Roxbury Gaels 

June 23, 2026

2025: 

• 7-4 
• Lost to West Morris in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 semifinals and beat Cranford in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Morris Knolls, Chatham, Morristown, and Montville 
• Losses were to West Morris, Sparta, and Mount Olive 
• Scored 175 points for a 15.91 average 
• Allowed 233 points for a 21.18 average 

Graduation: 

• TE/LB Jack Mancino – Susquehanna (Pa.) 
• OL/DL Jonah Kali – Wesleyan (Ct.) 

*College choices are good until they enter the transfer portal 

Offense:  

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 7 

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback:  

• Frankie Falco, Junior, 5-8, 165 – returning starter; Passed for 743 yards and 3 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,301 yards and 14 touchdowns 

Running Back:  

• DJ Benfatti, Junior, 6-1, 185 – returning starter; rushed for 636 yards and 6 touchdowns; 16 receptions for 99 yards 
• Jimmy Murphy, Senior, 6-0, 175 – will see some action; started on defense 

Wide Receiver: 

• Blake Lieberwirth, Senior, 6-2, 180 – returning starter; 12 receptions for 172 yards; also serves as the backup quarterback 
• Ryan Valentine, Junior, 6-0, 180 – returning starter; 12 receptions for 156 yards and 2 touchdowns 
• Liam May, Senior, 5-10, 170 – returning starter; 14 receptions for 137 yards 
• Gio DelRosario, Senior, 6-0, 165 – part of the rotation; saw action and started on defense 

Tight End: 

• Kiefer Lopez, Senior, 6-3, 190 – will play here and as a wide receiver; started on defense  
• Hudson Nassif, Junior, 6-1, 210 – will be the second tight end 
• Christian Tummino, Junior, 6-0, 185 – will play here and as an H-back  

Offensive Line: 

• Vincent Zanni, Senior, 5-9, 260 – 3-year starter at right tackle 
• Matthew Donnelly, Senior, 6-1, 240 – 3-year starter at right guard 
• Patrick Shivas, Senior, 6-1, 220 – projected starter who saw action 
• Caleb Sanchez, Junior, 5-10, 215 – projected starter at left guard 
• Robbie Geary, Senior, 6-0, 210 – projected starter at left tackle; started on defense 

Defense:  

• Formation: 3-4 
• Returning Starters: 9 

Defensive Line:  

• Matthew Donnelly, Senior, 6-1, 240 – 3-year starter at tackle 
• Ian McMahon, Junior, 6-1, 215 – projected starter who saw action 
• Vincent Zanni, Senior, 5-9, 260 – 3-year starter at nose guard 
• Patrick Shivas, Senior, 6-1, 220 – part of the tackle rotation 
• Caleb Sanchez, Junior, 5-10, 215 – part of the tackle rotation  
• John Sessa, sophomore, 5-10, 260 – part of the nose guard rotation 

Linebacker:  

• DJ Benfatti, Junior, 6-1, 185 – returning starter on the inside 
• Robbie Geary, Senior, 6-0, 210 – returning starter on the inside 
• Jimmy Murphy, Senior, 6-0, 175 – 3-year starter on the outside 
• Christian Tummino, Junior, 6-0, 185 – projected starter on the outside; started four games 
• Joey Pierro, Junior, 5-9, 160 – part of the outside rotation 

Secondary: 

• Ryan Valentine, Junior, 6-0, 180 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Gio DelRosario, Senior, 6-0, 165 – 3-year starter at cornerback 
• Blake Lieberwirth, Senior, 6-2, 180 – returning starter at strong safety 
• Kiefer Lopez, Senior, 6-3, 190 – returning starter at free safety 
• Frankie Falco, Junior, 5-8, 165 – may see action at safety 

Special Teams: 

• Senior Josh DiPasquale is a 3-year starter at both kicker and punter 
• Benfatti and Valentine are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Thursday, 8/27, at Garfield 
• Friday, 9/4, Morris Knolls at home 
• Thursday, 9/10, at Morris Hills 
• Friday, 9/18, at West Morris 
• Friday, 9/25, Randolph at home 
• Saturday, 10/3, at Chatham 
• Friday, 10/9, at Warren Hills 
• Friday, 10/16, Mount Olive at home 
• Friday, 10/23, Mendham at home 

Concerns:  

• Staying healthy 
• Being able to capitalize on their experience 

Recruiting: 

• Donnelly and DePasquale are receiving 1-AA looks 
• The others may play D3 
• Underclassmen: 
• Benfatti is receiving 1-AA looks 
• This will be an important year for the other juniors 

Coach’s Comments:   

“We have many back. We had only seven seniors last year, but they made an impact. We are confident in our returnees. Now, it’s time to put in the work and turn in a strong season.” – Head Coach Ryan Roumes