Phillipsburg Stateliners  

August 6, 2025

2024: 

• 11-3 
• Lost to Winslow in the New Jersey Group 4 State Championship game 
• Won the North Jersey Group 4 Regional Championship by beating Ramapo 
• Won the North Jersey Section 1 Group 4 Championship by beating Northern Highlands in the finals, Chatham in the semifinals, and Nutley in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Hillsborough, West Orange, St. Joe’s (Metuchen), and Westfield 
• Their other losses were to Easton (Pa) and Ridge 
• Scored 440 points for a 31.43 average 
• Allowed 212 points for a 15.14 average 

Graduation: 

• WR/DB Matthew Scerbo – Lafayette 
• RB-WR/DB Felix Matos – LIU 
• QB/LB Jett Genovese – U Rochester (NY) 
• OL/DL Ben Coury – RPI (NY) 
• LB Jayden Lucas – Montclair State 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple I 
• Returning Starters: 4   

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback: 

• Dominic Bracco, Sophomore, 6-4, 210 – projected starter 

Running Back:

• Sam Dech, Senior, 5-9, 185 – 3-year starter; rushed for 790 yards and 9 touchdowns 
• Zi’yahn McGurn, Senior, 5-10, 185 – will spell Dech 
• Shane Moore, Junior, 6-1, 200 – will spell Dech 

Fullback: 

• Jah’quil Dooley, Senior, 6-1, 205 – returning starter; rushed for 240 yards and 1 touchdown 
• Tyler Wargo, Junior, 5-10, 205 – will split duties with Dooley 

Wide Receiver: 

• Jaysen Blacknall, Senior, 5-10, 180 – projected starter; started on defense 
• Mike Bracco, Senior, 6-1, 190 – projected starter 

Tight End: 

• Donovan Samson, Junior, 6-2, 190 – projected starter 

Offensive Line: 

• Ryan Mulvaney, Senior, 6-1, 195 – returning starter at left tackle 
• Ky Stocker, Senior, 5-10, 220 – projected starter at left guard; started half the team’s games 
• Elijah Montgomery, Junior, 6-2, 250 – competing at center 
• Declan Opdyke, Senior, 6-1, 230 – competing at center 
• Alex Randazzo, Junior, 5-10, 215 – projected starter at right guard; started half the team’s games 
• Zack Pherson, Senior, 6-2, 220 – returning starter at right tackle 

Defense: 

• Formation: 4-4 
• Returning Starters: 4 

Defensive Line: 

• Aedan Hywel, Senior, 5-10, 195 – returning starter at tackle 
• Elijah Montgomery, Junior, 6-2, 250 – projected starter at tackle 
• Zack Pherson, Senior, 6-2, 220 – projected starter at end 
• Brody Lee, Senior, 5-10, 180 – projected starter at end 
• Tyler Wargo, Junior, 5-10, 205 – part of the end rotation 
• Shane Moore, Junior, 6-1, 200 –  part of the end rotation 

Linebacker: 

• Sam Dech, Senior, 5-9, 185 – returning starter on the outside 
• Mike Bracco, Senior, 6-1, 190 – projected starter on the outside 
• Elian Cuevas, Senior, 5-9, 175 – part of the outside rotation 
• Zi’yahn McGurn, Senior, 5-10, 185 – projected starter on the inside 
• Eddie O’Neill, Senior, 5-10, 190 – projected starter on the inside 
• Vince Berger, Sophomore, 5-10, 175 – competing on the outside 

Secondary: 

• Jaysen Blacknall, Senior, 5-10, 180 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Noah Reid, Junior, 5-10, 160 – competing at cornerback 
• Chase Doering, Senior, 5-10, 160 – competing at cornerback 
• Jah’quil Dooley, Senior, 6-1, 205 – returning starter at safety, moving from linebacker 
• Noah Bermingham, Sophomore, 5-10, 160 – competing at safety 

Special Teams:

• Senior Alexie Moreira returns as both the kicker and punter 
• Blacknall and Dech are the return men 

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

Schedule: 

• Saturday, 9/6, at Westfield 
• Friday, 9/12, at Hunterdon Central 
• Friday, 9/19, Ridge at home 
• Friday, 9/26, at Hillsborough 
• Friday, 10/3, West Orange at home 
• Saturday, 10/11, at St. Joe’s (Metuchen) 
• Friday, 10/17, Union at home
• Friday, 10/24, Bridgewater-Raritan at home 
• Thursday, 11/27, Easton (Pa) at Lafayette 

Concerns:  

• Any position without a solidified starter – hopefully, camp will solve that 

Recruiting: 

• Blacknall has a Marist offer 
• Dech and Dooley have received D3 interest 
• It is still early for the underclassmen 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We have had a terrific offseason with strength and conditioning. The senior leadership has been good; guys have been put in new roles, and they are showing the younger guys what it takes to be successful.” – Head Coach Frank Duffy