Wayne Hills Patriots 

August 5, 2025

2024: 

• 5-5 
• Lost to West Morris in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 quarterfinals 
• Wins included Wayne Valley and Green Lawn (NY) 
• Losses were to Old Tappan, West Essex, Passaic Valley, and Caldwell 
• Scored 203 points for a 20.3 average 
• Allowed 206 points for a 20.6 average 

Graduation: 

• WR Aaron Viray – TCNJ (College of New Jersey)  
• OL John Grant – William Paterson 
• DT Parker Johnson – Hobart (NY)  

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 4  

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback: 

• Mike Fitzsimmons, Senior, 6-2, 185 – returning starter and competing’ passed for 1,628 yards and 13 touchdowns 
• James Wolf, Junior, 5-10, 175 – competing 

Running Back:

• Evan Rapoport, Junior, 5-11, 180 – projected starter; rushed for 178 yards and 3 touchdowns in limited action 
• Ethan Zacharski, Sophomore, 5-8, 170 – will spell Rapoport 
• Armand Rizvani, Senior, 5-9, 175 – will spell Rapoport 

Fullback: 

• Luke Bacchioni, Senior, 6-0, 180 – competing; started on defense 
• Kyle D’Argenio, Senior, 5-10, 190 – competing; started on defense 

Wide Receiver: 

• David Van Hook, Junior, 6-0, 170 – returning starter; 19 receptions for 217 yards and 1 touchdown 
• Chernoh St. Paul, Junior, 6-3, 180 – projected starter who saw action 
• Braden Viray, Senior, 5-10, 175 – projected starter; started on defense  
• Chase Canning, Senior, 5-11, 175 – competing 
• Carter Jones, Junior, 5-9, 165 – competing 

Tight End: 

• Chris Battaglia, Junior, 6-0, 190 – competing 
• Colin Murray, Junior, 6-1, 200 – competing; started on defense  
• Troy Demikoff, Junior, 6-1, 200 – competing; started on defense  
• Anthony Perez, Junior, 6-2, 210 – competing 
• Ray Gerardo, Senior, 6-0, 200 – competing 

Offensive Line: 

• Anthony Cuccinello, senior, 6-2, 215 – returning starter at left tackle 
• John Krause, Junior, 6-1, 200 – competing at left guard and center 
• Kenny Williams, Sophomore, 6-2, 220 – competing at left guard and center 
• Tom Bartlett, Junior, 6-2, 200 – competing at left guard 
• Vinnie Romano, Junior, 5-10, 230 – competing at center  
• Evan Taibl, Senior, 5-11, 230 – returning starter at right guard 
• Mohamed Nofal, Senior, 6-3, 255 – competing at right tackle 
• Ilian Nunez, Senior, 6-2, 250 – competing at right tackle 

Defense: 

• Formation: 4-2-5 
• Returning Starters: 8  

Defensive Line: 

• Shaun George, Junior, 6-1, 200 – returning starter at end 
• Anthony Cuccinello, Senior, 6-2, 215 – competing at the opposite end 
• Anthony Perez, Junior, 6-2, 210 – competing at the opposite end 
• Tom Bartlett, Junior, 6-2, 200 – competing at the opposite end 
• John Krause, Junior, 6-1, 200 – competing at the opposite end 
• Mohamed Nofal, Senior, 6-3, 255 – competing at tackle 
• Evan Taibl, Senior, 5-11, 230 – competing at tackle 
• Vinnie Romano, Junior, 5-10, 230 – competing at tackle 
• Ilian Nunez, Senior, 6-2, 250 – competing at tackle 

Linebacker: 

• Luke Bacchioni, Senior, 6-0, 180 – 3-year starter on the inside 
• Colin Murray, Junior, 6-1, 200 – returning starter on the inside 
• Troy Demikoff, Junior, 6-1, 200 – returning starter on the outside 
• Evan Rapoport, Junior, 5-11, 180 – competing at the opposite outside spot 
• Armand Rizvani, Senior, 5-9, 175 – competing at the opposite outside spot 
• Chris Battaglia, Junior, 6-0, 190 – part of the inside rotation 
• Ray Gerardo, Senior, 6-0, 200 – part of the inside rotation 
• Kyle D’Argenio, Senior, 5-10, 190 – returning starter and part of the inside rotation 

Secondary: 

• Vasili Vasilopoulos, Senior, 5-9, 165 – 3-year starter at cornerback 
• David Van Hook, Junior, 6-0, 170 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Chase Canning, Senior, 5-11, 175 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Chernoh St. Paul, Junior, 6-3, 180 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Braden Viray, Senior, 5-10, 175 – returning starter at safety 
• Ethan Zacharski, Sophomore, 5-8, 170 – part of the safety rotation 

Special Teams:

• Junior Matt May will be the kicker, while he is competing with junior David Van Hook at punter 
• Van Hook, St. Paul, and Zacharski are the return men 

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

Schedule: 

• Friday, 8/29, at Wheat Ridge (COLO) 
• Friday, 9/5, at West Essex 
• Friday, 9/12, at Nutley 
• Friday, 9/19, Kennedy at home 
• Friday, 9/26, Caldwell at home 
• Friday, 10/3, at Wayne Valley 
• Friday, 10/10, Passaic Valley at home 
• Friday, 10/17, at Old Tappan 
• Friday, 10/24, Millburn at home 

Concerns:  

• Staying healthy 
• Getting off to a good starter 

Recruiting: 

• Vasilopoulos and Viray are  drawing college attention
• The others may be able to play D3 
• Underclassmen: 
• Van Hook, St. Paul, Murray, Rapoport, Demikoff, and George can play in college 

Coach’s Comments: 

“This is a good group of kids, from the seniors down to the freshmen. We have experience and we’re still young. We hope the team gels well and gets out to a quick start. We are where we want to be at this point of the summer.” – Head Coach Wayne Demikoff