Pascack Valley (Indians) 

July 27, 2026 

2025: 

• 4-5 
• Lost to Passaic Valley in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 3 quarterfinals 
• Wins included Union City, Teaneck, and Paramus 
• Losses were to Northern Highlands, Old Tappan, River Dell, and Westwood 
• Scored 200 points for a 22.22 average 
• Allowed 208 points for a 23.11 average 

Graduation: 

• QB/LB Adam Shaw – Michigan State 
• RB/DB Kai Smith – College of New Jersey (TCNJ) 
• WR/DB Dante DaCosta – Williams (Mass.) 
• WR/DB Marc Dellaquilla – St. John Fisher (NY) 
• WR/DB Marley Smith Cortland (NY) for lacrosse 

*College choices are good until they enter the transfer portal 

Offense:  

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 2

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback:  

• Michael Marotta, Senior, 6-2, 185 – competing 
• Sean Jennings, Senior, 6-0, 185 – competing 

Running Back:  

• Brady Zurbach, Senior, 5-8, 165 – frontrunner 
• Christian Wilkins, Senior, 5-8, 195 – will be playing here and as an H-back 
• Others may make a push in camp 

Wide Receiver: 

• Tyler Kardell, Senior, 6-2, 190 – projected starter; started some games 
• Hudson Grier, Senior, 6-0, 185 – projected starter 
• Connor Rettew, Junior, 5-7, 150 – competing 
• Jason Driscoll, Sophomore, 5-8, 150 – competing 

Offensive Line: 

• Cole Klouda, Senior, 6-0, 230 – 3-year starter at left tackle 
• Shane Zansitis, Sophomore, 5-10, 195 – projected starter at left guard 
• Justin Hanna, Senior, 5-11, 200 – projected starter at center 
• Tim Choi, Junior, 5-10, 225 – projected starter at right guard 
• Logan Kidd, Senior, 6-3, 185 – returning starter at right tackle – started late in the season 

Defense:  

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

Defensive Line:  

• Cole Klouda, Senior, 6-0, 230 – returning starter at end 
• Logan Kidd, Senior, 6-3, 185 – returning starter at the opposite end 
• Tim Choi, Junior, 5-10, 225 – competing at tackle 
• Sam Kornblatt, Junior, 6-0, 235 – competing at tackle 

Linebacker:  

• Ben Gruber-Kohana, Senior, 6-1, 200 – frontrunner 
• Christian Wilkins, Senior, 5-8, 195 – frontrunner 

Secondary: 

• Michael Marotta, Senior, 6-2, 185 – projected starter at safety 
• Hudson Grier, Senior, 6-0, 185 – projected starter at safety 
• Tyler Kardell, Senior, 6-2, 190 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Brady McMorrow, Junior, 5-8, 150 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Connor Rettew, Junior, 5-7, 150 – frontrunner at rover/safety 

Special Teams: 

• Senior Luke Melconian returns as the kicker and punter 
• The return game is undecided 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 8/28, Nutley at home 
• Friday, 9/4, Montville at home 
• Friday, 9/11, at River Dell 
• Friday, 9/18, at Paramus 
• Friday, 9/25, West Milford at home 
• Friday, 10/2, Old Tappan at home 
• Friday, 10/9, Fair Lawn at home 
• Friday, 10/16, at Teaneck 
• Friday, 10/23, at Northern Highlands 

Concerns:  

• Lost many seniors and there is a lack of experience 

Recruiting: 

• Melconian is drawing heavy interest as a kicker 
• Marotta and Kidd are other prospects 
• It is too early for the underclassmen 

Coach’s Comments:   

“We have older kids back, but they have a lack of playing experience. I like the group, but we will have to put the pads on to see what we have. There are good athletes, and we have a tough schedule.” – Head Coach Rob Bernier