The 2025 season marked a step backward for St. John Vianney after the Lancers went 9-4 and advanced to the Non-Public B semifinals the previous year. They were never able to fully overcome the loss of All-State running back Abdul Turay, who transferred to St. Peter’s Prep, and finished with an uneven 5-6 record.

With only six starters returning from last season, St. John Vianney enters 2026 with a clean slate as the Lancers look to bounce back and reestablish themselves as contenders.

There will be no easy games for the Lancers after moving up to Class A North, where they’ll face a gauntlet that includes perennial powers Red Bank Catholic, Wall, and Rumson-Fair Haven.

Offense

The Lancers return four starters from an offense that averaged 24.4 points per game last season while totaling 1,799 rushing yards and 1,544 passing yards.

With two-year starting quarterback Zach LaBarca now at Southern Connecticut State, the Lancers enter the season with a three-way battle to replace him under center. Juniors Will Calcagno (5-11, 175) and Anthony Petracca (5-10, 175), a transfer from Middletown South, along with senior Chris Demarest (6-0, 180), are all competing for the starting job.

Senior running back Corleii Thomas (6-0, 225) returns after sharing the workload last season. He rushed for 511 yards and six touchdowns on 94 carries, earning First Team All-Class B North honors, and is expected to take on a larger role in 2026. Seniors Lucas Farah (5-9, 170) and Charles Anastasia (5-9, 170) will also be part of the backfield rotation.

Junior Noah Fitzpatrick (6-3, 205) and senior Brayden Delavega (5-11, 175) return as starting wide receivers. Fitzpatrick is an intriguing Division I prospect with good size who already holds an offer from Temple, while Delavega hauled in 22 receptions for 228 yards and a touchdown last season.

Sophomore Jaheim Worthy (5-11, 165) and juniors Corey Scotland (6-1, 210), Ryan Convery (5-10, 180), Will Grueiro (5-11, 180), and Kaji Brown (5-11, 180), a transfer from North Brunswick, provide the Lancers with additional depth at wide receiver and are all expected to factor into the rotation.

Senior Isaiah Shade (6-0, 215), one of the Lancers’ defensive standouts last season, will share the tight end position with sophomore Ben Currall (6-0, 190).

The offensive line returns just one starter from last season in junior left tackle Myles Buszko (6-1, 255). Sophomore Vin Cassella (6-2, 245) is projected to start at right tackle, while good-sized senior Lucas Faas (6-0, 310) will anchor the left guard spot.

Juniors Isaiah Rosario (6-0, 240) and I’Meer Jones (5-11, 220) are competing for the starting job at right guard, while juniors Elijah Mojica (5-11, 250) and Alex Schwerdt (6-2, 240) are battling for the starting center position.

Sophomore Justin Campece returns as the Lancers’ placekicker after converting 23 of 26 extra-point attempts last season, while Grueiro will handle the punting duties.

Defense

The Lancers return two starters from a unit that allowed 21.2 points per game last season.

Senior Jacob Glennon (5-11, 190) will start at defensive end. Faas and junior Dom Cottrell (5-11, 245) will both start at defensive tackle.

Scotland is projected to start at one outside linebacker spot, while junior Zach Silverman (5-9, 180) returns at the other after he earned Second Team All-Class B North honors after recording 78 tackles last season. Senior Tyler McDougall (5-11, 180) will also be part of the outside linebacker rotation.

Shade returns as the starter at one inside linebacker spot after recording 84 tackles last season on his way to Second Team All-Class B North honors. Junior Connor Ortiz (5-10, 175) is projected to start alongside him, while senior Luca Bernardini (5-10, 185) and junior RJ Markert (6-0, 220) will also factor into the rotation.

Farah is projected to start at one cornerback spot, while junior Kaji Brown (5-11, 180) is expected to start opposite him. Delavega and junior Anthony Moretti (5-9, 170) will also compete for playing time at cornerback.

Convery is projected to start at strong safety, while junior Ted Domashinski (6-0, 180) is expected to start at free safety. Fitzpatrick will also see time in the secondary at safety.

 

St. John Vianney at a glance 

Head coach: Greg Penta, 2nd season

Career record: 5-6

2025 record: 5-6

Offense: Multiple

Defense: 40

 

Coaching Staff

Defensive Coordinator/DL: Mike Alberque

RB: Ben Calderon

Special Teams/WR: Dan Fierro

OL: Tyrell Smith

LB/Strength Coach: Eddie Hernandez

DB: Devron Clarke

Speed Coach: Dan Ownes

Freshman: Pat Dowling

Freshman: Marcus Farris

Freshman: Lou Liberatore

Athletic Trainer: Cheyenne Bennett

Circle the Date: Sept. 4 vs Donovan Catholic

The two Non-Public B programs have not met since 2022, and while the series has been infrequent in recent years, the Lancers have not defeated the Griffins since 2016. Although it is a non-divisional matchup, it could carry significant postseason implications, as both teams vie for favorable playoff seeding in the highly competitive Non-Public B bracket.

Newcomer to Watch: Lucas Faas, Sr., OL/DL

The physically imposing 6-foot, 310-pound lineman is expected to start at both guard and defensive tackle, anchoring the Lancers’ line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.

Schedule 

Date	Opponent
8/27	Cedar Creek (at Ocean City)
9/4	Donovan Catholic
9/11	Red Bank Catholic
9/18	at Holmdel
9/25	Wall
10/2	Middletown North
10/9	at Manalapan
10/16	at Brick
10/23	at Rumson-Fair Haven
10/30	at Pope John