Can momentum from a late-season surge carry over into the next season? 

Raritan is about to find out. 

The Rockets won five of their last seven after an 0-3 start to finish 5-5 in 2024. An offense that struggled mightily out of the gate averaged 31 points per game over the final seven games. 

While Raritan was encouraged by the finish, the fact that the Rockets did not make the state playoffs made it bittersweet for a program accustomed to the postseason. 

“We finished well, but we played in meaningless games,” head coach Anthony Petruzzi said. “We fought for a playoff spot, but we ended up with two consolation games. We’ve gotten to the point now where we’re better than we were last season, but we have to show it.”

Raritan has been realigned into Class D North with Neptune, Ocean, Freehold and Asbury Park in what looks like a wide-open division for the taking. The Rockets’ last division title came in 2008, so this is an opportunity to end a 17-year drought on the way to returning to the state playoffs. 

Offense

Junior quarterback Parker Needham returns at the controls of the Rockets’ flexbone attack after being inserted as the starter in Raritan’s fourth game last season. His ascension coincided with the Rockets’ offense taking off. 

He threw for 683 yards and 6 touchdowns and ran for 96 yards and a score last season. Petruzzi and offensive coordinator Chris Damian are looking for him to be more of a dual threat this fall. 

“He’s got to do more this year with his legs and his leadership,” Petruzzi said. “Coach Chris Damian has done a good job of putting him in a place to succeed, and now he’s got to be the point guard this year. We felt like we were explosive at the end of last year, and we should be that way this season.” 

Senior John Jeleniewski returns at fullback after rushing for 376 yards and 5 touchdowns last season. Junior slotbacks Eric Berg and Marko Brown are also returning starters who give the offense big-play capability. Sophomore Louis Zweidinger should also be in the mix at ‘A’ back and receiver. 

Senior Jake Robinson returns at wide receiver, where he will be joined by senior Travis Adamczyk. 

That skill group will be looking to replace the production of the graduated Xavier Nunez, who had 660 yards and 8 touchdowns rushing along with 351 yards and 5 touchdowns receiving. 

“Those guys all have the ability to do the things that ‘X’ did last year,” Petruzzi said. “I think they can reach that level as underclassmen.” 

The offensive line brings back three starters in senior left guard John Linane (6-3, 270), senior center Christian Torino (6-1, 280) and 6-foot-4, 300-pound senior right tackle Matthew Zweidinger, a Division I prospect. Junior Kane Kelly (6-1, 260) will step in at left tackle and senior Josh Kolmer (6-2, 255) will be at right guard on a line with great size. 

Needham will also handle the kicking and punting. 

Defense

The Rockets have six starters back in their multiple scheme, which allowed 25.3 points per game last season.

Kelly and Kolmer anchor the defensive line. Junior Sam Guiney and senior Chaise Groce round out the starters, and several of the other offensive linemen will also rotate in. 

The centerpiece of the defense is Jeleniewski at linebacker, where he will be joined by junior Preston Tagliaferro. 

Senior LJ D’Alessandro will be the nickel corner, with Brown returning as a starter at cornerback and Louis Zweidinger stepping in at the other cornerback spot. Berg and Adamczyk are both returning starters at safety

“I thought we finished the year just as strong on defense,” Petruzzi said. “In our second year in the system that coach (John) Principe came back with, I think we have a nice rotation in the front seven, and we’re going to be good in the secondary. Our linebackers are young but we have John Jeleniewski in that linebacker room, and he’s been there since his sophomore year. We’ll be lining him up on the edge, in the middle – I’m excited about what he can do.” 

Outside of Class D North, Raritan’s nondivisional schedule includes rival St. John Vianney, a formidable Wall team and the renewal of a longtime rivalry with Matawan. 

The Rockets are only three years removed from playing in a state sectional final. Their goal is to get back in the playoff mix and make a run at their first division crown since 2008. 

“These guys are hungry,” Petruzzi said. “I think they’re going to be competitive.” 

 

Raritan at a glance 

Head coach: Anthony Petruzzi, 16th season 

Career record: 72-76

2024 record: 5-5

Offense: Flexbone

Defense: Multiple

 

Coaching Staff

Offensive coordinator: Chris Damian

Defensive coordinator: John Principe

Assistant: Matt Dempsey

Assistant: Tyler Murphy

Assistant: Joe Schroeck

Assistant: Jeff Rainess

Assistant: Jeff Papcun

Assistant: Shannon Hoadley

Assistant: Jonathan Rodriguez

Assistant: James Wines

Assistant: Matt Preston

Assistant: Nick Sparacello 

Athletic trainer: Mike DeSocio

Circle the Date: Sept. 12 at Ocean

The Rockets open with a nondivisional game against rival St. John Vianney that will be a chance to make an early statement, but as far as the Class D North race goes, a matchup at Ocean in Week Two will be an early separation game. If Raritan is going to challenge for its first division title in 17 years, the Rockets have to get this one against the Spartans, whom they beat 42-28 in their final game of 2024. 

Newcomer to Watch: Louis Zweidinger, So., WR/DB

The younger brother of senior lineman Matthew Zweidinger should be a big-play weapon on offense at wide receiver and will start at cornerback. 

Schedule 

 

Date	Opponent
09-05	@ St. John Vianney
09-12	@ Ocean Twp.
09-19	Freehold Boro
09-26	Wall
10-03	@ Matawan
10-10	Asbury Park
10-17	Holmdel
10-24	@ Neptune