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