After starting slow with an 0-2 record, the Crimson Knights caught fire, winning nine of their next 10 games to capture the Class B North title and advance to the Central Jersey Group 2 championship. Their season ended with a loss to eventual Group 2 state champion Camden, marking the second straight year they were eliminated by the eventual group champion after falling to Rumson-Fair Haven in 2024.

With 14 starters returning, the Crimson Knights hope to have the experience to finally breakthrough and capture their first sectional championship since 2019.

The road won’t be easy, however, as Wall moves up to the loaded Class A North division, where it will face perennial contenders Red Bank Catholic, Rumson-Fair Haven, Holmdel, and a host of other formidable opponents.

Offense

The Crimson Knights return six starters from an offense that averaged 22.4 points per game last season while totaling 2,001 rushing yards and 1,328 passing yards.

Senior Franny Scaramellino (5-11, 185) returns to lead the offense after spending most of last season on defense. He was forced to sit out four games after transferring to and from Red Bank Catholic before his junior season, and with Wall thriving behind Brian McKenna during his absence, the Crimson Knights elected to stick with the hot hand at quarterback.

As Wall’s starting quarterback in 2024, Scaramellino threw for 1,246 yards and 16 touchdowns while adding 215 rushing yards and five scores, giving the Crimson Knights an experienced dual-threat back under center in 2026.

Junior Mike Boulard (5-7, 175) and senior Max Katsouris (5-10, 190) are expected to share the workload at running back. Boulard, who is also a standout wrestler for Wall, rushed for 408 yards and two touchdowns last season, as he earned Second Team All-Class B North honors, while serving as the backup to Dylan Cohen. Junior Jesse Roth (6-1, 240) returns as the starter at fullback.

With First Team All-Shore wide receiver Heath Reinhardt now graduated, the Crimson Knights will look to seniors John Partusch (5-11, 180), Clayton Rickle (5-11, 175), and Kai Smith (5-9, 180) to lead the receiving corps. Junior Jasyi Medler (5-10, 180) is also in the mix.

Wall must also replace First Team All-Shore tight end Justin Davis, who is headed to Colgate. Senior David Chafey (6-2, 225) and junior Brayden Dunfee (6-1, 220) are competing for the starting job.

The offensive line projects to be the Crimson Knights’ biggest strength with four returning starters. Third Team All-Shore senior Gus Stedronsky (6-3, 260) anchors the unit at left tackle, while senior Nick Rogers (6-0, 250), a three-year starter and First Team All-Class B North selection, returns at left guard. Junior Henry Clarke (6-1, 260) is back at center, and senior Tim Fischer (6-0, 250) returns at right guard. Senior Donovan Buist (6-4, 240) is projected to step in as the lone new starter at right tackle.

Smith will handle both the placekicking and punting duties. He gained experience as a sophomore, filling in for the departed Reinhardt in 2024. He converted his lone field-goal attempt and went 8-for-13 on extra-point attempts that year.

Defense

The Crimson Knights return eight starters from a defense that allowed 14.5 points per game last season.

Stedronsky returns at nose guard, where he has been a part-time starter since his sophomore season. Buist is back at defensive tackle after recording 30 tackles on his way to being a First Team All-Class B North selection last season. Roth returns at one edge position after totaling 62 tackles and 14 tackles for loss on his way to First Team All-Class B North honors, while senior Shea Fagan (6-4, 220) is projected to start opposite him.

Katsouris will move to the weakside linebacker position after compiling 92 tackles and 11 tackles for loss and earning First Team All-Class B North honors last season as a strongside linebacker.. Senior Christos Tsandiotis (6-0, 200), a Second Team All-Class B North selection in 2025, is back at middle linebacker after recording 63 tackles and six tackles for loss, while junior Stan Kingman (6-1, 190) is projected to start at strongside linebacker.

Partusch returns as the starter at one cornerback spot, while one of sophomore Connor Rickle (5-10, 165) or sophomore Jake Butkus (5-9, 165) will start opposite of him. Clayton Rickle returns at free safety after recording 36 tackles last season, while Scaramellino will start at strong safety again following a 59-tackle campaign that saw him receive Second Team All-Class B North honors.

 

Wall at a glance 

Head coach: Ed Gurrieri, 18th season

Career record: 134-61

2025 record: 9-3

Offense: Multiple-Pro

Defense: 3-4

 

Coaching Staff

Defensive Coordinator/LB: Jim DiPaulo

Special Teams Coordinator/TE: Pete Ottaviano

QB: Chris Mattura

WR/DB: Shane Richey

TE/OLB: Gene Scott

OL: Brady Smith

DL: Nick Cusanelli

DB: Jesse Shenker

Athletic Trainer: Brendan McDermott

Circle the Date: Sept. 17 vs. Rumson-Fair Haven

The Crimson Knights avenged their 2024 sectional championship loss by defeating the Bulldogs in last season’s sectional semifinals. Rumson has set the standard among Group 2 programs for much of the past decade and a half, and another victory over the Bulldogs go a long way towards changing the power dynamic.

Newcomer to Watch: Jasyi Medler, Jr., WR

After seeing some action as a backup quarterback last season, Medler has made the full-time shift to wide receiver, where he is projected to see a lot of snaps.

Schedule 

Date	Opponent
8/28	at Brick Memorial
9/3	at Freehold Township
9/10	Manalapan
9/17	Rumson-Fair Haven
9/25	at St. John Vianney
10/9	Holmdel
10/16	Jackson
10/23	at Red Bank Catholic
11/26	at Manasquan