West Essex Knights 

August 3, 2025

2024: 

• 8-3 
• Lost to Old Tappan in the North Jersey Section 2 finals, beat West Morris in the semifinals, and Englewood in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Hanover Park, Passaic Valley, Wayne Hills, Caldwell, and Lakeland 
• Their other losses were to Old Tappan and Morris Knolls 
• Scored 263 points for a 23.9 average 
• Allowed 171 points for a 15.54 average  

Graduation: 

• WR/DB Anthony Drago – Duke for lacrosse 
• Brady Phillips – Middlebury (VT) 
• OL/ILB Mikey Cerisano – Muhlenberg (PA) 
• OL Yeshua Cuello – Wilkes (PA) 
• TE/LB Matt Capra – U Scranton for lacrosse 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread  
• Returning Starters: 2 

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback: 

• Jake Long, senior, 5-11, 190 – 3-year starter; passed for 1,178 yards and 9 touchdowns, while rushing for 257 yards and 2 touchdowns 
• Gaetano Iavarrone, Junior, 5-10, 160 – provides depth and will be on the field at other positions 

Running Back:

• Ryan McInerney, Senior, 5-11, 175 – competing 
• Mike Lozito, Junior, 5-6, 180 – competing 
• Anthony Cirigliano, Sophomore, 5-7, 180 – competing 
• Luke DeMarco, Junior, 5-8, 160 – competing 

H-Back: 

• Frank Iavarrone, Sophomore, 6-0, 205 – projected starter 

Wide Receiver: 

• Justin Perini, Senior, 6-4, 190 – returning starter on the outside; 18 receptions for 232 yards and 2 touchdowns 
• Cole Fiore, Senior, 5-11, 180 – projected starter at slot receiver 
• Max Osur, Senior, 5-7, 170 – projected starter at slot receiver 
• Michael Corbo, Senior, 6-3, 180 – projected starter on the outside 
• Gaetano Iavarrone, Junior, 5-10, 160 – part of the rotation and the backup quarterback 
• Luke Kesack, Junior, 5-10, 165 – competing  

Offensive Line: 

• Matt Celentano, Senior, 5-10, 225 – projected starter at guard; saw action 
• Santino Perri, Senior, 5-10, 245 – projected starter at center 
• DJ Fiore, Junior, 5-11, 265 – competing at tackle 
• Danny Harraka, Senior, 6-2, 220 – competing at tackle 
• Jonathan Rizzo, Senior, 5-9, 200 – competing at guard 
• Others will compete with them 

Defense: 

• Formation: Multiple 3-4 
• Returning Starters: 2 

Defensive Line: 

• Santino Perri, Senior, 5-10, 245 – competing 
• Matt Celentano, Senior, 5-10, 225 – competing 
• Jordan Lato, Senior, 6-0, 220 – competing 
• Ny’shawn Muldrow, Junior, 6-1, 220 – competing 
• Others will be in the mix 

Linebacker: 

• Kristian Freeman, Senior, 5-10, 170 – competing on the inside 
• Ryan McInerney, Senior, 5-11, 175 – competing on the inside 
• Frank Iavarrone, Sophomore, 6-0, 205 – competing on the inside 
• JP O’Boyle, Senior, 5-9, 170 – competing on the inside 
• Jake Long, senior, 5-11, 190 – 3-year starter on the outside, but he may be used sparingly because he is playing quarterback 
• Cole Fiore, Senior, 5-11, 180 – competing on the outside 
• Gaetano Iavarrone, Junior, 5-10, 160 – competing on the outside 
• Allen Green, Sophomore, 5-11, 150 – competing on the outside 
• Lucas Bussanich, Senior, 5-10, 175 – competing on the outside 

Secondary: 

• Justin Perini, Senior, 6-4, 190 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Michael Corbo, Senior, 6-3, 180 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Luke Kesack, Junior, 5-10, 165 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Anthony Cirigliano, Sophomore, 5-7, 180 – competing at safety 
• Max Osur, Senior, 5-7, 170 – competing at safety 
• Luke DeMarco, Junior, 5-8, 160 – competing at safety  

Special Teams:

• Senior Michael Corbo returns as the punter, and junior Bobby Warmington is the projected kicker 
• The return men have yet to be decided 

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

Schedule: 

• Friday, 8/29, Old Tappan at home 
• Friday, 9/5, Wayne Hills at home 
• Friday, 9/12, at Caldwell 
• Friday, 9/19, at Lakeland 
• Friday, 9/26, at Nutley 
• Friday, 10/3, Passaic Valley at home 
• 10/11-12, Bye Week 
• Friday, 10/17, Hanover Park at home 
• Saturday, 10/25, at Morris Knolls 

Concerns:  

• New system on offense 

Recruiting: 

• Perini has interest from Buffalo and Ivy League/Patriot League schools 
• Long has a Muhlenberg (PA) offer, and other D3 interest 
• Other seniors may have a chance in D3 
• It is too early for the underclassmen 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We’re installing a new system on offense. The kids have been receptive and taken to it well. We will find out how well when the pads come on.” – Head Coach Dan Fulton