The Huskies displayed both the growing pains and the high ceiling of a talented sophomore-heavy roster last season. Matawan finished 6-5 and picked up signature wins over a ranked Manasquan team early in the year and Somerville in the Central Jersey Group 3 playoffs. At times, however, the inexperience showed. The Huskies dropped unexpected games to a sub-.500 Hightstown squad and Group 1 Shore, along with three other losses.

Returning 17 starters from last year’s playoff team, Matawan enters 2026 with a roster that has matured both physically and mentally into a junior-heavy group supported by experienced seniors. After showing flashes of its potential a year ago, the Huskies now appear to be coming of age, making the leap from a talented young team to a legitimate championship contender. Matawan last won a division title in 2022 and a sectional championship in 2014, and this year’s squad has the talent and experience on paper to compete for both.

The Huskies will face a demanding slate as they move up to Class B North, where they’ll battle Shore, Middletown South, Middletown North, Freehold Township, and Manasquan. One year older, stronger, and faster, Matawan is well-positioned to meet the challenges that lie ahead.

Offense

The Huskies return eight starters from an offense that averaged 23.8 points per game last season while totaling 1,843 rushing yards and 1,740 passing yards.

After emerging as one of the Shore Conference’s top young quarterbacks last season, junior BlairCarter Gagneron (5-10, 180) returns to lead the Huskies’ offense. The Third Team All-Shore selection threw for 1,804 yards and 13 touchdowns while rushing for 283 yards and eight more scores during his breakout sophomore campaign.

Junior Sean Euell (5-10, 195) returns at running back after rushing for 631 yards and four touchdowns, while splitting carries. Senior Andre Martin (5-8, 160) and junior Jayvion Duverne (5-10, 180) will also see action in the backfield.

Junior Cayson Williams (6-4, 205) returns after a standout sophomore campaign that earned him First Team All-Shore honors. Williams hauled in 37 receptions for 742 yards and 10 touchdowns and has since emerged as one of New Jersey’s top Division I wide receiver prospects.

Junior Alan Sparks-Jackson (6-4, 180) is projected to step into a starting role at wide receiver after playing exclusively on defense last season. His size and athleticism give quarterback BlairCarter Gagneron another target with outstanding length and an expansive catch radius. Junior Zach Johnson (5-10, 170) rounds out the receiving corps after gaining valuable varsity experience a season ago.

Senior Kevin Auguste (6-4, 215) returns at tight end after being used primarily as a blocker last season. Junior Gavin Hernandez (6-3, 185) will also see time at the position, giving the Huskies a pair of good-sized targets at the position.

Junior Jayden Waters (6-5, 275) returns at left tackle to anchor the offensive line. Senior Shenouda Salib (6-1, 250) will start at left guard, while senior Jack Lorig (6-1, 225) will play center. Senior Andras Haramasz (6-0, 250), a three-year starter, returns at right guard, and junior Erik Ritter (6-3, 280) rounds out the unit at right tackle.

Senior Mark Fanelli (6-0, 240) will handle the placekicking and punting duties.

Defense

The Huskies return nine starters from a defense that allowed 18.1 points per game last season.

Senior JJ Oshin (6-0, 210) returns at defensive end after a breakout season that saw him record 62 tackles and 4.5 sacks on his way to Second Team All-Class C North honors. Senior Peter Brown (6-0, 195) will start opposite him. Junior Tyson Spann returns at defensive tackle after compiling 49 tackles a year ago.

Auguste returns at one of the outside linebacker spots after recording a team-high 77 tackles, 13.5 tackles for loss, and 6.5 sacks last season. His breakout campaign earned him First Team All-Class C North honors on the edge. Williams will join him on the opposite side, giving the Huskies a pair of long, athletic edge defenders.

Euell returns at inside linebacker after totaling 63 tackles and earning Second Team All-Class C South honors a year ago. He’ll be joined by junior Joe Martucci (5-8, 190), who also returns after registering 42 tackles last season, giving the Huskies an experienced duo in the middle of the defense.

Sparks-Jackson returns as a starter at cornerback after recording 33 tackles and a team-high four interceptions a year ago, earning him Second Team All-Class C North honors. Junior Ace Jackson (6-2, 170) will start on the opposite side.

Johnson will align at strong safety after earning Second Team All-Class C North honors last year with 50 tackles. Juniors Dylan Sierra (5-9, 140) and Khalid Jones (5-10, 170) will compete at free safety.

 

Matawan at a glance 

Head coach: Matt Walsh, 3rd season

Career record: 8-12

2025 record: 6-5

Offense: Multiple Spread

Defense: Multiple

 

Coaching Staff

Offensive Coordinator/OL: Brian Duffy

Special Teams Coordinator/WR: Bobby Wietecha

RB: Joe Martucci

DL: Sam Turner

LB: Nick Hartigan

DB: Shawn Ramcheran

Freshman: Matt Hughes

Freshman: Colin O’Hara

Freshman: Michael Meola

Circle the Date: Sept. 25 vs. Middletown North

A failed two-point conversion was all that separated the Huskies in a 23-21 loss to the Lions last season. Middletown North went on to reach the Central Jersey Group 4 sectional final, and both teams are expected to be among the top contenders in a loaded Class B North. If Matawan is ready to make the leap from playoff team to championship contender, this is the type of game it needs to win.

Newcomer to Watch: Erik Ritter, Jr., OL

At 6-foot-3 and 280 pounds, Ritter already possesses FCS-level size and gives the Huskies their biggest presence up front. With dynamic skill talent surrounding him, the offensive line’s ability to protect Gagneron and establish the running game could be what elevates Matawan’s offense from good to elite.

Schedule 

Date	Opponent
8/27	River Dell
9/3	Raritan
9/12	at Manasquan
9/18	at Freehold Township
9/25	Middletown North
10/2	at Marlboro
10/9	Shore
10/16	at Toms River East
10/23	Middletown South