Verona Hillbillies 

2020: 

• 5-2
• 222 points scored; 31.71 average 
• 153 points allowed; 21.86 average 
• Wins: Caldwell, Weequahic, Lincoln, Hoboken 
• Losses: Cedar Grove, Ramsey 

Graduation:  

• RB Frank Riggio – Hobart 
• TE/DE Steven Tafuri – Montclair State 
• WR Steve Petro – Endicott 
• OL/DL Jason Zerin – Salve Regina 
• LB Zach Bucher – Connecticut College for lacrosse 

2021 Captains:  

• Not named 

Offense:  

• Formation: Multiple-Spread 
• Returning Starters: 6 

Quarterback: 

• Cael Zebrowski, Senior, 6-3, 210 – 4-year starter 

Running Back: 

• AJ Nigro, Junior, 5-10, 165 – part of committee 
• PJ Shaw, Senior, 5-8, 160 – part of committee 
• Danny Vecchio, Senior, 5-10, 175 – part of committee; started on defense  
• Logan Colon, Junior, 5-10, 180 – part of committee 

Wide Receiver: 

• James Haveron, Senior, 5-1, 185 – returning starter 
• Joey Petro, Senior, 6-0, 170 – returning starter 
• Marcos Czupak, Senior, 6-2, 170 – returning starter 
• Derek Bernadino, Senior, 6-8, 160 – competing 
• Alex Rodriguez, Junior, 5-10, 155 – competing 

Offensive Line: 

• Ben Mackey, Senior, 6-2, 255 – returning starter at guard 
• Brodie Neale, Senior, 6-1, 250 – returning starter at guard 
• Mike Andolino, Senior, 6-0, 185 – competing at center and tackle 
• Andrew Boyle, Junior, 6-1, 180 – competing at center and tackle 
• Shane Costigan, Sophomore, 5-10, 185 – competing at center and tackle 
• Jack Huze, Junior, 6-0, 185 – competing at center and tackle 

Defense:  

• Formation: 4-4 
• Returning Starters: 

Defensive Line: 

• Ben Mackey, Senior, 6-2, 255 – projected starter at end 
• Mike Andolino, Senior, 6-0, 185 – projected starter at end 
• Ethan Fersch, Sophomore, 6-0, 175 – part of rotation at end 
• Brodie Neale, Senior, 6-1, 250 – returning starter at tackle 
• Jacob Lapid, Senior, 5-10, 260 – part of rotation at tackle 
• Gavin Martin, Senior, 5-10, 190 – part of rotation at tackle 
• Shane Costigan, Sophomore, 5-10, 185 – part of rotation at tackle 

Linebacker: 

• Danny Vecchio, Senior, 5-10, 175 – returning starter on inside  
• Logan Colon, Junior, 5-10, 180 – projected starter on inside 
• James Haveron, Senior, 5-1, 185 – returning starter on outside; moving from secondary 
• PJ Shaw, Senior, 5-8, 160 – competing on outside 
• Marcos Czupak, Senior, 6-2, 170 – competing on outside 
• AJ Nigro, Junior, 5-10, 165 – competing on outside 

Secondary: 

• Joey Petro, Senior, 6-0, 170 – projected starter at cornerback; started two games 
• Derek Bernadino, Senior, 6-8, 160 – projected starter at cornerback; started two games 
• Alex Rodriguez, Junior, 5-10, 155 – projected starter at safety; started several games 

Special Teams: 

• Sophomore Kieran Patel is back as kicker and punter 
• Haveron, Nigro, and Rodriguez are the return men 

Schedule: 

• 9/3-4, Bye Week
• Friday, 9/10, at Lenape Valley 
• Friday, 9/17, at Hanover Park 
• Friday, 9/24, Morris Catholic at home 
• Friday, 10/1, Caldwell at home 
• Friday, 10/8, Mountain Lakes at home 
• Friday, 10/15, at Madison 
• Friday, 10/22, Parsippany at home 
• Friday, 10/29, at Shabazz 

Concerns:  

• How the line gels 
• How some of the younger players perform when the lights go on 

Recruiting:  

• Zebrowski, Haveron, and Mackey have interest from 1-AA to D3
• Neale, Czupak, and Petro are D3 prospects 
• Underclassmen: 
• Patel will be a Power-5 kicker 

Coach’s Comments:  

“It should be interesting. We are replacing the all-time rusher in Verona history, Frank Riggio. But we have a lot of kids returning, including a 4-year starter at quarterback in Cael Zebrowski. Our fastest and deepest position is wide receiver. If the line gels, we will be very good.” – Head Coach Kevin Batty