Barnegat Bengals  

2018 in Review:  

• 7-3 record 
• Lost to West Deptford in the South Jersey Group 2 playoffs 
• Scored 189 points – 18.9 average
• Allowed 179 points – 17.9 average 
• Wins Included: Shore, Point Pleasant Boro, Pinelands, Matawan 
• Losses: Mater Dei, Toms River South 

Departing Seniors:   

• TE/DE Sean Morris – Holy Cross 
• FB/LB Brian  Ewen – Sacred Heart 
• OL/DL Anthony Grimes – Kutztown 
• RB/LB Charlie Cotton – Ferrum (Va.) for wrestling 
• QB Brian Finucan – NJ Warriors 
• OL Phil Gogarty – College of New Jersey 
• OL Tim Lauterback – enlisted in the US Army
• DB Tristan Porcelli – enlisted in the US Army

*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 Spread
Returning Starters: 2   

Quarterback:  

• Matt Verneri, Senior, 6-0, 171 – competing, started on defense 
• Matt Xiques, Junior, 5-11, 158 – competing 

Running Back:   

• Nik DiLeo, Junior, 6-0, 220 – Pinelands transfer sitting 30 days; projected starter 
• TJ Crudup, Junior, 5-8, 151 – starter
• Jojo Bivins, Freshman, 5-10, 160 – top reserve 
• Dominic Aneses, Senior, 5-10, 170 – top reserve 
• Andrew Verneri, Junior, 5-11, 169 – provides depth 
• Dante Verneri, Freshman, 5-11, 169 – provides depth 

Fullback (when used):  

• Jarred Shworn, Sophomore, 5-9, 163 – competing 
• Mike DePianta, Senior, 5-7, 144 – competing 

Wide Receiver:  

• Dorsey Criss, Junior, 5-11, 172 – part of current 4-man rotation 
• Matt Scott, Junior, 5-8, 147 – part of current 4-man rotation
• Logan Malia, Senior, 6-2, 173 – part of current 4-man rotation
• Laurence Davis, Junior, 5-11, 149 – part of current 4-man rotation
• Caleb Schaefer, Senior, 5-7, 158 – returning starter still recovering from season-ending injury last year 
• Justin Bye, Sophomore, 5-8, 175 – provides depth 
• Andrew Verneri, Senior – may play here if he is not playing quarterback 

Tight End:  

• Keean Paul, Sophomore, 6-2, 211 – projected starter 

Offensive Line:  

• Griffin Jackstadt, Senior, 6-4, 268 – returning starter at left tackle 
• Robert Armstrong, Junior, 6-2, 208, Junior – projected starter 
• Anthony Bucca, Junior, 6-2, 185 – projected starter at center 
• Kenny Minor, Sophomore, 6-2, 293 – projected starter at right guard 
• TJ Stokes, Junior, 6-4, 237 – projected starter at right tackle 
• Connor Darmstatter, Junior, Sophomore, 6-2, 240 – provides depth along the line 
• Rashidi Alleyne, Senior, 6-0, 178 – provides depth along the line 

Defense:  

• Formation: 3-4
• Returning Starters: 3   

End:  

• Mike DiPianta, Senior – part of 3-man rotation 
• TJ Stokes, Junior – part of 3-man rotation 
• Connor Darmstatter, Sophomore – part of 3-man rotation 

Nose Guard:  

• Griffin Jackstadt, Senior – projected starter 

Outside Linebacker:  

• Robert Armstrong, Junior – returning starter moving from end 
• Dominic Aneses, Senior – projected starter 
• TJ Crudup, Junior – provides depth 
• Rashidi Alleyne, Senior – provides depth 

Inside Linebacker:  

• Nik DeLeo, Junior – projected starter in the middle after sitting 30 days 
• John Porcelli, Junior, 5-10, 172 – projected starter in the middle until DeLeo is eligible 
• Matt Verneri, Senior, 6-0, 171 – projected starter on the weak side 
• Jarred Schworn, Sophomore – provides depth  
• Anthony Bucca, Junior – provides depth  
• Dante Verneri, Freshman – provides depth 

Cornerback:  

• Dorsey Criss, Junior – projected starter 
• Kris Pollack, Junior – 5-6, 130 – projected starter 
• Laurence Davis, Junior – provides depth 
• Logan Malia, Senior – provides depth 

Safety:  

• Matt Verneri, Senior, 6-0, 171 – returning starter at strong safety 
• Matt Scott, Senior, 5-8, 147 – returning starter who missed most of season with injury 
• Justin Bye, Sophomore – provides depth  
• Victor Brescia, Junior, 5-9, 147 – provides depth 

Special Teams: 

• Xiques will punt and kick, while Armstrong is the long snapper 
• Scott, Andrew Verneri, and Davis are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 9/6, at Point Pleasant Boro   
• Friday, 9/13, Lakewood at home 
• Friday, 9/20, Shore at home 
• Friday, 9/27, at Ocean 
• Friday, 10/4, Raritan at home 
• Bye Week 
• Saturday, 10/19, at Monmouth 
• Friday, 10/25, Asbury Park at home 
• Friday, 11/1, at Pinelands  

Concerns: 

• Youth and tough, early games 
• Holding the fort until a very good transfer, Nick DeLeo from Pinelands, is finished sitting out 30 days 

Recruiting:  

• Jackstadt verballed to UPenn 
• Other players at this point are D3 players 

Coach’s Comments:  

“This team is very young, the youngest and most inexperienced we’ve ever had. The players are coachable and we’re excited about the future. We’ll compete hard this year to win and maybe the tradition can keep the youth moving in a positive direction.” – Head Coach Rob Davis