Middletown South finished the 2025 season with a 4-7 record. The Eagles fell to rival Middletown North, 28-19, in the second round of the Central Jersey Group 4 playoffs before suffering another defeat to the Lions, 7-6, on Thanksgiving closing the season on a disappointing note.

Armed with a senior class that has been on the field since its sophomore season, the Eagles are looking to restore the standard at one of the Shore Conference’s premier programs after consecutive losing seasons following a 5-5 campaign in 2023.

The urgency extends beyond recent records. Middletown South, which owns the second-most sectional championships in Shore Conference history with 10, has not captured a sectional title since 2015. That marks the program’s longest sectional championship drought since winning its first sectional crown in 1989.

After competing in the Shore Conference’s top division for the past four seasons, the Eagles have been realigned to Class B North. While the Eagles will not be paired with perennial powers Red Bank Catholic and Rumson-Fair Haven, it remains one of the conference’s most competitive, with rival Middletown North, Manasquan, Matawan, and several other formidable opponents on the schedule.

Offense

The Eagles return four starters from an offense that averaged 18.5 points per game last season, rushed for 1,422 yards and passed for 1,301 yards.

Senior Jack Schneider (6-0, 175) will take the reins at quarterback after playing minimal snaps last season behind two-year starter Luca Donofrio.

Senior Justin Rosato (5-10, 185) returns as the Eagles’ starting running back for the third consecutive season after rushing for 926 yards and nine touchdowns on his way to Second Team All-Shore honors in 2025. Rosato combines outstanding quickness, vision, and contact balance, making him Middletown South’s most dangerous offensive weapon.

The Eagles are also expecting junior Connor Leon (5-11, 200) to carve out a significant role in the backfield. Leon gives Middletown South a physical complement to Rosato’s explosiveness and has the potential to provide a true thunder-and-lightning tandem.

Senior Owen Maguire returns as a three-year starter at wide receiver after catching 30 passes for 396 yards and two touchdowns last season, earning Second Team All-Class A North honors. Senior Luke Picariello (5-10, 170) also returns as a starter after catching five passes for 47 yards in 2025.

Rounding out the receiving corps is junior Cillian Duffy (6-1, 175), who steps into a starting role and gives the Eagles a little bit more height on the perimeter.

Senior Anthony Bennett (6-2, 225) returns at tight end after catching three passes for 47 yards last season while serving primarily as a blocker in the Eagles’ offense.

The Eagles return two starters along the offensive line in senior tackle Brendan Roudi (6-5, 295) and senior guard Marcus Rayson (6-2, 250). Junior Ryan Menditto (6-0, 220) and sophomore Will Renschler (6-6, 225) will fill the opposite guard and tackle positions, while sophomore Ryan Rosato (5-10, 230) steps in as the new starting center.

The kicker and punting duties will be decided during camp.

Defense

The Eagles return seven starters from a defense that allowed 21.5 points per game last season.

Senior Beckett White (6-1, 220) is the lone returning starter on the defensive line after recording 23 tackles and four sacks in 2025, earning Second Team All-Class A North honors. A pair of new starters will join him in two-way starter Ryan Menditto and senior Aiden Adessi (5-11, 215).

Bennett returns at outside linebacker after totaling 26 tackles and four sacks last season on his way to Second Team All-Class A North honors. Junior Shawn Menditto (5-10, 180) will start at the opposite outside linebacker position.

Leon is back at inside linebacker after making 30 tackles a year ago and will be joined by senior Ryan Kraft (5-10, 190).

Middletown South will field one of the Shore Conference’s most experienced secondaries, with three returning three-year starters and another returning starter. Seniors Mike Mullane (5-10, 175), Ryan Cerminaro (6-2, 180), and Rosato each enter their third season as starters, while senior Ryan McCarthy (5-10, 160) also returns after starting last season.

 

Middletown South at a glance 

Head coach: Marc Tomo, 3rd season

Career record: 8-14

2025 record: 4-7

Offense: Spread

Defense: 3-4

 

Coaching Staff

Defensive Coordinator: Jeremy Balina

Special Teams Coordinators/DL: Tim Heaney

QB: John Andl

RB: Jeff Martin

WR: Greg LaCava

OL: Tom Nicholes

OL: Jason Wombough

Volunteer: Kevin Higgins

Freshman: Al Bigos

Freshman: Joe Trezza

Freshman: Tuck Isherwood

Freshman: Jack Prancl

Athletic Trainer: Dave Katz

Circle the Date: Nov. 26 vs Middletown North

Unless the teams meet again in the state playoffs, it will have been nearly a full year since Middletown South’s season ended with back-to-back losses to rival Middletown North. The Eagles have spent the offseason using those defeats as motivation, and a major part of restoring the program’s standard will be reclaiming bragging rights in one of the Shore Conference’s two remaining Thanksgiving games.

Newcomer to Watch: Jack Schneider, Sr., QB

A first-year starter, Schneider will be tasked with directing an Eagles offense that returns a few proven playmakers. If he can protect the football and consistently distribute it to Rosato, Maguire, and the rest of Middletown South’s offensive weapons, the Eagles will be well-positioned for a bounce-back season.

Schedule 

Date	Opponent
8/27	at Cherokee
9/4	at Rumson-Fair Haven
9/10	Freehold Township
9/18	Shore
9/26	at Manasquan
10/2	Holmdel
10/16	at Marlboro
10/23	at Matawan
11/26	Middletown North