The margin for error is often razor thin in high school football. Freehold Township finished the 2025 season with a 5-5 record, but the Patriots were just a handful of plays away from a much different outcome. Their season ended with a heartbreaking 38-31 loss to Old Bridge in the Central Jersey Group 5 quarterfinals, while narrow defeats to Howell and St. John Vianney also slipped away after the Patriots came up just a few stops short.

The Patriots return 10 starters, including seven on the offensive side of the ball, where they have consistently found success in head coach Cory Davies’ Air Raid system. With much of their offensive production back, Freehold Township expects its high-powered passing attack to once again be one of the strengths of the team.

The Patriots’ two lopsided losses came against Wall and Manalapan, two programs known for their physical rushing attacks and rugged play in the front seven on defense. Freehold Township is not going to abandon its identity as an Air Raid offense in favor of a grind-it-out rushing attack. However, to take the next step, the Patriots will need to become more physical at the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Winning a few more battles up front would provide their explosive offense with a greater margin for error against the top teams on their schedule.

Freehold Township will compete in the highly competitive Class B North division, where its pass-first approach provides a stark contrast to teams like Manasquan, Middletown North, and Middletown South, all of whom are built around establishing the run and controlling the line of scrimmage.

Offense

The Patriots return seven starters from an offense that averaged 29.9 points per game last season while totaling 800 rushing yards and 2,211 passing yards.

Senior Dakota Lasater (5-11, 165), who earned Second Team All-Class B North honors in 2025, returns at quarterback after completing 118 of 195 passes for 1,606 yards and 16 touchdowns last season while also rushing for five scores despite missing time with an injury. With a full season of experience in Davies’ system, Lasater enters 2026 as one of the Shore Conference’s top returning quarterbacks and projects to be among its most productive passers.

Senior Dennis Quattrache III (5-11, 205) returns to the Patriots’ backfield after rushing for 329 yards and two touchdowns last season while adding nine receptions for 111 yards and another score. Junior Scott Monge (5-7, 160) provides another option out of the backfield, giving Freehold Township additional versatility in both the running and passing game.

Senior Jake Schultzel (6-4, 205), a Monmouth University commit, returns as the Patriots’ top offensive weapon after catching 59 passes for 1,090 yards and 14 touchdowns on his way to First Team All-Shore honors last season. Senior Mikey Lorenzo (5-8, 155), also a three-year starter who was a Second Team All-Class B North selection last year, provides another proven target after recording 33 receptions for 363 yards and six touchdowns. Senior George Burdge IV (6-0, 155) is back after hauling in 16 passes for 211 yards and two scores.

Junior Elijah Msomi (6-1, 190) is projected to be the lone new starter in the receiving corps, while seniors Nick Stabile (5-8, 155) and Jordan McKenzie (6-1, 175) add depth to the wide receiver rotation.

Senior Hayden Muh (6-4, 315), a three-year starter, returns at center. Senior Haniel Flores (5-11, 240) is back at right guard, while senior David Sanchez (5-10, 215) is projected to start at left guard. Senior Jake Platt (6-0, 200) returns at right tackle, and senior Dan Fedyshyn (6-4, 225) is projected to take over at left tackle. Junior Carter Campbell (6-0, 210) provides depth at tackle, while junior Luca Scalamandre (5-11, 235) is in the mix along the interior offensive line.

Schultzel returns as the Patriots’ kicker after converting 32 of 37 extra-point attempts and connecting on a 37-yard field goal last season. He will also assume the punting duties in 2026.

Defense

The Panthers return three starters from a defense that allowed 26.3 points per game last season.

Fedyshyn returns as a starting defensive end after recording 27 tackles last season. Junior Dan Alvarado (6-0, 220) is projected to start on the opposite side, while Scalamandre will also compete for snaps at defensive end.

Flores is projected to start at one defensive tackle position, with Sanchez slated to start alongside him. Campbell will also compete for playing time along the interior defensive line.

Senior Noah Bracho (5-10, 175) returns at one outside linebacker spot after tallying 30 tackles a year ago. Msomi is projected to start on the opposite side, while junior Joey Stephenson (6-2, 175) is also in the mix.

Platt returns as a three-year starter at inside linebacker after compiling 53 tackles last year. He will be joined in the middle by Quattrache. Senior Nick Pavlonnis (5-11, 165) and junior Eric Brooks (6-2, 200) are also in the mix.

Burdge IV and Stabile are projected to start at cornerback, while Lasater and junior Josh Peleo (5-5, 155) will compete for snaps. Monge returns at safety after recording 47 tackles last season on his way to being named a Second Team All-Class B North selection, and junior Jake Cottrell (5-11, 170) is also expected to compete for playing time.

 

Freehold Township at a glance 

Head coach: Cory Davies, 9th season

Career record: 159-176

2025 record: 5-5

Offense: Spread

Defense: 4-2-5

 

Coaching Staff

Defensive Coordinator/LB/OL: Matt Hardison

WR/DB: Todd Smith

OL/DL: Bill Dague

OL/DL: Jake White

WR/DB: Mike Lorenzo

Freshman: Matt Ferguson

Freshman: Nick Gargiulo

Freshman: Vinny Gargiulo

Circle the Date: Sept. 18 vs. Matawan

Both Freehold Township and Matawan return highly productive quarterbacks in Dakota Lasater and BlairCarter Gagneron, First Team All-Shore receivers in Jake Schultzel and Cayson Williams, and explosive passing attacks capable of putting up points in a hurry. If both offenses are clicking, the scoreboard operator could have a busy night.

Newcomer to Watch: Elijah Msomi, Jr., WR/LB

As the lone new starter in the receiving corps, Msomi gives Lasater another big target at 6-foot-1 and 190 pounds to complement Schultzel out wide.

Schedule 

Date	Opponent
8/27	at Central
9/3	Wall
9/10	at Middletown South
9/18	Matawan
9/25	at Shore
10/2	Freehold Boro
10/9	Manasquan
10/16	at Howell
10/22	at Middletown North