Newton Braves 

2021: 

• 10-1 
• Lost to Jefferson in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 2 semifinals after beating Verona in the first round 
• Scored 374 points: 34.00 average 
• Allowed 139 points: 12.64 average 
• Wins included Sparta, Jefferson, Vernon, Lenape Valley, and Kittatinny 

Graduation: 

• QB/DB Jack Young – College of New Jersey (TCNJ) 
• TE/DE Melkart Abou Jaoude – Delaware as a preferred walk-on 
• RB/DB Darrell Mims – William Paterson 
• OL Matt Iatesta – WIlliam Paterson 

Offense: 

• Formation: Wing-T with Gun 
• Returning Starters: 7 

Quarterback: 

• Robert McCullough, Senior, 5-11, 170 – projected starter 

Running Back: 

• Brayden Nolan, Senior, 5-9, 190 – 4-year starter at halfback 
• Matt May, Senior, 6-0, 200 – returning starter at halfback; moving from guard 
• Thaylor Sibblies, Senior, 5-7, 165 – returning starter at fullback 

Wide Receiver: 

• Dom Ferdenzi, Senior, 5-10, 150 – competing; saw action 
• Oso Ruiz, Senior, 5-9, 165 – competing: Garfield transfer 
• Garrett Wikander, Senior, 6-2, 170 – competing 
• Deuce Edwards, Senior, 5-8, 150 – competing 

Tight End: 

• Pasquale Festa, Senior, 5-10, 185 – returning starter 

Offensive Line: 

• Billy Greenhalgh, Junior, 6-2, 230 – projected starter at left tackle 
• Mike Melillo, Senior, 5-7, 165 – returning starter at left guard 
• Matt McLean, Senior, 5-10, 180 – 3-year starter at center 
• Rylan Ivaldi, Senior, 6-0, 190 – returning starter at right guard from 2019 and 2020; missed last year with an injury 
• Pat Teets, Junior, 6-1, 240 – projected starter at right tackle 
• Dom Boscia, Senior, 5-5, 150 – depth along the line 

Defense: 

• Formation: Multiple 5-2 base 
• Returning Starters: 5 

Defensive Line: 

• Matt May, Senior, 6-0, 200 – projected starter at end 
• Dylan Cotter, Junior, 6-0, 205 – projected starter at end 
• Claudio Ibarra, Senior, 5-9, 205 – returning starter at tackle 
• Billy Greenhalgh, Junior, 6-2, 230 – part of rotation at tackle 
• Pat Teets, Junior, 6-1, 240 – part of rotation at tackle 
• Brody Guerra, Senior, 5-6, 205 – 3-year starter at nose guard 

Linebacker: 

• Brayden Nolan, Senior, 5-9, 190 – 4-year starter 
• Pasquale Festa, Senior, 5-10, 185 – returning starter 
• Mike Melillo, Senior, 5-7, 165 – provides depth 

Secondary: 

• Thaylor Sibblies, Senior, 5-7, 165 – returning starter at safety 
• Matt Teets, Junior, 5-8, 150 – competing at other safety 
• Garrett Wikander, Senior, 6-2, 170 – competing at other safety 
• Dom Ferdenzi, Senior, 5-10, 150 – competing at other safety 
• Demarius Posey, Junior, 5-9, 155 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Deuce Edwards, Senior, 5-8, 150 – competing at opposite corner 
• Oso Ruiz, Senior, 5-9, 165 – competing at opposite corner 

Special Teams: 

• Senior Robert McCullough is a 3-year starter at kicker and punter 
• Sibblies and Nolan will return kicks, while Posey or Ferdonzi will return punts 

Schedule: 

• Friday, 9/2, at Warren Hills 
• Friday, 9/9, Sussex Tech at home 
• Saturday, 9/17, at Wallkill Valley 
• Friday, 9/23, Kittatinny at home 
• Friday, 9/30, Lenape Valley at home 
• Friday, 10/7, at Hackettstown 
• Friday, 10/14, Ramsey at home 
• Friday, 10/21, at Sparta 

Concerns: 

• Physical size on both lines; they are experienced and athletic 

Recruiting: 

• Nolan has interest from Monmouth and Mount Union 
• McCullough has interest from Merrimack for his kicking 
• Others may play D3 football
• Most underclassmen at this point are D3 types 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We’re hoping to be a contender for a title. The schedule is challenging, especially late in the year. We have experience and need some unknowns to step up and make their mark.” – Head Coach Matt Perzero