Vernon Vikings 

August 5, 2024

2023: 

• 8-2 
• Lost to Passaic Valley in the North Jersey Section 2 quarterfinals in overtime  
• Wins included Sparta, Lakeland, and Sussex Tech 
• Their other loss was to Warren Hills 
• Scored 285 points for a 28.5 average 
• Allowed 111 points for an 11.1 average 

Graduation: 

• OL Jack Austin – Sussex County Community College 
• RB/LB Logan Pych – lacrosse at Eastern Connecticut State 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 5   

Quarterback: 

• Aden Karwoski, Senior, 6-1, 170 – returning starter 
• James Curry, Junior, 6-1, 175 – provides depth 
• Andrew Geisen, Sophomore, 5-11, 180 – provides depth 
• Bradley Carter, Sophomore, 5-9, 160 – provides depth 

Running Back: 

• Gavin Pych, Senior, 5-9, 170 – competing 
• Thomas Benson, Junior, 5-9, 170 – competing 
• Junior Troche, Junior, 5-8, 185 – competing 
• Chase MacLean, Senior, 5-8, 190 – competing 

Wide Receiver: 

• Josh Jean, Senior, 6-1, 185 – returning starter on the outside 
• Dean Grundy, Junior, 5-11, 175 – projected starter on the outside 
• Jake Del Rosario, Senior, 5-9, 160 – in the outside mix  
• Sam Simone, Junior, 5-9, 165 – in the outside mix 
• Gavin Bruno, Junior, 5-9, 170 – returning starter at slot receiver 
• Matt Baumann, Senior, 5-7, 165 – will see time at slot receiver and running back; started on defense 
• Jayden Quintero, Senior, 5-10, 160 – returning starter who is out with a knee injury; 22 receptions per nj.com  

Tight End: 

• Luca Vizzini, Senior, 5-10, 185 – returning starter at tight end 
• Roman Drupka, Senior, 6-0, 190 – will see action 
• Denzell Welling, Junior, 5-10, 190 – provides depth 

Offensive Line: 

• Tanner Smith, Senior, 6-5, 270 – competing at left tackle; saw action 
• Bradley Kurdziel, Senior, 5-10, 185 – competing at guard 
• Syrus Castanaga, Senior, 5-8, 185 – competing at guard 
• Phil Pritchard, Senior, 5-10, 290 – competing at center 
• Quinn DiGiovanni, Junior, 5-11, 235 – competing at guard 
• Mason Rivera, Senior, 6-3, 245 – competing at tackle 
• Daniel Rendon, Senior, 5-11, 215 – competing at tackle 
• Gavin Wilczewski, Junior, 6-0, 210 – competing at tackle 
• Diego Gonzalez-Laureano, Senior, 5-9, 235 – competing at guard 
• Michael Vanbenschoten, Junior, 6-3, 210 – competing at tackle 

Defense: 

• Formation: 3-4 
• Returning Starters: 4 

Defensive Line: 

• Quinn DiGiovanni, Junior, 5-11, 235 – part of the nose guard rotation 
• Phil Pritchard, Senior, 5-10, 290 – part of the nose guard rotation 
• Roman Drupka, Senior, 6-0, 190 – projected starter at end 
• Mason Rivera, Senior, 6-3, 245 – projected starter at end 
• Tanner Smith, Senior, 6-5, 270 – part of the end rotation 
• Bradley Kurdziel, Senior, 5-10, 185 – part of the end rotation 
• Diego Gonzalez-Laureano, Senior, 5-9, 235 – part of the end rotation 

Linebacker: 

• Syrus Castanaga, Senior, 5-8, 185 – returning starter on the inside 
• Chase MacLean, Senior, 5-8, 190 – projected starter on the inside 
• Gavin Wilczewski, Junior, 6-0, 210 – projected starter on the strong side 
• Matt Vecharello, Senior, 5-10, 185 – projected starter on the weak side 
• Gavin Pych, Senior, 5-9, 170 – part of the outside rotation 
• Dean Grundy, Junior, 5-11, 175 – part of the outside rotation and may also play cornerback  
• Daniel Rendon, Senior, 5-11, 215 – part of the outside rotation 
• Junior Troche, Junior, 5-8, 185 – part of the outside rotation  
• Denzell Welling, Junior, 5-10, 190 – part of the outside rotation  

Secondary: 

• Matt Baumann, Senior, 5-7, 165 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Luca Vizzini, Senior, 5-10, 185 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Jake Del Rosario, Senior, 5-9, 160 – returning starter at safety 
• Josh Jean, Senior, 6-1, 185 – projected starter and saw action 
• Jayden Quintero, Senior, 5-10, 160 – returning starter at safety who is out with a knee injury 
• Gavin Bruno, Junior, 5-9, 170 – could see time at safety 
• Sam Simone, Junior, 5-9, 165 – could see time at safety 
• Madden Lewis, Junior, 5-9, 155 – could see time at safety 
• Joe D’Aprile, Junior, 5-8, 155 – could see time at safety 
• Dean Grundy, Junior, 5-11, 175 – could see time at cornerback 
• James Curry, Junior, 6-1, 175 – could see time at cornerback 
• Thomas Benson, Junior, 5-9, 170 – could see time at cornerback 

Special Teams:  

• Senior Luca Vizzini returns as the kicker and the punter 
• Bruno, Del Rosario, Lewis, and Grundy are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 8/30, at Warren Hills 
• Friday, 9/6, Dover at home 
• Friday, 9/13, Parsippany Hills at home 
• Friday, 9/20, Jefferson at home 
• Friday, 9/27, at Sparta 
• Friday, 10/4, at High Point 
• Thursday, 10/10, Mount Olive at home 
• Friday, 10/18, at Lakeland 
• Friday, 10/25, West Milford at home  

Concerns: 

• How does the line gel? There are juniors and seniors on the line, but little varsity action to date 
• Staying healthy 

Recruiting: 

• Smith has 1-AA/D2 interest 
• Rivera and Jean are D2/D3 prospects 
• Karwoski, Castanaga, Pych, Pritchard, Drupka, Rendon, and Del Rosario are D3 candidates 
• Vizzini may play lacrosse 
• It is too early to determine the underclassmen 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We are excited about having 17 seniors, the most we have had since I have been here. They are exhibiting good senior leadership and as long as we work hard and play physical, we will be alright.” – Head Coach Steve Down