Fair Winds: 2026 Toms River North Football Preview
After three consecutive Group 5 state championships to begin the state championship era, Toms River North finally fell short in 2025. With an underclassmen-heavy team, the Mariners finished 5-6, falling to Atlantic City 42-0 in the South Jersey Group 5 semifinals.
Despite the losing record and lopsided playoff exit, the Mariners flashed plenty of potential last season, highlighted by a 37-29 victory over Rumson-Fair Haven. With another year of experience under their belt, fairer winds could be ahead for the Mariners in 2026.
Toms River North’s schedule remains one of the toughest in the Shore Conference, as the Mariners will once again compete in Class A South alongside defending sectional champion Brick Memorial, Point Boro, Jackson, Southern, and crosstown rival Donovan Catholic.
Offense
The Mariners return 10 starters from an offense that averaged 18.5 points per game last season, rushed for 1,623 yards and passed for 1,159 yards.
Senior Cole Garrison (5-9, 175) will start at quarterback after seeing snaps in a Wildcat role over the past two seasons. Garrison rushed for a team-high 693 yards and 10 touchdowns last season. Last year’s starter, senior Logan Brill (6-3, 190), also returns after throwing for 1,129 yards and 12 touchdowns on his way to Second Team All-Class A South honors, but will be used in a changeup role as the Mariners employ a non-traditional approach at quarterback.
Toms River North’s Cole Garrison (Photo by Tom Smith/tspimages.com)
Senior Lucas Elias (5-7, 155), a Second Team All-Class A South pick, returns at running back after rushing for 664 yards and four touchdowns in 2025. Junior Cameron Learpearl (5-10, 160) and sophomore Finn Boland (6-2, 210) will also factor into the Mariners’ backfield rotation.
Junior Kam’ron Morse (5-11, 210) returns at fullback, with junior Dylan Bender (6-0, 210) also expected to see snaps at the position.
Senior Wesley Tanner (5-9, 175) returns at wide receiver after leading the Mariners with 24 receptions for 374 yards and four touchdowns on his way to First Team All-Class A South honors last season, while also rushing for 231 yards. Junior Jared Brown also returns after catching 11 passes for 110 yards and two touchdowns. Brill will factor into the receiving corps as well, along with senior Arlo Olivier, junior Jayden Joyner, and sophomores Jazier Frazier and Damian Thompson.
Seniors Jack Baker (6-3, 225) returns at tight end after hauling in 16 receptions for 347 yards and three touchdowns last season. Carter Tamaro (6-2, 195), along with juniors Judah Williams (6-1, 210) and Patrick Mackin (6-2, 190), will also be in the mix at tight end.
The Mariners return a wealth of experience along the offensive line, led by First Team All-Class A South junior Robert Rossano (6-1, 240) and Second Team selections Christian Davis-Joseph (6-3, 250) and Dominick Manochio (6-1, 220). Seniors Frankie Bonich and Jonathan Rodriguez (6-1, 245) also return after seeing time up front last season, while senior Anthony Bilotti (5-10, 250) and sophomore Gabe Medina (6-0, 250) are also in the mix.
Tamaro returns at kicker after converting 24-of-27 extra-point attempts and connecting on a 27-yard field goal last season. Tanner returns as the punter.
Defense
The Mariners return nine starters from a defense that allowed 19 points per game last season.
Bonich, a Second Team All-Class A South selection, returns at defensive tackle after recording 56 tackles last season, while Davis-Joseph is also back at defensive tackle after making 36 stops a year ago. Williams returns after tallying 67 tackles and five sacks on his way to Second Team All-Class A South honors. Rossano, Rodriguez, Bilotti and Medina are all in the mix to contribute to the defensive line rotation.
Boland, a First Team All-Shore selection, returns at linebacker after leading the Mariners with 118 tackles, including 23 for a loss, and 11.5 sacks. Morse is also back after a season in which he earned Third Team All-Shore honors and recorded 115 tackles, 22 tackles for loss, and five sacks, while Baker, who earned First Team All-Shore honors, returns after totaling 106 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, and an interception. Tamaro and Mackin will also factor into the linebacker rotation.
Toms River North’s Jack Baker (Photo by Tom Smith/tspimages.com)
Garrison, a First Team All-Shore pick, returns in the secondary after recording 67 tackles and a team-high three interceptions last season. Tanner is also back after totaling 57 tackles. Frazier returns after tallying 15 tackles and two interceptions and earning Second Team All-Class A South honors. Brill, Brown, Olivier, Thompson, Joyner, and Learpearl will all compete for playing time in the secondary.
Toms River North at a glance
Head coach: Dave Oizerowitz, 13th season (15th overall)
Career record: 111-55
2025 record: 5-6
Offense: Power Spread
Defense: Multiple
Coaching Staff
Offensive Coordinator: Mike Oizerowitz
OL: Bill Dowd
QB: Anthony Penna
Defensive Coordinator: Joe Oizerowitz
STC/OLB/DL: Gabe Roonan
ILB: Charlie Henry
Freshman: Greg Elias
Freshman: Aidan Accisano
Athletic Coordinator & Trainer: Jake McCartney
Circle the Date: Sept. 18 at Brick Memorial
Toms River North dropped last year’s matchup, 28-21, on a Hail Mary touchdown at the end of the game. The rematch with the defending sectional champion Mustangs will go a long way toward shaping the competitive Class A South race.
Newcomer to Watch: Gabe Medina, So., OL/DL
Medina, along with classmate Boland, saw time as a freshman last season, a rarity in a program of Toms River North’s stature. The 6-foot, 250-pound lineman will have an opportunity to carve out a role on both sides of the line of scrimmage.
Schedule
| Date | Opponent |
|---|---|
| 8/28 | at Northern Highlands |
| 9/3 | Toms River East |
| 9/11 | Point Boro |
| 9/18 | at Brick Memorial |
| 9/25 | Jackson |
| 10/2 | at Manalapan |
| 10/9 | at Southern |
| 10/16 | Toms River South |
| 10/23 | at Donovan Catholic |
