Cedar Grove Panthers 

July 2, 2026

2025: 

• 10-4 
• Lost to Glassboro in the New Jersey Group 1 state championship 
• Beat Butler in the North Jersey Group 1 regional championship 
• Won the North Jersey Section 2 Group 1 sectional championship by beating New Providence in the finals, Mountain Lakes in the semifinals, and Glen Ridge in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Weequahic, Verona, Madison, and Glen Ridge 
• Losses were to Wayne Valley, Caldwell, and Newark Central 
• Scored 436 points for a 31.14 average 
• Allowed 267 points for a 19.07 average 

Graduation: 

• DB/K Sebastian Kovacs – Southern Connecticut State 
• WR Xavier Andujar – Ithaca (NY) for football and baseball 

*College choices are good until they enter the transfer portal 

Offense:  

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 4 

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback:  

• Dan LaStella, Sophomore, 6-0, 180 – projected starter 

Running Back:  

• James Policano, Senior, 5-7, 175 – projected starter 
• John Policano, Senior, 5-7, 175 – will see action 
• Jake Catanzarite, Senior, 5-9, 180 – returning starter at slot receiver, who will have carries here 
• Charlie Zajack, Sophomore, 5-11, 180 – will see time 

Wide Receiver: 

• Jake Catanzarite, Senior, 5-9, 180 – returning starter at slot receiver; 18 receptions for 246 yards and 1 touchdown  
• Chris Miller, Junior, 5-8, 170 – projected starter at slot receiver 
• John Kukuch, Senior, 5-7, 170 – provides depth at slot receiver 
• Jack Velonas, Senior, 6-0, 170 – projected starter on the outside; started on defense  
• Alex Zajack, Senior, 6-0, 185 – projected starter on the outside 
• Sebastian Florio, Junior, 5-7, 160 – competing on the outside 
• Andrew Loftus, Junior, 6-0, 185 – competing on the outside 
• Alex Bellero, Sophomore, 5-8, 165 – competing on the outside 

Tight End/H-Back: 

• Alex Zajack, Senior, 6-0, 185 – will see action 

Offensive Line: 

• Evan Skabich, Senior, 5-11, 225 – returning starter at left tackle 
• Bryce Kent, Senior, 6-5, 285 – returning starter at right tackle 
• Matt Giordano, Senior, 6-0, 215 – returning starter at center 
• Michael Verga, Senior, 6-3, 225 – competing at guard 
• Keehan Abouljoud, Senior, 5-8, 200 – competing at guard 
• Gaincarlo Morresi, Junior, 5-10, 200 – competing at guard 
• Tommay Rogalski, Sophomore, 5-10, 230 – competing at guard 
• John Martinelli, Sophomore, 6-0, 215 – competing at guard 

Defense:  

• Formation: 3-4 
• Returning Starters: 4 

Defensive Line:  

• Evan Skabich, Senior, 5-11, 225 – returning starter at end 
• John Policano, Senior, 5-7, 165 – competing at the opposite end 
• John Martinelli, Sophomore, 5-11, 185 – competing at the opposite end 
• Bryce Kent, Senior, 6-5, 285 – projected starter at nose guard who saw action 
• Matt Giordano, Senior, 6-0, 215 – part of the nose guard rotation 

Linebacker:  

• James Policano, Senior, 5-7, 175 – competing on the inside 
• Dane Catanzarite, Junior, 5-8, 180 – competing on the inside 
• Charlie Zajack, Sophomore, 5-11, 180 – competing on the inside 
• Alex Zajack, Senior, 6-0, 185 – projected starter on the outside who saw time 
• Andrew Sodano, Senior, 5-11, 175 – competing on the opposite outside post 
• Andrew Loftus, Junior, 6-0, 185 – competing on the opposite outside post 

Secondary: 

• Jake Catanzarite, Senior, 5-9, 180 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Julian Cruz, Senior, 5-9, 180 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Sebastian Florio, Junior, 5-7, 160 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Alex Bellero, Sophomore, 5-8, 165 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Jack Velonas, Senior, 6-0, 170 – returning starter at safety 
• John Kukuch, Senior, 5-7, 170 – competing at strong safety 
• Drew Turi, Senior, 5-11, 170 – competing at strong safety 
• Chris Miller, Junior, 5-8, 170 – competing at strong safety 

Special Teams: 

• Sophomore Dan LaStella is the projected punter, and the kicker is undecided 
• Junior Dane Catanzarite returns as the long snapper 
• Jake Catanzarite, Miller, and Velonas are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Saturday, 8/29, Gloucester City at Ocean City in the Battle of the Beach 
• 9/3-5, open week 
• Thursday, 9/10, Glen Ridge at home 
• Friday, 9/18, at Hasbrouck Heights 
• Friday, 9/25, Hoboken at home 
• Friday, 10/2, Boonton at home 
• Friday, 10/9, at Mountain Lakes 
• Friday, 10/16, Verona at home 
• Friday, 10/23, at Caldwell 

Concerns:  

• Replacing open positions 
• Sustaining their success 

Recruiting: 

• Kent has Patriot and Ivy League interest 
• Skabich, Jake Catanzarite, and Veloras are D2/D3 candidates 
• Underclassmen: 
• Miller, a junior, and sophomore LaStella are the top candidates 

Coach’s Comments:   

“We’ve been working hard, and doing what we can to be prepared for a tough schedule. We will have a target on our back again, and we have to be ready for it.” – Head Coach Rob Gogerty