Blair Academy Bucs

September 2, 2024 

2023: 

• 5-4
• No Postseason
• Wins included Peddie, Wyoming Seminary (Pa.), and Hill School (Pa.) 
• Losses were to Hun, Springside Chestnut Hill Academy (Phi.), and Episcopal Academy (Pa.) 
• Scored 203 points for a 22.55 average 
• Allowed 163 points for an 18.11 average  

Graduation: 

• RB/LB Brayden Phinney – Penn 
• RB/LB Luke Dale – Lafayette 
• WR/DB Noah Abbott – Wagner (NY) 
• OL/DL Raumak Jauhal – Cornell 
• OL/DL Dami Atere – Stonehill (Mass.) 
• RB/LB Yaneik Gallego – Ithaca (NY) 
• OL/DL Ahmad Shah – Widener (Pa.) 
• QB Micah Balzarini – RPI (NY)

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 4   

Quarterback: 

• Merritt Fisher, Senior, 6-4, 215 – projected starter 
• Brandon Stem, Sophomore, 6-0, 160 – provides depth  

Running Back: 

• Andrew Pearce, Junior, 5-10, 190 – projected starter 
• Michael Antonelli, Junior, 5-10, 185 – will spell Pearce 
• Richard O’Day, Junior, 6-1, 190 – will spell Pearce 

Wide Receiver:

• Kaleb Nelson, Senior, 3-year starter; 17 receptions, 340 yards, 4 touchdowns per nj.com 
• Carson Bowman, Senior, 5-11, 185 – 3-year starter; 14 receptions151 yards per nj.com 
• Julian Anderson, Post-Grad, 6-4, 220 – projected starter 
• Mayan Muchugia, Junior, 5-10, 165 – will play often 
• Jack Armbruster, Senior, 6-1, 175 – part of the rotation; 10 receptions, 163 yards per nj.com 
• Kellen Nelson, Sophomore, 5-10, 170 – part of the rotation 

Tight End (situational): 

• Nate Bush, Senior, 6-1, 225 – will see action 
• Brady Hoffman, Junior, 5-10, 230 – part of the rotation 
• Shane Hadden, Junior, 6-1, 185 – part of the rotation 

Offensive Line: 

• Jackson Schwab, Post-Grad, 6-3, 265 – projected starter at left tackle 
• Joe Alnwick, Senior, 6-4, 300 – returning starter at left guard  
• Dirk Pereboom, Senior, 6-0, 250 – returning starter at center 
• Will Bigham, Post-Grad, 6-3, 265 – projected starter at right guard 
• Jack McCauley, Junior, 6-3, 275 – projected starter at right tackle 
• Sam Urfer, Junior, 6-0, 285 – key reserve 
• Kevin Cooke, Junior, 6-1, 190 – key reserve 

Defense: 

• Formation: 4-2-5 
• Returning Starters: 3 

Defensive Line: 

• Jackson Schwab, Post-Grad, 6-3, 265 – projected starter at end 
• Julian Anderson, Post-Grad, 6-4, 220 – projected starter at end 
• Shane Hadden, Junior, 6-1, 185 – part of the end rotation 
• Joe Alnwick, Senior, 6-4, 300 – returning starter at tackle 
• Will Bigham, Post-Grad, 6-3, 265 – projected starter at tackle 
• Jack McCauley, Junior, 6-3, 275 – part of the rotation at tackle and end 
• Sam Urfer, Junior, 6-0, 285 – part of the tackle rotation 

Linebacker: 

• Nate Bush, Senior, 6-1, 225 – projected starter 
• Richard O’Day, Junior, 6-1, 190 – projected starter 
• Brady Hoffman, Junior, 5-10, 230 – part of the rotation  

Secondary: 

• Carson Bowman, Senior, 5-11, 185 – 3-year starter at free safety 
• Michael Antonelli, Junior, 5-10, 185 – projected starter at strong safety; saw action 
• MJ Scialla, Senior, 5-11, 180 – projected starter at weak safety 
• Andrew Pearce, Junior, 5-10, 190 – part of the strong safety rotation 
• Kaleb Nelson, Senior, 3-year starter at cornerback 
• Mayan Muchugia, Junior, 5-10, 165 – competing at cornerback 
• Kellen Nelson, Sophomore, 5-10, 170 – competing at cornerback 
• Jack Armbruster, Senior, 6-1, 175 – competing at cornerback 

Special Teams:  

• Senior Jack Armbruster returns as both the kicker and the punter 
• Kaleb Nelson, Pearce, Bowman, and Muchugia are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Saturday, 9/14, at St, George’s (RI) 
• Friday, 9/20, at Pennington 
• Friday, 9/27, at Episcopal Academy (Pa.) 
• Saturday, 10/5, Hun at home, 4:30  
• Saturday, 10/12, Kisi School (Pa.) at home 
• Friday, 10/18, Wyoming Seminary (Pa.) at home 
• Friday, 10/25, at Hill School (Pa.) 
• Friday, 11/1, Lawrenceville at home 
• Saturday, 11/9, at Peddie 

Concerns: 

• New guys blending in with the team 

Recruiting: 

• Anderson verballed to Pitt 
• Kaleb Nelson verballed to Navy 
• Armsbuster verballed to Navy as a kicker 
• Alnwick verballed to Navy 
• Fisher has an offer from Wesleyan, along with Ivy, Patriot, and D3 interest 
• Bigham and Schwab have 1-AA interest 
• Bush has Ivy and other 1-AA interest 
• Bowman will probably play D1 baseball 
• Underclassmen: 
• Muchugia and Pearce have 1-AA interest 
• McCauley is from Canada and his interest may pick up soon 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We have a good group of returning players and the group brought in is doing very well. We just completed our first week of camp and we can’t wait for the season to start.” – Head Coach Greg Bowman