Southern Rams 

August 26, 2024 

2023: 

• 3-7 
• Lost to Toms River North in the Central Jersey Group 5 sectional quarterfinals 
• Wins came against Middletown North, West Winsor-Plainsboro, and Central Regional 
• Losses included Toms River North, Marlboro, Long Branch, Jackson, and Lacey 
• Scored 109 points for a 10.9 average 
• Allowed 233 points for a 23.3 average 

Graduation: 

• QB Caden Oravets – Montclair State
• OL Nick Roesch – Florida Tech for lacrosse 
• OL/DL Matt Nolan  – track & field 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple I 
• Returning Starters: 6    

Quarterback: 

• Cooper Dempsey, Senior, 5-10, 155 – competing; saw some action  
• Carson Abbato, Sophomore, 6-1, 190 – competing 

Running Back: 

• Justin Silva, Senior, 6-1, 185 – returning starter at tailback 
• DJ Halm,5-8, 200 – returning starter at fullback 
• Colin Markoski, Senior, 5-10, 170 – will spell Silva
• Keegan Foote, Senior, 6-1, 185 – will spell Silva
• Levi Foote, Sophomore, 5-10, 190 – will spell Silva
• Aidan Covell, Junior, 5-10, 175 – will spell Silva 

Wide Receiver:

• Talon Plenge, Senior, 5-10, 165 – returning starter 
• Ace Williams, Junior, 6-0, 170 – projected starter 
• Chris Raub, Sophomore, 5-8, 150 – projected starter at slot receiver  

Tight End: 

• Colton Oravets, Junior, 6-0, 195 – projected starter 

Offensive Line: 

• Cayden Parkhill, Senior, 6-1, 205 – returning starter at right tackle 
• William Bucci, Senior, 5-10, 240 – returning starter at right guard 
• Joe Spina, Senior, 5-11, 210 – projected starter at center 
• Pete Dolan, Senior, 6-1, 210 – returning starter at left guard 
• Brayden Scherlin, Junior, 6-4, 235 – projected starter at left tackle 
• Zach O’Brien, Senior, 5-10, 250 – key reserve; started on defense 
• Gabe Wyrsch, Senior, 6-0, 220 – key reserve 
• Cooper Wolek, Junior, 6-0, 215 – key reserve 

Defense: 

• Formation: 50 Base 
• Returning Starters: 4 

Defensive Line: 

• Levi Foote, Sophomore, 5-10, 190 – projected starter at nose guard 
• Zach O’Brien, Senior, 5-10, 250 – returning starter at tackle 
• Lucas Favorito, Junior, 6-0, 225 – projected starter at tackle 
• Dan Unger, Senior, 6-1, 185 – projected starter at end who saw action 
• Pete Dolan, Senior, 6-1, 210 – projected starter at end 
• Jake Schon, Junior, 6-4, 230 – part of the tackle rotation 
• Cooper Wolek, Junior, 6-0, 215 – part of the tackle rotation 

Linebacker: 

• Evan Wyrsch, Senior, 6-1, 180 – returning starter 
• Ty Eck’Art, Junior, 5-9, 175 – projected starter 
• DJ Halm,5-8, 200 – competing 
• Aidan Covell, Junior, 5-10, 175 – provides depth  

Secondary: 

• Talon Plenge, Senior, 5-10, 165 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Jason Heins, Senior, 5-9, 155 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Dillon Wolfer, Junior, 5-7, 160 – provides depth at cornerback 
• Colin Markoski, Senior, 5-10, 170 – provide depth at cornerback 
• Justin Silva, Senior, 6-1, 185 – 3-year starter at safety 
• Harrison Grose, Junior, 5-9, 155 – competing at safety 
• Nick Germann, Junior, 5-9, 155 – competing at safety 

Special Teams:  

• Senior Keegan Foote returns as both the kicker and the punter 
• Senior Justin Spina will be the long-snapper 
• Spina and Woffer are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Saturday, 8/31, Highland at Egg Harbor at the Battle of the Beach 
• Friday, 9/6, Manchester Township at home 
• Friday, 9/13, at Toms River South 
• Friday, 9/20, Toms River East at home 
• Friday, 9/27, Central Regional at home 
• Friday, 10/4, at Brick Memorial 
• Friday, 10/11, at Lacey 
• Friday, 10/18, Toms River North at h
• Friday, 10/25, at Brick Township 

Concerns: 

• The passing game, but they are working on improving things 

Recruiting: 

• Silva is a 1-AA recruit, an outstanding tackle, and leads the secondary and lining the players up in the right position 
• The rest of the players are D3 types, both seniors and underclassmen 

Coach’s Comments: 

“I like the team and we’re in good shape up front. The running game has been as good as expected, but the passing game is a work in progress. Our defense is always ahead of the offense, keeping us in the game. The kicking game is storing and we can reach the end zone on kickoffs, giving the other team a longer field.” – Head Coach Chuck Donohue, Sr.