Brave New World: 2025 Manalapan Football Preview

Manalapan started the 2024 season 0–2 but rallied to finish 4–5, good enough to earn a playoff berth. The Braves opened the postseason by running over Pennsauken with 225 rushing yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Their season came to an end in the next round against top-seeded Winslow in South Group 4, where they were picked apart through the air for 250 yards and five passing touchdowns.

While that wasn’t the way the Braves wanted the season to end, they return plenty of experience in 2025 with six starters back on offense and five on defense. Manalapan now enters the reshuffled Class B North, which includes Freehold Township, Howell, Manalapan, St. John Vianney, and Wall. Manalapan joins SJV and Wall as teams that moved up from Class C North in 2024. Last season, the division was highly competitive, with the top four teams all finishing with winning division records.

 

Offense 

Quarterback Ryan Dougherty will not be among the returning starters on offense. He threw for 1,184 yards and nine touchdowns last season and was named Second Team All-C North in 2024. This year, junior Cameron Desfosse takes over under center. Desfosse brings solid size to the position at 6-0, 175 pounds, and flashed some mobility with a few carries last season. However, he won’t need to shoulder the offensive load alone, as both of the Braves’ top running backs return.

A’shere Woolfolk, a First Team All-C North and Third Team All-Shore selection in 2024, led the Braves with 975 rushing yards and 10 touchdowns on 154 carries. He recorded four 100-yard games and was the driving force of the ground game. His backfield partner, Nicky Palmieri, is now a junior and was also a Third Team All-Shore and First Team All-C North pick. Palmieri added nine rushing touchdowns of his own and contributed in all three phases — recording 65 tackles (three for loss) on defense and returning a kickoff for a touchdown. 

The wide receiver room will look quite different this season. Wideouts Justin Rizzo-Troxell and Jackson Pfister — both Second Team All-C North selections — along with tight end Anthony Hammel, a First Team All-C North pick, have all graduated. The trio combined for seven touchdowns, 59 receptions, and 848 yards in 2024. Stepping into starting roles are senior Crue Brown (6-0, 170 lbs) and junior Cooper Savage (6-0, 175 lbs), alongside returning starter Ethan Fogelstrom at tight end, a 6-2, 200-pound target who provides a big frame in the passing game. All three offer size and physicality, which should benefit new quarterback Cameron Desfosse as he builds chemistry with the unit.

Desfosse will also be aided by a veteran offensive line anchored by seniors across the board. Senior left tackle Anthony Beaton (6-0, 245) is a returning starter, as is left guard Joseph Petriello (5-11, 225). At center is senior Lucca Troiani, flanked by Brayden Miller at right guard — another returning starter — and senior Nick DeGennaro at right tackle. This experienced and sizable line is expected to set the tone again, particularly for the returning 1-2 punch at running back. Head Coach Dom Lepore has highlighted the value of the returning experience on both the offensive line and in the backfield. Although they lose Nick Monteleon, a First Team All-C North selection in 2024, the line remains intact and well-equipped to lead the way in 2025.

 

Defense

The defensive line will also be senior-heavy, but unlike many teams, the Braves won’t need their linemen to play both ways. The group will feature Jamil Mercado, Brayden Claro, and returning starter Nikita Jouk. However, they will be without Reggie Bennett, a First Team All-C North selection on the line last season.

At linebacker, Mike Cuccinello and Ethan Fogelstrom will hold down the outside. Fogelstrom, now up to 6-0, 200 pounds, was a Second Team All-C North selection in 2024 as a defensive lineman and is one of the team’s top returning players as a returning starter. He recorded 51 tackles, including three for loss and five sacks, last season.

On the inside, Donny Rocco Sosa and Nick Palmieri will lead the charge. Palmieri, a returning starter, had the second-most tackles on the team in 2024 with 65 (three for loss), trailing only now graduate Vin DiFilippo, who posted 66 tackles and was a First Team All-C North linebacker. Palmieri, who is also part of the Braves’ dynamic running back duo with Ah’sere Woolfolk, is considered one of the team’s top returning players. Both Palmieri and Woolfolk are standout return specialists as well, adding even more versatility to their profiles — and both are drawing college interest.

The secondary is another experienced unit on the Braves roster, composed primarily of seniors. Crue Brown, a returning starter, and Ryan Melendez will hold down the cornerback spots, while junior Cooper Savage will line up at strong safety. At free safety is senior DJ Corsaro, another returning starter who had three interceptions last season.

All four bring size and strength to the back end of the defense, giving the Braves the ability to match up physically with opposing receiving corps. HC Dom Lepore is high on this secondary, specifically naming both Melendez and Corsaro as two of the team’s top returning players — both of whom are currently being recruited.

The Braves do lose Dennis Healy, a Second Team All-C North defensive back in 2024, as well as Jackson Pfister, who had three interceptions of his own. Still, with the leadership and returning production in place, the secondary should remain one of the team’s strengths.

 

Outlook

Head Coach Dom Lepore cites the keys to the 2025 season as staying healthy and winning the close games. Last year, the Braves lost four games by eight points or fewer — including a 1–3 stretch down the final leg of the regular season against Howell, Wall, Freehold Township, and Holmdel before the playoffs.

Manalapan finished in the middle of the conference offensively, averaging 23.6 points per game, and with a strong returning backfield, there’s little reason to expect a drop-off in rushing production this fall. On defense, the Braves allowed just 19.8 points per game — a mark that ranked in the top third of the Shore Conference.

Looking ahead, the 2025 schedule presents its challenges, but based on final Strength Index ratings from last season, the Braves should contend in all matchups. Both St. John Vianney and Wall finished just a few points behind Manalapan in the SI, facing one game at home and one on the road. Donovan Catholic enters the season with a retooled offensive unit, while Middletown South, Jackson, and Howell are all on a difficult first-half slate.

Still, the division remains wide open. Wall must replace several key pieces on both sides of the ball, and SJV will break in a new head coach while losing Shore Conference Offensive Player of the Year Abdul Turay at running back. There’s no reason Manalapan shouldn’t be in contention for the division title and another postseason appearance.

 

Manalapan at a Glance

Head Coach: Dom Lepore, 6th Season

Career record: 56-89

2024 record: 5-6

Offense: Gun T

Defense: 3-4

 

Coaching Staff 

Offensive Coordinator: Anthony Cialdella

Defensive Coordinator: Brian Ballentine

Special Teams Coordinator: Andrew Jones

Running Backs: Lou Profera

Wide Receivers: John Carlson

Defensive Line: Andrew Jones

Inside Linebackers: Lou Profera

Defensive Backs: Lou Mazzarisi

Athletic Trainer: Shannon Tomasula

 

Circle the Date: Sept. 26 St. John Vianney  

As mentioned above, this matchup will be the Braves’ second divisional game of the season. After four games to open the year, Manalapan could enter either undefeated or at 3–1 (1-0). They also benefit from playing this key game at home.

St. John Vianney allowed 23.6 points per game last season and endured a tough three-game stretch that included a blown game against Wall on a long fumble return by the Knights from their goal line, followed by a one-point loss to this Braves squad. The Lancers lost Shore Conference Offensive Player of the Year Abdul Turay, who accounted for 37 rushing touchdowns, along with much of their pass-catching unit. Turay was also tied for second on the team in tackles, making him a major loss on both sides of the ball.

If Manalapan can continue to run the ball effectively behind its veteran offensive line and the linebacking corps steps up in front of a solid secondary, the Braves could find themselves well-positioned for a division title run.

 

Newcomer to Watch: Cameron Desfosse, Jr., QB

Desfosse enters the starting role with strong, established pieces around him. With the entire running back room returning intact, the pressure will be eased off his shoulders—he won’t be forced to carry the offense through the air. When he does drop back, he’ll benefit from a veteran offensive line that should provide reliable protection.

While developing chemistry with a new group of pass-catchers will take time, expect the Braves to lean heavily on the run early in the season. In the opening stretch, Desfosse may take on more of a game-manager role, allowing him time to grow comfortable and settle into the offense.

 

SCHEDULE

Date                         Team                           Time

Thursday 8/28       Tottenville (NY)          6 p.m.

Friday 9/5               at Midd South             7 p.m.

Friday 9/12             at Jackson                    6:30 p.m.

Friday 9/19             Howell                          6 p.m.

Friday 9/26            SJV                                 6 p.m.

Friday 10/3             Brick Twp.                    6 p.m.

Friday 10/10           at Wall                          7 p.m.

Friday 10/17           Donovan Cath.            6 p.m.

Friday 10/24           at Freehold Twp.        6:30 p.m.