Forged by Fire: 2025 Brick Football Preview

There are very few programs with as much of a storied history as Brick Township. The legendary Warren Wolf built the program in his image and crafted a standard of excellence during his 51 year tenure that was withheld for generations. So when the 2024 Brick football team walked off the field after with a 3-6 record after losing their 4th consecutive game to end the season, they began doing what the very best of programs do. They got to work.

The results of an incredible off-season in the weight room were on full display at the Sayreville linemen challenge when the Dragons wrestled 1st place away from the event’s three-time defending champion Point Boro squad. It remains to be seen whether winning the linemen challenge will correlate to success on the football field, but if the last three seasons are any indication, the winner of the event has gone on to have a ton of success on the gridiron.

Offense

The Dragons return 6 starters from an offense that averaged 18.4 points per game a year ago.

Starting quarterback James Hirtes (Sr., 6’0″, 170) returns as the signal caller where he passed for 658 yards and 5 touchdowns a year ago in addition to rushing for 501 yards and 7 touchdowns.

After losing starting running back Justice Morgan who transferred to Manasquan, Brick will turn to a committee of three running backs including Matt McGuigan (Sr., 6’0″, 200), Cian Foy (Jr., 6’0″, 205), and Owen Maffei (So., 5’9″, 175). The three backs have not seen many carries to this point, but each have their own unique skill set to bring to the table.

The primary weapon at receiver will be Germaine Rice (Sr., 6’1″, 190), a four year starter who caught 17 passes for 197 yards along with rushing for 259 yards and 2 touchdowns. Rice will be joined by returning starter Braden Rostek (Sr., 6’2″, 185) and new starter Messiah Odunsi (Jr., 6’3″, 210) on the outside.

The strength of the offense will be in the offensive line which returns four starters from a year ago. Cameron Newcomb (Sr., 6’0″, 220) returns at left tackle. The left guard will again be Martin Marlowe (Sr., 6’2″, 265). Jimmy Walters (Sr., 6’0″, 290) returns at right guard while Louizos Krashias (Sr., 6’0″, 230), who was injured for much of last season, returns at right tackle. Connor Rooney (Sr., 5’11”, 225) is projected to be the new starter at center.

Hirtes returns as the placekicker where he went a perfect 20 for 20 on extra points and 1 for 1 on field goals.

Defense

Brick allowed 24.2 points per game last season, but the hope is that a strong group of returners can greatly reduce the total.

Krashias and Newcomb are expected to see significant time at defensive end while Marlowe returns at defensive tackle and Walters will occupy the other defensive tackle position.

The outside linebackers will be McGuigan, who recorded 54 tackles a year ago, and Rowan Foy. The inside linebackers will again be Cian Foy and Matt Kaiser (Sr., 6’1″, 220). Foy registered 64 tackles last season.

Rice and Rostek return as the starting cornerbacks. The safety position will be manned by Sebastian Porebski (Jr.,  6’1″ 180).

Hirtes will be the punter.

 

Brick at a glance

Head coach: Jay Graber, 2nd season at Brick

Career record: 85-62

2024 record: 3-6

Offense: Multiple

Defense: Multiple

 

Coaching Staff

Offensive coordinator: Andrew Bilodeau

Defensive coordinator: Chris Blackburn

LB: Chad Dougherty

Special Teams Coordinator/WR/DB: Derek DePascale

OL: Andrew Cruz

Freshman: Matt Fuller

DB: John Prato

DL: Chris Kimbiz

OQC/RB: Tony Durkin

OL: Frank Marino

DL: Thomas Dalton

Strength and Conditioning: Scott Lloyd

Athletic Trainer: Pete Fusco

Circle the Date: Oct. 10 at Brick Memorial

A crosstown match-up against rival Brick Memorial is always the biggest game on Brick’s schedule. The Dragons lost 37-6 last season and are hoping that a strong off-season allowed them to catch up.

Newcomer to Watch: Jaylen Johnson, So., S

The Dragons are high on Johnson who while not listed as a starter is very likely to be in the mix at safety as a sophomore.

Schedule 

 

Date	Opponent
08-28	Woodbury
09-05	Long Branch
09-12	Toms River South
09-19	@ Southern
09-26	@ Central
10-03	@Manalapan
10-10	@ Brick Memorial
10-17 10-24	Manasquan Manchester