Cranford Cougars 

August 23, 3036

2025: 

• 4-6 
• Lost to Roxbury in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 3 quarterfinals 
• Wins included Rahway, Carteret, South Plainfield, and Scotch Plains-Fanwood 
• Losses were to Somerville, Bernards, Summit, Colonia, and Hillside 
• Scored 233 points for a 23.3 average 
• Allowed 238 points for a 23.8 average 

Graduation: 

• OL/DL Austin Hooey – Columbia 
• LB Joey Acinapura – College of New Jersey (TCNJ) 
• OL/DL Andre Pereira – Albright (Pa.) 
• WR/DB Quinn Smith – Wesleyan (Ct.) 

*College choices are good until they enter the transfer portal 

Offense:  

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 5 

Statistics courtesy of nj.com 

Quarterback:  

• Aiden Capuzzi, Senior, 6-1, 175 – returning starter; passed for 1,473 yards and 12 touchdowns 
• Luke Sawicki, Sophomore, 6-2, 170 – provides depth 

Running Back:  

• Gabe Worrell, Senior, 6-1, 195 – returning co-starter; rushed for 445 yards and 7 touchdowns 
• Logan Murray, Junior, 5-9, 170 – returning co-starter; rushed for 470 yards and 9 touchdowns 
• Joe Riccio, Sophomore, 5-8, 170 – will see action 

Wide Receiver: 

• John Fiore, Senior, 6-0, 175 – returning starter; 25 receptions for 239 yards and 2 touchdowns 
• Jake Friedman, Junior, size unavailable – projected starter at slot receiver 
• Nick Kiriakatis, Junior, 6-3, 170 – projected starter 
• Andrew Bentrewicz, Junior, 6-2, 175 – projected starter 

Tight End/H-Back: 

• Luke Owens, Senior, 6-3, 190 – returning starter; 17 receptions for 343 yards and 4 touchdowns 

Offensive Line: 

• Mason Wolfe, Senior, 6-3, 260 – projected starter at tackle; started some games 
• Adam Connell, Senior, 6-1, 205 – competing at tackle 
• Jesaiha Piverger, Junior, 6-3, 245 – competing at tackle 
• Pat Bendert, Senior, 6-3, 215 – will start at tackle when needed; started on defense 
• Logan Hoefling, Junior, 5-10, 250 – projected starter at guard 
• Ryan Noriega, Junior, 5-10, 245 – projected starter at guard 
• Cole Stumbers, Senior, 5-11, 200 – competing at center 
• Connor Dann, Sophomore, 5-10, 205 – competing at center 

Defense:  

• Formation: 3-3 Stack 
• Returning Starters: 4 

Defensive Line:  

• Pat Bendert, Senior, 6-3, 215 – returning starter at end 
• Arthur Hearns, Junior, 5-10, 190 – projected starter at end 
• Brandon Schoening, Sophomore, 6-3, 245 – projected starter at nose guard 
• Adam Connell, Senior, 6-1, 205 – part of the end rotation 
• Myles Moretti, sophomore, 6-0, 190 – part of the end rotation 
• Dean Kiriakatis, Junior, 6-3, 175 – part of the end rotation 

Linebacker:  

• Gabe Worrell, Senior, 6-1, 195 – returning starter 
• Luke Owens, Senior, 6-3, 190 – returning starter 
• Joe Riccio, Sophomore, 5-8, 170 – projected starter 
• Michael Valenza, Junior, 5-10, 175 – part of the rotation 
• Lenny LaTorre, Junior, 5-10, 190 – part of the rotation 

Secondary: 

• Jared Acinpura, Senior, 6-1, 170 – returning starter at safety 
• Cooper Sawicki, Senior, 5-10, 165 – competing at the two strong safeties 
• Gavin Sawicki, Senior, 5-10, 170 – competing at the two strong safeties 
• Luke Carvahlo, Junior, 5-10, 170 – competing at the two strong safeties 
• Logan Murray, Junior, 5-9, 170 – competing at the two strong safeties 
• Akir McGhee, Senior, 6-2, 175 – competing at cornerback 
• Michael Daly, Senior, 6-0, 175 – competing at cornerback 
• Andrew Bentrewicz, Junior, 6-2, 175 – competing at cornerback 
• John Fiore, Senior, 6-0, 175 – competing at cornerback 

Special Teams: 

• Junior Andrew Bentrewicz will be the kicker, and sophomore Joe Riccio will be the punter 
• Luke Sawicki and Freidman will be the return men 
• Sophomore Connor Dann will be the long snapper 

Schedule: 

• 8/27-29, Bye Week 
• Friday, 9/4, at Bernards 
• Thursday, 9/10, Scotch Plains-Fanwood at home 
• Friday, 9/18, Summit at home 
• Friday, 9/25, at Rahway 
• Friday, 10/2, Montgomery at home 
• Friday, 10/9, at South Plainfield 
• Friday, 10/16, at Carteret 
• Friday, 10/23, Hillside at home  

Concerns:  

• Stay healthy

Recruiting: 

• Acinpura and Owens gave verbal commitments to NJIT for lacrosse 
• Worrell has interest ranging from 1AA to D3 
• Fiore and Capizzi will attend high-academic schools 
• Wolfe is a D3 prospect, most likely in the NJAC 
• Bendert will play baseball 
• The underclassmen need more film 

Coach’s Comments:   

“We have very good sophomore and junior classes that play multiple sports the traditional Cranford way. The seniors are a work in progress. We’re cautiously optimistic.” – Head Coach Erik Rosenmeier