Resurgence: 2025 Donovan Catholic Football Preview

The 2024 Donovan Catholic season is one that Griffins fans would like to forget. It was the first season since 2017 when Head Coach Dan Curcione took over the program that the Griffins had a losing season. Sure, Donovan Catholic’s schedule was full of top tier Shore Conference and out-of-area competition, but the expectations are set high every year and the team failed to deliver.

“A South is a battle week in and week out. It has great coaches, great players, different styles of play. It’s definitely where we always want to be at Donovan Catholic. We want to play against the best teams and we certainly feel like we’re in a division where we’re matched up with a lot of best teams in the Shore Conference, said Curcione.

Numbers were a major issue in the program a year ago. The lack of depth was exposed as the season went along and key players came down with injuries. The positive for Donovan Catholic is that there are now more students in the school than last year and the amount of football players is beginning to grow again.

“I think it’s going to be nice to field a team with more than 40 guys on it. My philosophy is that the football team is important. If we get some help with more kids coming in we’d appreciate it. The challenge we have at a school like ours – and I hear what everybody says, you’re recruiting and all that – but we don’t have a feeder program that I can go visit. It’s difficult. You have to get people to come to school here and get people to pay to come to school here. My philosophy is to put together the best football team I can put together. People are excited about that I’m excited about that as well,” said Curcione.

Donovan Catholic added some very high profile transfers in the offseason and the belief is that they can climb back into contention to be at the top of the Shore Conference. The biggest addition was at quarterback where Kahden Davis steps in after transferring from Seton Hall Prep. The junior, who holds offers from Power 4 schools such as Duke, Maryland, and West Virginia according to 247 Sports, will be eligible to play immediately. Davis’ teammates have already taken notice of his ability.

“I first met Kahden on an 8th grade all-star team so we’ve been close ever since. I’ve been telling him come on over to Donovan Catholic and stuff like that so we’ve had a good connection. I think now that we’re on the same team it’s gotten way more tight and I think that’s going to help us on the football field. He’s going to do his job and as long as our offensive line keeps him safe we’re going to be good,” said left tackle Kai Pritchard, an Illinois commit.

If the Griffin’s talented transfers can blend seamlessly with the returning talent, Donovan Catholic could see a strong resurgence this season.

 

Offense

Kahden Davis (Jr., 6’0″, 195) will be handed the keys to the offense at quarterback. A strong, mobile quarterback with the ability to make all the throws, Davis has operated best on the move as a passer. The challenge this year will be mastering all the reads and timing throws within a completely new offense. There might not be a player in the Shore Conference with higher expectations coming into the season, but there is strong belief that Davis can handle all of it and more.

The running backs will be Ocean transfer Alex Staten (Jr., 5’9″, 165) and returning starter Ethan Nicolas (Jr., 6’1″, 180). The speedy Staten was a slotback in Ocean’s Flexbone offense last season where he rushed for 522 yards and 7 touchdowns and caught 13 passes for 158 yards. Nicolas will complement Staten’s speed with his well-rounded ability to run both inside and outside the tackle. Nicolas rushed for 400 yards as a sophomore. The Griffins have an embarrassment of riches at the position as the unit also includes Toms River North transfer Ja’el Hester (Jr., 6’1″, 155) who saw significant time on defense for the Group 5 Mariners last season and is also a track star as well as Diondre Foendoe who ran for 145 yards as a sophomore on limited carries.

The wide receiver group will include T.J. Hunter (So., 6’3″, 190) who saw time as a freshman as well as two transfers in Aidan Kelly (Jr., 5’10”, 160) from Jackson Liberty and Nyron Snerling (Jr., 5’8″, 150) from Long Branch. Colin Johnson (Sr., 5’9″, 145) will also see snaps on the outside.

On the offensive line, Kai Pritchard (Sr., 6’5″, 290) returns at left tackle where he was a 1st Team All-Shore selection a year ago. The Griffins return two more starters in the unit including right guard Colin Izzo (Sr., 6’2, 240) and left guard Carter Smith (Jr., 5’11”, 305). The starters also include center Joe Daddetta (Sr., 6’2″, 275) and freshman right tackle Xavier Fowlkes.

Junior Sal Reynosa will be the placekicker after spending the 2024 season as a member of the soccer team.

 

Defense

Donovan Catholic’s defense took a hit when linebackers Jayden and Gavin Nascimento transferred to Southern Regional where they are expected to only play lacrosse, but between the new additions and a strong group of returners the unit still looks to be very good on paper.

“Defense… I think it’s got to be our biggest improvement because for years we’ve been known to have a really good defense at Donovan, and last year I think it was our weakness. The big challenge is for all the new guys to gel,” said Curcione.

Carter Smith will be the nose guard in the Griffin’s 3-4 alignment where his stout built will make him very difficult to move. The defensive ends will be Pritchard and freshman Shai Hester (6’0″, 210) who is the younger brother of Ja’el Hester.

The outside linebackers will be junior Henry Byrnes as well as Nicolas. Jason Madden (Jr., 6’3″, 190) and Colin Johnson will also see time on the outside.

The insider linebackers are projected to be Foendoe and junior Sean Byrnes who is Henry’s twin brother.

Snerling will line up at one cornerback spot while freshman Cameron McBride has earned the other cornerback spot. The safeties will be Hester and Kelly.

Reynosa will handle the punting duties.

 

Donovan Catholic at a glance 

Head coach: Dan Curcione, 12th season (9th at Donovan Catholic)

Career record: 67-46

2024 record: 2-7

Offense: Multiple Spread

Defense: Multiple 3-4

 

Coaching Staff

Offensive Coordinator: Jack Nascimento

Defensive Coordinator/DL: Ron Mammano

Special Teams Coordinator/OL: Tony Grandinetti

DB/RB: Sean McPherson

WR: Saeed Blacknall

OLB: Charlie Dowling

Freshman/WR: Vinnie Destasio

OL/DL: Dominic Mastroianni

Assistant: Dave Ellis

Director of Football Operations: Bob Coates

Athletic Trainer: Bob DeStefano

Circle the Date: Sept. 5 vs. Holmdel

If you like to watch two teams air it out, this is the game for you. Holmdel has the top returning quarterback in the Shore Conference in Jack Cannon, a Dartmouth commit. Donovan Catholic has the most anticipated new quarterback in the Shore Conference in Kahden Davis. Expect to see high level quarterback play in what should be a very entertaining game.

Newcomer to Watch: Kahden Davis, Jr., QB

The Power 4 prospect is one of the most highly anticipated arrivals in the Shore Conference in recent memory. He will have the opportunity to elevate the program to new heights.

Schedule 

 

Date	Opponent
08-28	Kingsway
09-05	Holmdel
09-12	Toms River North
09-19	@ Jackson
09-26	Brick Memorial
10-03	Toms River East
10-10	@ Point Boro
10-17 10-24 10-31	@ Manalapan  @ Howell St. Joseph (Met.)