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