Wayne Hills Patriots

July 21, 2026

2025: 

• 9-3 
• Lost to Old Tappan in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 3 sectional finals, beat Passaic Valley in the semifinals, and Sparta in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included West Essex, Caldwell, and Passaic Valley 
• Losses were to Old Tappan and Wayne Valley 
• Scored 418 points for a 34.83 average
• Allowed 224 points for an 18.67 average 

Graduation: 

• WR/DB Braden Viray – Johns Hopkins 
• OL/DL Anthony Cuccinello – College of New Jersey (TCNJ) 
• OL/DL Evan Taibl – College of New Jersey (TCNJ) 
• QB Mike Fitzsimmons – FDU (Florham) 

*College choices are good until they enter the transfer portal 

Offense:  

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 6 

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback:  

• James Wolf, Senior, 5-11, 185 – returning co-starter; threw for 1,108 yards and 13 touchdowns-to-4 interceptions, and rushed for 207 yards and 1 touchdown 
• Evan Martello, Sophomore, 6-0, 175 – provides depth 

Running Back:  

• Evan Rapoport, Senior, 5-11, 205 – returning co-starter; rushed for 371 yards and 7 touchdowns 
• Ethan Zacharski, Junior, 5-9, 175 – returning co-starter; rushed for 864 yards and 12 touchdowns, and had 27 receptions for 310 yards and 5 touchdowns 

Fullback: 

• Chris Battaglia, Senior, 5-11, 190 – projected starter; saw action 
• Colin Murray, Senior, 6-1, 200 – will see action; started on defense 

Wide Receiver: 

• David Van Hook, Senior, 5-11, 170 – 3-year starter; 60 receptions for 848 yards and 11 touchdowns, and rushed for 131 yards and 2 touchdowns 
• Chernoh St. Paul, Senior, 6-3, 185 – returning starter; 25 receptions for 328 yards and 6 touchdowns 
• Chase Canning, Senior, 5-11, 175 – projected starter 
• Carter Jones, Senior, 5-9, 165 – projected starter 

Tight End: 

• Troy Demikoff, Senior, 6-1, 210 – projected starter; started on defense 
• Cash Guzman, Junior, 5-11, 180 – competing 

Offensive Line: 

• Kenny Williams, Junior, 6-2, 240 – projected starter at left tackle; saw action 
• John Krause, Senior, 6-1, 200 – returning starter at left guard 
• Vinnie Romano, Senior, 5-10, 225 – returning starter at center 
• Diego Ceras, Senior, 6-0, 250 – projected starter at right guard 
• Anthony Pupo, Junior, 6-3, 295 – projected starter at right tackle 
• Tom Bartlett, Senior, 6-2, 200 – provides depth at tackle 
• Daniel Baba, Sophomore, 6-0, 200 – provides depth at tackle 
• Theron Allen, Sophomore, 5-11, 250 – provides depth at guard 

Defense:  

• Formation: 4-2-5 
• Returning Starters: 5 

Defensive Line:  

• Shaun George, Senior, 6-1, 200 – 3-year starter at end 
• John Krause, Senior, 6-1, 200 – part of the rotation at the opposite end 
• Tom Bartlett, Senior, 6-2, 200 – part of the rotation at the opposite end 
• Kenny Williams, Junior, 6-2, 240 – projected starter at tackle 
• Anthony Pupo, Junior, 6-3, 295 – projected starter at tackle 
• Nick Hernandez, Sophomore, 5-11, 230 – part of the tackle rotation 
• Joe Baroan, Senior, 5-10, 200 – part of the tackle rotation 
• Vinnie Romano, Senior, 5-10, 225 – part of the tackle rotation 

Linebacker:  

• Troy Demikoff, Senior, 6-1, 210 – returning starter on the inside 
• Colin Murray, Senior, 6-1, 200 – returning starter on the inside 
• Evan Rapoport, Senior, 5-11, 205 – returning starter on the outside 
• Chris Battaglia, Senior, 5-11, 190 – projected starter on the outside; saw action 
• Jack Romalin, Junior, 6-0, 180 – pushing on the outside 
• Ethan Zacharski, Junior, 5-9, 175 – pushing on the outside 
• Brayden Patanella, Senior, 5-10, 160 – pushing on the inside 

Secondary: 

• Chase Canning, Senior, 5-11, 175 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Chernoh St. Paul, Senior, 6-3, 185 – projected starter at cornerback; saw time at safety 
• David Van Hook, Senior, 5-11, 170 – 3-year starter at safety 
• Jake Reiss, Sophomore, 5-10, 160 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Adam Zarzor, Junior, 5-11, 160 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• CJ Puglisi, Junior, 5-10, 175 – part of the safety rotation 
• Carter Jones, Senior, 5-9, 165 – part of the safety rotation 
• Aiden McKenna, Sophomore, 5-10, 175 – part of the safety rotation 
• Marcus James, Junior, 5-10, 160 – competing at safety 
• Ethan Zacharski, Junior, 5-9, 175 – competing at safety 

Special Teams: 

• Senior Matt May returns as the kicker, and he and senior David Van Hook shared punting duties last year 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 8/28, at Midland Christian (Tx.) 
• Friday, 9/4, Northern Highlands at home 
• Thursday, 9/10, West Milford at home 
• Friday, 9/18, at Nutley 
• Friday, 9/25, at Old Tappan 
• Friday, 10/2, Lakeland at home 
• Friday, 10/9, Wayne Valley at home 
• Friday, 10/16, at Ramapo 
• Thursday, 10/22, at Fair Lawn  

Concerns:  

• Tough schedule 
• Staying Healthy 

Recruiting: 

• Rapoport has offers from Bates, Hamilton, and RPI 
• Van Hook has an offer from Wesleyan 
• Wold, St. Paul, Demikoff, and Murray have D3 interest 
• Underclassmen: 
• Zacharski and Williams have interest 

Coach’s Comments:   

“We play a challenging schedule, and we have a veteran group that has started for a few years. They understand the game, and we look forward to a good season.” – Head Coach Wayne Demikoff