Ocean City Raiders
July 14, 2024
2023:
- 3-7
- Lost to Hammonton in the Central Jersey Group 4 quarterfinals, 23-22
- Wins came against Pleasantville, Hammonton, and St. Joe’s (Hammonton)
- Losses were against Mainland, Delsea, Millville, Cedar Creek, Winslow, and Middletown North
- Scored 171 points for a 17.1 average
- Allowed 270 points for a 27.0 average
Graduation:
- WR/DB Jon Moyer – Lafayette (Pa.)
- RB/DB Duke Guenther – North Carolina-Charlotte
- LB Nick Layton – Kutztown (Pa.)
- OL/DL Justin Gooden – The College of New Jersey (TCNJ)
- DE Ryan Callahan – U Penn sprint football
Offense:
- Formation: Multiple Spread
- Returning Starters: 5
Quarterback:
- Walker Bailey, Senior, 6-0, 206 – returning starter
- Jackson Becker, Freshman, 6-1, 190 – provides depth
Running Back:
- Triston Schmidt, Junior, 5-9, 190 – projected starter
- Joe Pancoast, Sophomore, 6-0, 185 – will spell Schmidt
Wide Receiver:
- JP Forster, Senior, 5-10, 175 – part of the rotation; started on defense
- Ryan Hendricks, Junior, 6-1, 175 – part of the rotation
- Jack Porter, Senior, 6-1, 190 – part of the rotation
- Michael Ragazzi, Junior, 6-5, 195 – part of the rotation
Tight End:
- TJ Santarpio, Junior, 5-10, 215 – returning starter
Offensive Line:
- Luke Holmes, Senior, 6-0, 230 – 3-year starter at center
- Cliff Dirkes, Senior, 6-1, 265 – 3-year starter at right guard
- Anthony Gasparovic, Senior, 6-3, 270 – projected starter at right tackle; started on defense
- Eric Reiff, Junior, 6-1, 270 – projected starter at left guard
- Ricky Caine, Junior, 6-0, 215 – returning starter at left tackle
- Jack McCallister, Junior, 6-1, 220- provides depth
Defense:
- Formation: 4-3
- Returning Starters: 5
Defensive Line:
- Cliff Dirkes, Senior, 6-1, 265 – returning starter at end
- Jake Chapman, Sophomore, 6-0, 205 – projected starter at end
- Justin McCormick, Senior, 5-9, 250 – returning starter at tackle
- Anthony Gasparovic, Senior, 6-3, 270 – returning starter at tackle and will rotate
- Eric Reiff, Junior, 6-1, 270 – part of the tackle rotation
- Luke Holmes, Senior, 6-0, 230 – part of the end rotation
- TJ Santarpio, Junior, 5-10, 215 – part of the end rotation
Linebacker:
- Joe Berardis, Senior, 5-11, 190 – returning starter on the strong side
- Tommy Grimley, Senior, 6-0, 200 – projected starter in the middle
- Joe Pancoast, Sophomore, 6-0, 185 – projected starter on the weak side
- Ayden Majors, Junior, 6-0, 185 – part of the rotation
- Mike Davis, Sophomore, 5-9, 200 – part of the rotation
Secondary:
- JP Forster, Senior, 5-10, 175 – returning starter at cornerback
- Ryan Hendricks, Junior, 6-1, 175 – projected starter at cornerback
- Cole Dessicino, Junior, 6-0, 170 – projected starter at safety
- Lucas Dessicino, Junior, 6-0, 170 – projected starter at safety
- Jackson Becker, Freshman, 6-1, 190 – part of the safety rotation
Special Teams:
- The kicker will be senior JP Forster and junior Ryan Hendricks will be the punter
- The return men are undecided
Schedule:
- Thursday, 8/29, Cinnaminson at home in the Battle of the Beach
- Friday, 9/6, Eastern at home
- Friday, 9/13, Lemape at home
- Friday, 9/20, Atlantic City at home
- Friday, 9/27, at Hammonton
- Friday, 10/4, at Mainland
- Friday, 10/11, at Middle Township
- Friday, 10/18, Holy Spirit at home
- Friday, 10/25, at Cedar Creek
Concerns:
- The inexperience of the receivers and the secondary
- Depth and development to alleviate players going both ways
Recruiting:
- Dirkes is a D2 prospect, including PSAC schools
- Holmes, Gasparovic, Forster, and Bailey are D3 candidates
- Underclassmen: Schmidt will be productive if healthy
- Becker is a freshman quarterback whose impact will be elsewhere this year
Coach’s Comments:
“We have a lot back up front, with four of six returning when the tight end is included. The quarterback returns and he was dinged up last year. We will be solid up front on both sides and our challenge is the receivers and the secondary.” – Head Coach Kevin Smith