Wood-Ridge Blue Devils 

August 10, 2025 

2024: 

• 4-5-1 
• Lost to Hasbrouck Heights in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 1 quarterfinals 
• Wins included Spotswood, Wallington, and Bogota 
• Losses included St. Mary, Rutherford, and Hasbrouck Heights 
• Scored 161 points for a 16.1 average 
• Allowed 224 points for a 22.4 average  

Graduation: 

• OL/DL Aidan Kelly – Susquehanna (PA) 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 5  

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback: 

• Chris Rios, Senior, 5-10, 170 – returning starter; passed for 607 yards and 6 touchdowns, while rushing for 867 yards and 12 touchdowns 
• Nicolas Mabel, Junior, 5-11, 190 – provides depth; started on defense 

Running Back:

• Aydan Ciliento, Sophomore, 5-10, 170 – competing 
• Myles Simmons, Sophomore, 5-7, 155 – competing 

Wide Receiver: 

• Nick Scalera, Senior, 5-9, 175 – 3-year starter; 19 receptions for 187 yards and 2 touchdowns 
• Chance Iacovino, Junior, 5-11, 170 – returning starter; 12 receptions for 170 yards 
• Owen Dodds, Senior, 5-9, 170 – projected starter 
• Michael Prato, Junior, 6-1, 180 – part of the rotation; started on defense 
• Nick Prato, Sophomore, 5-7, 155 – part of the rotation; started on defense 

Tight End: 

• Melvin Zabaleta, Junior, 6-3, 230 – projected starter; started on defense 
• Eliam Zabaleta, Freshman, 6-4, 170 – part of the rotation 

Offensive Line: 

• Abdel Elkeshk, Senior, 5-11, 260 – returning starter at center 
• Eric Hayes, Senior, 6-4, 265 – returning starter at right tackle 
• Derrick Correa, Senior, 5-11, 255 – projected starter at left guard; started on defense  
• Jack Cannizzaro, Junior, 6-1, 215 – competing at tackle and guard 
• Andres Kotkas, Sophomore, 6-0, 210 – competing at guard 
• Charlie Cannizzaro, Freshman, 6-2, 250 – competing and tackle and guard 
• Domenic Belini, Junior, 5-10, 190 – competing 
• Ali Jackson, Sophomore, 5-10, 180 – competing 

Defense: 

• Formation: Multiple 3-4 
• Returning Starters: 8 

Defensive Line: 

• Eric Hayes, Senior, 6-4, 265 – returning starter 
• Derrick Correa, Senior, 5-11, 255 – returning starter 
• Jack Cannizzaro, Junior, 6-1, 215 – competing 
• Dominic Belini, Junior, 5-10, 190 – competing 
• Andres Kotkas, Sophomore, 6-0, 210 – competing 
• Charlie Cannizzaro, Freshman, 6-2, 250 – competing 
• *positions will be settled after camp 

Linebacker: 

• Melvin Zabaleta, Junior, 6-3, 230 – returning starter on the outside, moving from end 
• Michael Prato, Junior, 6-1, 180 – returning starter on the outside 
• Nicolas Mabel, Junior, 5-11, 190 – returning starter on the inside 
• Chase Christiana, Junior, 5-11, 190 – projected starter on the inside 
• Owen Dodds, Senior, 5-9, 170 – part of the inside rotation 

Secondary: 

• Nick Scalera, Senior, 5-9, 175 – returning starter at safety  
• Chance Iacovino, Junior, 5-11, 170 – returning starter at safety 
• Andrew Kikkert, Sophomore, 5-10, 165 – part of the safety rotation 
• Nick Prato, Sophomore, 5-7, 155 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Myles Simmons, Sophomore, 5-7, 155 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Lucas Mabel, Freshman, 5-8, 165 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Dominic DeCandia, Freshman, 5-10, 160 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Aydan Ciliento, Sophomore, 5-10, 170 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Chris Rios, Senior, 5-10, 170 – returning starter at cornerback who will be used sparingly 

Special Teams:

• The kicking and punting positions are undecided
• Simmons, Iacovino, and De Candia are the return men 
• Junior Michael Prato and sophomore Nick Prato can be the long snapper 

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

Schedule: 

• Thursday, 8/28, Lodi at home 
• Friday, 9/5, at Elmwod Park 
• Friday, 9/12, St. Mary at home 
• Friday, 9/19, at Weehawken 
• Friday, 9/26, Wallington at home 
• Friday, 10/3, at Park Ridge 
• Friday, 10/10, Bogota at home 
• 10/17-18, To Be Determined 
• 10/24-25, To Be Determined 

Concerns:  

• New offense and defense 

Recruiting: 

• Scalera and Correa have D3 interest 
• Underclassmen: 
• Melvin Zabaleta is a junior who has good size and is gaining interest 

Coach’s Comments: 

“ We are excited the kids have adapted to a new staff. We want to compete, win our division, the NJIC championship, and get into the playoffs. The standards are high and the kids are embracing it.” – Head Coach Andrew Carbone