Union City Soaring Eagles 

July 14, 2026

2025: 

• 6-4 
• Lost to Bridgewater-Raritan in the North Jersey Section 2 semifinals and beat Irvington in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Bayonne, Irvington, and Montclair 
• Losses were to St. Peter’s Prep, Northern Highlands, and Pascack Valley 
• Scored 272 points for a 27.2 average 
• Allowed 174 points for a 17.4 average 

Graduation: 

• WR/DE Khalil Sutton – Monmouth 
• OL Adrian Woodall – Franklin Pierce (NH) 
• OL Marcelo Salas – Franklin Pierce (NH) 
• DB Nathan Fitch – Coffeyville Community College (Kansas)  
• RB Mario Medina – Sussex County Community College 

*College choices are good until they enter the transfer portal 

Offense:  

• Formation: Traditional Wing-T and Spread Wing-T 
• Returning Starters: 5 

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback:  

• Elemanuel Gerena, Junior, 5-9, 165 – projected starter 

Running Back:  

• Naythan Pena, Senior, 5-10, 175 – returning starter at fullback; rushed for 922 yards and 16 touchdowns 
• Liam Beckles, Junior, 5-10, 180 – will spell Pena 
• David “Pacheco” Fernantes, Senior, 5-9, 185 – returning starter at halfback; rushed for 229 yards and 3 touchdowns 
• Rich Bates, Junior, 5-9, 160 – provides depth for Fernantes 
• Jayden Bambino, Junior, 5-7, 160 – competing at the other halfback; saw action 
• Michael Cox, Junior, 5-9, 160 – competing at the other halfback 
• Brandon Diaz, Sophomore, 5-9, 160 – competing at the other halfback 
• Darian Smith, Sophomore, 5-6, 140 – competing at the other halfback 

Tight End: 

• Jordan Peterson, Senior, 6-2, 210 – projected starter who can play in the backfield; started on defense
• Henry Hansen, Senior, 6-3, 180 – will see action 
• Caleb Pelerin, Junior, 6-0, 200 – will see action 

Split End: 

• William “Duke” Irwin, Senior, 6-2, 170 – part of a platoon 
• Jadiel Azuri, Senior, 5-10, 180 – part of a platoon 
• Aiden Robles, Junior, 6-3, 180 – part of a platoon 

Offensive Line: 

• Treyvon Hunt, Senior, 6-4, 300 – returning starter, moving from guard 
• Elijah Ramirez, Junior, 6-2, 250 – projected starter at left guard 
• Jonah Ramos, Junior, 6-2, 285 – returning starter at center 
• Naeem Elhazmiri, Senior, 5-10, 250 – projected starter at right guard 
• Rex Abreu, Junior, 6-0, 240 – competing at right guard 
• Ethan Ovalles, Junior, 6-4, 295 – returning starter at right tackle 
• Karin Gonzalez, Senior, 6-2, 260 – sixth man along the line 
• Cherinoh Berete, Junior, 6-2, 280 – provides depth 
• Cris Palacios, Junior, 6-3, 285 – provides depth 

Defense:  

• Formation: Multiple Even Fronts 
• Returning Starters: 5 

Defensive Line:  

• Elijah Ramirez, Junior, 6-2, 250 – projected starter at end; started some games 
• Ethan Ovalles, Junior, 6-4, 295 – returning starter at tackle 
• Treyvon Hunt, Senior, 6-4, 300 – will share the nose guard position 
• Jonah Ramos, Junior, 6-2, 285 – will share the nose guard position 
• Aiden Robles, Junior, 6-3, 180 – competing at the opposite end 
• Rex Abreu, Junior, 6-0, 240 – competing at the opposite end 
• Caleb Pelerin, Junior, 6-0, 200 – competing at the opposite end 
• Kevin Delcid, Junior, 6-2, 220 – competing at the opposite end 
• Henry Hansen, Senior, 6-3, 180 – competing at the opposite end 

Linebacker:  

• Jordan Peterson, Senior, 6-2, 210 – 3-year starter in the middle 
• David “Pacheco” Fernantes, Senior, 5-9, 185 – returning starter on the weak side 
• Jaydiz Vargas, Senior, 5-11, 175 – projected starter on the strong side; started both playoff games 
• Naythan Pena, Senior, 5-10, 175 – part of the rotation 
• Mason Corbato, Sophomore, 5-10, 190 – part of the rotation 
• Angel Bosch, Junior, 5-9, 180 – part of the rotation 

Secondary: 

• Jadiel Azuri, Senior, 5-10, 180 – returning starter at cornerback 
• William “Duke” Irwin, Senior, 6-2, 170 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Jayden Bambino, Junior, 5-7, 160 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Rich Bates, Junior, 5-9, 160 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Elemanuel Gerena, Junior, 5-9, 165 – competing at free safety 
• Michael Cox, Junior, 5-9, 160 – competing at free safety 
• Liam Beckles, Junior, 5-10, 180 – competing at strong safety 
• Naythan Pena, Senior, 5-10, 175 – competing at strong safety, as well as playing linebacker 

Special Teams: 

• The kicking game is wide open 
• Junior Jonah Ramos is the long snapper 
• Smith, Bambino, Bates, and Irwin are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 8/28, Teaneck at home 
• Friday, 9/4, Irvington at home 
• Friday, 9/11, East Orange at home 
• Friday, 9/18, at Ramapo 
• Friday, 9/25, at Paterson Eastside 
• Friday, 10/2, Newark Central at home 
• Friday, 10/9, Passaic Tech at home 
• Friday, 10/16, at Columbia 
• Friday, 10/23, at Bayonne 

Concerns:  

• Tough schedule, but it will help in the playoffs 
• Staying healthy 

Recruiting: 

• Peterson has offers from Monmouth, Wagner, North Carolina A&T, and Central Connecticut 
• Hunt has offers from Monmouth and Wagner 
• Pena has interest 
• Irwin is intriguing because he is a tall defensive back 
• Others may play D3 
• Underclassmen: 
• Ovalles has offers from Syracuse, Pitt, Duke, Temple, and James Madison 
• Ramos is an Ivy League candidate, along with other 1AA schools  
• Ramirez will have looks as a defensive lineman 
• Others can develop into prospects 

Coach’s Comments:   

“We are happy with their work ethic and their eagerness to learn. They work hard and are fun to work with. They are giving it all they have.” – Head Coach Wil Valdez