Brick Memorial Mustangs 

August 21, 2023 

2022: 

• 6-5 
• Lost to Red Bank and beat Northern Burlington and Toms River East in the South/Central Group 4 consolations 
• Wins included Red Bank, Toms River South, and Central 
• Losses included Brick, Jackson, Ocean, and Freehold Township 
• Scored 335 points for a 30.45 average 
• Allowed 302 points for a 27.45 average 

Graduation: 

• WR/DB Jeremiah Crispin – Stevenson (Md.) 
• OL/DL Ben Wooley – King’s College (Pa.) 
• WR/DB Eli Benjamin – NJ Warriors (Junior College) 
• TE Joe Nolan – Montclair state for baseball 

Offense: 

• Formation: Spread Option 
• Returning Starters: 4 

Quarterback: 

• Connor Dietz, Senior, 6-1, 185 – 3-year starter; passed for 2,083 yards and rushed for 1,858 per nj.com  

Running Back: 

• Kevin Andrews, Junior, 5-8, 160 – returning starter; rushed for 862 yards per nj.com  
• Nazeer Whittaker, Sophomore, 6-0, 180 – will spell Andrews 

Wide Receiver: 

• Jasaan Whittaker, Senior, 5-6, 140 – returning starter; 31 receptions per nj.com  
• Nyzeer Matthews, Sophomore, 6-1, 170 – projected starter 
• Jimi Popp, Junior, 5-10, 155 – projected starter 
• Johnny Poukish, Senior, 5-10, 175 – part of the rotation 
• Nicco Maribo, Senior, 5-8, 170 – part of the rotation; started on defense 
• Ricky Dillon, Sophomore, 5-10, 160 – part of the rotation  

Tight End: 

• Trey Tallmadge, Sophomore, 6-1, 185 – projected starter; started on defense 
• Edwin Vargas, Senior, 5-11, 185 – second tight end; started on defense 

Offensive Line: 

• Joe Cunningham, Junior, 5-10, 280 – projected starter at left tackle 
• Aiden Crawford, Junior, 5-11, 255 – competing at left guard 
• Ben Szuba, Junior, 6-6, 225 – competing at left guard 
• Eric Melillo, Senior, 6-2, 240 – returning starter at center, moving from tackle 
• Darren Aponte, Senior, 6-1, 265 – projected starter at right guard 
• Austin Edwards, Junior, 6-2, 245 – projected starter at right tackle 

Defense:

• Formation: 4-2-5 
• Returning Starters: 7 

Defensive Line: 

• Joe Cunningham, Junior, 5-10, 280 – projected starter at end 
• Ben Szuba, Junior, 6-6, 225 – projected starter at end 
• Eric Melillo, Senior, 6-2, 240 – returning starter at tackle 
• Brandon Greet, Senior, 6-0, 265 – projected starter at tackle 

Linebacker: 

• Trey Tallmadge, Sophomore, 6-1, 185 – returning starter on the inside 
• Edwin Vargas, Senior, 5-11, 185 – returning starter on the inside 
• Connor Dietz, Senior, 6-1, 185 – returning starter on the outside 
• Nicco Maribo, Senior, 5-8, 170 – returning starter on the outside 

Secondary: 

• Jasaan Whittaker, Senior, 5-6, 140 – returning starter at safety 
• Jimi Popp, Junior, 5-10, 155 – returning starter at safety 
• Nyzeer Matthews, Sophomore, 6-1, 170 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Johnny Poukish, Senior, 5-10, 175 – part of rotation at cornerback 
• Ricky Dillon, Sophomore, 5-10, 160 – part of the rotation at cornerback 

Special Teams: 

• Freshman Jack Marotta will be the kicker and sophomore Jason Lajara will punt 
• Jasaan Whittaker, Andrews, and Popp will be the return emn 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 8/25, Allentown at home 
• Friday, 9/1, Middletown North at home 
• Friday, 9/8, Barnegat at home 
• Thursday, 9/14, at Matawan 
• Friday, 9/22, Freehold Township at home 
• Saturday, 9/30, at Manasquan 
• Saturday, 10/7, at Freehold Boro 
• Friday, 10/13, at Lacey 
• Friday, 10/20, Brick at home 

Concerns: 

• Inexperience on the offensive line 
• Improving the defense 

Recruiting: 

• Dietz has received interest and they want to see more film of him passing the ball 
• Others are D3 types 
• It is still early for the underclassmen 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We are very encouraged after the offseason and the summer. We have great kids and great leadership and they are a scrappy bunch who wants to get back to competing for a championship.” – Head Coach Walt Currie