Verona Hillbillies 

August 6, 2024

2023: 

• 2-8 
• Lost to Butler in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 1 quarterfinals 
• Wins came against Madison and Morris Catholic 
• Losses were against Mountain Lakes, Lakeland, Caldwell, Weequahic, Cedar Grove, Hanover Park, and Glen Ridge 
• Scored 174 points for a 17.4 average 
• Allowed 281 points for a 28.1 average  

Graduation: 

• WR/DB Zach Garmont – Monmouth 
• OL/DL Shane Costigan – St. John Fisher (NY) 
• OL Jackson Garthwaite – St. John Fisher (NY) 
• K/P Kieran Patel – St. John Fisher (NY) 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 6   

Quarterback: 

• Connor DeMasi, Senior, 6-2, 215 – 3-year starter; passed for 2,046 yards and 12 touchdowns per nj.com 

Running Back: 

• Bodie Maisano, Senior, 5-10, 190 – returning starter; rushed for 737 yards and 4 touchdowns plus 22 receptions per nj.com 
• Tristan Newman, Senior, 6-1, 200 – will spell Maisano 

Wide Receiver: 

• Gianluca Checchetto, Senior, 6-0, 170 – returning starter; 21 receptions per nj.com 
• Dean Algieri, Junior, 6-2, 185 – returning starter 
• Sal Santos-DiTrani, Senior, 5-10, 170 – projected starter; started on defense 
• Jesse Wagner, Senior, 5-10, 170 – projected starter; started on defense 
• JP Alfano, Senior, 6-2, 190 – part of the rotation; started on defense 
• Logan Lapinski, Freshman, 5-9, 155 – provides depth 
• Logan Knoetig, Junior, 5-11, 175 – provides depth 

Offensive Line: 

• Gavin Palmer, Junior, 6-0, 220 – returning starter at left tackle 
• Daniel Frenklakh, Senior, 5-10, 180 – projected starter at left guard 
• Joel Gonzalez, Senior, 5-9, 175 – returning starter at center 
• Tyler Burns, Junior, 5-9, 185 – projected starter at right guard 
• Michael Girgis, Senior, 6-0, 210 – projected starter at right tackle  
• Kyle Thompson, Sophomore, 6-0, 185 – key reserve at center and guard 
• Ryan Cavallo, Junior, 6-2, 190 – key reserve along the line 
• Sam Basante, Sophomore, 6-5, 220 – key reserve at tackle 

Defense: 

• Formation: Multiple 3-and-4-man fronts 
• Returning Starters: 7 

Defensive Line: 

• JP Alfano, Senior, 6-2, 190 – returning starter at end 
• Logan Knoetig, Junior, 5-11, 175 – projected starter at end 
• Dean Algieri, Junior, 6-2, 185 – part of the end rotation 
• Michael Girgis, Senior, 6-0, 210 – projected starter at tackle 
• Gavin Palmer, Junior, 6-0, 220 – returning starter at tackle  
• Daniel Frenklakh, Senior, 5-10, 180 – part of the tackle rotation 
• Joel Gonzalez, Senior, 5-9, 175 – part of the tackle rotation 
• Kyle Thompson, Sophomore, 6-0, 185 – part of the tackle rotation 
• Ryan DeMars, Sophomore, 6-3, 185 – part of the tackle rotation 

Linebacker: 

• Bodie Maisano, Senior, 5-10, 190 – returning starter in the middle 
• Ryan Cavallo, Junior, 6-2, 190 – projected starter on the weak side 
• Finn MacEvoy, Junior, 5-10, 175 – part of the strong side rotation; Montclair-Kimberley transfer 
• Nicholas Nazzaretto, Sophomore, 5-9, 175; part of the strong side rotation and provides depth in the middle; Seton Hall Prep transfer  
• Tristan Newman, Senior, 6-1, 200 – part of the outside rotation  

Secondary: 

• Jesse Wagner, Senior, 5-10, 170 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Gianluca Checchetto, Senior, 6-0, 170 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Sal Santos-DiTrani, Senior, 5-10, 170 – returning starter at safety 
• Jayden Nigro, Junior, 5-10, 175 – returning starter at safety 
• Dante Palmer, Sophomore, 5-7, 140 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Johnny McEnerney, Sophomore, 6-0 170 – part of the safety rotation 

Special Teams:  

• Freshman Landon Vacco will be the kicker and punter 
• Nigro, Knoetig, and Lapinski are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Thursday 8/29, Jefferson at West Orange 
• Friday, 9/6, Kinnelon at home 
• Friday, 9/13, at Cedar Grove 
• Friday, 9/20, Newark Collegiate at home 
• Saturday, 9/28, at Newark Central 
• Friday, 10/4, at Hoboken  
• Thursday, 10/10, New Providence at home 
• Saturday, 10/19, at Glen Ridge 
• Friday, 10/25, Shabazz at home 

Concerns: 

• Staying healthy 

Recruiting: 

• Checchetto, DeMasi, Santos-DiTrani, Wagner, Girgis, Alfano, and Newman can play at the next level anywhere from 1-AA to D3 
• Underclassmen:  
• Maisano and Algieri are the top prospects 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We’re trying to change the ship around and head for what Verona football was. The kids have been receptive, working hard, and pushing themselves to a higher level. The expectations are high.” – Head Coach Manj Singh