Passaic Valley Hornets

August 12, 2025 

2024: 

• 7-3 
• Lost to River Dell in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 3 semifinals, and beat Snyder in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Caldwell, Wayne Hills, Lakeland, and West Milford 
• Losses were to West Essex and Wayne Valley 
• Scored 228 points for a 22.8 average 
• Allowed 99 points for a 9.9 average, including two shutouts  

Graduation: 

• OL/DL Tristan Puerta – Susquehanna (PA) 
• WR/LB A’Miere Simpson – Rowan 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 6  

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback: 

• Anthony Bagnuolo, Senior, 5-10, 160 – returning starter, started last six games; passed for 1,337 yards and 11 touchdowns  
• Anthony Hall, Sophomore, 5-7, 145 – provides depth 

Running Back:

• Nicky Huliev, Senior, 5-6, 170 – returning starter, rushed for 783 yards and 7 touchdowns 

Wide Receiver: 

• Dante Benvenuti, Senior, 6-2, 210 – 3-year starter; 31 receptions for 679 yards and 6 touchdowns, while rushing for 308 yards and 6 touchdowns 
• Vinnie Berardi, Senior, 5-10, 190 – returning starter; 19 receptions for 368 yards and 3 touchdowns 
• Noah Redden, Junior, 6-0, 165 – competing 
• Julio Lopez, Junior, 5-6, 130 – competing 
• Nate Tedesco, Junior, 5-7, 150 – competing 

Offensive Line: 

• Rocco Testa, Junior, 6-3, 275 – competing at left tackle 
• Jayden Byles, Junior, 6-1, 220 – competing at left tackle 
• Richie Breitweiser, Senior, 5-10, 220 – 3-year starter at left guard  
• Jayden Findlay, Senior, 6-0, 225 – competing at center 
• Alex Orellana, Senior, 5-9, 240 – competing at center 
• James Picariello, Senior, 6-0, 185 – returning starter at right guard 
• Yazan Monem, Junior, 5-11, 290 – frontrunner at right tackle 

Defense: 

• Formation: 4-3 
• Returning Starters: 4 

Defensive Line: 

• James Picariello, Senior, 6-0, 185 – returning starter at end 
• Richie Breitweiser, Senior, 5-10, 220 – projected starter at end 
• Will Capizzi, Senior, 5-10, 180 – returning starter at tackle 
• Rocco Testa, Junior, 6-3, 275 – competing at tackle 
• Yazan Monem, Junior, 5-11, 290 – competing at tackle 

Linebacker: 

• Dante Benvenuti, Senior, 6-2, 210 – returning starter on the strong side 
• Christian Meletta, Senior, 6-2, 225 – returning starter in the middle 
• Justin Lewis, Junior, 5-11, 195 – competing on the weak side 
• Mark Zalenski, Sophomore, 5-8, 175 – competing on the weak side 

Secondary: 

• Jon Roy, Senior, 5-6, 165 – projected starter at cornerback; played late in the year 
• Tommy Breitweiser, Senior, 5-11, 160 – competing at cornerback 
• Julio Lopez, Junior, 5-6, 130 – competing at cornerback 
• Vinnie Berardi, Senior, 5-10, 190 – projected starter at safety 
• Nicky Huliev, Senior, 5-6, 170 – projected starter at safety 

Special Teams:

• Senior Dante Benvenuti is a 3-year starter at kicker and punter 
• The return men are Benvenuti, Huliev, and Berardi 

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

Schedule: 

• Friday, 9/5, Caldwell at home 
• Friday, 9/12, Wayne Valley at home 
• Friday, 9/19, at West Milford 
• Friday, 9/26, Millburn at home 
• Friday, 10/3, at West Essex 
• Friday, 10/10, at Wayne Hills 
• Friday, 10/17, at Nutley 
• Friday, 10/24, Lakeland at home 

Concerns:  

• Both lines and a new secondary, but it’s a good opportunity for the players 

Recruiting: 

• Benvenuti has an offer from Marist, and interest from Bucknell and Yale 
• Huliev and Berardi are D3 prospects 
• Meletta may play for a high-academic D3 
• The underclassmen have no game experience 

Coach’s Comments: 

“It has been competitive throughout camp. The seniors are the core, and they have become leaders, being very vocal. They are pushing one another. We will ride the seniors and get ready for the early season.” – Head Coach Max Wassel