anywhere – center in 2021 and tackle in 2022 
• Noah Shields, Junior, 6-1, 270 – competing at tackle; started on defense  
• Jabril Sadler, Sophomore, 6-2, 290 – competing at tackle 
• Kavon Sistrunk, Sophomore, 6-3, 270 – competing at tackle 
• Eddie Bonanno-Johnson, Junior, 5-10, 260 – competing at guard; started on defense 
• Mike McConnell, Sophomore, 5-10, 235 – competing at guard 
• Dante Nessola, Senior, 6-2, 230 – competing at guard 
• Frank Baldon, Junior, 5-10, 235 – competing at center 

Defense: 

• Formation: 4-2-5 
• Returning Starters: 8  

Defensive Line: 

• Eli Thompson, Junior, 6-3, 190 – returning starter at end 
• Dante Nessola, Senior, 6-2, 230 – competing at opposite end 
• Jaiden Smith, Junior, 6-1, 220 – competing at opposite end 
• Patrick McLaughlin, Senior, 6-2, 210 – competing at opposite end 
• Noah Shields, Junior, 6-1, 270 – returning starter at tackle 
• Eddie Bonanno-Johnson, Junior, 5-10, 260 – returning as part of rotation at tackle 
• Billy Taylor, Senior, 6-0, 306 – returning as part of rotation at tackle  

Linebacker: 

• Tevon Atkins, Senior, 6-0, 220 – returning starter 
• Nehemiah Butler-Mayhew, Senior, 5-10, 195 – returning starter 
• Zion Brockenbrough, Sophomore, 6-0, 230 – part of the rotation 
• Mike Furlow, Senior, 5-10, 220 – part of the rotation 
• Jack Conway, Senior, 5-10, 220 – competing 

Secondary: 

• Matt Tuttle, Senior, 5-7, 155 – returning starter at rover 
• Mekhi Brown, Junior, 5-10, 180 – projected starter at rover 
• Jeff Neris, Senior, 6-2, 190 – returning starter at free safety 
• Xavier Miller, Senior, 5-11, 175 – returning starter at cornerback, moving from safety 
• Jayden DeLeon, Junior, 6-0, 170 – competing at opposite corner 
• Mikell Cortes, Junior, 5-10, 190 – competing at opposite corner 

Special Teams: 

• Senior Dante Nessola returns at kicker and senior Aaron Brodzik is the frontrunner at punter 
• Miller and Tuttle are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Sunday, 8/27, Timber Creek at Ocean City 
• Friday, 9/1, at Paul VI 
• Friday, 9/8, Hammonton at home  
• Friday, 9/15, Clearview at home 
• Friday, 9/22, at Absegami 
• 9/29-30, Bye Week 
• Friday, 10/6, Eastern at home 
• Friday, 10/13, Triton at home 
• Saturday, 10/21, at Rancocas Valley 

Concerns: 

• Filling positions on the offensive line 

Recruiting: 

• Leary and Miller are 1-AA/D2 prospects who will go to a high-academic school
• Butler-Mayhew, Taylor, and Neris are receiving interest from D2 and D3 schools
  Others may go D3 
• Underclassmen: 
• Thompson has been receiving 1-A and 1-AA interest 
• Brown and Shields have good potential 
• It is too early to determine where the sophomores project 

Coach’s Comments: 

“Last year, we advanced to the Group 4 semifinals in our section, which gave our kids some good experience. The team is experienced, but we have to fill some positions. Guys will have to step up, but we are a talented team with a chance to be good.” – Head Coach Brian Leary