Hunterdon Central Red Devils
2018 in Review:
- 5-4 record
- Lost to Manalapan in the Central Jersey Group 5 playoffs
- Scored 240 points – 26.67 average
- Allowed 151 points – 16.77 average
- Wins Included: Hillsborough, Bridgewater-Raritan, Old Bridge
- Losses: Phillipsburg, Ridge, Union
*Note- the four losses were by a combined 48 points, with the largest margin being 18 points
Departing Seniors:
- OL Ryan Joyce – Fordham
- OL Joey Whelan – Kutztown
- OL Mike Sposato – WPI (Mass.)
- WR Terence Murphy – Kean
- K Logan Matthews – Kean
- DT Nick Alonge – Rowan
- DB Ben Kenyon – Muhlenberg
- DE Troy Lentine – MIT
- DB RJ Thornton – Rowan for track
- QB Clayton Lancaster – St. John’s for lacrosse
- LB Chris Lancaster – St. John’s for lacrosse
- TE/LB Richard Livornese – Stevens Institute for lacrosse
*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 I/Pro
Returning Starters: 3
Quarterback:
- Brad Totten, Senior, 5-11, 180 – projected starter who saw late-season action
Running Back:
- Will Ezema, Senior, 5-11, 190 – returning starter at tailback
- Bruce Washington, Junior, 5-11, 230 – provides depth
Fullback:
- Luke Bakerian, Senior, 5-9, 245 – projected co-starter; started on defense
- Brandon Donoghue, Senior, 5-9, 215 – projected co-starter; started on defense
Wide Receiver:
- Jacob Erb, Senior, 6-1, 190 – returning starter
- Brett Shaw, Senior, 5-11, 190 – projected starter
- Owen Bill, Sophomore, 6-1, 175 – part of rotation
- Nashawn Jones, Senior, 6-1, 185 – part of rotation
- Jacob Stetson, Senior, 6-2, 200 – part of rotation; started on defense
- Daren Mayer, Senior, 5-11, 185 – part of rotation
- EJ Marion, Junior, 5-9, 185 – part of rotation
Tight End:
- Christian Smarz, Senior, 5-11, 165 – projected co-starter
- Sean Stanaway, Senior, 6-1, 220 – projected co-starter
- Myles Hickey, Senior, 5-11, 180 – part of rotation
Offensive Line:
- Matt Brigham, Senior, 6-2, 260 – returning starter at left tackle
- Jared van Veldhuisen, Junior, 6-0, 215 – projected starter at left guard
- Ricky Ghanim, Junior, 5-9, 250 – projected starter at center
- Sal Brito, Junior, 6-2, 265 – projected starter at right guard; started on defense
- Trevor Shaw, Junior, 6-6, 260 – competing at right tackle
- Tim Suk, Junior, 6-6, 300 – competing at right tackle
Defense:
- Formation: 4-3
- Returning Starters: 4
End:
- Sal Brito, Junior – returning starter
- Joshua Davis-Pyzik, Senior, 6-2, 230 – projected starter
- Jared van Veldhuisen, Junior – part of rotation
Tackle:
- Jake Bakerian, Senior – returning starter
- Jake Savare, Senior, 5-9, 180 – projected starter
- Matt Brigham, Senior – part of rotation
Linebacker:
- Brandon Donoghue, Senior – returning starter on weak side
- Christian Smarz, Senior – projected starter in the middle
- Chris Schwoerer, Senior, 5-11, 180 – projected starter on the weak side and saw action
- Brendan Lehre, Sophomore, 5-9, 200 – part of rotation
- Bruce Washington, Junior – part of rotation
Cornerback:
- Daren Mayer, Senior – projected starter
- Brett Shaw, Senior – projected starter
- Steven Dumornay, Senior, 5-8, 160 – part of rotation
- Marquise Thurman, Junior, 5-11, 180 – part of rotation
Safety:
- Jacob Stetson, Senior – returning starter
- Myles Hickey, Senior – projected starter
Special Teams:
- Schwoerer returns at kicker and punter
- The return men are Mayer and junior Marion
Schedule:
- Friday, 9/6, at Sayreville
- Friday, 9/13, Ridge at home
- Friday, 9/20, at Phillipsburg
- Bye Week
- Friday, 1-/4, Franklin at home
- Friday, 10/11, Bridgewater-Raritan at home
- Friday, 10/18, at Union
- Friday, 10/25, at North Brunswick
- Friday, 11/1, Elizabeth at home
Concerns/Unknown:
- Working in four new linemen; it’s a work in progress, but they are playing well in camp
- Working in new cornerbacks, but Shaw has played and Mayer has played in a lacrosse championship
Recruiting:
- Ezema verballed to Holy Cross
- Mayer verballed to Marist for lacrosse; cousin of ex-New England Patriot Shawn Mayer
- Totten is a D2/D3 prospect
- Stetson is a D2 candidate
- Erb is a D2/high D3 prospect
- Brigham is also D2/high D3; Norwich has interest and he may attend, due to forensic program
- Donaghue is a 3-year starter who will be a D3 player
- Bakerian is also D3 with a size issue, but is very tough
- Schwoerer is linebacker with a good chance of kicking in college
- Shaw is a D3 prospect
- Hickey will likely go the lacrosse route
Coach’s Comments:
“We’re excited and we have to show up every Friday night because our schedule is a gauntlet. Skill-wise, we’re as good as we’ve been since I’ve been here. Our quarterback can throw and running back Will Ezema has run a 4.35 40. The ability to throw this year will keep us from being one-dimensional and we’ll be more balanced this year.” – Head Coach Casey Ransone