Vernon Vikings
July 25, 2025
2024:
- 4-5
- No Postseason
- Wins included West Milford and Jefferson
- Losses were to Sparta, Mount Olive, Lakeland, High Point, and Warren Hills
- Scored 144 points for a 16.0 average
- Allowed 148 points for a 16.44 average
Graduation:
- QB Aden Karwoski – Montclair State
- RB Gavin Pych – Sussex Community College for wrestling
- C Daniel Rendon – Sussex Community College for wrestling
Offense:
- Formation: Multiple Spread
- Returning Starters: 6
Statistics courtesy of nj.com
Quarterback:
- James Curry, Senior, 5-11, 175 – competing; started on defense
- Brad Carter, Junior, 5-10, 170 – competing
- Nate Kimkowski, Sophomore, 6-2, 195 – competing
Running Back:
- Thomas Benson, Senior, 5-9, 165 – returning starter; rushed for 441 yards and 1 touchdown
- Connor Pych, Junior, 5-8, 195 – will spell Benson
Wide Receiver:
- Gavin Bruno, Senior, 5-8, 165 – returning starter; 14 receptions for 222 yards and 1 touchdown, while he rushed for 249 yards and 4 touchdowns
- Dean Grundy, Senior, 6-0, 195 – returning starter; 18 receptions for 134 yards and 1 touchdown
- Sam Simone, Senior, 5-8, 160 – competing
- Joe D’Aprile, Senior, 5-7, 165 – competing
- Sam Silva, Sophomore, 6-0, 175 – competing
Tight End:
- Gavin Wilczewski, Senior, 6-2, 215 – projected starter; started on defense
Offensive Line:
- Quinn DiGiovanni, Senior, 6-0, 230 – returning starter at left tackle
- Seb Castro, Junior, 6-0, 245 – returning starter at left guard
- Jackson Moore, Junior, 6-1, 220 – projected starter at center
- Dennis Welling, Senior, 5-11, 220 – competing at right guard
- Adam Duba, Sophomore, 6-0, 230 – competing at right guard
- Bryson Kiernan, Junior, 5-11, 205 – competing at right guard
- Mike Vanbenschoten, Senior, 6-2, 220 – returning starter at right tackle
Defense:
- Formation: Multiple 3-4
- Returning Starters: 5
Defensive Line:
- Zyon Taylor, Senior, 6-2, 285 – projected starter at nose guard
- Quinn DiGiovanni, Senior, 6-0, 230 – returning starter at end
- Chase Williams, Junior, 6-2, 195 – projected starter at end
- Chris Schamble, Junior, 6-1, 215 – part of the end rotation
Linebacker:
- Gavin Wilczewski, Senior, 6-2, 215 – returning starter on the outside
- Madden Lewis, Senior, 5-8, 180 – projected starter on the outside
- Denzell Welling, Senior, 6-0, 205 – competing on the inside
- Junior Troche, Senior, 6-0, 215 – competing on the inside
- Eric Rosario, Junior, 5-11, 195 – competing on the inside
- Hunter Hoffman, Junior, 5-11, 175 – competing on the inside
- Connor Pych, Junior, 5-8, 195 – competing on the inside
Secondary:
- James Curry, Senior, 5-11, 175 – returning starter at cornerback
- Dean Grundy, Senior, 6-0, 195 – returning starter at cornerback
- Gavin Bruno, Senior, 5-8, 165 – returning starter at safety
- Noah Rivera, Junior, 5-10, 180 – competing at the other safety
- Andrew Geisen, Junior, 5-11, 185 – competing at the other safety
- Aidan Galvan, Senior, 5-9, 185 – competing at the other safety
Special Teams:
- Junior Noah Rivera, junior Andrew Geisen, and senior Joe D’Aprile are competing at kicker and punter
- Bruno will be the main return man
*Offense, defense, and special teams positions are subject to change
Schedule:
- Friday, 8/29, Warren Hills at home
- Friday, 9/5, at Dover
- Friday, 9/12, at Parsippany Hills
- Friday, 9/19, at Jefferson
- Friday, 9/26, Sparta at home
- Friday, 10/3, High Point at home
- Friday, 10/10, at Mount Olive
- Friday, 10/17, Lakeland at home
- Friday, 10/24, at West Milford
Concerns:
- Senior leadership
- Health
- New defensive scheme
Recruiting:
- Wilczewski is a 1-AA/D2 prospect
- Troche and Vanbenschoten are D3 candidates
- Bruno is a D2/D3 baseball prospect
- Underclassmen:
- Kimkowski is receiving looks from D2/D3
Coach’s Comments:
“If we play with relentless effort and toughness, we will be tough to beat. We have 17 seniors on the team and 78 for the four grades. Physically, this is the strongest team we have had in eight years.” – Head Coach Joe Downs