Replacing the Record Setters: 2025 Freehold Township Football Preview

While a 5–5 record in 2024 may not reflect it on the surface, Freehold Township featured one of the most dynamic quarterback–wide receiver duos in the Shore Conference. The Patriots averaged 25.7 points per game, including four games with 30+ points. The challenge now? Replacing both of those stars — quarterback Nick Cardone and wide receiver Noah Cancela.

Cardone ended his career as Freehold Township’s all-time leading passer with 5,688 yards — a total that ranks in the top 10 in Shore Conference history — and 59 touchdown passes. The two-time Second Team All Shore selection and reigning B-North Offensive Player of the Year threw for 2,503 yards and 27 touchdowns in 2024, both second-most in the conference. He also led the team in rushing with 310 yards and six touchdowns.

Cancela put together a record-breaking season of his own. He was one of just two receivers in the Shore Conference to surpass 1,000 yards in 2024, finishing with a single-season school record 1,015 yards on 76 catches with 11 touchdowns. He wrapped up his career with 115 receptions for 1,490 yards and 13 scores, earning Second Team All-Shore and First Team All B-North honors.

Head coach Cory Davies remains confident in the group he has heading into the 2025 season. While a quarterback battle is still ongoing, Davies believes that “one of the two guys we have will be able to run the offense.” Known for his spread passing attack, Davies has built a strong reputation over his 11 years at Freehold Township, consistently producing quarterbacks who have eclipsed 2,000 passing yards and 20+ touchdowns in a season.

What sets his system apart is his ability to adapt it to his personnel. “The kids at Freehold Township are able to blend into the offense,” Davies noted. “We’re not trying to force them into something they can’t do.” With that flexibility, he remains optimistic that the Patriots’ offense can stay on track, even with a new signal caller under center.

Another key question for Freehold Township heading into 2025 will be the defense. The Patriots allowed 30.4 points per game last season — one of the highest marks in the Shore Conference. Head Coach Cory Davies acknowledged the challenges that modern offenses pose: “One thing that’s different now is that a lot more teams are running the spread. Back in 2005, about 80% of the Shore Conference was under center.” Despite the defensive struggles, the Patriots went 4-1 in division play last year, scoring the second-most points in B North — but also giving up the second-most.

Freehold Township returns one of the most experienced rosters in the conference, with eight starters back on both sides of the ball. HC Davies has named Jake Rattiner, Nick Schicchi, and Johnathan Kokotis as team captains for the 2025 season. Schicchi, one of the Patriots’ top returning receivers, caught 29 passes for 374 yards and four touchdowns last year and was expected to remain a focal point in the offense. However, a serious injury during a recent scrimmage has sidelined him indefinitely. According to the team’s official Twitter page, Schicchi “took a bad hit at a scrimmage and fractured two ribs with a lacerated liver. He was airlifted to the hospital and underwent surgery to stop the bleeding.” All thoughts and prayers are with him, his family, and the Freehold Township community during this difficult time.

 

Offense 

At quarterback, senior Johnathan Kokotis and junior Dakota Lasater are battling for the starting role. Both have varsity experience — just not under center. Kokotis was the team’s second-leading tackler last season from his linebacker position, while Lasater made contributions as a wide receiver, hauling in nine passes in 2024. Should Kokotis win the job at quarterback, it will raise questions about how the Patriots handle his defensive responsibilities. The team already lost first team All B North linebacker Jake Minniear to graduation after a 103 tackle campaign. Kokotis, meanwhile, racked up 91 tackles (13 for loss) and earned first team All B North honors as a utility player.

The Patriots will need to replace the production of quarterback Nick Cardone and running back Justin Tamai, who combined for 10 rushing touchdowns and 640 yards on the ground in 2024. This season, senior Jake Rattiner is expected to take over lead duties in the backfield. Although he recorded just 12 carries last year, Rattiner has earned a captain’s role and will be relied on to help balance the offense. Seniors Shane Monge and Jumar Irvin are also expected to contribute meaningful snaps at running back.

In the receiving corps, First Team All B-North selection Jake Schultzel returns after a breakout season in which he caught 29 passes for 514 yards and six touchdowns — averaging an impressive 17.7 yards per reception. With the status of Nick Schicchi (Second Team All B-North, 2024) still uncertain following his injury, seniors Andy Dalton and Massimo Amato are expected to take on larger roles in the passing game. Juniors Mikey Lorenzo, Nick Stabile, and George Burdge will also be in the mix as the team looks to build depth and consistency at the position.

The offensive line will be a major strength for Freehold Township, returning four of five starters from last season. The lone departure is Lorenzo Machado, a First Team All B-North selection who graduated in 2024. The returning group includes Second Team All B-North selections Jullien Benjamin (5-10, 270), the team’s top returner, at guard, and Jake Pedersen at tackle, along with Garrett Silva (tackle, 6-2, 270) and Hayden Muh (center, 6-3, 285), who bring valuable experience. Junior Haniel Flores will step into the starting role at right guard, rounding out a unit that should provide stability and protection for the Patriots’ retooled offense.

 

Defense

The defense returns eight starters, with nine players having started at least one game in 2024. The Patriots will run a multiple-look scheme designed to counter the wide range of offensive systems they’ll face in 2025. Senior Dom Fiore, a returning starter, will anchor the defensive line and also rotate at outside linebacker. A Second Team All B-North selection last season, Fiore recorded 43 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, one sack, and two forced fumbles. He was named a top returning player by HC Davies. Juniors Daniel Fedyshyn (6-4, 210) and Haniel Flores also saw action last year as sophomores and are expected to play larger roles this fall. Several offensive linemen will contribute on the defensive front as well, and a group of underclassmen is pushing to break into the rotation.

Senior Shane Monge returns as a starting outside linebacker after earning Second Team All B North honors in 2024. He posted 52 tackles, including nine for loss and one sack. Massimo Amato and James Russo will also be part of the rotation at outside linebacker, while Dom Fiore and David Sarcone could see occasional snaps on the edge as well.

In the middle of the defense, Johnathan Kokotis is slated to return alongside senior David Sarcone and junior Jake Platt. As a sophomore, Platt recorded 46 tackles, including three for loss and a sack, and is expected to take another step forward this season. One storyline to watch is how Kokotis’ role evolves if he earns the starting quarterback job — his defensive snaps may decrease, but his production last season makes him tough to keep off the field. Sarcone and Platt also bring versatility and could rotate to the outside when needed, giving the linebacker corps valuable flexibility.

The secondary was expected to return senior corners Jumar Irvin and Nick Schicchi this season. Behind them is senior Jake Rattiner at safety, with Irvin also expected to see snaps over the top. Irving was also named one of the team’s top returning players. Junior George Burdge IV and sophomore Scott Monge will also be part of the rotation as backups. The unit does lose Noah Marchica, a Second Team All B North selection last season at defensive back. Depending on how Nick Schicchi’s injury situation plays out, the team may look to shuffle personnel or slide Burdge IV into a starting role right away.

 

Outlook

Freehold Township remains in Class B-North, which has undergone changes and now includes Howell, Manalapan, St. John Vianney, and Wall. Manalapan, SJV, and Wall all move up from Class C-North in 2024. On paper, this is one of the most difficult schedules in the Shore. According to last year’s final Strength Index, six of the Patriots’ nine opponents finished with higher ratings than they did.

Freehold Township will face three of those teams at home and three on the road. Following a tricky opener against Neptune, they face Colts Neck before entering a four-game stretch that includes three divisional match-ups. They close the regular season against Manalapan, who routed them 55-19 last year.

 

Freehold Township at a Glance

Head coach: Cory Davies, 11th season (32nd overall)

Career record:

2024 record: 5-5

Offense: Air Raid

Defense: Multiple

 

Coaching Staff 

Defensive Coordinator: Brian McNamara

Wide Receivers: Todd Smith & Mike Lorenzo

Offensive Line: Jake White

Defensive Line: Bill Dague

Linebackers: Brian McNamara

Secondary: Matt Hardison

Athletic Trainer: Jeff Scenna

 

Circle the Date: Sept. 19 Wall

While the tough schedule has already been discussed, there is still a path for Freehold Township to enter this matchup undefeated—though it would likely come after some hard-fought wins. St. John Vianney was in the bottom half of the Shore Conference in points allowed last season and will have its own key positions to fill. This road game against Wall comes in the middle of a challenging four-game stretch, meaning even if the Patriots aren’t where they hoped to be by this point in the season, they’ll need to regroup quickly before the schedule gets away from them.

Wall will not have last year’s starting quarterback Franny Scaramellino in the game due to him having to sit out four games because of multiple transfers, but this is not a game to overlook. The Crimson Knights averaged 23.5 points per game last season—right in the middle of the conference—and have the pieces to make this a tightly contested battle. The winner of this one could find themselves in a strong position to contend for the B North division title.

 

Newcomer to Watch: Andrew Dalton, Sr., WR/DB

Dalton is in a prime position to make an immediate impact on both sides of the ball. Even before Schicchi’s injury, he was already in strong contention for the WR3 role—but now, his opportunities may expand even further. He also provides depth at defensive back, the same position Schicchi plays on defense. As the secondary gets reshuffled, Dalton and George Burdge IV are both in the mix to step into a starting cornerback role.

With Nick Cardone no longer under center, the offense will have a new face at quarterback, but HC Davies will still look to spread the field through the air. With Cancela’s production gone, there are plenty of receptions and yards up for grabs—positioning Dalton to emerge as a valuable two-way contributor for Freehold Township this fall.

 

SCHEDULE

Date                         Team                           Time

Thursday 8/28       at Neptune                   7 p.m.

Saturday 9/6          at Colts Neck                11 a.m.

Friday 9/12             SJV                                6:30 p.m.

Friday 9/19             at Wall                          7 p.m.

Friday 9/26             at Howell                     6:30 p.m.

Friday 10/3             Barnegat                       6:30 p.m.

Saturday 10/11       at Freehold Boro         12 p.m.

Friday 10/17           Lacey                             6:30 p.m.

Friday 10/24          Manalapan                   6:30 p.m.