Post 1,301 – Team Preview 2024: Marlboro Mustangs

Marlboro Mustangs  

July 10, 2024

2023: 

  • 8-3 
  • Lost to Cherokee in the South Jersey Group 5 sectional final, beat Hillsborough in the semifinals, and South Brunswick in the quarterfinals 
  • Wins included Jackson, Freehold Township, Southern, and Lacey 
  • Losses were to Rumson-Fair Haven and Middletown South 
  • Scored 199 points for an 18.09 average 
  • Allowed 124 points for an 11.27 average, including two shutouts 

Graduation: 

  • RB/LB Matt Cassidy – The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) 
  • DB Nick Scaff – The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) 
  • DL Rob Kenyon – Stevenson (Md.) 
  • TE Brave Haugh – Widener (Pa.) for basketball 
  • WR/LB Mike Consolazio – Felician for baseball 

Offense: 

  • Formation: Multiple Pro I 
  • Returning Starters: 2 

Quarterback: 

  • Zach Caporale, Junior, 5-9, 150 – frontrunner and started two games; started on defense 

Running Back: 

  • Christian LaFonte, Senior, 5-8, 170 – projected starter; saw action and started on defense  

Fullback: 

  • AJ Muhlbach, Senior, 5-10, 175 – competing 
  • Jennaro Percodani, Junior, 5-9, 175 – competing 

Wide Receiver: 

  • Luke Houston, Senior, 5-9, 180 – returning starter; 18 receptions per nj.com 
  • Brayden Bradley, Senior, 5-9, 165 – projected starter 
  • Kamerin Nash, Senior, 5-10, 170 – part of the rotation 
  • Charlie Kaplan, Sophomore, 5-9, 160 – part of the rotation 
  • Bill Faraci, Senior, 5-8, 165 – part of the rotation 
  • Mason Trombetta, Junior, 5-9, 175 – part of the rotation 

Tight End: 

  • Nick Diadema, Senior, 6-1, 180 – returning starter 
  • James Torres, Sophomore, 6-1, 210 – provides depth 

Offensive Line: 

  • Slav Kostenko, Senior, 6-4, 240 – projected starter at left tackle; saw action, started on defense  
  • Colin Burke, Junior, 5-11, 265 – competing at center; started on defense 
  • Dom Saracena, Senior, 5-10, 240 – competing at center 
  • Dan Lacertosa, Senior, 5-10, 215- – competing at guard 
  • Dylan DeGregorio, Senior, 5-10, 215 – competing at guard 
  • Zach Nina, Senior, 5-9, 230 – competing at guard 
  • Pete Roccanova, Senior, 6-1, 235 – competing at tackle 

Defense: 

  • Formation: 3-4 
  • Returning Starters: 6   

Defensive Line: 

  • Colin Burke, Junior, 5-11, 265 – returning starter at nose guard 
  • Slav Kostenko, Senior, 6-4, 240 – returning starter at end 
  • Dylan DeGregorio, Senior, 5-10, 215 – competing at the opposite end, may rotate 
  • James Torres, Sophomore, 6-1, 210 – competing at the opposite end, may rotate 
  • Pete Roccanova, Senior, 6-1, 235 – competing at the opposite end, may rotate  

Linebacker: 

  • Nick Diadema, Senior, 6-1, 180 – returning starter on the outside 
  • AJ Muhlbach, Senior, 5-10, 175 – projected starter on the outside 
  • Jennaro Percodani, Junior, 5-9, 175 – projected starter on the inside 
  • Dan Lacertosa, Senior, 5-10, 215- – projected starter on the inside 
  • Zach Mojares, Sophomore, 5-10, 175 – part of the rotation, both inside and outside 
  • Tristan Bennett, Senior, 5-10, 205 – part of the inside rotation 

Secondary: 

  • Luke Houston, Senior, 5-9, 180 – 3-year starter at safety 
  • Zach Caporale, Junior, 5-9, 150 – returning starter at safety 
  • Christian LaFonte, Senior, 5-8, 170 – returning starter at cornerback 
  • Brayden Bradley, Senior, 5-9, 165 – projected starter at cornerback; saw action in rotation 
  • Kamerin Nash, Senior, 5-10, 170 – part of the cornerback rotation 
  • Charlie Kaplan, Sophomore, 5-9, 160 – part of the rotation at cornerback and safety 
  • Nick Dimino, Sophomore, 5-10, 160 –  part of the rotation at cornerback and safety 
  • Mason Trombetta, Junior, 5-9, 175 – provides depth at safety 

Special Teams:  

  • Kicker and punter will feature a competition between senior AJ Muhlbach and junior Max Luzio 
  • Houston, Bradley, Nash, LaFonte, and Kaplan will be the return men 

Schedule: 

  • Saturday, 8/31, Colts Neck at home 
  • Friday, 9/6, at St. John Vianney 
  • Friday, 9/13, at Rumson-Fair Haven 
  • Friday, 9/20, at Middletown South at home 
  • Saturday, 9/28, Red Bank Catholic at home 
  • Saturday, 10/5, Freehold Township at home 
  • 10/11-12, Bye Week 
  • Friday, 10/18, at Lacey 
  • Saturday, 10/26, Long Branch at home 

Concerns: 

  • How does the offensive line come together? It is talented but inexperienced 
  • Replacing leadership and moving forward 

Recruiting: 

  • Kostenko has an offer from Saint Anselm and interest from Colgate 
  • Houston, LaFonte, and Nash are D3 prospects 
  • It is still early for the underclassmen 

Coach’s Comments: 

We have to replace many players. We have others returning that were productive and we feel good about that.” – Head Coach Jason Dagato

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