Finish the Fight: 2025 Wall Football Preview

By all indications, the 2024 season was a resounding success for Wall in Head Coach Ed Gurrieri’s third season at the helm. The Crimson Knights won 8 of their first 9 games including two state playoff games en route to their first sectional finals appearance since 2019. On the heels of back-to-back 4-7 finishes, it was a major step forward for the program. A loss to Rumson-Fair Haven in the sectional final followed by a season-ending loss to rival Manasquan in sloppy, mud-bowl conditions that cost the Crimson Knights a piece of a division title put on a damper on what was otherwise a very strong season.

The good news for Wall is that they return a strong senior class of which many will be starting for their third straight season. The group is determined to make it all the way back to the sectional final and finish the job this time around.

Offense

The Crimson Knights feature one of the most unique quarterback situations in the Shore Conference as returning starter Franny Scaramellino (Jr., 5’11”, 190) is back after transferring to Red Bank Catholic over the summer before deciding to return to Wall roughly a week later. Due to a new NJSIAA stipulation that summer participation counts as a transfer, Scaramellino will be forced to sit out the first four games of the 2025 campaign since he is now considered a two-time transfer. Scaramellino threw for 1,048 yards and 12 touchdowns and rushed for 215 yards and 5 touchdowns as a sophomore. The Wall coaching staff is high on Brian McKenna (Sr., 6’3″, 180) who will be the signal caller for at least the first four games after seeing time in relief the last two seasons. McKenna, who is also a basketball standout, should be a good fit for Wall’s pro-style offense. Both quarterbacks will compete for the starting nod upon Scaramellino’s return.

The backbone of Wall’s offense will be its rushing attack where Dylan Cohen (Sr., 6’1″, 205) is set to be the full-time starter after spelling Mason Adam last season. Cohen rushed for 350 yards and 5 touchdowns. A strong, explosive playmaker, Cohen shined on defense last year and will have the opportunity to thrive on both sides of the ball much more this year. His lead blocker will be Tom Plisky (Sr., 5’10”, 215) who will also be a full-time starter on offense for the first time after starting at linebacker the past two seasons.

The Crimson Knights return three year starter and 1st Team All-Shore selection Heath Reinhardt (Sr., 5’10”, 180) in the slot. Reinhardt caught 26 passes for 344 yards and 6 touchdowns last season. He is a threat to score from anywhere on the field. The other starting wide receiver will be Maddox Mizelle (Sr., 6’1″ 175) who saw some time last year in spread sets. The tight end will again be Justin Davis (Sr., 6’2″ 240) who is starting for the third consecutive season. Davis committed to Colgate as an Edge defender, but is a strong blocker and receiving threat on the offensive side of the ball.

The biggest unknown is currently the offensive line which returns two starters. The success of the offense hinges on how quickly the new unit can gel. Eric Clauberg (Sr., 6’0″, 225), who is also a wrestler, returns at right tackle. Nick Rogers (Jr., 6’0″, 245), the son of Wall’s offensive coordinator Chris Rogers, returns at left guard where he started for most of the year until an injury ended his season. The left tackle will be Gus Stedronsky (Jr., 6’3″, 250) who started several games on defense and is held in very high regard within the program. At right guard will be Tim Fischer (Jr., 6’0″, 250) while the center will be Henry Clarke (So., 6’1″, 245). The Crimson Knights also received a significant boost in transfer lineman Jesse Roth (So., 6’1″, 225) who returned to his hometown program after starting as a freshman at St. John Vianney. Roth could factor in at any of the five positions.

Senior Heath Reinhardt will be the kicker for the fourth straight season after converting 3-of-5 on field goals including a high of 37 yards as well as 31-of-34 on extra points.

Defense

Wall’s defense was the unit most responsible for their success last season as the team allowed just 14.5 points per game. Some of the schemes could be different as the team made coaching changes on defense and hired Defensive Coordinator Jim DiPaulo, but he inherits plenty of talented returners as his disposal and the unit appears poised to repeat or build on their success from 2024.

Up front, Davis returns at defensive end where he was a game wrecker with 8 sacks last season. The other edge defender will be a new starter in Christos Tsandiotis (Jr., 6’0″ 195). The noseguard will be Massimo Peduto (Sr., 5’10” 250) who missed significant time with an injury last season but started as a sophomore. Stedronsky and Roth will man the other defensive tackle position.

The linebacker core should be very strong as the Crimson Knights return two three-year starters on the inside in Cohen and Plisky. Cohen earned 3rd Team All-Shore honors last season after racking up 108 tackles, 6 tackles for a loss, and 4 sacks. Plisky had 84 tackles of his own along with 5 sacks and 4 tackles for a loss. The outside linebacker spot will be manned by first-year-starter Max Katsouris (Jr., 5’10”, 175).

The secondary is a bit of an unknown as the unit returns just one starter from last season in safety Jack Murphy (Sr., 5’10”, 180). Reinhardt will make his defensive debut at the other safety spot. The corners will be Mizelle and Clayton Rickle (Jr., 6’0″, 175). Juniors Jack Duffy and John Partusch could also see time in the defensive backfield.

Reinhardt will again handle the punting duties while Plisky, who holds an offer from Wagner, will be the long snapper.

 

Wall at a glance 

Head coach: Ed Gurrieri, 16th season (4th at Wall)

Career record: 125-52

2024 record: 8-3

Offense: Pro/Multiple I Formation

Defense: 3-4

 

Coaching Staff

Offensive coordinator/OL: Chris Rogers

Defensive coordinator/LB: Jim DiPaulo

Special Teams coordinator/LB: Pete Ottaviano

QB: Mike Kinsella

TE/OLB: Gene Scott

DB: Jesse Shenker

WR/DB: Shane Richey

OL/DL: Ian Ackerman

Athletic Trainer: Brendan McDermott

Athletic Director: Marni Henry

 

Circle the Date: Oct. 24 at St. John Vianney

Wall proved they could start fast last season so the goal for this season is finishing strong. A win over a strong St. John Vianney team in the final game of the regular season would not only set the Crimson Knights up for a better seed in the state playoffs due to the OSI/Power Point multiplier, but it would also give them momentum for a late season run. 

Newcomer to Watch: Jesse Roth, So., OL/DL

Roth made a big impact as a freshman starter at St. John Vianney and has a chance to be a difference maker in the trenches on both sides of the ball for the Crimson Knights. 

Schedule 

 

08-29	Brick Memorial
09-05	Tottenville (NY)
09-12	@ Howell
09-19	Freehold Township
09-26	@ Raritan
10-10	Manalapan
10-17	@ Marlboro
10-24 11-27	@ St. John Vianney Manasquan