Holmdel’s 2025 season stands as the greatest in program history. The Hornets finished 9-3 and captured the program’s first sectional championship, defeating Seneca 41-20 before seeing their season come to an end with a 48-38 loss to Cedar Creek in the Group 3 state semifinals.

That championship run was fueled by what may have been the greatest senior class in school history, headlined by Shore Sports Insider MVP Jack Cannon, who has a strong case as the greatest player ever to wear a Holmdel uniform.

Now comes the next challenge. Like every successful program, Holmdel is determined to prove its success extended beyond one extraordinary senior class. The Hornets spent the last four years building a nest founded on accountability, hard work, and an unwavering belief in one another. It now falls to the new senior class to protect the nest, uphold the program’s standard, and ensure last season’s historic breakthrough becomes the expectation rather than the exception.

Holmdel will once again compete in the loaded Class A North division alongside perennial powers Red Bank Catholic and Rumson-Fair Haven and the rest of one of the Shore Conference’s toughest division. It won’t take long to find out whether the Hornets can sustain the championship standard they established over the past four seasons.

Offense

The Hornets return four starters from an offense that averaged an exceptional 43.08 points per game last season, rushed for 2,413 yards and passed for 2,786 yards.

Sophomore Tommy Fletcher (6-0, 170) will step into the starting quarterback role vacated by Cannon. While no one expects him to replicate that level of production, Holmdel’s coaching staff believes Fletcher has the talent and potential to develop into the program’s next standout quarterback.

Senior Matt Scheinman (5-9, 185) returns as the starting running back after rushing for 328 yards and six touchdowns last season while adding 22 receptions for 278 yards and another score as a versatile weapon out of the backfield. With Cannon now graduated, Scheinman may see more action in the running game.

Sophomores Tyler Carri (5-7, 155) and Jahvi Wright (5-7, 165) will spell Scheinman in the backfield.

The Hornets return one of the Shore Conference’s most productive receiving duos in junior Anthony Serini (6-1, 180) and senior three-year starter Michael Todisco (5-10, 180).

Serini earned First Team All-Shore honors as a utility player after catching 44 passes for 783 yards and nine touchdowns while adding 139 rushing yards and another score. Todisco also enjoyed a productive 2025 campaign, hauling in 35 receptions for 530 yards while rushing for 197 yards and two touchdowns.

The battle for the third starting wide receiver spot will be one of the Hornets’ most competitive position battles during camp. Senior Dylan Carri (6-0, 170), junior Patrick Flanagan (6-3, 170), and sophomores Charlie Murphy (5-10, 165) and Tayem Sharaf (5-11, 170) are all in contention for the role.

Senior Ryan Pescatore (5-11, 175) enters the season as the projected starter at tight end, while freshman Terence Wall (6-2, 180) is expected to compete for playing time at the position.

Outside of quarterback, no position group was hit harder by graduation than the offensive line, which lost four starters for the third consecutive season.

Senior James Agboton (5-11, 210) is the lone returning starter and will line up at right guard. Junior Vincenzo Amodio (5-10, 205) is projected to start at right tackle.

The competition at center features seniors Michael Braccia (5-11, 195), Markos Vellios (5-11, 190), and Jaxson Nied (5-9, 220), along with junior Lucas Mesa (5-10, 220). At left guard, seniors John Gann (6-2, 235) and Hunter Sanfilippo (6-0, 205) will battle junior Greyson Crowther (5-9, 200) for the starting job. The left tackle position remains up for grabs as senior Mahmoud Ghanam (6-2, 250) and junior Peter Scheiss (6-3, 220) compete for the role.

Junior Sean Diaz is the projected starter at kicker and punter.

Defense

The Hornets return six starters from a defense that allowed 28.3 points per game last season.

Sanfilippo returns as the starter at one defensive end spot after recording 37 tackles last season, earning Second Team All-Class A North honors. The opposite end position will be decided during camp, with Crowther, Agboton, and Vellios all competing for the starting role.

The battle at nose guard is also expected to continue throughout camp, as Gann competes with sophomores Michael Longyear (5-10, 185) and Andrew Klein (5-10, 195) for the vacant starting position.

Senior Joey Berardi (6-0, 185) returns at strongside linebacker after recording 81 tackles, including 15 for loss, as a First Team All-Class A North selection last season. Pescatore is the projected starter at weakside linebacker after starting several games in 2025, though he will be pushed by juniors Christian Verange (6-0, 180) and Dan Impreveduto (5-7, 160). Junior John Wassef (5-10, 200) enters camp as the favorite to start at middle linebacker, with Wall also competing for snaps.

Tyler Carri returns as the starter at one cornerback position after totaling 63 tackles and two interceptions a year ago, earning Second Team All-Class A North honors as a freshman last year. The opposite cornerback spot remains open, with Dylan Carri, Murphy, Wright, and Flanagan all vying for the job.

The Hornets return one of the Shore Conference’s most experienced safety groups. Todisco is back for his third season as the starting weak safety after recording 78 tackles and five interceptions, earning First Team All-Shore honors in 2025. Scheinman returns at strong safety after totaling 77 tackles as a Second Team All-Shore selection, while Serini shifts from cornerback to free safety after starting there last season. Sharaf is expected to rotate between all three safety positions.

 

Holmdel at a glance 

Head coach: Noel Kavanagh, 3rd season

Career record:17-5

2025 record: 9-3

Offense: Multiple Spread

Defense: 3-3-5 Hybrid

 

Coaching Staff

Joe Castellano

Dallas Clem

Caden Eastmond

Steve Leo

Tyler Ochojski

Mike Oxley

Shakeem Richardson

Dave Sherman

Nick Tyson

Strength Coach: Matt Munoz

Athletic Trainer: Kyle Heidel

Circle the Date: Sept. 18 vs St. John Vianney

Holmdel checked nearly every box during its historic 2025 season, but one opportunity never materialized. The Hornets did not face crosstown rival St. John Vianney since the teams were not scheduled to meet. The last meeting came in 2024, when the Lancers earned a 33-19 victory. This fall, Holmdel will have the chance to earn local bragging rights.

Newcomer to Watch: Tommy Fletcher, So., QB

No player has bigger shoes to fill than Fletcher, who steps into the starting quarterback role following program legend Jack Cannon’s graduation. While no one expects Fletcher to replicate Cannon’s production, the coaching staff and his teammates have strong belief that he has the talent and work-ethic to become a great quarterback.

Schedule 

Date	Opponent
8/27	Hightstown
9/3	at Red Bank
9/10	Rumson-Fair Haven
9/18	St. John Vianney
9/25	at Red Bank Catholic
10/2	at Middletown South
10/9	at Wall
10/16	Raritan
10/23	Manalapan