Cedar Grove Panthers  

June 27, 2024

2023: 

• 8-2 
• Lost to Shabazz in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 1 sectional quarterfinals 
• Wins included Ramsey, Shabazz, and Verona 
• Their other loss was to Caldwell 
• Scored 356 points for a 35.6 average 
• Allowed 130 points for a 13.0 average 

Graduation: 

• None playing sports in college 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 6 

Quarterback: 

• Stephen Paradiso, Senior, 5-11, 185 – 3-year starter; passed for 2,420 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions per nj.com 
• Pierce Asfalg, Junior, 6-1, 170 – provides depth and threw a touchdown pass in the Shabazz playoff game 

Running Back: 

• Jackson Morrice, Senior, 5-10, 175 – returning starter at slot receiver and will get carries from the backfield 
• Anthony Tronio, Senior, 6-2, 215 – returning starter at slot receiver and will get carries from the backfield; 13 receptions per nj.com  
• Connor Kerney, Senior, 5-6, 165 – competing; started on defense  
• Tom Cannataro, Junior, 6-1, 220 – competing 

Wide Receiver: 

• Jackson Morrice, Senior, 5-10, 175 – returning starter at slot receiver and will get carries from the backfield; 36 receptions for 538 yards, 4 touchdowns per nj.com  
• Anthony Tronio, Senior, 6-2, 215 – returning starter at slot receiver and will get carries from the backfield; 13 receptions per nj.com   
• Nick Russo, Senior, 6-3, 195 – returning starter at outside receiver; 29 receptions, 438 yards, and 8 touchdowns per nj.com 
• Xavier Andujar, Junior, 5-11, 180 – part of the rotation and saw time 
• Mike Ruggiano, Junior, 5-10, 165 – part of the rotation 
• Sebastian Kovacs, Junior, 6-0, 185 – part of the rotation 

Offensive Line: 

• Santino Catalano, Junior, 6-0, 225 – returning starter at left tackle 
• Jake Jordan, Senior, 5-11, 240 – returning starter at right guard 
• Beshoy Zaky, Senior, 5-10, 235 – competing at guard 
• Jake Saraiva, Junior, 5-10, 220 – competing at guard and center 
• Evan Skabich, Sophomore, 5-10, 220 – competing at guard and center; St. Peter’s Prep transfer 
• Chris Ferrera, Junior, 5-11, 220 – competing at tackle 
• Bryce Kent, Sophomore, 6-2, 205 – competing at tackle 

Defense: 

• Formation: 3-4 
• Returning Starters: 5 

Defensive Line: 

• Jake Jordan, Senior, 5-11, 240 – returning starter at tackle 
• Beshoy Zaky, Senior, 5-10, 235 – competing at end 
• Santino Catalano, Junior, 6-0, 225 – competing at end 
• Chris Ferrera, Junior, 5-11, 220 – competing at end 

Linebacker: 

• Nick Russo, Senior, 6-3, 195 – returning starter on the outside 
• Tom Cannataro, Junior, 6-1, 220 – projected starter on the outside 
• Mikey Leno, Junior, 6-0, 195 – part of the rotation on the outside 
• Anthony Tronio, Senior, 6-2, 215 – returning starter on the inside 
• Connor Kerney, Senior, 5-6, 165 – returning starter on the inside 
• Mike Cantarelli, Junior, 5-11, 185 – part of the rotation both inside and outside  

Secondary: 

• Jackson Morrice, Senior, 5-10, 175 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Xavier Andujar, Junior, 5-11,180 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Mike Ruggiano, Junior, 5-10, 165 – part of the rotation at cornerback 
• Sebastian Kovacs, Junior, 6-0, 185 – projected starter at safety 
• Jerry Targia, Junior, 5-9, 175 – projected starter at safety 
• Jake Catanzarite, Sophomore, 5-9, 165 – part of the rotation at safety 
• Pierce Asfalg, Junior, 6-1, 170 – part of the rotation at safety  

Special Teams:  

• Junior Sebastian Kovacs returns as the kicker and senior Stephen Paradiso returns as the punter 
• Morrice and Andujar are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 8/30, Schalick at Egg Harbor in the Battle of the Beach 
• Friday, 9/6, Weequahic at home 
• Friday, 9/13, Verona at home 
• Saturday, 9/21, at Madison 
• Friday, 9/27, Newark Collegiate at home 
• Friday, 10/4, at Caldwell 
• Thursday, 10/10, Glen Ridge at home 
• Friday, 10/18, at Newark Central 
• Friday, 10/25, at Boonton 

Concerns: 

• How well do the new guys fill the voids? How fast do they progress before the start of the season? 

Recruiting: 

• Tronio and Russo are 1-AA/D2 prospects 
• Paradiso and Morrice are D2/D3 prospects  
• Underclassmen: 
• Kovascs is a recruitable kicker 
• Others will need production on the field 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We bring back a solid group and the incoming junior class has been successful on the lower levels. It is a nice mix with seniors who have been playing 2-3 years and we have a challenging schedule, especially at the beginning.” – Head Coach Rob Gogerty