Donovan Catholic Griffins

August 22, 2023 

2022: 

• 6-4 
• Lost to Bergen Catholic in the Non-Public A quarterfinals and beat Hudson Catholic in the opening round 
• Wins included Rumson-Fair Haven, Jackson, Lacey, and Manalapan 
• Losses were to Red Bank Catholic, St. Joe’s (Montvale), and Middletown South 
• Scored 214 points for a 21.4 average 
• Allowed 146 for a 14.6 average  

Graduation: 

• LB Dante Vernieri – Sacred Heart 
• OL Elijah Smith – Kutztown (Pa.) 
• DB George Inge – East Coast Prep (Mass.)  

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters:  9 

Quarterback: 

• Todd Lambertson, Senior, 6-2, 195 – returning starter 
• Zach LaBarca, Sophomore, 5-11, 170 – provides depth 

Running Back: 

• Najee Calhoun, Sophomore, 5-11, 195 – returning starter; rushed for 539 yards per nj.com  
• Roman Moyers, Senior, 5-10, 195 – will spell Calhoun; started on defense  

Wide Receiver: 

• Michael Thomas III, Junior, 6-1, 195 – 3-year starter; 18 receptions for 298 yards per nj.com  
• Emanuel Gerena, Sophomore, 5-10, 170 – returning starter 
• Hunter Johnson, Senior, 6-2, 205 – part of the rotation; started on defense 
• Isaac Correa, Junior, 6-0, 165 – part of the rotation 

Tight End: 

• Zaeir Day, Senior, 6-3, 250 – returning starter 
• Hunter Johnson, Senior, 6-2, 205 – will line up at tight end, in addition to wide receiver 

Offensive Line: 

• Adam Yevchak, Senior, 6-4, 305 – returning starter at left tackle 
• James Aldrich, Junior, 6-3, 280 – projected starter at left guard 
• Chris Poskay, Senior, 6-1, 270 – returning starter at center 
• Louis DiBiase, Junior, 6-1, 255 – returning starter at right guard 
• Kai Pritchard, Sophomore, 6-4, 275 – returning starter at right tackle 

Defense: 

• Formation: Multiple 3-4
• Returning Starters: 8 

Defensive Line: 

• Zaeir Day, Senior, 6-3, 250 – returning starter at end 
• Sam Rock, Senior, 6-2, 245 – returning starter at end 
• Louis DiBiase, Junior, 6-1, 255 – returning starter at nose guard 

Linebacker: 

• Hunter Johnson, Senior, 6-2, 205 – 3-year starter on the outside 
• Roman Moyers, Senior, 5-10, 195 – returning starter on the outside 
• JJ Correa, Senior, 5-11, 215 – returning starter on the inside 
• Joe Czerwinski, Junior, 6-0, 205 – projected starter on the inside; started games late in the season 
• Jayden Nascimento, Sophomore, 6-0, 185 – part of the rotation on the outside 
• Luke Vernieri, Junior, 5-10, 175 –  part of the rotation on the inside 

Secondary: 

• Emanuel Gerena, Sophomore, 5-10, 170 – returning starter at safety 
• Najee Morgan, Senior, 5-9, 170 – returning starter at safety 
• Isaac Correa, Junior, 6-0, 165 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Elijah Davis, Junior, 5-10, 165 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Michael Thomas III, Junior, 6-1, 195 – will play cornerback in situations 

Special Teams: 

• Senior Dante Priolo returns at kicker and sophomore Najee Calhoun returns at punter, with Priolo competing 
• Thomas and Gerena will be the return men 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 8/25, St. Augustine at home 
• Friday, 9/1, Long Branch at home 
• 9/8-9, Bye Week 
• Friday, 9/15, Toms River North at home 
• Friday, 9/22, Wall at home 
• Saturday, 9/30, at St. Joe’s (Montvale) 
• Friday, 10/6, Rumson-Fair Haven at home 
• Friday, 10/13, at Red Bank 
• Friday, 10/20, at Middletown South 
• Friday, 10/27, Red Bank Catholic at home 

Concerns: 

• Tough schedule 
• Staying healthy 
• As an experienced team, avoid complacency 

Recruiting: 

• Yevchak verballed to Fordham 
• Day has an offer from Sacred Heart 
• Lamberton is a D2/D3 prospect 
• Johnson can play somewhere and has a baseball option 
• Rock is a good high school mplayer who is a D2 candidate 
• Others may go D3 or higher with a good year 
• Underclassmen:
• Thomas has 14 offers, including Rutgers, Michigan, Pitt, Penn State, and Wisconsin 
• Pritchard and Calhoun are sophomores with Duke offers 
• Time will tell for the rest of the underclassmen  

Coach’s Comments: 

“I like the way we’ve been working this summer. They are a motivated group that is hungry to improve and a fun group to coach. We look forward to a challenging schedule with good, well-coached teams. I am really excited for the season.” – Head Coach Dan Curcione