Flight Plan: 2026 Manchester Football Preview

Shore Sports Insider|July 20, 2026|Last Updated July 20, 2026

The 2025 season marked a step backward for a Manchester program that had been on the rise following consecutive 8-3 campaigns in 2023 and 2024, which included a division title and a state playoff victory. After graduating the bulk of the starters from those teams, the Hawks endured a rebuilding season and finished 1-9.

Despite last season’s struggles, there are plenty of reasons for optimism in Manchester. The Hawks appear to have a clear flight plan back toward contention, returning 16 of their 22 starters while also fielding a freshman team for the first time in several years after welcoming a class of 30 incoming freshmen. That combination of returning experience and renewed participation should provide both immediate and long-term benefits.

The Hawks move into Class D North, joining a division that includes Asbury Park, Barnegat, and Long Branch. Manchester will look to contend for its second division title in three seasons.

Offense

The Hawks return seven starters from an offense that averaged 8.2 points per game last season while totaling 894 rushing yards and 723 passing yards.

Junior Trevor Freyer (5-10, 190) returns as Manchester’s most experienced quarterback after throwing for 716 yards and three touchdowns last season. He will compete with seniors Aaron Gregg (6-1, 175) and Mike Fink (6-0, 200) for the starting job. Fink started at linebacker last season, while Gregg saw time at wide receiver and defensive back.

Senior Stephon McFadden (5-11, 155) and juniors Avery Butler (5-11, 215) and Dylan Castles (5-7, 170) will compete for carries at running back as they look to collectively replace departed leading rusher Malik Pharmes.

Seniors Trevor Otten (5-9, 170) and Damian Brockmeyer (5-10, 165) return as starting wide receivers. They will be joined by sophomores Asante Samuels (5-10, 155) and Gavin Maurer (5-9, 145) in many of Manchester’s spread formations.

Senior Lucas Potenza (6-0, 185) returns as Manchester’s starting tight end. Junior Marc Melendez (5-10, 175) will also factor into the rotation and is expected to see playing time.

The offensive line returns three of five starters from last season, led by sophomore left tackle Jayden Korankye (6-0, 235), good-sized junior left guard Henry Berkebile (6-0, 290), and senior center Justyce Garcia (5-10, 195), the latter of which was a First Team All-Class B South selection last year.

Junior Ryan Hetzel (5-10, 180) is projected to step into the starting role at right guard, while senior Desmond Askew (6-4, 200) is expected to start at right tackle. Sophomore William Cloonan (5-11, 225) will also be part of the rotation, giving the Hawks valuable depth up front.

Senior Mark Bozicev will handle the placekicking duties, while Fink and Garcia compete for the punter job.

Defense

The Hawks return nine starters from a unit that allowed 29.5 points per game last season.

Askew returns as the starter at one defensive end position after recording 46 tackles, four sacks, and five tackles for loss on his way to Second Team All-Class B South honors last season. Senior Ben Gbeve-Hill (6-3, 195) is projected to start opposite him, while sophomore William Cloonan (5-11, 225) will provide depth as part of the edge rotation.

Garcia and Berkebile return as the Hawks’ starting defensive tackles, giving Manchester an experienced presence in the middle of its defensive line. Korankye is also expected to play a significant role in the interior rotation.

Hetzel, a Second Team All-Class B South selection a year ago, returns as the Hawks’ starting middle linebacker after tallying 54 tackles last season. Potenza and Fink are projected to start at outside linebacker after recording 36 and 32 tackles, respectively, a year ago. Freyer, Butler, and Melendez will provide depth across the linebacker corps.

Otten returns as the starter at one cornerback spot after recording 24 tackles last season. McFadden is expected to start opposite him, while Samuels and Castles provide depth in the secondary.

Brockmeyer returns as the Hawks’ starting strong safety, while Gregg is back at free safety. Sophomore Jayden Johnson (5-10, 160) is also expected to factor into the rotation.

Manchester at a glance

Head coach: Tommy Farrell Jr., 5th season

Career record: 20-22

2025 record: 1-9

Offense: Multiple Spread

Defense: 4-3

Coaching Staff

Defensive coordinator/LB: Gerard O’Donnell

WR/DB: Lamar Davenport

Freshman/DL: Bob Picton

RB/LB: Bob Mussari

DL: Nick Provenzano

OL: Tom Smith

Freshman/JV: Alex Zulewski

Volunteer: Joe Hackett

Volunteer: Connor Farrell

Athletic Trainer: Tiffany Ragati

Circle the Date: Aug. 27 at Toms River East

The Hawks opened last season with a 22-6 loss to Toms River East, a defeat that set the tone for a difficult 1-9 campaign. A season-opening victory over the Raiders, who captured a division title last year, would provide an immediate confidence boost and signal that 2025 was merely a bump in the road.

Newcomer to Watch: Stephon McFadden, Sr., RB/DB

McFadden missed all of last season after seeing time at cornerback on Manchester’s 2024 state playoff team, where he recorded 11 tackles. The speedy senior is expected to make an immediate impact on both sides of the ball as the Hawks’ projected starting running back and one of their starting cornerbacks.