Middletown South Eagles 

August 17, 2024 

2023: 

• 5-5 
• Lost to Shawnee in the South Jersey Group 4 quarterfinals 
• Wins included Wall, Colts Neck, Middletown North, Plainfield, and Raritan 
• Losses were to Toms River North, Red Bank Catholic, Donovan Catholic, and Rumson-Fair Haven 
• Scored 218 points for a 21.8 average 
• Allowed 204 points for a 20.4 average 

Graduation: 

• RB/LB Colin Gallagher – Delaware 
• LB/TE Shaun Goode – Muhlenberg (Pa.) 
• RB Donovan Summey – Ocean County College for basketball 
• WR/LB Owen Richter  – Brown for lacrosse 
• LB Dante Farrell-Brown – Bridgeton Academy (Me.) 

Offense: 

• Formation: Power Spread 
• Returning Starters: 5   

Quarterback: 

• Luca Donofrio, Junior, 5-11, 165 – competing 
• Jackson Harris, Senior, 6-2, 190 – competing 

Running Back: 

• Brendan Sliva, Senior, 5-10, 190 – returning starter playing slot receiver: he will play both positions 
• Justin Rosato, Sophomore, 5-8, 155 – will share the position 

H-Back: 

• Liam Curley, Senior, 6-0, 200 – projected co-starter and will play some running back; started on defense 
• Mike Murphy, Junior, 5-10, 185 – projected co-starter and will paly some running back 

Wide Receiver:

• Logan Burbank, Junior, 6-3, 165 – projected starter; started on defense  
• Ryan Kilcullen, Junior, 5-8, 175 – projected starter 
• Josh Antonucci, Junior, 5-11, 160 – projected starter 

Tight End (situational): 

• Chase Ponik, Senior, 6-1, 230 – will share time; started on defense 
• Anthony Bennett, Sophomore, 6-3, 215 – will share the position 

Offensive Line: 

• Mike Toth, Senior, 6-3, 265 – 3-year starter at left tackle 
• Ryan Harden, Senior, 6-1, 275 – 3-year starter at left guard 
• Matt Germak, Senior, 6-2, 305 – returning starter at center 
• Alec Rahill, Junior, 6-0, 225 – projected starter at right guard 
• Gio Masagli, Senior, 6-3, 250 – 3-year starter at right tackle 
• John Johnson, Junior, 6-2, 270 – key reserve 
• Chris Mauriello, Junior, 6-1, 220 – key reserve 

Defense: 

• Formation: 3-4 
• Returning Starters: 5 

Defensive Line: 

• Chase Ponik, Senior, 6-1, 230 – returning starter at end 
• Gio Masagli, Senior, 6-3, 250 – 3-year starter at end 
• Mike Toth, Senior, 6-3, 265 – projected co-starter at nose guard 
• Ryan Harden, Senior, 6-1, 275 – projected co-starter at nose guard 
• Alec Rahill, Junior, 6-0, 225 – part of the end rotation 
• Dylan Lynch, Junior, 6-1, 235 – part of the end rotation 

Linebacker: 

• Liam Curley, Senior, 6-0, 200 – 3-year starter on the inside 
• Mike Murphy, Junior, 5-10, 185 – projected starter on the inside 
• John McCabe, Senior, 6-3, 235 – projected starter on the strong side 
• James Pirozzi, Junior, 6-0, 180 – competing on the weak side 
• Justin Rosato, Sophomore, 5-8, 155 – competing on the weak side  

Secondary: 

• Brendan Sliva, Senior, 5-10, 190 – 3-year starter at strong safety 
• Ryan Goode, Junior, 5-11, 160 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Logan Burbank, Junior, 6-3, 165 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Michael Mullane, Sophomore, 5-10, 155 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Josh Antonucci, Junior, 5-11, 160 – part of the cornerback rotation 

Special Teams:  

• The kicker and the punter have senior Andrew Sonta and junior Mike Marinich competing 
• Mullane, Sliva, and Rosato will be the return men 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 8/30, Cherokee at Egg Harbor in the Battle of the Beach 
• Friday, 9/6, at Manalapan 
• Saturday, 9/14, at Colts Neck 
• Friday, 9/20, Marlboro at home 
• Friday, 9/27, Rumson-Fair Haven at home 
• Friday, 10/4, Jackson at home 
• Friday, 10/11, at Long Branch  
• 10/18-19, Bye Week 
• 10/25 at Red Bank Catholic 
• Thursday, 11/28, Middletown North at home 

Concerns: 

• Skill positions are young: will have to rely on their experienced offensive line 
• Who can win the quarterback battle and can they understand the offense to lead the team? 
• Tough schedule 

Recruiting: 

• Harden has offers from TCNJ, Muhlenberg, and others 
• Massagli and Sliva have interest from the Ivy League and other high-academic schools 
• Toth and Germak are D2/D3 prospects 
• Others may play D3 
• Underclassmen: 
• Burbank has some interest from Monmouth and Sacred Heart 
• Rosato and Mullane are two talented sophomores 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We have a young team, especially at the skill positions. Replacing Colin Gallagher and Jake Czwakiel will be an uphill battle. One of our strengths is the offensive line, with four of them returning. We want to be physical and run the ball, but we also want to stretch the field with the passing game and become more balanced than we have. The defense has been our calling card and we want to continue that.” – Head Coach Marc Tomo