Back to Form: 2026 Colts Neck Football Preview
Plagued by a slow start and inconsistency, Colts Neck finished the 2025 season with a 2-7 record. Despite the struggles, the Cougars showed steady improvement as the season progressed, earning victories over Long Branch and Freehold Boro while remaining competitive in one- and two-score battles against quality opponents in Red Bank, Matawan, and Shore.
With 12 returning starters, the Cougars hope to return back to the form they displayed from 2019 through 2023, when they posted a winning record in each season. Colts Neck moves to Class D North this fall, where it will compete against Asbury Park, Barnegat, Long Branch, Manchester, and Monmouth with its sights set on contending for a division title.
Offense
The Cougars return five starters from an offense that averaged 15.9 points per game last season.
Three juniors are competing for the starting quarterback job: Johnny Palazzolo (5-10, 170), Chace Staback (5-10, 190), and Alex Fleyschman (6-0, 190).
Junior Mike Arminante (5-10, 185) will be the Cougars’ lead back after seeing significant action in 2025. Seniors Vito Apisa (5-6, 175) and Jaylen Jackson (5-11, 185) will also factor into the backfield competition, along with a promising sophomore trio of Trevor Baum (5-10, 160), Mike Lombardi (5-10, 190), and Ethan Campos (5-10, 170).
Junior Manny Paviadakis (5-8, 180) is projected to start at fullback, a key position in Colts Neck’s Multiple-I offensive attack.
Seniors Alex Policastro (6-0, 190) and Nico Zecchino (5-10, 160) are penciled in as the starting wide receivers, with plenty of competition for additional snaps. Fellow seniors James Scully (5-10, 175), Alex Baum (5-10, 180), Austin Hardy (6-3, 190), and Myles Willis (5-11, 190) are also in the mix.
Senior Kyle Li (6-3, 220) returns as the starting tight end, with seniors Jaxon Atkins (6-1, 195) and Nick Jannucci (6-1, 205) also in the mix.
The offensive line will feature plenty of experience, led by senior Miles Baum (6-0, 210), who returns as the starter at right tackle. Senior AJ Sanchez (6-1, 220) is slated to start at right guard, while senior Joe Montecalvo (5-10, 250) will anchor the unit at center. Senior Justin Maugeri (6-2, 290) will line up at left guard, with junior Harley Jamison (6-3, 200) taking over at left tackle.
Senior Sean Killick (6-0, 180) will handle the kicking duties, while he, sophomore Trevor Baum (5-10, 160), and Fleyschman will compete for the punting job.
Defense
The Cougars return seven starters from a defense that allowed 27.3 points per game last season.
Li and Miles Baum will line up at defensive end in Colts Neck’s 3-4 front, with Sanchez slated to start at nose guard. Sophomore Walter Ventrice (6-0, 200), Jamison, Atkins, and sophomore Christian Howard (6-3, 225) will provide additional depth at defensive end. Maugeri, Montecalvo, junior Hudson Alperovich (5-10, 250), and sophomore Bobby Doerrler (6-3, 290) will also be in the mix along the interior of the defensive line.
Arminante returns as a starter at inside linebacker after earning Second Team All-Class C North honors last season. He will be joined on the inside by Lombardi, while Jannucci and Staback are slated to start at the two outside linebacker spots.
Zecchino and junior Ethan Siegel (5-10, 160) are slated to start at cornerback. Alex Baum returns at strong safety after earning Second Team All-Class C North honors last season, while Scully will align at free safety.
Central at a glance
Head coach: Matt Ahearn, 9th season
Career record: 39-37
2025 record: 2-7
Offense: Multiple I
Defense: 3-4
Coaching Staff
Defensive Coordinator/RB/S: Shawn Scully
Special Teams Coordinator/OL/DL: Dom Pollifrone
WR/DB: Brendan Wei
WR/DB: Joe Pipoli
WR/DB: Vinny Albanese
TE/LB: Greg Schenck
RB/LB: James Bedell
QB/DB: Egan Nelms
OL/DL: Ryan Kroeger
RB/LB: Carmen Catena
Freshman: Anton Updale
Freshman: Joe Giacalone
Freshman: Anthony Lombardi
Freshman: Shea Bresnahan
Circle the Date: Aug. 27 at Marlboro
The Cougars opened last season with a 34-6 loss to their district rival, setting the tone for a difficult 2-7 campaign. A victory on opening night could go a long way toward signaling that Colts Neck is ready to get back to form.
Newcomer to Watch: Mike Lombardi, So., RB/LB
Lombardi is projected to start at inside linebacker, one of the most demanding positions on the field both mentally and physically, a testament to the trust Colts Neck’s coaching staff has in him as a sophomore. He will also compete for carries at running back.
Schedule
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 8/27 | at Marlboro |
| 9/5 | Ocean |
| 9/10 | at Long Branch |
| 9/18 | at Asbury Park |
| 9/25 | Barnegat |
| 10/2 | at Toms River South |
| 10/9 | at Manchester |
| 10/17 | Freehold Boro |
| 10/24 | Monmouth |
