Colts Neck Cougars
2021:
- 6-4
- Lost to Winslow in the Central Jersey Group 4 semifinals after beating Timber Creek in the first round
- Scored 177 points: 19.67 average
- Allowed 207 points: 23.00 average
- Wins included Toms River North, Holmdel, and Matawan
- Losses included Rumson-Fair Haven, Wall, and Lacey
Graduation:
- OL/DL Dan Volpe – Towson
- OL Ryan Whelan – New Haven
- QB/DB Tommy Fallon – Salve Regina
- WR/DB Cade Chrebet – Catholic University
- LB John Manos – Catholic University
- DB Tyler Donnelly – Catholic University
- WR/DB John Runfolo – Muhlenberg
- LB Anthony Bononno – Franklin & Marshall
- OL/DL Matt Janucci – Sacred Heart for wrestling
Offense:
- Formation: Multiple Spread
- Returning Starters: 5
Quarterback:
- Dom Beninato, Junior, 5-9, 170 – competing; started on defense
- Tesio Carabello, Junior, 5-10, 190 – competing
- Brady Tormey, Sophomore, 5-10, 170 – competing
Running Back:
- Chris Scully, Junior, 5-10, 210 – returning starter
- Will Surdez, Senior, 6-3, 210 – returning starter at wide receiver and will play here at times
- Sal Marinello, Senior, 5-6, 170 – provides depth
Fullback:
- Jack Lefkowitz, Sophomore, 5-10, 195 – projected starter
Wide Receiver:
- Will Surdez, Senior, 6-3, 210 – returning starter
- Aiden Diaz, Junior, 5-9, 175 – returning starter in the slot
- Matt Celli, Senior, 6-3, 205 – projected starter; started on defense
- Jack Tormey, Senior, 5-7, 160 – part of the rotation
- Logan Bresnahan, Junior, 5-7, 160 – part of the rotation
Tight End:
- Eric Loureiro, Junior, 6-2, 220 – returning starter who will rotate
- Eoin Fitzpatrick, Senior, 5-10, 205 – part of the rotation
- James Bertan, Sophomore, 6-2, 200 – part of the rotation
- Aidan Manasso, Junior, 6-1, 185 – part of the rotation
Offensive Line:
- Charlie Whalen, Junior, 6-6, 260 – projected starter at left tackle; started on defense
- JJ Cifelli, Junior, 5-11, 260 – projected starter at left guard
- Shea Bresnahan, Junior, 5-10, 220 – projected starter at center
- Matt Liggio, Junior, 5-11, 240 – returning starter at right guard
- Albert Yodakis, Sophomore, 6-2, 235 – competing at right tackle
- Cooper Pearlman, Junior, 6-0, 200 – competing at right tackle
Defense:
- Formation: 4-3
- Returning Starters: 4
Defensive Line:
- Eric Loureiro, Junior, 6-2, 220 – returning starter at end
- Sam Surdez, Junior, 6-1, 200 – projected starter at end
- Anthony Lombardi, Junior, 6-2, 255 – returning starter at tackle
- Dean Collier, Junior, 5-7, 205 – projected starter at tackle
Linebacker:
- Will Surdez, Senior, 6-3, 210 – 3-year starter on outside
- Eoin Fitzpatrick, Senior, 5-10, 205 – projected starter on outside
- James Bertan, Sophomore, 6-2, 200 – projected starter in middle
- John Sherrod, Junior, 5-10, 180 – will rotate at all three positions
Secondary:
- Matt Celli, Senior, 6-3, 205 – returning starter at cornerback
- Dave Fichtenbaum, Junior, 5-10, 140 – projected starter at cornerback
- Ethan Sloane, Junior, 5-10, 170 – projected starter at safety
- Devin Donnelly, Junior, 5-10, 175 – projected starter at safety
Special Teams:
- Junior Aidan Manasso is competing with sophomore Zander Rosario at kicker and senior Will Surdez at punter
- Celli, Will Surdez, and Scully are the return men
Schedule:
- Saturday, 9/3, St. John Vianney at home
- Saturday, 9/10, at Freehold Boro
- Friday, 9/16, at Jackson
- Saturday, 9/24, Freehold Township at home
- Friday, 9/30, at Lacey
- Saturday, 10/8, Howell at home
- Friday, 10/14, at Wall
- Saturday, 10/22, Marlboro at home
Concerns:
- Youth and inexperience
Recruiting:
- Celli has a Saint anselm offer
- Will Surdez will be at a high-academic school from 1-AA to D3
- Underclassmen:
- Whalen, Scully, Liggio, and Loureiro are high-academic candidates from 1-AA to D3
Coach’s Comments:
“There are a lot of new faces and many juniors and sophomores will play; we only have seven seniors. It is tough to replace 3-and-4-year starters. The summer has moved quickly, the kids have responded, and we’re ready to go.” – Head Coach Matt Ahearn