Built in the Trenches: 2025 Barnegat Football Preview

Coming off a 6–3 regular season, Barnegat returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2021, when they made the Central Group 2 Sectionals that year. Their postseason run was short-lived, however, as they fell to Mainland, 49–14, surrendering four rushing touchdowns and two pick-sixes in the loss. Now, the Bengals turn the page to a new season and a new Class C South division that includes Lacey, Lakewood, Pinelands, and Toms River East.

The toughest non-division games are on the road at Freehold Township and Manchester. Both the Patriots and the Hawks will be starting new quarterbacks, but remain a challenge. That said, Barnegat enters 2025 with more returning starters than most of its new divisional opponents. If the Bengals can fill in a few key gaps, their ceiling remains high—and another postseason appearance is well within reach.

Barnegat’s most significant departure is undoubtedly linebacker Cole Toddings, the 2024 C South Defensive Player of the Year, who now plays at Colgate. Toddings left behind a historic legacy as the school’s all-time leading tackler with 400 total stops and 73 tackles for loss. He finished last season with 123 tackles, including 21 tackles for loss (both top 5 in the Shore), and 4.5 sacks while also contributing on offense as a tight end.

 

Offense 

Despite the loss, the Bengals return quarterback Jack Haviland, who earned Second Team All-C South honors after throwing for 1,046 yards and nine touchdowns while completing 62% of his passes. Now named a captain for the 2025 season, Haviland will look to reduce turnovers and take on a larger leadership role. He’ll need to build new chemistry with his receivers, as all 73 of his completions last year went to seniors. The team will need to replace significant production from departing wideouts Stephen Griffin, Todd Muhammad (Second Team All-C South), Cole Toddings, and David Gonzalez (Second Team Utility), who combined for 66 receptions, 920 yards, and nine touchdowns.

Barnegat’s new-look wide receiver room will feature juniors ZiMere Jackson and Blake Pezzuti, sophomore Justin Fitzpatrick, and freshman Calvin Fair. At 6-foot, 175 pounds, Fair brings the most size to the group despite being the youngest. Head Coach Paul Covine has praised Jackson as one of the top newcomers on the roster and expects him to emerge as a key target. Tight end duties will be handled by Nick Malinowski, who brings a big frame at 6-1, 205 pounds and should provide quarterback Jack Haviland with a reliable option. 

The backfield will also see significant turnover. Barnegat must replace two dynamic weapons in First Team All-C South running back Myquan Rush-Esdaile, who totaled 879 yards and nine touchdowns, and First Team Utility selection Johnnel Johnson, who added 14 rushing scores of his own. Stepping into the starting role is senior Chris Santero, who had 48 carries last season and showed promise down the stretch when other backs were sidelined with injuries. While he doesn’t have a full season of experience at the position, he’s proven capable and will now have the chance to lead the ground game. He’ll be supported by senior Esteban Babilonia and a pair of halfbacks in Josh Kawka and Logan Fyle.

While Barnegat lacks continuity at the skill positions from 2024, quarterback Jack Haviland will benefit from an experienced and reliable offensive line featuring four returning starters. Anchoring the left side is 6-4, 225-pound Juelz Jarvis at left tackle and Anthony Albanese at left guard — both of whom earned Second Team All-C South honors last season. Joshua Kozak takes over at center and has already impressed the coaching staff as one of the top newcomers. The right side of the line features Dyllan Rauso at guard and Patrick Small at tackle, with Small serving as the team’s second captain alongside Haviland.

HC Covine is fully aware of where the strengths of this year’s team lie — namely, in Haviland’s leadership and the talent and experience on both the offensive and defensive lines. He has complete trust in his quarterback and high expectations for him and the offense to develop as the season progresses. While the new skill position players may need time to build chemistry, they bring promising upside and potential, and have the benefit of solid protection up front.

On special teams, junior Anthony Dringus returns after converting 32 of 37 PATs and earning Second Team All-C South honors as a kicker in 2024.

 

Defense

In the trenches, Barnegat will rely heavily on a veteran defensive line that features multiple two-way players. Patrick Small and Juelz Jarvis will set the edge at defensive end, while Joshua Kozak and Anthony Albanese line up at tackle. Small, a First Team All-C South selection in 2024, returns after recording three tackles for loss and five quarterback pressures. HC Covine has high expectations for this group, calling both Jarvis and Albanese two of the team’s top returning players. Both Small and Albanese are drawing college attention, and their ability to dominate up front on both sides of the ball could be a difference-maker this season. If they can control the line of scrimmage defensively and create lanes for the run game offensively, the Bengals will be in position to succeed.

ZiMere Jackson, a Second Team All-C South selection on the defensive line in 2024, shifts to outside linebacker this season. His explosiveness off the edge should translate well to the second level, where he’ll team up with Joshua Kawka on the outside. Inside, 6-1, 205-pound Nick Malinowski returns after earning valuable varsity experience last season, including three late-season starts and a playoff appearance. He’ll be joined in the middle by senior Esteban Babilonia — a First Team All-C South selection and returning starter.

Babilonia is one of the top returning players on the squad and is drawing college attention for his versatility and physicality. Last season, he recorded 52 total tackles, including six tackles for loss and seven quarterback pressures. He’s expected to contribute on both sides of the ball, seeing carries in the backfield as well. While the Bengals will need to replace Second Team selection Bryan Aguilar from last year’s unit, this linebacker corps has the tools and experience to be successful.

The secondary will be a new-look unit in 2025, with no returning starters. Junior Charlie Bryant and senior Ajon Johnson will step in as the starting cornerbacks, with Johnson earning praise from HC Covine as the team’s top newcomer entering the season. Chris Santero will slide in at strong safety, while veteran quarterback Jack Haviland will showcase his versatility by starting at free safety.

The Bengals lose two standout defensive backs in Stephen Griffin and Jamison Prince — both First Team All-C South selections in 2024. Griffin, who also earned Third Team All-Shore honors, tied for the Shore Conference lead with six interceptions and added 47 tackles. Prince, meanwhile, was a reliable shutdown presence in coverage throughout the season.

 

Outlook

Offensively, the Bengals averaged 26.8 points per game last season. Even if the offense takes a small step back with new faces at the skill positions, they can remain in games if the defense continues to hold opponents to the 20.8 points per game they allowed last season. Much of that success will hinge on a battle-tested defensive front living up to its potential and helping protect an inexperienced secondary.

Head Coach Covine is clear about the team’s aspirations: “The number one goal every year is to win the division.” With Class C South wide open, Barnegat is firmly in the mix. Covine also knows who will be carrying the weight: “Jack has to be the man this year offensively. It’s his third year as the starting QB — that’s what comes with that résumé.”

For Barnegat to contend, they’ll need to run the football effectively behind their experienced offensive line and play disciplined, physical defense. If the new-look secondary can limit explosive plays and the front seven controls the line of scrimmage, the Bengals have a real shot at claiming the division title.

 

Barnegat at a Glance

Head coach: Paul Covine, 5th season

Career record: 18-22

2024 record: 6-4

Offense: Multiple Spread

Defense: 3-4

 

Coaching Staff 

Director of Football Operations: Andrew Petruzzi

Offensive Coordinator: Mike Leone

Defensive Coordinator:  Paul Covine

Special Teams Coordinator: Jake Schmitz

Quarterbacks: Brian Fitzpatrick

Running Backs: Andrew Petruzzi

Wide Receivers: Teddy Wilson

Offensive Line: Mike Leone

Defensive Line: Jim Dempsey

Defensive Backs: Jake Schmitz

Athletic Trainer: Lauren Tribley

 

Circle the Date: Sept. 5 Manchester 

On paper, Barnegat’s two toughest matchups this season are against Manchester and Pinelands, based on the final Strength Index from 2024. While Manchester is not a division opponent like Pinelands, it presents an early-season test for the Bengals. The Hawks return just one starter on offense—at running back—and will likely lean heavily on the ground game. That plays directly into Barnegat’s strength up front, where the defensive line is shaping up to be the team’s most dominant unit.

The key for Barnegat will be getting their own offense into rhythm while matching the Hawks’ physicality in the trenches. With both teams built around line play, this game likely comes down to who controls the line of scrimmage.

 

Newcomer to Watch: Ajon Johnson, Sr., CB

Senior Ajon Johnson steps into a starting role this season in a revamped Barnegat secondary, following the graduation of two First Team All-Division defensive backs. At 5-9, 160 pounds, Johnson matches up well size-wise with opposing wideouts and will be tested early as one of two new starting corners. Despite the limited varsity experience in the room, Johnson benefits from having veteran quarterback Jack Haviland stationed behind him at free safety to help align the defense. Head Coach Paul Covine has already praised Johnson’s transition into the role.

 

SCHEDULE

Date                            Team                        Time

Thursday 8/28          at Monmouth           6:30 p.m.

Friday 9/5                  at Manchester          6 p.m.

Friday 9/12                TR East                      6:30 p.m.

Friday 9/19                at Lacey                     6 p.m.

Friday 9/26                Lakewood                 6:30 p.m.

Friday 10/3                at Freehold Twp.     6:30 p.m.

Friday 10/10              at Pinelands              6 p.m.

Friday 10/17               Neptune                    6:30 p.m.

Friday 10/24              Keyport                     6:30 p.m.