The 2025 season began on a promising note for Brick, as the Dragons opened with three consecutive victories. As the schedule became more challenging, however, they hit a rough stretch, dropping five straight games by 20 or more points. Brick responded by closing the season on a positive note, winning its final two consolation games to finish with an even 5-5 record.

The Dragons return nine starters and believe they have significantly improved their depth entering the 2026 season. That added depth has created competition across multiple positions, with no starting role guaranteed as the Dragons embrace a culture built on iron will and relentless competition.

Brick will compete in Class B South, where Central enters as the favorite. On paper, however, the Dragons appear to have as good a chance as any team in the division to challenge the Golden Eagles for the championship.

Offense

The Dragons return four starters from an offense that averaged 19.3 points per game last season while totaling 1,579 rushing yards and 860 passing yards.

Last year’s starting quarterback, James Hirtes, graduated after leading the Dragons in both passing and rushing yards as the centerpiece of the offense. Senior Weston Baumert (5-10, 190) and junior Gavin Delgado (5-10, 190) will compete for the starting job after each gained some varsity experience while filling in during Hirtes’ short-term injury last season.

The Dragons have no shortage of options at running back, with 10 players competing for carries. The group is headlined by senior twin brothers Cian Foy (5-11, 210) and Rowan Foy (6-2, 200). Also in the mix are senior Justin Farris (5-10, 180), juniors Owen Maffei (5-10, 180), Kole Perrine (5-9, 175), Matthew Kosza (5-8, 175), Dante Sanders (6-0, 175), Jaylen Johnson (5-9, 150), and several others.

The receiving corps offers a bit more clarity, as junior Tyshawn Corbett returns after earning a starting role last season. Also competing for playing time are senior JJ Thelisca (6-0, 175), juniors Romeo Cevallos (6-0, 175), Michael Genova (5-10, 175), Mohamed Heyaba (5-10, 175), and sophomore Paul Mess (6-0, 180).

Senior Messiah Odunsi (6-3, 240) returns as the Dragons’ starting tight end. Senior Sean Nausedas (6-3, 240) is an intriguing prospect to watch coming off a strong season playing for Brick’s basketball team, while senior Sebastian Porebski (6-2, 200) and junior Kellen Weise (5-11, 190) are also competing for playing time.

The Dragons return just one starter on the offensive line in junior left guard Cameron Carter (6-3, 265), a Second Team All-Class B South selection in 2025, but the unit boasts plenty of size. Junior Nathaniel Lloyd (6-5, 270) is projected to start at left tackle, while junior Vincent Sanfillippo (5-9, 290) is slated to take over at center. Senior Jayden Ortiz (6-0, 245) is projected to start at right guard, and sophomore Jaedan Murray (6-6, 330), who possesses impressive FBS-level size, is expected to anchor the right tackle position.

Perrine will handle both the kicking and punting duties.

Defense

The Dragons return five starters from a unit that allowed 21.6 points per game last season.

Odunsi and Carter are projected to start at defensive end. Clifton, Ortiz, and sophomores Michael Bolen (6-1, 245), Angelo McCarthy (6-2, 230), and Nicholas Spina-Munro (6-1, 215) will provide depth as they compete for snaps in the defensive line rotation.

Lloyd and Sanfillippo are projected to start at defensive tackle. Murray, juniors Daniel Pellicano (6-0, 225) and Owen Ruiz (6-0, 275), and sophomores Anthony Hansen (6-0, 245) and Ryan Scamardella (6-0, 245) will compete for snaps and provide depth along the interior defensive line.

Rowan Foy returns as the starting outside linebacker after recording 51 tackles and four sacks last season on his way to First Team All-Class B South honors. Porebski is back on the opposite side after totaling 23 tackles on his way to Second Team All-Class B South honors a year ago. Nausedas, Perrine, Sanders, and sophomore Narek Grigorian (5-8, 175) will also compete for playing time at the position.

Cian Foy returns as a starting inside linebacker after recording 23 tackles last season. He will be joined by a fellow returning starter in junior Owen Maffei, who finished with 44 tackles and three sacks a year ago as he earned First Team All-Class B South honors. Delgado, junior Kellen Weise (5-11, 190), and sophomore Noah Kavanagh (6-0, 220) will also compete for snaps at the position.

Corbett is the lone returning starter in the secondary after starting at cornerback last season, when he recorded 16 tackles and an interception. Cevallos, Heyaba, Thelisca, and Mess will compete for the other starting cornerback spot.

Farris, Genova, Kosza, Johnson, and Max Baumert are all competing at safety.

 

Brick at a glance 

Head coach: Jay Graber, 3rd season

Career record: 90-67

2025 record: 5-5

Offense: Multiple

Defense: Multiple

 

Coaching Staff

Offensive Coordinator: Tony Durkin

Defensive Coordinator: Chris Blackburn

Special Teams Coordinator/WR/DB: Derek DePascale

LB: Chad Dougherty

OL: Andrew Cruz

QB/DB: Ryan Fullen

DL: Chris Kimbiz

OL: Dennis Filippone

Freshman: Matt Fuller

Freshman: John Prato

DL/Freshman: Thomas Dalton

Volunteer: Andrew Bilodeau

Strength and Conditioning: Scott Lloyd

 

Circle the Date: Sept. 18 at Central

The Dragons have been unable to solve Central over the past two seasons, falling 10-7 in 2024 before suffering a 21-0 defeat in 2025. The Golden Eagles enter the season as the favorites in Class B South, making this matchup a likely deciding factor if Brick hopes to capture the division title.

Newcomer to Watch: Sean Nausedas, Sr., TE/LB

Nausedas averaged 10.2 points and 7.8 rebounds per game for Brick’s basketball team last season. At 6-foot-3 and 240 pounds, his combination of size and athleticism makes him an intriguing prospect on the football field. Tight end has long been a natural transition for basketball players, and Nausedas has the physical tools to thrive at the position.

Schedule 

Date	Opponent
8/27	Allentown
9/3	Brick Memorial
9/11	at Pinelands
9/18	at Central
9/24	Toms River South
10/2	at Monmouth
10/9	at Toms River East
10/16	St. John Vianney
10/23	Lacey