Donovan Catholic Griffins 

August 25, 2024 

2023: 

• 9-3 
• Lost to Bergen Catholic in the Non-Public A semifinals, beat St. Augustine in the quarterfinals, and St. Peter’s Prep in the first round 
• Wins included Toms River North, St. Augustine, Middletown South, Long Branch, Wall, and Rumson-Fair Haven 
• Losses were to Red Bank Catholic and St. Joe’s (Montvale) 
• Scored 290 points for a 24.17 average 
• Allowed 200 points for a 16.67 average 

Graduation: 

• OL Adam Yevchak – Fordham 
• TE/DE Zaeir Day – Montclair State 
• C Chris Poskay – Gettysburg (Pa.) 
• DB Najee Morgan – Clarke (Iowa) 
• QB Todd Lambertson – Milford Academy (NY prep) 
• LB JJ Correa – East Coast Academy (Mass.) 
• DL Sam Rock – Ursinus (Pa.) for wrestling 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 3   

Quarterback: 

• Kyle Dow, Sophomore, 6-2, 175 – projected starter 

Running Back: 

• Ethan Nicolas, Sophomore, 5-11, 180 – projected co-starter 
• Luke Vernieri, Senior, 6-0, 185 – projected co-starter 

Wide Receiver:

• Michael Thomas III, Senior, 6-1, 195 – 4-year starter; 34 receptions, 467 yards, 7 touchdowns, rushed for 420 yards, 3 touchdowns per nj.com 
• Isaac Correa, Senior, 6-1, 175 – projected starter; saw action, started on defense 
• Colin Johnson, Junior, 5-11, 175 – part of the rotation 
• TJ Hunter, Freshman, 6-1, 170 – part of the rotation 
• Austin Vanderbos, Freshman, 6-0, 170 – part of the rotation 

Tight End: 

• Joe Czerwinski, Senior, 6-1, 230 – projected co-starter; started on defense 
• Gavin Nascimento, Sophomore, 5-11, 190 – projected co-starter 

Offensive Line: 

• Kai Pritchard, Junior, 6-5, 285 – 3-year starter at left tackle, moving from right tackle 
• James Aldrich, Senior, 6-4, 290 – returning starter at right tackle, moving from guard 
• Carter Smith, Sophomore, 6-0, 305 – competing at guard 
• Colin Izzo, Junior, 6-1, 230 – competing at guard 
• Ayden Iovino, Senior, 6-1, 250 – projected starter at center 
• Robby Pissott, Sophomore, 6-4, 235 – key reserve pushing for time 

Defense: 

• Formation: Multiple 3-4 
• Returning Starters: 3 

Defensive Line: 

• Carter Smith, Sophomore, 6-0, 305 – projected starter at nose guard 
• Kai Pritchard, Junior, 6-5, 285 – projected starter at end 
• James Aldrich, Senior, 6-4, 290 – projected starter at end 
• Diondrea Foendoe, Sophomore, 5-10, 200 – part of the end rotation 
• Kelsey Cash, Junior, 6-1, 220 – part of the end rotation 

Linebacker: 

• Joe Czerwinski, Senior, 6-1, 230 – returning starter on the inside 
• Jayden Nascimento, Junior, 6-1, 190 – projected starter on the inside; saw action and started two playoff games 
• Gavin Nascimento, Sophomore, 5-11, 190 – projected starter on the outside 
• Luke Vernieri, Senior, 6-0, 185 – projected starter on the outside; started two playoff games    

Secondary: 

• Michael Thomas III, Senior, 6-1, 195 – 4-year starter at cornerback 
• Ethan Nicolas, Sophomore, 5-11, 180 – projected starter at cornerback 
• AJ Pena, Freshman, 5-11, 170 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Isaac Correa, Senior, 6-1, 175 – returning starter at safety, moving from cornerback 
• Colin Johnson, Junior, 5-11, 175 – projected starter at safety; started a playoff game 

Special Teams:  

• Senior Joe Czerwinski will be the kicker and senior Luke Vernieri will be the punter 
• Michael Thomas III will be the main return man 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 8/30, at St. Augustine 
• 9/6-7, Bye Week 
• Friday, 9/23, Point Pleasant Boro at home 
• Friday, 9/20, Howell at home 
• Friday, 9/27, Brick Memorial at home 
• 10/4-5, Bye Week 
• Thursday, 10/10, at Jackson 
• Friday, 10/18, at Rumson-Fair Haven 
• Friday, 10/25, at Toms River North 
• Friday, 11/1, at Red Bank Catholic 

Concerns: 

• Depth with many players going both ways 

Recruiting: 

• Thomas verballed to Rutgers 
• Aldrich has a D2 offer and 1-AA interest 
• Correa has 1-AA/D2 interest 
• Others may go D3 
• Underclassmen: 
• Pritchard has many offers, including Rutgers, Penn State, Tennessee, Boston College, North Carolina State, and Illinois 
• Others may develop into college players  

Coach’s Comments: 

“I like this team and enjoy coaching them. They are blue-collar, hard-working, tough kids who take well to coaching. It’s enjoyable to go to practice.” – Head Coach Dan Curcione