New Providence Pioneers  

July 9, 2025 

2024: 

• 9-3 
• Lost to Cedar Grove in the North Jersey Section 2 finals, after beating Hasbrouck Heights in the semifinals and Boonton in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Delaware Valley, South Plainfield, Metuchen, and Middlesex 
• Losses came to Johnson and Verona 
• Scored 313 points for a 26.08 average 
• Allowed 206 points for a 17.16 average 

Graduation: 

• C Chris Colangelo – FDU (Florham) 
• WR/DB Ryan Bournique – UMass (Boston) for lacrosse 
• Several good players chose not to play sports in college 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple-I Pro 
• Returning Starters: 7  

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback: 

• Brian Connor, Senior, 5-11, 170 – competing 
• Kevin Reilly, Junior, 6-2, 185 – competing 

Running Back:

• AJ Whitehead, Senior, 5-11, 195 – returning starter; rushed for 1,130 yards and 13 touchdowns 
• Jayden Odessey, Senior, 5-10, 175 – will provide depth 

Fullback: 

• Mike Petses, Senior, 5-11, 205 – returning starter 
• Trevor Fornuff, senior, 5-10, 185 – provides depth 

Wide Receiver: 

• Jack Fitzgerald, Senior, 6-1, 205 – returning starter; 14 receptions for 214 yards and 3 touchdowns 
• Daniel Poretti, Senior, 6-1, 175 – projected starter who saw action; 10 receptions for 105 yards; started on defense  
• Quentin Moore, Junior, 6-0, 170 – part of the rotation 
• Christian Benward, Senior, 6-1, 205 – part of the rotation 
• Michael Schmidt, Junior, 6-1, 170 – part of the rotation 

Tight End: 

• James Keneally, Senior, 6-4, 240 – returning starter 
• Drew Gullo, Senior, 6-2, 195 – returning starter 

Offensive Line: 

• Joe Ping, Senior, 5-11, 230 – returning starter at center, moving from guard 
• Gui May, Senior, 5-10, 195 – returning starter at guard 
• Bobby DiQuollo, Junior, 6-0, 205 – projected starter at guard or tackle; saw action 
• Luke Mooney, Senior, 6-2, 210 – competing at tackle and guard 
• Tommy LaGana, Senior, 6-2, 210 – competing at tackle and guard 
• Bruce Woodby, Senior, 6-0, 185 – competing at tackle and guard 
• Jayden Carreno, Junior, 5-10, 205 – competing at tackle and guard 

Defense: 

• Formation: Multiple 
• Returning Starters: 6 

Defensive Line: 

• James Keneally, Senior, 6-4, 240 – returning starter at end 
• Drew Gullo, Senior, 6-2, 195 – returning starter at end 
• Luke Mooney, Senior, 6-2, 210 – part of the end rotation 
• Tommy LaGana, Senior, 6-2, 210 – part of the end rotation 
• Joe Ping, Senior, 5-11, 230 – competing at tackle 
• Bobby DiQuollo, Junior, 6-0, 205 – competing at tackle 
• Anthony Formichella, Senior, 5-11, 250 – competing at tackle 

Linebacker: 

• Mike Petses, Senior, 5-11, 205 – returning starter on the inside 
• Jack Fitzgerald, Senior, 6-1, 205 – returning starter on the outside, moving from cornerback 
• Gui May, Senior, 5-10, 195 – returning starter on the inside 
• AJ Whitehead, Senior, 5-11, 195 – projected starter on the outside; saw action 
• Trevor Fornuff, senior, 5-10, 185 – competing 
• Charlie Maneely, Junior, 5-10, 200 – competing 

Secondary: 

• Daniel Poretti, Senior, 6-1, 175 – returning starter at safety 
• Brian Connor, Senior, 5-11, 170 – competing at safety and cornerback 
• Quentin Moore, Junior, 6-0, 170 – competing at safety and cornerback 
• Michael Schmidt, Junior, 6-1, 170 – competing at safety and cornerback 
• Christian Benward, Senior, 6-1, 205 – competing at safety and cornerback 
• Jayden Odessey, Senior, 5-10, 175 – competing at safety and cornerback 

Special Teams:

• Senior Daniel Poretti returns as the kicker and the punter 
• Poretti, Whitehead, and Moore are the return men 

*Offense, defense, and special teams positions are subject to change 

Schedule: 

• Saturday, 9/6, at Governor Livingston 
• Friday, 9/12, Johnson at home 
• Saturday, 9/20, at Metuchen 
• Friday, 9/26, Roselle at home 
• Friday, 10/3, at Middlesex  
• Friday, 10/10, Verona at home 
• Friday, 10/17, Bound Brook at home 
• Friday, 10/24, at Delaware Valley 

Concerns:  

• Quarterback competition 
• The secondary 

Recruiting: 

• Keneally has 1-A and 1-AA interest 
• Fitzgerald has interest from the Patriot and Ivy Leagues 
• Whitehead and Petsis are D3 prospects  
• Gullo may play lacrosse, but has potential for football 
• Poretti may play football or go the track route 
• The underclassmen have not proven themselves at this point 

Coach’s Comments: 

“It is important to stay focused and take things one game at a time. We have the experience and need to put in a little extra effort to achieve great things. We have the potential for a great season, but we need to take it one game at a time.” – Head Coach Chet Parlavecchio, Jr.