Newton Braves 

August 20. 2024 

2023: 

• 7-3 
• Lost to Wednesday in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 2 semifinals after beating Lyndhurst in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Ramsey, Sussex Tech, Wallkill Valley, and Lenape Valley 
• Losses were to Warren Hills and Sparta 
• Scored 210 points for a 21.9 average 
• Allowed 179 points for a 17.9 average 

Graduation: 

• RB/DL Dylan Cotter – Muhlenberg (Pa.) 
• RB/DB Demarius Posey – Alvernia (Pa.) 
• LS Matt Finn – Lycoming (Pa.) 

Offense: 

• Formation: Wing T 
• Returning Starters: 2  

Quarterback: 

• Matt Ellsworth, Junior, 5-10, 160 – returning starter 

Running Back: 

• Nick Kurilko, Junior, 6-1, 190 – projected starter at fullback; started on defense 
• Anthony Tudda, Senior, 5-7, 160 – returning starter at halfback; rushed for 458 yards per nj.com 
• Sean Carson, Junior, 5-9, 155 – competing at halfback 
• Evan Cotter, Freshman, 5-8, 160 – competing at halfback 

Wide Receiver:

• Kyle Dickson, Senior, 5-9, 150 – part of the rotation 
• Hunter Wolfe, Sophomore, 5-8, 145 – part of the rotation 

Tight End: 

• Max Faye, Junior, 5-11, 185 – part of the rotation; started on defense 
• Braxton Guerra, Sophomore, 6-0, 180 – part of the rotation 

Offensive Line: 

• Sean Dietz, Junior, 5-10, 230 – projected starter at left tackle 
• Ty Morodan, Junior, 5-9, 170 – projected starter at left guard 
• Ryan Corino, Senior, 6-1, 190 – projected starter at center; saw action 
• Sean Benitz, Senior, 6-1, 180 – projected starter at right guard 
• Michael Cooke, Junior, 6-3, 195 – projected starter at right tackle 
• Tim McNamara, Sophomore, 5-10, 175 – key reserve 

Defense: 

• Formation: 5-2 
• Returning Starters: 4 

Defensive Line: 

• Ryan Corino, Senior, 6-1, 190 – competing at end and part of the rotation 
• Sean Benitz, Senior, 6-1, 180 – competing at end and part of the rotation 
• Braxton Guerra, Sophomore, 6-0, 180 – competing at end and part of the rotation 
• Max Faye, Junior, 5-11, 185 – returning starter at tackle 
• Hunter Zander, Senior, 6-2, 220 – competing at tackle 
• Sean Dietz, Junior, 5-10, 230 – competing at tackle 
• Joey Melillo, Sophomore, 5-8, 175 – projected starter at nose guard 

Linebacker: 

• Nick Kurilko, Junior, 6-1, 190 – returning starter 
• Anthony Tudda, Senior, 5-7, 160 – returning starter 
• Ty Morodan, Junior, 5-9, 170 – provides depth 

Secondary: 

• Hunter Bickerton, Senior, 5-9, 155 – returning starer at cornerback 
• Kyle Dickson, Senior, 5-9, 150 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Sean Carson, Junior, 5-9, 155 – part of the rotation at cornerback 
• Matt Ellsworth, Junior, 5-10, 160 – projected starter at safety 
• Hunter Wolfe, Sophomore, 5-8, 145 – projected starter at safety 

Special Teams:  

• Junior Nick Kurilko returns as the kicker and will also be the punter 
• Tudda, Wolfe, and Dickson will be the return men 

Schedule: 

• Saturday, 9/7, at Sussex Tech 
• Friday, 9/13, Lenape Valley at home 
• Friday, 9/20, Sparta at home 
• Friday, 9/27, at High Point 
• Friday, 10/4, at Jefferson 
• Friday, 10/11, Hackettstown at home 
• Friday, 10/18, at Kittatinny 
• Friday, 10/25, Mountain Lakes at home 

Concerns: 

• Depth 

Recruiting: 

• Seniors have players who could go D3 
• Underclassmen: 
• Kurilko is a 1-AA candidate and will likely attend a high-academic school 
• Ellswoth is a D3 prospect 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We have a lot of talented players who are working hard and practices have been very good.” – Head Coach Matt Parzero