Defend the Den: 2024 Lacey Football Preview
With its proud tradition, curated by one of the winningest coaches in the history of the Shore Conference, Lacey is looking to get back on a winning track following back-to-back losing seasons. It has been 12 years since the Lions won more than seven games in a season, and while winning eight against another tough schedule will be a tall order for a team replacing most of its 2023 offense, Lacey has the ingredients to win more games than it loses this season.
Defense will be Lacey’s strength in 2024 thanks to the return of seven starters from its 2023 unit. Senior linebacker Corey Smith and senior defensive tackle Giovanni Maldanis were the two top individual performers on last year’s defense and both are back to lead the Lions on that side of the ball again. Smith led Lacey with 68 tackles – nine for a loss – from his middle linebacker spot and Maldanis contributed eight TFL and three sacks as a junior playing as one of the tackles in Lacey’s 3-4 scheme.
Maldanis will be part of an experienced Lacey front, with seniors James Mott and Mike Seeley also returning. Mott and Seeley bring some size to the line, with both standing 6-foot-1. Seeley checks in a 270 pounds and Mott weighs 230.
The linebackers will be a deep, talented group, as well, with Smith serving as the heart and soul of the group. Senior Jim Farmer, senior Aiden Wallace and sophomore Joe Davis are the outside backers, with Davis and Wallace both returning with starting experience. Davis, in particular, is one of Lacey’s more intriguing athletes at 6-2, 190 pounds. Smith will play on the inside with sophomore Jake Sturman, with Jake Cirillo also in the mix.
While the front seven will boast five or six seniors at a given time, the Lacey secondary will be heavy on juniors. Cornerback Lucas Conforti and strong safety Greyson Koch both started as sophomores last year and classmate Jon Price slides into the starting free safety position. Senior Donovan Figler will jump in at the other cornerback spot to complete the defensive backfield.
On the other side of the ball, Lacey will have to account for much of its offensive production graduating with two players. Quarterback Nick Maertens was also the team’s leading rusher and his connection with fellow 2024 graduate Trevor Santucci was one of the best of any quarterback-wideout combo at the Shore last season.
Junior Ryan Brewer will be the new starting quarterback and will be targeting Figler, Smith and fellow senior Jon Stabile in the passing game. Stabile is a big target at 6-foot-2 and demonstrated his ability to high-point passes by finishing as one of the top rebounders in Shore Conference basketball last winter. Smith, meanwhile, will be the team’s tight end.
In the running game, Davis will look to build on a freshman season in which he rushed for 342 yards – second on the team behind Maertens and more than any Lions running back. Wallace will be another option out of the backfield and can play some fullback, as well.
Maldanis and senior Micah Moore are the two returning starters on the offensive line. At 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, Moore will be the most intimidating presence on the field for Lacey and few opposing defenses will counter with anyone who can stack up with him. Moore will play at right tackle next to Seeley at guard, while junior Josh Benti and Mott cover the left side at tackle and guard, respectively.
The offense will look different without two playmakers like Maertens and Santucci leading it, but the return of Moore on the right side of the line, plus the potential of standout athletes like Davis and Stabile give Lacey a chance to boast a well-rounded attack. Factor in an experienced defense led by a capable front seven, and Lacey has a chance to be an improved team despite its key losses in the passing game.
Lacey at a Glance
Head coach: Lou Vircillo, 44th season
Career record: 311-170-3
2023 record: 3-8
Offense: Multiple Pro
Defense: 3-4
Coaching staff
-Special Teams Coordinator: Warren Smith
-Offensive line: Matt Kieffer
-Wide Receivers: Warren Smith
-Tight Ends: Joe Tobin
-Defensive line: Mike Stupiello
-Linebackers: Matt Kieffer
-Secondary: Dean Helstowski
-Athletic trainer: Lee Emery
Circle the Date: Saturday, Sept. 21 vs. Central
The rivalry with Central has been a rivalry in name only lately, with Lacey dominating the series over the last two decades. That doesn’t mean it won’t be an intense game when these two neighboring schools meet and it should carry some extra juice with Central entering the year with elevated expectations. The Week 3 showdown will be a pivotal game for both teams and, in Lacey’s case, the Lions may need the win after playing a pair of winning teams (Middletown North and Brick) from 2023 to open the season.
Rookie Watch: Jake Sturman, So., OLB
Lacey has two dependable returning linebackers in Smith and Wallace and will be a standout unit once Sturman gets settled in his first year as a starter. At 5-foot-10 and 188 pounds, Sturman fits Lacey’s blue-collar prototype and will learn plenty playing alongside his senior teammates at the linebacker level.
Stat to Know
Now entering his 44th season, Vircillo is the longest-tenured active coach in the Shore Conference. He reached the 300-win mark during the 2021 season and enters Friday’s opener vs. Middletown North with a career mark of 311-180-3. He ranks second all-time among Shore Conference coaches in career wins and is 43 away from Warren Wolf’s Shore Conference record of 354.
SCHEDULE
Date Team Time
Friday 9/6 @Middletown North 7 p.m.
Friday 9/13 Brick 6:30 p.m.
Saturday 9/21 Central 1 p.m.
Friday 9/27 @Toms River South 6 p.m.
Friday 10/4 @Red Bank 6:30 p.m.
Friday 10/11 Southern 6:30 p.m.
Friday 10/18 Marlboro 7 p.m.
Friday 10/25 @Toms River East 6 p.m.
