Cranford Cougars 

August 25, 2025

2024: 

• 7-3
• Lost to Old Tappan in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 sectional semifinals and beat Summit in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Rahway, Hillside, Colonia, and Carteret 
• Losses were to Somerville and Summit 
• Scored 214 points for a 21.4 average 
• Allowed 142 points for a 14.2 average, including two shutouts 

Graduation: 

• RB/DL Amari Petgrave – Kean 
• OL Max Brown – Susquehanna (PA) 
• DL Arthur Hrycak – RPI (NY) 
• OL/DL Mike Scotti – Saint Anselm 
• LB Justin Hoeffler – Hun School as a post-grad 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 4 

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback: 

• Aiden Capizzi, Junior, 6-1, 175 – projected starter 
• Jake Friedman, Sophomore, 6-2, 170 – pushing for time 

Running Back:

• Gabe Worrell, Junior, 6-1, 195 – returning starter; rushed for 805 yards and 10 touchdowns 
• Joseph Acinapura, Senior, 6-2, 190 – will see action; started on defense 
• Sam Slayton, Senior, 5-10, 175 – will see action 
• Logan Murray, Sophomore, 5-9, 170 – competing 

Wide Receiver: 

• Ryder Connors, Senior, 5-9, 165 – returning starter at slot receiver; 17 receptions for 207 yards and 1 touchdown  
• Michael Tripodi, Senior, 5-9, 175 – projected starter at slot receiver 
• Quinn Smith, Senior, 5-11, 175 – projected starter  
• John Fiore, Junior, 6-0, 175 – projected starter 
• Andrew Bentrewicz, sophomore, 6-2, 175 – will see action 

H-Back (situational): 

• Luke Owens, Junior, 6-3, 190 – will see time 

Offensive Line: 

• Austin Hooey, Senior, 6-6, 275 – returning starter at tackle 
• Andre Pereira, Senior, 6-4, 235 – returning starter at tackle 
• Lucas Ruela, Senior, 5-10, 300 – projected starter at guard 
• Joseph Petino, Senior, 6-1, 260 – projected starter at guard 
• Thomas Norton, Senior, 5-11, 215 – competing at center 
• Jacob Richardson, Senior, 5-10, 205 – competing at center 
• Mason Wolfe, Junior, 6-3, 265 – competing at center and tackle 

Defense: 

• Formation: 3-3 Stack 
• Returning Starters: 1 

Defensive Line: 

• Andre Pereira, Senior, 6-4, 235 – projected starter at end 
• Pat Bendert, Junior, 6-3, 215 – projected starter at end 
• Billy Rue, Senior, 5-11, 330 – projected starter at nose guard
• Mason Wolfe, Junior, 6-3, 265 – competing along the line 
• Thomas Norton, Senior, 5-11, 215 – competing at end 
• Jackson Quinn, Senior, 5-10, 215 – competing at end 

Linebacker: 

• Joseph Acinapura, Senior, 6-2, 190 – returning starter 
• Luke Owens, Junior, 6-3, 190 – projected starter 
• Anthony Dispensa, Junior, 5-9, 175 – projected starter 
• Dean Kiriakatis, Sophomore, 6-3, 175 – competing 
• Arthur Hearns, Sophomore, 5-10, 190 – competing 
• Logan Murray, Sophomore, 5-9, 170 – competing 

Secondary: 

• Quinn Smith, Senior, 5-11, 175 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Ryder Connors, Senior, 5-9, 165 – frontrunner at cornerback 
• Vincent Silva, —, 5-10, 175 – projected starter at strong safety 
• Sam Slayton, Senior, 5-10, 175 – projected starter at strong safety 
• John Fiore, Junior, 6-0, 175 – competing at cornerback and free safety 
• Cooper Sawicki, Junior, 5-10, 165 – competing at strong safety 
• Jared Acinapura, Junior, 6-1`, 170 – competing at safety 
• Gavin Sawicki, Junior, 5-10, 170 – competing at safety 
• Andrew Bentrewicz, sophomore, 6-2, 175 – competing 

Special Teams:

• Senior Charles Wallert and junior Pat Bendert are competing at kicker, while Wallin and junior Luke Owens are competing at punter 

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

Schedule: 

• Friday, 8/29, at Bernards 
• Friday, 9/5, at Somerville 
• Friday, 9/12, at Carteret 
• Friday, 9/19, South Plainfield at home 
• Friday, 9/26, Summit at home 
• Friday, 10/3, Rahway at home 
• Friday, 10/10, Scotch Plains-Fanwood at home 
• Friday, 10/17, at Colonia 
• Saturday, 10/25, at Hillside 

Concerns:  

• Inexperience 

Recruiting: 

• Hooey has a verbal commitment to Columbia
• Connors, Acinpura, and Pereira will play for high-academic schools 
• Underclassmen: 
• Worrell will draw interest 

Coach’s Comments: 

“This will be our most inexperienced team since 2005. We have one starter returning on defense and four on offense. The team has worked hard and is showing improvement. The question is, are we good enough in the early part of the season?” – Head Coach Erik Rosenmaier