Return to Prominence: 2025 Middletown South Football Preview

The Middletown South Football program, which finished 4-7 in 2024, is steeped in tradition and pride, tracing its roots back to its inaugural season in 1976. Over the years, the Eagles have made 35 state playoff appearances, winning 10 sectional championships.  Players such as Stephen Michael Pitts, Knowshon Moreno, Jason Peter, and Christian Peter have become legends.  Despite not having any of the “big names,” second-year head coach Mark Tomo feels this team can contend, “if we get off to a fast start.”

“We return a lot of key players who had bright spots last year,” said Tomo. “Our tough schedule will challenge us early.  The week 0 game vs Cherokee will show us how much growth we have made in the offseason.”

On the offensive side of the ball, Middletown South returns 7 starters, including QB Luca Donofrio (Sr, 6′, 175).  Donofrio completed 74 of 150 passes for 831 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Donofrio also ran the ball 72 times for 388 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Something Donofrio will look to clean up this season will be turnovers (12 interceptions last season).

Leading rusher, Justin Rosato (Jr, 5’10, 175) had an outstanding sophomore season.  Rosato rushed 108 times for 488 yards and 6 touchdowns. He also added 5 catches for 50 yards out of the backfield. Joining Rosato in the backfield will be H-back Michael Murphy (Sr, 6′, 195).  Murphy ran for 42 yards on 8 carries, but did more damage as a receiver, catching 11 balls for 121 yards and a touchdown.

On the perimeter, leading receiver Logan Burbank (Sr, 6’2, 175) returns to inflict more damage.  Burbank caught 25 balls for 363 yards and 2 touchdowns. Burbank’s size and physicality creates problems for opposing corners. Joining Burbank at WR will be Josh Antonucci (Sr, 5’11, 170), who looks to build on a solid junior season. Antonucci snagged 10 passes for 95 yards in his first year as a starter. 5’8, 160 pound junior Owen Maguire will also look to make an impact as a wide receiver for the Eagles.

The offensive line enters the 2025 season with limited experience.  Only 2 starters return in the trenches, both at the guard spots. Left guard Dylan Lynch (Sr, 6′, 230) and right guard Chris Mauriello (Sr, 6’2, 235) will anchor the line. 4 new starters join them in left tackle Brendan Roudi (Jr, 6’5, 280), right tackle Marcus Rayson (Jr, 6’3, 250), center Alec Rahill (Sr, 6′, 210), and tight end Anthony Bennett (Jr, 6’2, 210). The line will need to gel quickly, as they will all be counted on to protect Donofrio and open running lanes for Rosato.

The Eagles’ 3-4 defense returns eight starters and should show vast improvement from last season. On the line, nose tackle Lynch and defensive end Rahill will be joined by newcomer Beckett White (Jr., 6’1, 215).  MIKE linebacker Michael Murphy will be joined inside by WILL linebacker Michael Chappell (Sr, 5’10, 185).  The outside linebackers, who hope to generate a lot of pressure on opposing QB’s, will be Anthony Bennett at the SAM and Ryan Goode (Sr, 5’11, 185) at the ROVER.

The defensive backfield, which should be the strength of the defense early on, returns all four starters.  At the corners will be Burbank and Michael Mullane (Jr, 5’10, 175).  Both have great size to challenge opposing WR’s. Holding down the safety spots will be Rosato and Ryan Cerminaro (Jr, 6’1, 170).

Coach Tomo is excited for what lies ahead. “I think the fact that we return a lot of experience, especially at our skill positions with Rosato, Burbank, Donofrio, and Murphy, coupled with our team speed, should set us up for success during the season.  It will be important to get consistent play at our QB spot, as well as having our offensive and defensive lines gel quickly and play physically.  If all of those things come together, and we mature from the bumps in the road we faced last year, we can have a successful season.”

Middletown South at a Glance

Head Coach: Mark Tomo

Career Record: 4-7

2024 record: 4-7 (2-3 A North)

Offense: Power Spread

Defense: 3-4

Coaching Staff

Offensive Coordinator: Mark Tomo

Defensive Coordinator: Jeremy Balina

Special Team Coordinator/Defensive Line: Tim Heaney

Quarterbacks: John Andl

Running Backs: Jeff Martin

Offensive Line: Tom Nicholes

Linebackers: Brady Smith

Volunteer Asst: Kevin Higgins

Freshmen: Joe Trezza, Al Bigos, Jack Pranci, Tuck Isherwood

Circle the Date: September 12th vs Red Bank Catholic 7:00 p.m.

The Eagles gave the Casey’s all they could handle last year in the final game before playoffs at Count Basie, losing 29-14  Donofrio connected with Burbank on an 84 yard TD to give the Eagles an early 14-0 lead.  This years game will be early in the season at home.  Coach Tomo will get an early look at how much his defense has progressed, and if the O-line can stand up to the pressure from RBC’s stout D-line.

Newcomer to Watch: Anthony Bennett, Jr, RB/LB

The big 6’2, 210 Bennett will be counted on to be a target for QB Donofrio.  Bennett’s size will cause fits for opposing linebackers and safeties.  Bennett will also be a part of the improved defense, starting at SAM linebacker.

Stat to Know

Besides RFH (a 26-11 win over RBC), Middletown South was the only Shore Conference team to have a double digit lead at any point in the season over RBC.

Schedule:

Date                                   Team                      Time

Thursday 8/28                 Cherokee                     6:00pm

Friday 9/5                          Manalapan                 7:00pm

Friday 9/12                        RBC                              7:00pm

Friday 9/19                        @Holmdel                   7:00pm

Friday 9/26                       @Marlboro                  7:00pm

Friday 10/3                        Jackson Twp.              7:00pm

Friday 10/17                      @RBR                           6:30pm

Friday 10/24                       RFH                             7:00pm

Thursday 11/27                 @Middletown No       10:35am