Caldwell Chiefs 

August 14, 2025

2024: 

• 4-5 
• Lost to Shabazz in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 2 quarterfinals 
• Wins included Shabazz and Wayne Hills 
• Losses were to West Essex, Passaic Valley, Westwood, and Cedar Grove 
• Scored 227 points for a 25.22 average 
• Allowed 224 points for a 24.89 average 

Graduation: 

• TE/LB Mike Mignone – Susquehanna (PA) 
• LS Jack Cavanaugh – School of St. Scholastica (MINN) 
• WR/DB Sean Mutagh – Marist for lacrosse 
• DL Andrew Fonseca – Millersville (PA) for wrestling 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 5   

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback: 

• Adam Sepe, Sophomore, 5-11, 190 – returning starter; passed for 1,128 yards and 11 touchdowns, while rushing for 412 yards and 3 touchdowns  

Running Back:

• Solomon Soriente, Senior, 5-7, 155 – projected starter 
• Nick Moyano, Senior, 5-10, 187 – part of the rotation; started on defense  
• Lucas Alcazar, Sophomore, 5-6, 145 – part of the rotation 
• Nicco Capaldo, Junior, 6-0, 175 – part of the rotation 

Wide Receiver: 

• Santino Russo, Junior, 5-6, 145 – returning starter at slot receiver 
• Nico Sozio, Junior, 5-8, 165 – returning starter 
• Kaelen Harper, Senior, 6-2, 175 – projected starter who started several games 
• Jake Matanin, Junior, 6-0, 178 – projected starter and also the backup quarterback; started on defense 
• Dante Placenti, Sophomore, 5-6, 145 – part of the rotation 
• Nick Moyano, Senior, 5-10, 187 – part of the rotation when he is not playing running back; started on defense  
• David Chichelo, Sophomore, 5-8, 155 – part of the rotation 

Tight End/H-Back (situational): 

• Russell Albert, Junior, 5-11, 197 – projected starter 
• Teagan McOmish, Senior, 6-3, 195 – will see action; started on defense  

Offensive Line: 

• Quays Rabah, Senior, 6-0, 217  – returning starter at left tackle, moving from guard 
• Logan Arnott, Junior, 6-0, 225 – projected starter at left guard 
• John Aguirre, Senior, 5-10, 235 – competing at center 
• Chase Kehoe, Junior, 6-0, 250 – competing at center 
• Santino Vlacich, Freshman, 6-3, 230 – competing at center 
• Elvis Nikollaj, Senior, 6-1, 220 – returning starter at right guard 
• Jack Nyire, Junior, 6-3, 220 – projected starter at right tackle 

Defense: 

• Formation: 3-3 with three safeties 
• Returning Starters: 5 

Defensive Line: 

• Elvis Nikollaj, Senior, 6-1, 220 – returning starter at end 
• Teagan McOmish, Senior, 6-3, 195 – projected starter at end 
• Quays Rabah, Senior, 6-0, 217  – projected starter at both the end and nose guard 
• Chase Kehoe, Junior, 6-0, 250 – part of the nose guard rotation 
• John Aguirre, Senior, 5-10, 235 – part of the nose guard rotation 
• Jack Nyire, Junior, 6-3, 220 – part of the end rotation 

Linebacker: 

• Nick Moyano, Senior, 5-10, 187 – returning starter on the strong side 
• Logan Mooney, Junior, 6-0, 180 – competing in the middle 
• Logan Arnott, Junior, 6-0, 225 – competing in the middle 
• Russell Albert, Junior, 5-11, 197 – projected starter on the weak side 

Secondary: 

• Nico Sozio, Junior, 5-8, 165 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Jake Matanin, Junior, 6-0, 178 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Santino Russo, Junior, 5-6, 145 – returning starter at middle safety 
• Nicco Capaldo, Junior, 6-0, 175 – projected starter at weak safety 
• Solomon Soriente, Senior, 5-7, 155 – competing at free safety 
• Dante Placenti, Sophomore, 5-6, 145 – competing at free safety 
• David Chichelo, Sophomore, 5-8, 155 – part of the safety rotation 

Special Teams:

• Junior Matt Murtagh is projected to be the kicker and punter 
• Harper, Russo, Socio, Matanin, and Placenti will be the return men 
• The long snapper will be sophomore Lucas Alcazar 

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

Schedule: 

• Friday, 9/5, at Passaic Valley 
• Friday, 9/12, West Essex at home 
• Friday, 9/19, Westwood at home 
• Friday, 9/26, at Wayne Hills 
• Friday, 10/3, at Cedar Grove 
• Friday, 10/10, Shabazz at home 
• Thursday, 10/16, at Millburn 
• Friday, 10/24, Nutley at home 

Concerns:  

• Relatively young and inexperienced 

Recruiting: 

• Moyano has received D3 interest
• Underclassmen: 
• Sepe and Sozio are the top prospects 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We play a difficult schedule, and we have work to do. We have to be prepared every week, bringing our A game. We will try to put it together with a good product.” – Head Coach Todd Romano