Next Man Up: 2025 Toms River South Football Preview
After a winning season in 2023 followed by a state playoff appearance and a share of a B-South division title during a 5-5 season in 2024, Toms River South is seeking to replace 29 graduating seniors. Among those seniors were stalwarts like running back Jake Henehan who rushed for 1,373 yards and 16 touchdowns and all-division selections like offensive lineman Mike Devivi, athlete Gio Torres, defensive linemen Saviahn Shepherd and Ian Brown, linebacker Laolu Akinlou, and defensive back Danny Pierson.
The cupboard is not entirely bare as Toms River South returns seven starters and several others who saw snaps in 2024, but the Indians will have to catch the new starters up to speed quickly as their schedule features some tough match-ups in Manasquan, Marlboro, Southern, and three-time defending Group 5 state champions and rival, Toms River North.
Offense
Toms River South will hand the keys to Brett Rankin (Sr., 5’10”, 205) at the quarterback position. Rankin will be counted on not only for his leadership and game management, but also for his physical and mental toughness. A district wrestling champion, Rankin has an unorthodox, strong build for a quarterback. He will be counted on to earn the tough yards in the run game in addition to hitting passes downfield.
The running back duties will be spread out by committee as Dan Schetlick (Sr., 5’8″, 180), Nick Metta (Sr., 5’8″, 165), Julian Martinez (Jr., 5’4″, 160), and Vernon Meehan (So., 5’8″, 150) are all in the mix to see time in the backfield. None of them have taken a carry at the varsity level, but there is promising potential among them.
In the receiving group, there is a lot of optimism with two returning starters in Jaden Geremia (Sr., 5’10”, 175) who was an all-division selection in 2024 when he lined up as a tight end and Canaan Sanzone (Sr., 5’8″, 150). In addition to the two returners, four other receivers are likely to see time in the rotation as the Indians use a variety of 11 and 10 personnel groupings with 3 or 4 wide receivers on the field. Jarran Dixon (Sr., 6’0″, 170), Sonny Huegel (Sr., 5’9″, 150), Grayson Thumm (Jr., 5’11”, 175), and Darrien Giordano (So., 5’11”, 160) will all see snaps out wide.
In the trenches, Austin Reed (Sr., 6’1″, 265) is the lone returning starter of the bunch. The rest of the unit will be comprised of some combination of Dan Panzino (Sr., 6’1″, 200), Carmen Dentato (Sr., 5’10, 245), Jorel Saavedra (Jr., 6’2″, 275), Mike Boakye (So., 5’10”, 280), and Jesus Manrique (So., 6’0″, 225).
Defense
The defensive line will be composed of four new starters coming out of an eight man rotation in camp that featured Dylan Kieck (Sr., 6’4″ 220), Shakim Horton (Sr., 5’11”, 285), Javier Burns (Jr., 6’1″, 250), Anthony Marrano (Jr., 5’11”, 230), Keith Huegel (So., 6’2″, 200), Tommy Reed (So., 5’11”, 210), Trent Zupan-Finch (So., 5’11”, 225), and Rich Lerche (So., 6’2″, 200).
The linebackers return two starters in Geremia and Andrew Data (Jr., 5’11”, 185). The other two starters will be two of Rankin, Schetlick, Kam Pinto (Sr., 5’11”, 195), Bhajan Singh (Sr., 5’11”, 175), Brandon Diaz (Sr., 5’8″, 150), James Randazzo (Jr., 6’0″, 165), and George Campbell (So., 6’0″, 185).
The defensive back unit also returns two starters in safety Kaevon Metellus (Jr., 5’10, 165) and Kam Angus (Sr., 6’0″, 165). The remaining two starters will be two of Sanzone, Zyhaire Nichols, Jayshawn Gadson, Kevin Loveday, Jeff Hare, Nash Lovell, Zahir Armour, and Jonas Reader.
The placekicking and punting duties will be handled between Campbell and Vinny Manganiello (So., 5’10”, 140).
Toms River South at a glance
Head coach: Matt Martin, 4th season
Career record: 12-17
2024 record: 5-5
Offense: Multiple
Defense: 3-4
Coaching Staff
Defensive Coordinator/ILB: Vinny Arminio
Special Teams Coordinator/QB: Bill Rankin
OL: Kyle Austin
DB: Tom Malek
DB: Jamil Robinson
RB: Joe Kelly
DL: Mike Murphy
LB: Darrius Hart
Freshman: Brett Hardie
Athletic Trainer: Dan Crashewsky
Circle the Date: Oct. 17 at Toms River East
The Indians have defeated the crosstown rival Raiders in each of the last three seasons and hope to to make that four towards the end of the regular season. The timing of the game is significant with the state playoff race in flux. The late game match-up will also show how far a young team with new starters came over the course of the season.
Newcomer to Watch: Greyson Thumm, WR
Thumm will be counted on to be one of the top targets for Rankin in the receiving game. This is a team that has a void at many of the skill positions due to graduation so there is an opportunity for new play makers to emerge.
Schedule
| 08-29 | Manasquan | |||
| 09-05 | Marlboro | |||
| 09-12 | @ Brick | |||
| 09-19 | @ Neptune | |||
| 09-26 | @ Manchester | |||
| 10-03 | Toms River North | |||
| 10-10 | Central | |||
| 10-17
10-24 |
@ Toms River East
Southern |
