Brick Memorial Mustangs 

August 23, 2025 

2024: 

• 9-3 
• Lost to Millville in the Central Jersey Group 4 sectional final, beat Jackson in the semifinals, and Northern Burlington in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Jackson, Brick, Southern, Allentown, and Toms River South 
• Losses were to Toms River North and Point Pleasant Boro 
• Scored 257 points for a 29.75 average 
• Allowed 205 points for a 17.08 average, including three shutouts

Graduation: 

• OL Aiden Crawford – FDU (Florham) 
• OL/DL Ben Szuba – Arizona State for wrestling 

Offense: 

• Formation: Spread Option 
• Returning Starters: 8 

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback: 

• Jason Lajara, Senior, 5-10, 180 – returning starter; passed for 2,009 yards and 18 touchdowns-tp-4 interceptions, while rushing for 867 yards and 17 touchdowns 

Running Back:

• Na’zeer Whittaker, Senior, 6-0, 190 – returning starter who played both running back and wide receiver; rushed for 413 yards and 3 touchdowns, with 15 receptions for 211 yards and 1 touchdown 

Wide Receiver: 

• Ny’zier Matthews, Senior, 6-3, 190 – returning starter; 31 receptions for 837 yards and 9 touchdowns 
• Shawn Fowler, Junior, 5-10, 185 – returning starter; 16 receptions for 400 yards and 3 touchdowns 
• Ricky Dillon, Senior, 5-10, 160 – returning starter; 8 receptions for 144 yards  

H-Back: 

• Trey Tallmadge, Senior, 6-2, 220 – returning starter; 13 receptions for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns 

Offensive Line: 

• Logan Perry, Junior, 6-3, 255 – projected starter at left tackle 
• Jaxon Ellis, Junior, 6-3, 245 – returning starter at left guard 
• Jaxon Pacheco, Junior, 6-2, 260 – projected starter at center 
• Ryan Mullahey, Senior, 5-11, 200 – returning starter at right guard 
• Colin Barin, Senior, 5-11, 210 – projected starter at right tackle 

Defense: 

• Formation: 4-2-5 
• Returning Starters: 9 

Defensive Line: 

• Jaxon Pacheco, Junior, 6-2, 260 – returning starter at tackle 
• Elijah Webb, Senior, 6-3, 220 – returning starter at tackle 
• Joe Livio, Junior, 6-3, 225 – projected starter at end 
• Jaxon Ellis, Junior, 6-3, 245 – projected starter at end 

Linebacker: 

• Trey Tallmadge, Senior, 6-2, 220 – 4-year starter 
• Mike Pappas, Senior, 6-0, 195 – returning starter 

Secondary: 

• Jack Marotta, Junior, 5-10, 175 – returning starter at strong safety 
• Erik Pedres, Senior, 5-11, 180 – returning starter at weak safety 
• Ricky Dillon, Senior, 5-10, 160 – returning starter at free safety 
• Ny’zier Matthews, Senior, 6-3, 190 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Shawn Fowler, Junior, 5-10, 185 – returning starter at cornerback 

Special Teams:

• Junior Jack Marotta is a 3-year starter at kicker, and senior Jason Lajara is back as the punter 
• Senior Trey Tallmadge  returns as the long snapper 
• Matthews, Whittaker, Fowler, and Dillon are the return men 

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

Schedule: 

• Friday, 8/29, at Wall 
• Friday, 9/5, Rumson-Fair Haven at home 
• Friday, 9/12, Point Pleasant Boro at home 
• Friday, 9/19, at Toms River North 
• Friday, 9/26, at Donovan Catholic 
• Friday, 10/3, at Holmdel 
• Friday, 10/10, Brick Township at home 
• Friday, 10/17, at Southern 
• Friday, 10/24, Jackson at home  

Concerns:  

• Three new starters on the offensive line 

Recruiting: 

• Tallmadge made a verbal commitment to Sacred Heart 
• Matthews and Whittaker are receiving from all levels of schools 
• Lajara is a D2/D3 prospect 
• Pappas is a D3 candidate 
• Others may play D3 
• Underclassmen: 
• Fowler, Pacheco, and Ellis will play at some level 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We have a lot of returning starters, and we look good on paper. We were successful last year and want to achieve the same success again this year. We want to get to the playoffs and make a run.” – Head Coach Walt Currie