One season removed from a sectional championship, Point Boro slipped to 4-5 in 2025 while navigating a demanding schedule loaded with larger schools. The Panthers also battled a rash of injuries throughout the season, including several season-ending losses to key contributors.

With 12 starters returning, the Panthers believe the depth they’ve built in the younger grades will provide valuable support for their standout upperclassmen throughout the season. Much of the Panthers’ young talent saw significant varsity action as freshmen and sophomores, so while the roster remains youthful, it is far from inexperienced.

Point Boro remains the smallest school in Class A South, a division that also includes Brick Memorial, Donovan Catholic, Jackson, Southern, and Toms River North. With more projected one-way starters than a year ago, the Panthers hope to be back stronger, as the team wearing down opponents rather than the one wearing down late in games and over the course of the season.

Offense

The Panthers return five starters from an offense that averaged 15.7 points per game last season while totaling 1,812 rushing yards and 399 passing yards.

Senior Jake Clayton (5-8, 170) returns for his third season as the starting quarterback and fourth year as a varsity starter after earning Third Team All-Shore honors last season. Clayton, who committed to Rutgers for wrestling this spring, rushed for 614 yards and five touchdowns while once again serving as the catalyst for the Panthers’ Flexbone Triple Option offense. Junior quarterback Jaxin Corino (5-8, 165) returns as the backup after showing he can provide a passing spark in limited action last season, completing 6 of 8 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown.

Senior DJ Albanese (5-9, 215) returns at fullback after rushing for 193 yards and three touchdowns last season. Sophomore Julius Reeves (5-10, 185), a transfer from Red Bank Catholic, will challenge for the starting role, while senior Hudson Blasi (5-9, 190) and freshman Gio DiMatteo (5-9, 210) will also compete for carries.

Senior slotback Nick Spanola (5-9, 180) is back after a torn ACL ended his junior season in the third game. Spanola earned All-Shore honors as a sophomore in 2024 after rushing for 697 yards and six touchdowns. The opposite slotback position will be a battle between sophomore Owen Hart (6-0, 180), junior Logan Scully (5-7, 180), and Reeves if he does not claim the starting fullback role.

The wide receiver competition is wide open with seniors Max Puglisi and Dylan Comstock, juniors Will Crain (6-6, 225) and Jack Quick (5-8, 155), and sophomore Mason Williams each competing for snaps.

Sophomore tight end Kennon Bastidas (5-10, 210) is expected to handle the starting duties when the Panthers line up in formations featuring a tight end. Seniors Mason Morris (6-0, 215) and Aidan Dombrowsky (6-0, 210) will also see time at the position.

Point Boro returns two starters along the offensive line, though both will shift to new positions this season. Junior Travis Scully (6-0, 240) moves from left tackle to center, while sophomore Nico Cangiano (6-1, 255), a Second Team All-Class A South selection in 2025, slides from right tackle to right guard. Freshman Max Steinhandler (6-2, 250) is projected to start at left tackle, junior Connor Hilliard (6-1, 235) will step in at left guard, and junior Marlon Keller (6-2, 235) is slated to start at right tackle.

Senior Jack Sullivan returns as a three-year starter at kicker. Sullivan earned Second Team All-Shore honors last year after booting three field goals, including a 42-yarder, and converting on 16-of-16 extra points. Clayton will be the punter.

Defense

The Panthers return seven starters from a defense that allowed 15.7 points per game last season.

Morris and Dombrowski return as the starters at defensive end, with Keller providing valuable depth. Junior Ford Kelly (6-2, 260), a part-time starter last season, steps into a full-time role at defensive tackle. The other tackle position will be filled by a rotation of Nico Cangiano, Hilliard, and Steinhandler.

Albanese, who recorded 62 tackles in 2025 and was named a First Team All-Class A South selection, returns as one of the Panthers’ inside linebackers, while junior Henry Bradley (6-0, 195) and DiMatteo will compete for the other starting spot. Senior Luca Cangiano (5-10, 185), who earned Second Team All-Class A South honors last year, is back at outside linebacker.

Senior Lorenzo Natoli (5-9, 165) and sophomore Lincoln Blasi (5-8, 165), both Second Team All-Class A South selections last season, return as the starting cornerbacks. Corino is projected to start at strong safety, while Hart, who broke into the starting lineup as a freshman last season, returns at free safety.

 

Point Boro at a glance 

Head coach: Brian Staub, 9th season

Career record: 50-29

2025 record: 4-5

Offense: Flexbone Triple Option

Defense: Multiple

 

Coaching Staff

Defensive Coordinator: Shane O’Connor

Special Teams Coordinator: Dave Johnson

OL: Ryan Canary

OL: Kyle Ryan

DL: Nick Cipot

DL: Eddie Kendall

FB: Dan Drzymkowski

LB: John McDonald

LB: Austin Druquer

Slotbacks: Tom Orrok

Slotbacks: Jordan Loiodice

DB: Cole Groschel

Athletic Trainer: John Madden

Circle the Date: Sept. 25 vs Brick Memorial

After suffering a 41-27 loss to Brick Memorial last season, the Panthers will have an opportunity for redemption in what will be pivotal Class A South clash. The meeting between head coach Brian Staub’s Panthers and the program he led to a sectional title as a player in 2008 has become one of the Shore Conference’s marquee matchups in recent years, thanks to the continued success of both programs.

Newcomer to Watch: Max Steinhandler, Fr., OL/DL

At 6-foot-2 and 250 pounds, Steinhandler possesses rare size for a freshman and has already attracted interest from several FBS programs. He will line up at left tackle, where his ability to drive defensive linemen off the ball coupled with his athleticism climbing to the second level to block linebackers will be critical to the Panthers’ Flexbone offense.

Schedule 

Date	Opponent
8/27	Sterling
9/3	Manasquan
9/10	at Toms River North
9/18	at Southern
9/25	Brick Memorial
10/2	at Lacey
10/9	Donovan Catholic
10/16	at Ocean
10/23	Jackson