Old Bridge Knights 

July 14, 2024 

2024: 

• 6-4 
• Lost to Cherokee in the Central Jersey Group 5 sectional quarterfinals 
• Wins include Colonia, Edison, and Hunterdon Central 
• Losses were to Woodbridge, Piscataway, and Morristown 
• Scored 272 points for a 27.2 average 
• Allowed 151 points for a 15.1 average 

Graduation: 

• WR Jaden Griffith – Montclair State 
• DE Zahmir Evans – Montclair State 
• DB Munvy Francois – Montclair State 
• OL/DL Noah Balbuena – Rowan 
• K Lucas Michael – Widener (PA) 

Offense: 

• Formation: Power Spread 
• Returning Starters: 6 

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback: 

• Brody Nugent, Senior, 6-0, 175 – 3-year starter; passed for 953 yards and 12 touchdowns-to-4 interceptions, while rushing for 1,017 yards and 12 touchdowns with 7.01 yards-per-carry 
• Aiden Rios, Sophomore, 5-10, 175 – returning starter at wide receiver and is the backup here 

Running Back:

• Chase Rizzo, Junior, 5-10, 185 – projected starter; would have been the starter, but missed most of the year with an injury 
• Jayden Endaz, Senior, 5-9, 195 – will get some carries; started on defense 
• Aiden Rios, Sophomore, 5-10, 175 – returning starter at wide receiver, and may figure here 

Wide Receiver: 

• Amari Alsbrook, Sophomore, 6-1, 175 – returning starter and missed the last five games with an injury
• Aiden Rios, Sophomore, 5-10, 175 – returning starter; 10 receptions for 148 yards and 2 touchdowns 
• Jordan Mercado, Junior, 5-9, 165 – projected starter; back at Old Bridge after spending last year at St. Thomas Aquinas 
• Mike Chiarella, Senior, 6-4, 190 – projected starter 
• Mike Kvas, Senior, 6-4, 205 – part of the rotation; started on defense 
• Xavier Diaz, Senior, 5-7, 150 – part of the rotation; started on defense 
• Cameron Olivencia, Junior, 6-2, 160 – in the mix; 12 receptions for 140 yards and 2 touchdowns 

Tight End: 

• Jaxon Cronin, Sophomore, 5-11, 215 – in the mix 
• Mike Kvas, Senior, 6-4, 205 – in the mix and started on defense 
• John Raimondi, Sophomore, 5-9, 195 – in the mix 

Offensive Line: 

• Connor Long, Junior, 6-8, 325 – returning starter at left tackle 
• Christian Madison, Senior, 6-3, 290 – returning starter at left guard 
• Dante Pluchino, Sophomore, 5-9, 220 – competing at center 
• Preston Luke, 6-2, 235 – competing at center, right guard, and right tackle 
• Noble Herron, Senior, 5-10, 265 – returning starter and is competing at right guard and right tackle 
• Matt Caruso, Sophomore, 5-10, 265 – competing at right guard and right tackle 
• Dylan Finkelstein, Junior, 6-3, 286 – competing at right guard and right tackle 
• Michael Fisher, Sophomore, 6-1, 225 – competing at right guard and right tackle 

Defense: 

• Formation: 4-2-5 
• Returning Starters: 9 

Defensive Line: 

• Mike Kvas, Senior, 6-4, 205 – returning starter at end 
• Justin Barkaszi, Junior, 6-1, 195 – projected starter at end; saw action 
• Zach Florio, Senior, 5-9, 225 – 4-year starter at tackle 
• Noble Herron, Senior, 5-10, 265 – returning starter at tackle  

Linebacker: 

• Justin Valinotti, Senior, 5-9, 185 – returning starter 
• Tommy Kasoff, Senior, 5-9, 205 – 3-year starter 
• Jaxon Cronin, Sophomore, 5-11, 215 – provides depth 
• John Raimondi, Sophomore, 5-9, 195 – provides depth 

Secondary: 

• Jayden Endaz, Senior, 5-9, 195 – returning starter at strong safety 
• Chris Benford, 5-11, 215 – returning starter at strong safety 
• Xavier Diaz, Senior, 5-7, 150 – returning starter at free safety 
• Noah Rios, Senior, 6-2, 17o – returning starter at cornerback 
• Justin Burch, Sophomore, 6-1, 170 – projected starter at cornerback; saw action 
• Brody Nugent, Senior, 6-0, 175 – competing at cornerback and safety 
• Luke Mercil, Junior, 5-8, 170 – competing at cornerback and safety 

Special Teams:

• Senior Michael Firetto will be the kicker, and senior Brody Nugent will be the punter 
• Rizzo, Diaz, Nugent, and Alsbrook will be the return men 

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

Schedule: 

• Saturday, 8/30, Cedar Creek at Rowan in the Battle of the Beach 
• Friday, 9/5, at Edison  
• Friday 9/12, at Piscataway 
• Friday, 9/19, South Brunswick at home 
• Friday, 9/26, at East Brunswick 
• Friday, 10/3, Morristown at home 
• Friday, 10/10, Monroe at home 
• Friday, 10/17, at Hunterdon Central 
• Friday, 10/24,  Colonia at home 

Concerns:  

• Staying healthy 

Recruiting: 

• Nugent is a great high school football player who can go anywhere from 1-AA to D3 – he looks like a left-handed Fran Tarkenton on his Hudl film 
• Kvas is a 1-AA/D2 prospect 
• Kasoff, Valinotti, Endaz, and Madison are solid D3 prospects 
• Underclassmen: 
• Long has received offers from Syracuse, Toledo, and Rhode Island 
• Alsbrook is a sophomore who can go 1-AA or higher; it’s early in his career, and he has a high ceiling 
• Rios has a strong demeanor and talent 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We have a lot of experience returning. Last year did not end the way we wanted to, and our practices have been very competitive. It is fun to be around them right now.” – Head Coach Matt Donaghue