Delaware Valley Terriers 

July 12, 2026

2025: 

• 6-4 
• Beat Scotch Plains-Fanwood in the consolation round 
• Wins included South Plainfield, Metuchen, and Roselle 
• Losses were to Bernards, Voorhees, Johnson, and New Providence 
• Scored 237 points for a 23.7 average 
• Allowed 176 points for a 17.6 average 

Graduation: 

• QB Kelton Ibach – Hood College (Md.) for lacrosse 

*College choices are good until they enter the transfer portal 

Offense:  

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 8 

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback:  

• Chase Kraucheunas, Junior, 6-4, 195 – projected starter; started at wide receiver, where he had 23 receptions for 306 yards and 2 touchdowns 

Running Back:  

• Ben Culberson, Senior, 6-0, 195 – returning starter; rushed for 331 yards and 8 touchdowns 
• Gabe Miller, Junior, 5-10, 160 – will miss the season after Tommy John surgery; saw action  
• Brooks Brunner, Junior, 6-0, 170 – provides depth 
• Cole Fritsche, Senior, 6-0, 170 – provides depth 

Wide Receiver: 

• Brayden Costello, Senior, 5-10, 170 – returning starter on the outside; 22 receptions for 236 yards and 4 touchdowns 
• Tyler Small, Junior, 6-1, 170 – projected starter on the outside; started three games; 9 receptions for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns 
• Robert Aluka, Junior, 5-10, 140 – part of the outside rotation 
• Brayden Picardo-Leask, Senior, 6-2, 210 – returning starter at slot receiver, moving from tight end; 19 receptions for 439 yards and 5 touchdowns 
• Lhiam Murphy, Senior, 6-0, 195 – key substitute at all positions 

Tight End: 

• Chase Hiel, Junior, 6-0, 195 – projected starter; started on defense 

Offensive Line: 

• Corey Hiel, Junior, 6-1, 250 – returning starter at left tackle 
• Evan Strochak, Senior, 5-10, 175 – returning starter at left guard 
• Chris Cialone, Senior, 6-0, 205 – returning starter at center 
• Marcus Gary, Senior, 6-0, 170 – returning starter at right guard 
• Aiden Reut, Junior, 6-0, 230 – projected starter at right tackle 
• Michael Luizza, Junior, 6-0, 205 – will substitute at all positions 
• Matt D’Alessio, Junior, 6-0, 180 – will substitute at all positions 

Defense:  

• Formation: Multiple 3-5-3 
• Returning Starters: 8 

Defensive Line:  

• Corey Hiel, Junior, 6-1, 250 – returning starter at end 
• Chase Hiel, Junior, 6-0, 195 – projected starter at end, who started late in the season 
• Aiden Reut, Junior, 6-0, 230 – projected starter at nose guard 
• Michael Luizza, Junior, 6-0, 205 – part of the rotation 
• Matt D’Alessio, Junior, 6-0, 180 – part of the rotation 

Linebacker:  

• Ben Culberson, Senior, 6-0, 195 – returning starter in the middle  
• Marcus Gary, Senior, 6-0, 170 – returning starter on the inside 
• Evan Strochak, Senior, 5-10, 175 – returning starter on the inside 
• Brayden Picardo-Leask, Senior, 6-2, 210 – returning starter on the outside 
• Chase Kraucheunas, Junior, 6-4, 195 – returning starter on the outside, moving from safety 
• Cole Fritsche, Senior, 6-0, 170 – part of the rotation 
• Chris Cialone, Senior, 6-0, 205 – part of the rotation 
• Brooks Brunner, Junior, 6-0, 170 – part of the rotation 

Secondary: 

• Brayden Costello, Senior, 5-10, 170 – 3-year starter at cornerback 
• Tyler Small, Junior, 6-1, 170 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Robert Aluka, Junior, 5-10, 140 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Lhiam Murphy, Senior, 6-0, 195 – projected starter at safety; saw action at cornerback    

Special Teams: 

• Senior Brayden Costello is a 4-year starter at kicker and a 2-year starter at punter 
• Senior Cole Fritsche is the long snapper 
• Costello, Murphy, Aluka, and Small are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Thursday, 8/27, North Hunterdon at home 
• Friday, 9/4, Johnson at home 
• Saturday, 9/12, at Hillside 
• Friday, 9/18, Warren Hills at home 
• Friday, 9, 25, Bernards at home 
• Friday, 10/2 at Voorhees 
• Friday, 10/9, at New Brunswick 
• Friday, 10/16, North Plainfield at home 
• Saturday, 10/24, at Belvidere   

Concerns:  

• Leadership 
• How well do they play? Expectations are high 

Recruiting: 

• Costello and Picardo-Leask are 1AA to D3 
• Others could go D3 
• Underclassmen: 
• Kraucheunas has a Syracuse offer 

Coach’s Comments:   

“We are excited to get started. We have had a good turnout, and the kids are buying in. We have a tough, weekly schedule. Expectations are high, especially on defense, and the seniors need to lead the way.” – Head Coach Ben Ibach