Donovan Catholic Griffins

2018 in Review:  

• 7-3 record
• Lost to Mater Dei in first round of Non-Public Group 3 playoffs
• Scored 309 points – 30.9 average
• Allowed 135 points – 13.5 average, two shutouts
• Wins Included: Gloucester Catholic, Point Pleasant Boro, Manchester Twp., Asbury Park
• Losses: Mater Dei, Holmdel   

Departing Seniors: 

• OL Bobo Aluko – Kean

*The bold print below is a returning starter. This includes one who had playing time and one who started on the other side of the ball only in 2018, with explanation included after their name.  

Offense: 

Formation: Multiple-Power Spread
Returning Starters: 9 

Quarterback: 

• Ryan Clark, Senior, 6-1, 215 – 4-year starter  

Running Back: 

• Jahdir Loftland, Junior, 5-8, 175 – returning starter, split duties
• Nasir Calhoun, Senior, 5-11, 200 – returning starter, split duties 
• Quamire Green, Junior, 5-10, 210 – started on defense and saw time on offense
• Dominick Nocero, Junior, 5-9, 200 – started on defense  

Wide Receiver:  

• Andre Laney, Senior, 5-11, 170 – 3-year starter
• James Bivins, Junior, 5-8, 160 – returning starter
• Evyn Menta, Junior, 5-10, 165 – competing 
• Trevor Pruitt, Junior, 6-2, 185 – competing 
• Jaden Anthony, Sophomore, 6-0, 170, competing and saw some action  

Tight End: 

• Levi Wilkins, Sophomore, 6-3,  215 – returning starter who split duties 
• Ethan Capone, Junior, 6-2, 225 – returning starter who split the duties 

Offensive Line:  

• LT – Camron McNair, Junior, 6-5, 315 – returning starter
• LG – Dominick Brogna, Sophomore, 6-2, 265 – returning starter
• C – Elio Siragusa, Senior, 5-9, 220 – started four games
• RG – open competition
• RT – Thomas Buxton, Senior, 6-4, 285 – returning starter   

Defense:  

• Formation: 3-4 base
• Returning Starters: 9

End:  

• Chris Aldrich, Senior, 6-3, 215 – 3-year starter
• Dominick Brogna, Sophomore – had playing time and will start
• Ethan Capone, Junior – saw action and will rotate 
• Karon “Taz” McNair, Sophomore, 6-3, 265 – had playing time and will rotate 
• Elio Siragusa, Senior – will rotate 

Nose Guard:  

• Nico Ippolito, Sophomore, 6-3, 330 – returning starter 
• Camron McNair, Junior – saw action and will rotate 
• There will be heavy rotation on the line to keep players fresh 

Outside Linebacker: 

• Xavier Ellis, Senior – returning starter 
• Jahdir Loftland, Junior – returning starter
• Nasir Calhoun, Senior – experienced reserve who will play 
• Connor Farrell, Sophomore, 6-2, 195 – reserve with promise 

Inside Linebacker:  

• Quamire Green, Junior – 3-Year Starter
• Dominic Nocero, Junior – 3-Year Starter
• Tony Iacullo, Senior – reserve  

Cornerback:  

• James Bivins, Junior – will start 
• Andre Laney, Senior – returning starter
• Evyn Menta, Junior – returning starter who will play in rotation 
• Cornerback will have a rotation  

Safety:    

• Jared Helstowski, Senior, 5-10, 195 – 3-year starter at strong safety 
• John Schlendorf, Junior, 5-10, 180 – returning starter at free safety who will start here or cornerback
• Keaon Torres, Senior, 5-8, 170 – competing at free safety and saw time 
• Jaden Anthony, Sophomore – competing at free safety    

Special Teams: 

• Torres returns at kicker and Clark is back at punter
• Bivins, Laney, and senior Damian Johnson (5-7, 175) will be the return men   

Schedule:   

• Friday, 9/6, Linden at home 
• Friday, 9/13, at Point Pleasant Boro 
• Friday, 9/20, at Holmdel 
• Friday, 9/27, at Central Regional 
• Friday, 10/4, at Red Bank 
• Friday, 10/11, Manasquan 
• Friday, 10/18 Lacey at home 
• Friday, 10/25, Red Bank Catholic at home 
• Saturday, 11/2, at Lakewood    

Concerns:  

• Playing together and improving; working hard every day and taking it one game at a time  

Recruiting:   

• Clark has interest from Lehigh, Fordham, and some of the Ivy schools
• Laney is a 1-AA prospect with good hands
• Buxton has interest from Bucknell and other Patriot League schools plus the Ivy League
• Aldrich is a 1-AA candidate 
• Ellis will play anywhere from D3 to 1-AA    

• Juniors:
• McNair has Rutgers and West Virginia offers with more to come
• Capone is a sleeper who can draw attention 
• Bivins is a top track prospect and may draw football interest with a good year; in the state Meet of Champions, he finished 3rd in the 100 meters and 9th in the long jump
• Other juniors have 1-AA/D2 potential
• Sophomores:
• Wilkins is a least 1-AA, a good blocker with speed
• Brogna and Ippolito are at least 1-AA   

Coach’s Comments:  

“We have a lot of experience, but that doesn’t guarantee success. WE have to work hard and pay the price. With the bracket we’re in, we can be good and play a team that is better. We have to keep making strides.” – Head Coach Dan Curcione