Manalapan Braves
June 20, 2025
2024:
- 5-6
- Lost to Winslow in the South Jersey Group 4 semifinals and beat Pennsauken in the quarterfinals
- Wins came against St. John Vianney, Freehold Township, Manasquan, and Raritan
- Losses came against Middletown South, Wall, Howell, Piscataway, and Holmdel
- Scored 260 points for a 23.64 average
- Allowed 218 points for a 19.82 average
Graduation:
- WR/DB Jackson Pfister – Williams (Mass.)
- QB Ryan Dougherty – Montclair State
- OL/DL Nick Monteleone – TCNJ (College of New Jersey)
- OL/DL Reggie Barnett – East Stroudsburg (Pa.)
- WR Justin Rizzo-Troxell – U Rochester (NY)
- OLB Dennis Healy – RPI (NY)
Offense:
- Formation: Multiple Spread with Wing T gun
- Returning Starters: 4
Quarterback:
- Cameron Desfosse, Junior, 6-0, 165 – projected starter
Running Back:
- Ah’sere Woolfolk, Senior, 5-9, 180 – 3-year starter; rushed for 975 yards and 10 touchdowns per nj.com
- Nick Palmieri, Junior, 5-9, 175 – returning starter; rushed for 475 yards and 9 touchdowns on 73 carries per nj.com
- Ryan Melendez, Senior, 5-9, 155 – projected starter
- DJ Corsaro, Senior, 5-10, 155 – part of the rotation; started on defense
Wide Receiver:
- Crue Brown, Senior, 5-11, 170 – projected starter
- Cooper Savage, Junior, 5-11, 180 – competing
Tight End:
- Ethan Fogelstrom, Junior, 6-2, 185 – saw action and started on defense
Offensive Line:
- Nick DeGennaro, Senior, 6-0, 225 – competing at left tackle
- Giovanni Catania, Junior, 5-10, 230 – competing at left tackle
- Brayden Miller, Senior, 5-11, 235 – returning starter at left guard
- Lucca Troiani, Senior, 6-0, 255 – projected starter at center
- Joe Petriello, Senior, 5-9, 215 – returning starter at right guard
- Anthony Beaton, Senior, 6-0, 260 – projected starter at right tackle who started the last five games
Defense:
- Formation: Multiple 3-4
- Returning Starters: 3
Defensive Line:
- Nikita Jouk, Senior, 5-10, 215 – projected starter at nose guard
- Jamil Mercado, Senior, 5-10, 200 – competing at end
- Will Vargas, Senior, 5-10, 200 – competing at end
- Brayden Claro, Senior, 5-11, 205 – competing at end
- Jake Caccarelli, Senior, 6-0, 200 – competing at end
Linebacker:
- Nick Palmieri, Junior, 5-9, 175 – returning starter on the inside
- Nick DeGennaro, Senior, 6-0, 225 – competing at the other inside spot
- Joe Petriello, Senior, 5-9, 215 – competing at the other inside spot
- Ethan Fogelstrom, Junior, 6-2, 185 – returning starter on the outside
- Mike Cuccinello, Senior, 5-11, 185 – projected starter on the outside
Secondary:
- DJ Corsaro, Senior, 5-10, 155 – returning starter at safety
- Dean Aviles, Senior, 5-10, 180 – competing at safety
- Cooper Savage, Junior, 5-11, 180 – competing at safety
- Ryan Melendez, Senior, 5-9, 155 – projected starter at cornerback
- Crue Brown, Senior, 5-11, 170 – projected starter at cornerback
- Ah’sere Woolfolk, Senior, 5-9, 180 – will be spotted at cornerback, where he saw time
Special Teams:
- Junior Brandon Kaplan is the frontrunner at kicker, and punter is between Savage and Aviles
- Melendez, Palmieri, and Wollfolk are the return men
*Offense, defense, and special teams positions are subject to change
Schedule:
- Thursday, 8/28, Tottenville (Staten Island, NY) at home
- Friday, 9/5, at Middletown South
- Friday, 9/12, at Jackson
- Friday, 9/19, Howell at home
- Friday, 9/26, St. John Vianney at home
- Friday, 10/3, Brick at home
- Friday, 10/10, at Wall
- Friday, 10/17, Donovan Catholic at home
- Friday, 10/24, at Freehold Township
Concerns:
- Developing depth
Recruiting:
- Corsaro, Woolfolk, and Petriello are D3 football prospects
- Brown can go the football or track route
- Underclassmen:
- Fogelstrom is a 1-A prospect
- Palmieri and Desfosse are prospects
Coach’s Comments:
“We feel good with the second year with our offense. We have strong running backs and linemen. Our quarterback will add a dimension with his running and passing, plus he has won on the lower levels. The kids have a great attitude and look forward to a good year.” – Head Coach Dom LePore