Verona Hillbillies
July 7, 2025
2024:
- 7-4
- Lost to Cedar Grove in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 1 semifinals, and beat Belvidere in the quarterfinals
- Wins included New Providence, Kinnelon, Newark Central, and Hoboken
- Losses were to Cedar Grove, Shabazz, and Glen Ridge
- Scored 232 points for a 21.09 average
- Allowed 242 points for a 22.0 average
Graduation:
- QB Conner DeMasi – Pace (NY)
- WR/DB Gianluca Checchetto – Salve Regina (RI)
- WR Tristan Newman – Rowan
Offense:
- Formation: Multiple Spread
- Returning Starters: 5
Statistics courtesy of nj.com
Quarterback:
- Johnny McEnerney, Junior, 6-1, 160 – projected starter
Running Back:
- Bodie Maisano, Senior, 5-11, 195 – 4-year starter; rushed for 928 yards and 6 touchdowns
- Jayden Nigro, Senior, 5-10, 180 – returning starter here and at wide receiver; rushed for 696 yards and 8 touchdowns, with 15 passes receptions and 4 touchdowns
- Nick Nazzareto, Junior, 5-9, 175 – will be part of the rotation
- Logan Lipinski, Sophomore, 5-9, 165 – will be part of the rotation
Wide Receiver:
- Dean Algieri, Senior, 6-2, 185 – 3-year starter; 21 receptions for 260 yards and 2 touchdowns
- Dante Palmer, Senior, 5-10, 170 – projected starter who saw action
- Drew Krusznis, Junior, 6-0, 175 – projected starter
- Anthony Palma, Freshman, 5-10, 150 – projected starter
- Any of the running backs will rotate here, including Nigro
Offensive Line:
- Kyle Thompson, Junior, 6-3, 215 – returning starter at left tackle
- Gavin Palmer, Senior, 6-0, 220 – 3-year starter at left guard
- Ryan Cavallo, Senior, 6-3, 215 – projected starter at center who started on defense
- Tyler Burns, Senior, 5-10, 200 – projected starter at right guard who saw action
- Sam Besante, Junior, 6-7, 230 – projected starter at right tackle
- Others may play a role during the season
Defense:
- Formation: Multiple 3-and-4-man fronts
- Returning Starters: 5
Defensive Line:
- Dean Algieri, Senior, 6-2, 185 – returning starter at end
- Logan Knoetig, Senior, 6-1, 180 – returning starter at end
- Gavin Palmer, Senior, 6-0, 220 – projected starter at tackle who has played before
- Tyler Boston, Sophomore, 6-2, 245 – projected starter at tackle
- Deven DeCicco, Sophomore, 6-0, 250 – part of the tackle rotation
Linebacker:
- Bodie Maisano, Senior, 5-11, 195 – 4-year starter in the middle
- Ryan Cavallo, Senior, 6-3, 215 – returning starter on the strong side
- Nick Nazzareto, Junior, 5-9, 175 – will platoon on the weak side
- Nyziah Mendez, Junior, 5-10, 150 – will platoon on the weak side
- Landon Vacca, Sophomore, 6-0, 170 – provides depth
Secondary:
- Jayden Nigro, Senior, 5-10, 180 – 3-year starter at safety
- Logan Lipinski, Sophomore, 5-9, 165 – projected starter at safety
- Drew Krusznis, Junior, 6-0, 175 – part of the safety rotation
- Mason Schmidt, Freshman, 5-9, 140 – part of the safety rotation
- Anthony Palma, Freshman, 5-10, 150 – frontrunner at cornerback
- Dante Palmer, Senior, 5-10, 170 – frontrunner at cornerback
- Others are competing at cornerback
Special Teams:
- Sophomore Landon Vacca returns as the kicker, and he will compete with McEnerney at punter
- The return game is undecided
*Offense, defense, and special teams positions are subject to change
Schedule:
- Thursday, 8/28, St. Mary at home
- Friday, 9/5, at Kinnelon
- Friday, 9/12, Cedar Grove at home
- Friday, 9/19, at Newark Collegiate
- Friday, 9/26, Newark Central at home
- Friday, 10/3, Hoboken at home
- Friday, 10/10, at New Providence
- Friday, 10/17, Glen Ridge at home
- Friday, 10/24, at Shabazz
Concerns:
- The secondary is young
- Staying healthy
Recruiting:
- Maisano has received 1-AA looks
- Nigro, Algieri, and Knoetig can go 1-AA to D3
- Underclassmen:
- Thompson is a good prospect
- Besante has the height for an offensive lineman
Coach’s Comments:
“The only team that can beat us is us. Our kids compete on both sides of the ball. We need to finish what we didn’t last year. We left it on the field, and I take the blame for that.” – Head Coach Manj Singh