Cherokee Chiefs 

August 22, 2025

2024: 

• 5-6 
• Lost to Atlantic City in the Central Jersey Group 5 sectional semifinals and beat Old Bridge in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Shawnee, Middletown South, and Lenape 
• Losses were to Winslow, Millville, Mainland, Atlantic City, and St. Augustine 
• Scored 161 points for a 14.64 average 
• Allowed 226 points for a 20.54 average, including two shutouts 

Graduation: 

• WR/DB Darwin Walker – Princeton 
• OL/DL Chris Therien – Villanova 
• RB Murad Campfield – Albany 
• OL Dylan Grau – East Stroudsburg (PA) 
• TE/LB Dante Harrison – Moravian (PA) 
• DB Evan Bryfogle – Albright (PA) 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple 
• Returning Starters: 4  

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback: 

• Cooper Burti, Junior, 6-0, 170 – returning starter; passed for 1,011 yards and 4 touchdowns, and rushed for 232 yards and 6 touchdowns 

Running Back:

• Dylan Kolinsky, Senior 5-11, 195 – projected co-starter 
• Brandon Markovsky, Junior, 5-9, 170 – projected co-starter 

Wide Receiver: 

• Steve Barbagiovanni, Senior, 5-11, 165 – returning starter; 11 receptions for 101 yards and 1 touchdown 
• Ke-Marley Mason, Senior, 6-0, 180 – projected starter 
• Matt St. John, Senior, 5-9, 165 – competing 

Tight End: 

• John Serzan, Senior, 6-0, 170 – projected starter at tight end; injured most of last year 
• Josh Schartoff, Senior, 5-11, 175 – projected starter at H-back; started later in the season and started on defense 

Offensive Line: 

• Josh Taylor, Sophomore, 6-0, 320 – projected starter at left tackle 
• Chris Bryski, Senior, 6-0, 235 – returning starter at left guard 
• Teddy Skversky, Senior, 6-0, 220 – projected starter at center 
• Jaxon Jacobus, Sophomore, 5-9, 190 – competing at right guard 
• Dan Cruz, Senior, 6-0, 195 – competing at right guard 
• Gavin Heiligman, Senior, 6-0, 230 – returning starter at right tackle 
• Jacob Cranmer, Sophomore, 5-11, 225 – provides depth 
• Quinn Wallace, Junior, 6-0, 200 – provides depth 

Defense: 

• Formation: Multiple 
• Returning Starters: 4 

Defensive Line: 

• Davis Walker, Sophomore,6-2, 175 – projected starter at end 
• Micah Lee, Senior, 6-0, 205 – returning starter at end and tackle 
• Jonah Bluestein, Junior, 6-3, 210 – projected starter at end and tackle 
• Teddy Skversky, Senior, 6-0, 220 – competing at tackle 
• Jon’te Truesdale, Senior, 6-0, 225 – competing at tackle 
• Alfredo Villico, Senior, 5-8, 280 – competing at tackle 

Linebacker: 

• Lorenzo Lontok, Senior, 5-9, 160 – returning starter, moving from safety 
• Josh Schartoff, Senior, 5-11, 175 – returning starter 
• Dylan Kolinsky, Senior 5-11, 195 – projected starter and started some games last year 
• Dan Cruz, Senior, 6-0, 195 – competing and started two games 
• John Franz, Junior, 5-9, 160 – competing and started two games 

Secondary: 

• Steve Barbagiovanni, Senior, 5-11, 165 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Mateo Rosario, Senior, 5-8, 160 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Brandon Markovsky, Junior, 5-9, 170 – projected starter at safety 
• Lorenzo Lontok, Senior, 5-9, 160 – returning starter who may move back here from linebacker 

Special Teams:

• Senior Matt St. John returns as the kicker, and senior Joey Martin is back as the punter 
• The long snapper is sophomore Brayden Ressler 
• The return men are Barbagiovanni, Lontok, and Marcovsky 

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

Schedule: 

• Thursday, 8/28, at Middletown South 
• Thursday, 9/4, Lenape at home 
• Friday, 9/12, at St. Augustine 
• Friday, 9/19, Mainland at home 
• Friday, 9/26, Atlantic City at home 
• Friday, 10/3, at Shawnee 
• Friday, 10/10, at Williamstown 
• Saturday, 10/18, at Millville 
• Friday, 10/24, Winslow at home 

Concerns:  

• Young in some spots 
• Depth 

Recruiting: 

• All seniors are D3 types 
• Underclassmen:  
• Burti may play baseball 
• Others are not proven 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We work daily to compete at a high level. We have a tough schedule and have an experienced quarterback, which is important. Three offensive linemen return, along with two seniors on the defensive line. The trenches lead the way.” – Head Coach Shawn DiVece