Newton Braves
2018 in Review:
- 10-2 record
- Lost to Kittatinny in the North Jersey Section 1 Group 2 finals
- Beat High Point in the semifinals and Pequannock in the first round
- Scored 306 points – 25.5 average
- Allowed 138 points – 11.5 average
- Wins Included: Kittatinny, High Point, Lenape Valley, Madison, Pequannock
- Losses: Wallkill Valley
Departing Seniors:
- RB/LB Ryan Kaiser – Ithaca
- T/DT Jimmy Harding – St. John Fisher (NY)
- C/LB Justin Mayhood – Misericordia
*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: Wing-T
Returning Starters: 2
Quarterback:
- Jack Young, Sophomore, 5-11, 165 – will start
Fullback:
- Peyton Nolan, Junior, 5-9, 175 – started on defense and saw action at halfback
Halfback:
- Julian Sibblies, Senior, 5-9, 175 – will start
- Aaron Fantasia, Junior, 5-9, 160 – started on defense and rotated at split end
- Braden Nolan, Freshman, 5-8, 160 – will provide depth and push for time
Split End:
- Dylan Bailey, Junior, 6-0, 170 – returning starter in the rotation
- Jaheim Shannon, Senior, 5-9, 160 – part of rotation
- Ryan Pappas, Junior – part of rotation
- *Note – Newton uses messenger ends to relay the plays
Tight End:
- Jabari Oxley, Junior, 6-0, 185 – saw action and will start
Tackle:
- John Kreusch, Senior, 5-10, 230 – returning starter
- Jacob Tonking, Junior, 6-3, 265 – started on defense and competing at opposite tackle
- John Ays, Senior, 6-0, 300 – competing at opposite tackle
Guard:
- Shane Nannery, Junior, 5-10, 190 – will start
- Jesus Blanco-Chavez, Junior, 5-8, 180 – will start
Center:
- Derek Campbell, Senior, 5-9, 180 – will start
Defense:
- Formation: 5-2
- Returning Starters: 4
End:
- Jabari Oxley, Junior – will start and saw time
- Julian Sibblies, Senior – will start
- Kyheem Butler, Senior, 6-2, 25 – returning starter; out until September at the earliest
Tackle:
- Larry Pittinger, Sophomore, 6-0, 240 – will start
- Isaiah Wilkins, Senior, 6-1, 250 – will start
Nose Guard:
- Jacob Tonking, Junior – returning starter
Linebacker:
- Shane Nannery, Junior – will start
- Takeo Sibblies, Sophomore, 5-6, 145 – competing at other linebacker
- Braden Nolan, Freshman – competing at other linebacker
Cornerback:
- Peyton Nolan, Junior – returning starter
- Ryan Pappas, Junior – will start and saw action
Safety:
- Aaron Fantasia, Junior – returning starter
- Jack Young, Sophomore – will start
Special Teams:
- Campbell will be the kicker and Kreusch will punt
- Peyton Nolan will return punts and Fantasia will return kicks
Schedule:
- Friday, 9/6, Lenape Valley
- Friday, 9/13, at Pequannock
- Friday, 9/20, at Whippany Park
- Friday, 9/27, High Point at home
- Friday, 10/4, Hopatcong at home
- Friday, 10/11, at North Warren
- Friday, 10/18, Wallkill Valley
- Saturday, 10/26, at Kittatinny
- Saturday, 11/2, at Madison
Concerns:
- Depth and health
- Replacing four of five offensive linemen
Recruiting:
- Sibblies is a good D3 prospect and other seniors may go D3
- In the junior class, Tonking is a project who passes the eye test and may go 1-AA
Coach’s Comments:
“Things will be more wide open than before for potential starters. Only five starters return and there is a lot of competition. There are some younger siblings of those who played ehre before and we are working on getting together and improving.” – Head Coach Matt Parzero