Old Tappan Golden Knights 

August 20, 2026

2025: 

• 12-1 
• Lost to Cedar Creek in the New Jersey Group 3 state championship 
• Won the North Jersey Group 3 regional championship by beating West Morris 
• Won the North Jersey Section 1 Group 3 championship by beating Wayne Hills in the finals, West Milford in the semifinals, and River Dell in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included Ramapo, Northern Highlands, West Essex, Wayne Hills, River Dell, and Pascack Valley 
• Scored 435 points for a 33.46 average 
• Allowed 152 points for an 11.69 average 

Graduation: 

• OL/DL Walker Lynch – playing lacrosse 

*College choices are good until they enter the transfer portal 

Offense:  

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 5 

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback:  

• Zach Miceli, Senior, 6-1, 195 – 3-year starter; passed for 2,538 yards and 31 touchdowns to 5 interceptions, and rushed for 506 yards and 6 touchdowns 
• Vinnie Rossi, Junior, 5-11, 190 – provides depth 

Running Back:  

• Nick Blanchard, Senior, 5-11, 200 – part of a 3-man rotation; started on defense 
• Julius Lai, Senior, 5-8, 170 – part of a 3-man rotation 
• Zach Kim, Junior, 5-9, 170 – part of a 3-man rotation 

Wide Receiver: 

• Leo Etter, Senior, 5-10, 165 – 3-year starter; 42 receptions for 855 yards and 11 touchdowns 
• Christakis Nicolau, Senior, 5-10, 180 – 3-year starter; 16 receptions for 420 yards and 6 touchdowns 
• Crosby Levine, Senior, 5-9, 165 – projected starter 
• Chace Totten, Senior, 5-10, 155 – part of the rotation 

Tight End/H-Back: 

• Shane Small, Senior, 6-4, 215 – 3-year starter; 39 receptions for 660 yards and 8 touchdowns 
• John Bilali, Senior, 6-2, 215 – will see action as an H-back; started on defense 

Offensive Line: 

• Caden Pemberton, Senior, 6-2, 220 – 3-year starter at left tackle 
• Omar Hassan, Senior, 5-10, 245 – projected starter at left guard 
• Will Falkenstern, Junior, 6-0, 260 – projected starter at center 
• AJ Burke, Senior, 6-2, 200 – projected starter at right guard 
• Josh Silverman, Senior, 6-0, 225 – projected starter at right tackle 
• Ryan Preolo, Junior, 6-0, 215 – key reserve 

Defense:  

• Formation: 3-3 Stack 
• Returning Starters: 5 

Defensive Line:  

• Shane Small, Senior, 6-4, 215 – 3-year starter at end 
• Caden Pemberton, Senior, 6-2, 220 – part of the end rotation 
• AJ Burke, Senior, 6-2, 200 – part of the end rotation 
• Jackson Weaver, Senior, 6-2, 170 – part of the end rotation 
• Josh Silverman, Senior, 6-0, 225 – part of the nose guard rotation 
• Omar Hassan, Senior, 5-10, 245 – part of the nose guard rotation 

Linebacker:  

• John Bilali, Senior, 6-2, 215 – returning starter at the inside stack 
• Nick Blanchard, Senior, 5-11, 200 – 3-year starter at the inside stack 
• Rocco Bartolomeo, Senior, 5-10, 185 – projected starter at the inside stack; saw action 
• Zach Kim, Junior, 5-9, 170 – projected starter on the outside 
• Vinnie Rossi, Junior, 5-11, 190 – projected starter on the outside 
• Dugan Smith, Senior, 6-1, 190 – part of the outside rotation 
• Julius Lai, Senior, 5-8, 170 – part of the inside rotation 
• Ryan Preolo, Junior, 6-0, 215 – part of the inside rotation 

Secondary: 

• Christakis Nicolau, Senior, 5-10, 180 – 3-year starter at cornerback 
• Leo Etter, Senior, 5-10, 165 – returning starter at cornerback 
• Jake Totten, Junior, 5-10, 175 – projected starter at safety 
• Mario Viganola, Senior, 5-11, 165 – part of the safety rotation 

Special Teams: 

• Junior Vinnie Rossi returns as the punter, and junior Nico Mastrojohn will be the kicker 
• Etter and Nicolau are the return men  
• Junior Ryan Preola and senior Rocco Bartolomeo will handle long snapping duties 

Schedule: 

• 8/27-29, Bye Week 
• Friday, 9/4, Ramapo at home 
• Thursday, 9/10, at Wayne Valley 
• Friday, 9/18, River Dell at home 
• Friday, 9/25, Wayne Hills at home 
• Friday, 10/2, at Pascack Valley 
• Thursday, 10/8, Hackensack at home 
• Friday, 10/16, at Northern Highlands 
• Friday, 9/23, at Montville 

Concerns:  

• Depth 
• Difficult schedule 
• Younger guys stepping up 

Recruiting: 

• Miceli has a Wagner offer 
• Small has offers from Muhlenberg and Amherst 
• Etter and Nicolau have D3 offers 
• Bilali has a Bentley offer, among others 
• Blanchard will play lacrosse 
• The underclassmen need film 

Coach’s Comments:   

“They are high school kids who show up and play hard. They have to focus on the moment. The talent is there, and we need to stay healthy.” – Head Coach Brian Dunn