Newton Braves 

August 19, 2026

2025: 

• 5-4 
• Lost to Westwood in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 2 quarterfinals 
• Wins included Kittatinny, Lenape Valley, and Hackettstown 
• Losses were to Sparta, High Point, and Mountain Lakes 
• Scored 292 points for a 29.2 average 
• Allowed 202 points for a 22.44 average 

Graduation: 

• TE Michael Cooke – College of New Jersey (TCNJ) 
• QB Kaden Armstrong – Trine (Ind.) 
• RB Jaden Roberts – Sussex County Community College 
• WR Sakier Paul – Sussex County Community College 

*College choices are good until they enter the transfer portal 

Offense:  

• Formation: Wing T 
• Returning Starters: 5  

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback:  

• Cole Young, Junior, 6-1, 200 – projected starter 

Running Back:  

• Evan Cotter, Junior, 5-9, 165 – 3-year starter at fullback; rushed for 616 yards and 4 touchdowns 
• Braxton Guerra, Senior, 6-0, 180 – projected starter at halfback 
• Reid Corino, Junior, 5-9, 160 – projected co-starter at halfback; started on defense  
• Brayden Alpaugh, Junior, 6-1, 215 – projected co-starter at halfback 

Wide Receiver: 

• Hunter Wolfe, Senior, 5-9, 155 – 3-year starter at split end; 14 receptions for 241 yards and 3 touchdowns 
• Juzziah Sheppard, Junior, 6-4, 210 – projected co-starter; started on defense 

Tight End: 

• Ethan Collier, Junior, 6-0, 185 – returning starter 

Offensive Line: 

• Ethan Cooke, Senior, 6-1, 200 – projected starter at right tackle 
• Joe Melillo, Senior, 5-8, 205 – returning starter at right guard 
• Jamason Trout, Junior, 5-9, 175 – projected starter at center 
• Tim McNamara, Senior, 5-10, 180 – returning starter at left guard who is competing; moving from center 
• Caulder Tellbersher, Junior, 5-10, 185 – competing at left guard 
• Damien Thoresen, Senior, 5-9, 175 – projected starter at left tackle 

Defense:  

• Formation: 5-2 
• Returning Starters: 5 

Defensive Line:  

• Juzziah Sheppard, Junior, 6-4, 210 – returning starter at end, moving from the secondary 
• Ethan Collier, Junior, 6-0, 185 – projected starter at end 
• Cassius Moreau, Senior, 5-10, 175 – provides depth at end 
• Tim McNamara, Senior, 5-10, 180 – projected starter at tackle 
• Brayden Alpaugh, Junior, 6-1, 215 – projected starter at tackle 
• Joe Melillo, Senior, 5-8, 205 – returning starter at nose guard 
• Nasen Cruz, Senior, 5-10, 240 – part of rotation at tackle and nose guard 

Linebacker:  

• Evan Cotter, Junior, 5-9, 165 – 3-year starter 
• Caulder Tellbersher, Junior, 5-10, 185 – competing 
• Evan Byrne, senior, 5-10, 180 – competing 

Secondary: 

• Hunter Wolfe, Senior, 5-9, 155 – 3-year starter at safety 
• Chase Wolf, Sophomore, 5-9, 150 – competing at the other safety 
• Jhalil Luther, Junior, 5-7, 135 – competing at the other safety 
• Reid Corino, Junior, 5-9, 160 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Noah Decker, Junior, 5-9, 150 – projected starter at cornerback 

Special Teams: 

• Juniors Reid Corino and Tanner Bush are competing at kicker, while senior Hunter Wolfe will be the punter 
• Hunter Wolfe, Cotter, and Corino will be the return men 
• Junior Jamason Trout returns as the long snapper 

Schedule: 

• Thursday, 8/27, at Asbury Park 
• Thursday, 9/3, Hackettstown at home 
• Friday, 9/11, Vernon at home 
• Friday, 9/18, at Jefferson 
• Friday, 9/25, Warren Hills at home 
• Friday, 10/2, at High Point 
• Saturday, 10/10, at Kittatinny 
• Friday, 10/16, Lenape Valley at home 
• Friday, 10/23, at Morris Catholic 

Concerns:  

• Depth 
• Health 
• Competitive Schedule 

Recruiting: 

• Wolfe may go the baseball route 
• Underclassmen: 
• Sheppard has interest from Rutgers and Michigan State 
• Cotter will play somewhere 
• Corino may play D1 lacrosse 

Coach’s Comments:   

“We did not win the division, and we will be the hunter for a change. We have a new schedule that is challenging, and now that we are Group 1, that will prepare us well.” – Head Coach Matt Parzero