Toms River South’s 2025 season was filled with adversity, as a young roster navigated a schedule that included three ranked teams and a handful of other difficult opponents. After an 0-4 start, the Indians rebounded a bit down the stretch and finished with a 3-7 record which included wins over Manchester, rival Toms River East, and Egg Harbor in the season finale.

The Indians return a wealth of varsity experience, with an impressive 18 starters back from last season. A renewed commitment in the weight room has also made Toms River South a stronger team than it was a year ago. Head coach Matt Martin is hopeful that leaders will emerge from the veteran group and that the lessons learned through last season’s struggles and adversity will help the Indians take a significant step forward and put themselves in the mix this fall.

Toms River South will once again compete in Class B South this season. While defending division champion Southern has moved up to Class A South, the Indians will still face a challenging slate that includes Central, Brick, rival Toms River East, Pinelands, and Lacey.

Offense

The Indians return eight starters from an offense that averaged 10.1 points per game last season.

With last year’s starting quarterback Brett Rankin lost to graduation, a pair of juniors will compete for the starting job. Xavier Santiago (5-10, 180), who also plays baseball, and Zahir Armour (6-1, 180), a returning starter in the secondary and a sprinter for the Indians’ track program, will battle for the opportunity to lead the offense.

Senior Kavon Metellus (5-10, 175) returns to lead the backfield at running back. Juniors Vernon Meehan (5-8, 150) and Chris Barbieri (5-10, 185), along with sophomore Mason Defalco (5-9, 170), will also be in the mix for carries and give the Indians several options out of the backfield.

The Indians return two starters at wide receiver in senior Grayson Thumm (6-1, 180), a Second Team All-Class B South selection in 2025 and junior Darrien Giordano (5-11, 175). A host of other players are competing at wideout including senior Marco Catalano (5-7, 160), juniors Finn Degnan (5-8, 165), Jonas Reader (6-0, 160), and Nash Lovell (5-9, 150), as well as sophomores Gabe Villamizer (6-0, 170) and Jasir Parker (6-2, 150).

Junior George Campbell (6-0, 200) returns as the starter at tight end. The Indians also have several players in the mix at both tight end and H-back, including seniors Dyson Bouchelle (6-2, 200), Andrew Data (5-11, 190), and Anthony Marrano (6-0, 220), along with juniors Jovanny Rodriguez (5-8, 225) and Hector Arroyo (5-10, 190).

Toms River South returns four starters along the offensive line, although their exact positions are still to be determined. Senior Jorel Saavedra (6-2, 300), juniors Mike Boakye (6-0, 310), a Second Team All-Class B South selection last season, and Jesus Manrique (6-1, 270), along with sophomore Liam Byrne (6-1, 290), give the Indians an experienced and imposing foundation up front. Juniors David Hyer (6-5, 300) and Tommy Reed (6-2, 240), along with sophomore Matt Tenner (6-3, 335), are competing for the remaining starting spot.

Campbell returns to handle both the kicking and punting duties after earning First Team All-Class B South honors as a punter last season.

Defense

The Indians return 10 starters from a defense that allowed 25.8 points per game last season.

Three starters return along the defensive line in senior Javier Burns (6-2, 260), Marrano, and Reed, giving the Indians an experienced group up front. Junior Trent Zupan Finch (6-1, 240) will compete with Bouchelle, Boakye, and Byrne for the remaining starting spot.

Barbieri, a Second Team All-Class B South selection last season, returns to lead the linebacker corps alongside Data and senior Jeff Hare (6-0, 180). The Indians also have plenty of depth at the position, with senior James Randazzo (6-1, 170), Campbell, juniors Noah West (6-0, 180) and Cullen Burr (5-11, 175), and sophomore Denzel Abban (5-8, 170) all in the mix for playing time.

Metellus headlines an experienced secondary that returns four starters after earning First Team All-Class B South honors last season. Junior Hamza Hollingshead (5-9, 150), a Second Team All-Class B South selection in 2025, also returns alongside Thumm and Armour. Senior Kevin Loveday (5-11, 170), Catalano, Reader, Degnan, and Defalco are also in the mix for playing time in a deep defensive backfield.

 

Toms River South at a glance 

Head coach: Matt Martin, 4th season

Career record: 15-24

2025 record: 3-7

Offense: Multiple

Defense: 4-3

 

Coaching Staff

Defensive Coordinator/LB/TE: Darrius Hart

OL/DL: Kyle Austin

RB/CB: Tom Malek

OL/DL: Mike Murphy

TE/LB: Joe Kelly

WR/S: Gavin Migliori

QB/CB: Jim Rankin

Volunteer: Bill Rankin

Freshman: Brett Hardie

Athletic Trainer: Dan Crashewsky

Circle the Date: Sept. 24 at Brick

The Indians fell to the Dragons on the road a year ago, so revenge will be on their minds when they return to Keller Memorial Field for a Class B South showdown.

Newcomer to Watch: Dyson Bouchelle, Sr., TE/DL

Bouchelle missed all of last season due to injury, but the 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior returns with the potential to make an immediate impact on both sides of the ball at tight end and on the edge defensively.

Schedule 

Date	Opponent
8/28	Freehold Boro
9/4	Jackson
9/11	at Central
9/18	Toms River East
9/24	at Brick
10/2	Colts Neck
10/9	Lacey
10/16	at Toms River North
10/23	at Pinelands