Cedar Grove Panthers

July 25, 2025 

2024: 

• 13-1 
• Lost to Glassboro in the New Jersey Group 1 Championship 
• Beat Butler in the North Jersey Group 1 Regional Championship 
• Won the North Jersey Section 2 Group 1 Sectional Championship by beating New Providence in the finals, Verona in the semifinals, and Wallkill Valley in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Schalick, Weequahic, Verona, Madison, Caldwell, Newark Central, and Boonton ]
• Scored 571 points for a 40.78 average \
• Allowed 227 points for a 16.21 average 

Graduation: 

• WR Jackson Morrice – Rhode Island 
• QB Stephen Paradiso – Salve Regina (RI) 
• WR/LB Nick Russo – Salve Regina (RI) for baseball 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 5  

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback: 

•  Pierce Asfalg, Senior, 6-2, 185 – projected starter who started a game in 2023; started on defense 

Running Back:

• Tom Cannataro, Senior, 6-1, 210 – projected co-starter; started on defense 
• James Policano, Junior, 5-7, 170 – projected co-starter 

Wide Receiver: 

• Xavier Andujar, Senior, 6-0, 180 – returning starter; 24 receptions for 377 yards and 4 touchdowns 
• Michael Ruggiano, Senior, 5-11, 165 – returning starter; 10 receptions for 240 yards and 1 touchdown 
• Jerry Targia, Senior, 5-9, 175 – projected starter at slot receiver; started on defense  
• Sebastain Kovacs, Senior, 6-0, 185 – part of the rotation  
• Jake Catanzarite, Junior, 5-8, 165 – part of the rotation 

Tight End: 

• Michael Cantarelli, Senior, 6-0, 205 – projected starter; started on defense 

Offensive Line: 

• Jake Saraiva, Senior, 5-10, 240 – returning starter at center 
• Chris Ferrera, Senior, 5-10, 215 – returning starter at right tackle 
• Evan Skabich, Junior, 5-10, 220 – returning starter at right tackle 
• Mike Leno, Senior, 6-0, 215 – projected starter at right guard 
• Bryce Kent, Junior, 6-4, 255 – competing at left guard
• Maxx Herbert, Junior, 5-8, 240 – competing at left guard  
• Matthew Giordano, Junior, 5-10, 210 – competing at left tackle 

Defense: 

• Formation: 3-4 
• Returning Starters: 5 

Defensive Line: 

• Jake Saraiva, Senior, 5-10, 240 – returning starter at nose guard 
• Evan Skabich, Junior, 5-10, 220 – projected starter at end 
• Mike Leno, Senior, 6-0, 215 – projected starter at end 
• Chris Ferrera, Senior, 5-10, 215 – part of the rotation 
• Bryce Kent, Junior, 6-4, 255 – part of the rotation 
• Maxx Herbert, Junior, 5-8, 240 – part of the rotation 
• Matthew Giordano, Junior, 5-10, 210 – part of the rotation 

Linebacker: 

• Tom Cannataro, Senior, 6-1, 210 – returning starter on the inside 
• Jerry D’Alessio, Senior, 5-8, 180 – competing at the other inside post 
• James Policano, Junior, 5-7, 170 – competing at the other inside post 
• John Policano, Junior, 5-7, 170 – competing at the other inside post 
• Michael Cantarelli, Senior, 6-0, 205 – returning starter on the outside 
• George Dakar, Senior, 6-2, 190 – competing at the other outside post 
• AJ Zajack, Junior, 6-0, 180 – competing at the other outside post 

Secondary: 

• Nate Masson, Senior, 6-1, 175 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Jake Catanzarite, Junior, 5-8, 165 – competing at the other cornerback position and safety  
• Julian Cruz, Junior, 5-9, 180 – competing at the other cornerback position 
• Jerry Targia, Senior, 5-9, 175 – returning starter at safety 
• Sebastain Kovacs, Senior, 6-0, 185 – competing at safety 
• Jack Velonas, Junior, 5-11, 170 – competing at safety 

Special Teams:

• Senior Sebastian Kovacs is a 4-year starter at kicker, and he is competing with senior Pierce Asfalg at punter 
• Andujar, Catanzarite, and Ruggiano are the return men 

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

Schedule: 

• Saturday, 9/30, Wayne Valley at  West Point, NY 
• Friday, 9/5, at Weequahic 
• Friday, 9/12, at Verona 
• Friday, 9/19, Madison at home 
• Saturday, 9/27, at Newark Collegiate 
• Friday, 10/4, Caldwell at home 
• Saturday, 10/12, at Glen Ridge 
• Friday, 10/17, Newark Central at home 
• Friday, 10/24, Boonton at home 

Concerns:  

• Playing new skill players; they need to get reps in the preseason 
• Tough schedule 

Recruiting: 

• Kovacs is a 1-A kicker with interest from Rutgers, Colorado, Colorado State, and Buffalo 
• Cannataro and Cantarelli range from 1-AA to D3 
• Asfalg and Saraiva are D3 prospects 
• Underclassmen: 
• It is still early, but Skabich and Kent are the top juniors 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We’re coming off a big year, and the bar is set high. We can have another big season, but we need to be ready to go early in the season. Progress in the preseason will be huge.” – Head Coach Rob Gogerty