Somerville Pioneers 

June 17, 2026

2025: 

• 8-2 
• Lost to Matawan in the Central Jersey Group 3 quarterfinals 
• Wins included Rahway, Cranford, Summit, Hillside, and Watchung Hills 
• Their other loss was to Montgomery 
• Scored 290 points for a 29.0 average 
• Allowed 156 points for a 15.6 average 

Graduation: 

• LB Sam Muse – Wagner 
• DB Troy Hampton – Kean 
• DB Griffin Kaye – Roanoke (Va.) for football and lacrosse 

*College choices are good until they enter the transfer portal 

Offense:  

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 6 

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback:  

• Dylan Boehm, Sophomore, 5-11, 180 – returning starter; passed for 1,449 yards and 10 touchdowns

Running Back:  

• Justin Bowen, Senior, 6-0, 190 – returning starter; rushed for 446 yards and 7 touchdowns with 29 receptions for 448 yards and 4 touchdowns 
• Dante Manochio, Senior, 5-10, 160 – provides depth 

Wide Receiver: 

• James Hampton, Junior, 6-1, 160 – returning starter at slot receiver; 28 receptions for 467 yards and 1 touchdown 
• Dushawn Dorsey, Junior, 5-9, 160 – competing; started on defense 
• Jayden Louis, Senior, 5-11, 160 – competing 
• Michael Dugan, Sophomore, 5-11, 170 – competing 

Tight End: 

• Mike Murphy, Junior, 5-11, 190 – projected starter 
• Peyton Akins, Sophomore, 5-10, 190 – provides depth and will play in two-tight end situations 

Offensive Line: 

• Nate Gottlieb, Junior, 6-0, 180 – projected starter at left tackle 
• Elijah Jagroop, Senior, 6-0, 230 – returning starter at left guard 
• Ryan Kappmeier, Senior, 5-10, 200 – returning starter at center and competing 
• Mitchell Polanco, Junior, 5-10, 230 – competing at center 
• Colton Hoinowski, Junior, 5-10, 180 – competing at right guard 
• Daniel Warren, Sophomore, 5-10, 200 – competing at right guard 
• Jonathan Yates, Sophomore, 5-10, 200 – competing at right guard 
• Tyler Van Doren, Senior, 6-0, 180 – returning starter at right tackle 

Defense:  

• Formation: 3-4 
• Returning Starters: 5 

Defensive Line:  

• Nikhai Smith, Senior, 6-0, 220 – returning starter at end 
• Tyler Van Doren, Senior, 6-0, 180 – part of the end rotation on the opposite side 
• Colton Hoinowski, Junior, 5-10, 180 – part of the end rotation on the opposite side 
• Nate Gottlieb, Junior, 6-0, 180 – part of the end rotation on the opposite side 
• Elijah Jagroop, Senior, 6-0, 230 – competing at nose guard 
• Tony Herrera, Senior, 5-10, 280 – competing at nose guard 
• Elijah Snead, Senior, 5-10, 350 – competing at nose guard 

Linebacker:  

• Justin Bowen, Senior, 6-0, 190 – returning starter on the outside 
• Shyheim Hobbs-Harris, Senior, 6-2, 205 – returning starter on the outside 
• JP O’Neill, Junior, 6-0, 160 – part of the outside rotation 
• Gerald Garcia, Junior, 5-8, 165 – projected starter on the inside 
• Peyton Akins, Sophomore, 5-10, 190 – projected starter on the inside 
• Michael Buchanan, Sophomore, 6-2, 180 – part of the inside rotation 
• Sean Feaster, Sophomore, 5-10, 160 – part of the inside rotation 

Secondary: 

• James Hampton, Junior, 6-1, 160 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Michael Dugan, Sophomore, 5-11, 170 – competing at the opposite corner 
• Jayden Louis, Senior, 5-11, 160 – competing at the opposite corner 
• Yanry Batista, Senior, 6-0, 160 – competing at the opposite corner 
• Dushawn Dorsey, Junior, 5-9, 160 – returning starter at safety 
• Andrew Sutton, Junior, 5-9, 150 – projected starter at safety 
• Xavier Senior, Senior, 6-4, 175 – part of the safety rotation 

Special Teams: 

• Sophomore Dylan Boehm returns as the punter, and sophomore Connor Kossowicz will be the kicker 
• Senior Ryan Kappmeier will be the long snapper 
• Hampton and Dorsey are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Thursday, 8/27, South Plainfield at home 
• Friday, 9/4, at Piscataway 
• Thursday, 9/10, North Hunterdon at home 
• Friday, 9/18, Watchung Hills at home 
• Friday, 9/25, at Montgomery 
• Friday, 10/2, St. Thomas Aquinas at home 
• Friday, 10/9, Sayreville at home 
• Friday, 10/16, at Hunterdon Central 
• Friday, 10/23, at Elizabeth 

Concerns:  

• Depth and staying healthy with a Groups 4 and 5 schedule 

Recruiting: 

• Hobbs-Harris, Bowen, and Smith are receiving 1-AA looks 
• Others may play D3 
• Underclassmen: 
• Hampton is a 1-AA/D2 prospect 
• Boehm is a sophomore who could go 1-AA/D2 and may play baseball 

Coach’s Comments:   

“The kids have worked hard, and our first summer sessions have been good. We are ahead of where we were at this time last year, and having a quarterback with a year of experience is helpful. Our first team can play with anyone, but we need to stay healthy with a tough schedule. We will see who is ready to make the jump.” – Head Coach Matt Bloom