Mainland Mustangs 

August 8, 2025

2024: 

• 10-4 
• Lost to Old Tappan in the New Jersey Group 3 State championship game 
• Won the South Jersey Regional Championship by beating Somerville 
• Won the South Jersey Group 3 Sectional by beating Seneca in the finals, Holmdel in the semifinals, and Barnegat in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Delsea, Ocean City, Cherokee, and Atlantic City 
• Losses were to Winslow, Millville, and St. Augustine 
• Scored 399 points for a 28.5 average 
• Allowed 250 points for a 17.86 average, including three shutouts 

Graduation: 

• RB/LB Rocco DiBiaso – Kutztown (PA) 
• OL/DL Dan DeFeo – Montclair State 
• CB Khaleeb Foster – Albright (PA) 

Offense: 

• Formation: Spread Wing T 
• Returning Starters: 5  

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback: 

• John Franchini, Senior, 5-10, 175 – 4-year starter; passed for 2,221 yards and 21 touchdowns 

Running Back:

• Lucas DiBiaso, Senior, 5-10, 185 – returning starter at halfback and fullback; rushed for 1,199 yards and 17 touchdowns 
• Chase Hoag, Senior, 5-9, 195 – will be part of a rotation at halfback and fullback; started on defense 
• AJ Goukler, Sophomore, 5-10, 165 – will be part of a rotation at halfback 

Wide Receiver: 

• Jake Blum, Senior, 6-2, 185 – returning starter; 52 receptions for 1,287 yards 15 touchdowns 

Tight End: 

• Andrew Gillman, Senior, 6-4, 225 – returning starter 

Offensive Line: 

• Mike Piergiovanni, Senior, 5-11, 195 – returning starter at center, moving from guard 
• Eban Kuhns, Junior, 5-11, 205 – projected starter at guard 
• Leo Morales, Sophomore, 5-11, 210 – projected starter at guard 
• Colt Russo, Senior, 6-1, 215 – projected starter at tackle; started on defense 
• Tatum McBall, 6-4, 325 – projected starter at tackle; started on defense 

Defense: 

• Formation: 3-3 Stack 
• Returning Starters: 8 

Defensive Line: 

• Tatum McBall, 6-4, 325 – returning starter at nose guard 
• Andrew Gillman, Senior, 6-4, 225 – returning starter at end 
• The opposite end will be a rotation of other players 

Linebacker: 

• Chase Hoag, Senior, 5-9, 195 – returning starter at the stack linebacker 
• Colt Russo, Senior, 6-1, 215 – projected starter at the stack linebacker 
• Brady Kallen, Senior, 5-10, 185 – projected starter at the stack linebacker 
• Nate Rivera, Senior, 5-9, 180 – returning starter on the outside 
• Liam Kennedy, Senior, 6-2, 188 – 4-year starter on the outside, moving from safety 

Secondary: 

• Jake Blum, Senior, 6-2, 185 – 3-year starter at cornerback and safety 
• Lucas DiBiaso, Senior, 5-10, 185 – returning starter at cornerback 
• The other cornerback/safety will be determined in camp 

Special Teams:

• Senior Nate Kashey returns as a 4-year starter at kicker and a 2-year starter at punter 
• The return men are Goukler and Blum 

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

Schedule: 

• Friday, 8/29, Atlantic City at Salesianum (DEL) 
• Friday, 9/5, at Hammonton 
• Friday, 9/12, Millville at home 
• Friday, 9/19, at Cherokee 
• Thursday, 9/25, St. Augustine at home 
• Friday, 10/3, at Ocean City 
• Friday, 10/10, Egg Harbor at home 
• Friday, 10/17, at WInslow 
• Friday, 10/24, Delsea at home 

Concerns:  

• Developing depth among the younger kids 

Recruiting: 

• McBall gave a verbal commitment to Bryant 
• Gillman and Kashey gave verbal commitments to Penn 
• Blum ranges from 1-AA to D3 
• Kennedy ranges from 1-AA to D3, and he may go somewhere for swimming 
• Franchini is a D3 prospect 
• Others may play D3 
• Underclassmen: 
• It is still too early to determine 

Coach’s Comments: 

“This is a group that has had success from the junior high level. It would be great if they could cap it off with a state title. We have a tough schedule, and it would be great if we were still standing at the end of the year.” – Head Coach Chuck Smith