Caldwell Chiefs 

July 16, 2026

2025: 

• 5-5 
• Lost to Westwood in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 2 semifinals and beat Dumont in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Westwood, Cedar Grove, and Nutley 
• Losses were to West Essex, Passaic Valley, Wayne Hills, and Shabazz 
• Scored 230 points for a 23.0 average 
• Allowed 206 points for a 20.6 average 

Graduation: 

• RB/LB Nick Moyano – RPI (NY) 
• DL Teagan McOmish – Rowan 

*College choices are good until they enter the transfer portal 

Offense:  

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 9 

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback:  

• Adam Sepe, Junior, 6-0, 200 – 3-year starter; passed for 1,617 yards and 18 touchdowns, and rushed for 405 yards and 3 touchdowns 
• Joey Cerminara, Sophomore, 6-1, 170 – provides depth 

Running Back:  

• Nicco Capaldo, Senior, 6-0-½, 185 – returning starter who missed time last year with an injury; rushed for 225 yards and 2 touchdowns 
• Lucas Alcazar, Junior, 5-6, 165 – will spell Capaldo 
• Sean Galper, Sophomore, 5-9, 160 – will spell Capaldo 

Wide Receiver: 

• Santino Russo, Senior, 5-6, 155 – returning starter at outside receiver; 28 receptions for 490 yards and 6 touchdowns  
• Nico Sozio, Senior, 5-10, 178 – returning starter at outside receiver; 19 receptions for 337 yards and 2 touchdowns  
• Dante Placenti, Junior, 5-8, 180 – returning starter at slot receiver; 10 receptions for 107 yards and 2 touchdowns 
• Erik Gadhok, Junior, 5-10, 155 – competing at other slot receiver 
• Brandon Keenan, Sophomore, 5-9, 157 – competing at other slot receiver 
• David Chichelo, Junior, 5-10, 170 – part of the rotation on the slot and the outside 

H-Back (situational): 

• Chase Petriw, Sophomore, 5-9, 200 – will see action 
• Matt Murtagh, Senior, 6-0, 205 – will see action 

Offensive Line: 

• Santino Vlacich, Sophomore, 6-4, 283 – returning starter at left tackle 
• Logan Arnott, Senior, 6-0, 242 – returning starter at left guard 
• CJ Cifelli, Junior, 6-2, 255 – returning starter at center who will play there or at right tackle 
• Jack Nyire, Senior, 6-3, 238 – projected starter at center or right tackle 
• Russell Albert, Senior, 5-11, 210 – returning starter at right guard, moving from h-back  
• Jake Imperial, Junior, 6-2, 233 – competing at right tackle 
• Cole Simone, Senior, 6-2, 210 – competing at right guard 

Defense:  

• Formation: 3-3 with three safeties 
• Returning Starters: 6 

Defensive Line:  

• Santino Vlacich, Sophomore, 6-4, 283 – projected starter at end 
• Logan Arnott, Senior, 6-0, 242 – returning starter at end 
• Franklin Calle, Junior, 6-0, 285 – projected starter at nose guard 
• Cole Simone, Senior, 6-2, 210 – part of the rotation at nose guard and end 
• Jack Nyire, Senior, 6-3, 238 – part of the end rotation 
• Cole Rosant, Junior, 5-11, 280 – part of the nose guard rotation 

Linebacker:  

• Chase Petriw, Sophomore, 5-9, 200 – projected starter in the middle 
• Matt Murtagh, Senior, 6-0, 205 – projected starter on the strong side; saw action 
• Russell Albert, Senior, 5-11, 210 – returning starter on the weak side 
• Jake Imperial, Junior, 6-2, 233 – competing in the middle 
• Sean Galper, Sophomore, 5-9, 160 – part of the outside rotation  

Secondary: 

• Nicco Capaldo, Senior, 6-0-½, 185 – returning starter at weak safety 
• Dante Placenti, Junior, 5-8, 180 – returning starter at free safety 
• Santino Russo, Senior, 5-6, 155 – 3-year starter at middle safety 
• Nico Sozio, Senior, 5-10, 178 – 3-year starter at cornerback 
• Erik Gadhok, Junior, 5-10, 155 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Brandon Keenan, Sophomore, 5-9, 157 – competing at cornerback 
• Christian Farinola, Sophomore, 5-8, 150 – competing at cornerback 
• David Chichelo, Junior, 5-10, 170 – part of the rotation at safety 
• Lucas Alcazar, Junior, 5-6, 165 – part of the rotation at safety 
• Joey Cerminara, Sophomore, 6-1, 170 – part of the rotation at safety 

Special Teams: 

• Senior Matt Murtagh is a 3-year starter as the kicker, while he will be the right-footed punter, and junior Dante Placenti will be the left-footed punter 
• Russo, Placenti, Gadhok, and Capaldo are among those competing in the return game 

Schedule: 

• 8/27-29, Bye Week 
• Friday, 9/4, at Verona 
• Thursday, 9/10, Pequannock at home 
• Friday, 9/18, Hanover Park at home 
• Friday, 9/25, at Mountain Lakes 
• Friday, 10/2, at West Essex 
• Friday, 10/9, Glen Ridge at home 
• Saturday, 10/17, at Madison 
• Friday, 10/23, Cedar Grove at home 

Concerns:  

• Staying healthy 

Recruiting: 

• Capaldo, Arnott, Albert, and Sozio are D3 prospects 
• Underclassmen: 
• Sepe will play somewhere 
• Placenti will be looked at, and he also may play baseball 
• Vlacich is a sophomore with potential 

Coach’s Comments:   

“We like the makeup of this team, and the closeness of it. It’s about taking things one day at a time, and being at our best when we play Verona on opening night.” – Head Coach Todd Romano