A disappointing 14-6 loss to Steinert in the first round of the Central Jersey Group 4 playoffs put a damper on an otherwise successful season for Red Bank. The Bucs finished 5-4 and earned a share of the Class C North division title after overcoming a season-opening 13-7 loss to Neptune by rattling off four straight victories to climb to the top of the standings.

Red Bank came within a fingertip of claiming the outright division championship, falling 7-6 to Manasquan after a potential game-winning two-point conversion was broken up in the back of the end zone. Following a 28-19 non-division loss to Middletown South, the Buccaneers closed the regular season with a convincing victory over rival Long Branch to secure a share of the division crown.

While Red Bank graduated much of the star power that fueled last season’s success, including tight end/edge Bennett Lopez (Carnegie Mellon), wide receiver/defensive back Ari Fraser (Rowan), and wide receiver/edge Jah’Mir Lane Bailey (Rowan), the Bucs return 12 starters and plenty of experience. With that foundation in place, Red Bank enters 2026 determined to finish the job and capture the Class C North title outright.

Offense

The Bucs return six starters from an offense that averaged 18.9 points per game last season while totaling 1,036 rushing yards and 1,087 passing yards.

Senior Brett Laude (6-1, 205) returns at quarterback after throwing for 1,087 yards and 15 touchdowns last season on his way to Second Team All-Class C North honors. A traditional pocket passer, Laude spread the ball effectively, connecting for touchdown passes to five different receivers. While that balance showcased his ability to distribute the football, his biggest challenge this season will be building chemistry with a largely new receiving corps, as only one of those touchdown scorers returns.

Junior Jewelz “JuJu” Forehand is projected to take over as the starting running back after seeing limited varsity action last season. He will be joined in the backfield rotation by seniors Kieran Gilmartin (5-9, 165) and Joe Henry (5-9, 180), along with sophomore Sam Schroeder (5-11, 170), giving the Bucs multiple options as they look to replace last season’s production on the ground that came almost exclusively from graduate Matthew Huss.

Senior Kaden Jackson returns as the Bucs’ top returning receiver after hauling in 22 receptions for 180 yards and being named a Second Team All-Class C North selection last season. Senior Ahmare Bonus, who started at cornerback in 2025, is expected to take on a larger role offensively this fall. Also competing for snaps are seniors Nate Borenius (6-0, 185), a standout lacrosse player for the Bucs, and Nick Blahut (5-11, 190), along with junior Sean Holzhaphel (5-10, 175).

A pair of seniors, Chris Doody (6-1, 195) and Kevin Mallory (6-2, 225), are competing for the starting job at tight end.

The Bucs return three starters along the offensive line, providing a solid foundation in the trenches. Senior Pat Snable (6-3, 240) is back at right tackle, while senior Kaz Neice (6-2, 245), a Second Team All-Class C North selection in 2025, returns at right guard. Junior Lachlan Swiss (6-3, 285) enters camp as the projected starter at left tackle but will battle junior George Stiles (6-0, 235) for the job.

Competition will also be fierce at the remaining two spots. Sophomores Leo Lombardi (6-3, 225) and Chase Griffin (6-0, 255) are vying for the starting role at left guard, while junior Dante Upshar (5-10, 265) and sophomore Finn Olsen (5-10, 190) are competing to earn the starting nod at center.

Doody, a Second Team All-Class C North selection, returns as the Bucs’ starting kicker and punter after handling both duties last season. Doody was perfect on extra-point attempts in 2025, converting all 20 of his kicks.

Defense

The Bucs return six starters from a defense that allowed only 12.1 points per game last season.

The Bucs return experience up front, led by Neice, who is back at defensive tackle after recording 43 tackles last season. Swiss returns at the other defensive tackle spot but will battle Griffin for the starting job. At defensive end, Doody and junior George Stiles (6-0, 235) are competing for one starting spot, while Mallory and Lombardi are in the mix for the other.

At linebacker, senior Joe Henry (5-9, 180) is projected to start at one outside linebacker position. Schroeder and sophomore Declan Sanborn (5-10, 190) will compete for the other outside spot, while junior Colton Hughes (5-10, 180) is expected to step into the starting role at inside linebacker.

The secondary returns several players who either started or gained valuable varsity experience last season. Bonus is back as the starter at one cornerback position, after tallying 36 tackles and an interception, along with earning First Team All-Class C North honors last year, while Jackson and Forehand will compete for the other starting spot. Borenius returns at strong safety after a campaign in which he recorded 29 tackles and earned Second Team All-Class C North honors, while Blahut and sophomore Sam Chalk (5-11, 170) are battling for the starting job at free safety.

 

Red Bank at a glance 

Head coach: T.K. Karalewich

Career record: 5-4

2025 record: 5-4

Offense: Multiple Spread

Defense: Multiple 3-4

 

Coaching Staff

Offensive Coordinator: Jeff Mass

Associate Head Coach/Passing Game Coordinator: Chris Leroy

Defensive Coordinator: Sam Eisenstadt

LB: Tristan Farina

OL/DL: Peter Thomas

WR: D.J. Thomson

DB: Connor Kelly

RB: Bryan Mass

Circle the Date: Oct. 10 at Neptune

The Bucs dropped a hard-fought 13-7 season opener to Neptune last year in a game that was decided in the trenches. The Scarlet Fliers controlled the ground game, rushing for 199 yards while limiting Red Bank to just 77. With three starting offensive linemen returning, the Bucs will look to establish a more physical presence up front and prove they can win the battle at the line of scrimmage.

Newcomer to Watch: Jewelz “JuJu” Forehand, Jr., RB/DB

After seeing limited varsity action as a sophomore, Forehand, who also competes in wrestling, is projected to step into the feature back role. With last year’s starter, Matt Huss, graduating after carrying the ball 168 times, there will be no shortage of opportunities for Forehand to make an immediate impact if he proves capable of handling the workload.

Schedule 

Date	Opponent
8/27	at Shore
9/3	Holmdel
9/10	at Ocean
9/18	at Raritan
9/25	Howell
10/10	at Neptune
10/16	Long Branch
10/23	Marlboro