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