Reunited: 2025 Jackson Football Preview
Jackson Township Head Coach Vin Mistretta brought some humor to the major changes surrounding the newly merged program, saying, “It’s the little things you don’t think about. I used to have a 6-minute ride to Memorial. One day, I had to grab the ball bag, and now it’s a 20-minute drive. I had to go into the office, and I didn’t even know where I was going.” He noted that similar adjustments are happening for the players — “practicing on a new field, new locker room, new classrooms” — but he believes the novelty will wear off quickly once the season starts.
With the first summer practice on July 8th, Mistretta emphasized that the biggest challenge is time, not chemistry: “We didn’t have a real offseason, so now we have to fit January through May into two months. It’s going to take a lot of work, but the coaches understand that.” He also pushed back on the idea that the team would struggle to mesh, pointing out the strong preexisting bonds among the players: “These seniors played together three years ago on 14U — and even more recently for the younger guys. They grew up playing together and wearing a Jaguar on their helmet.”
Mistretta is focused on maintaining the “reputation for being a hard-nosed, tough, successful program” as Jackson Township begins its first season as a unified team. Speaking at Shore Conference Media Day, he emphasized the talent already in the room: “You look at the roster and there’s talent. People may not know about some of the Liberty talent, but these kids have played a lot of varsity football — and now they’re stepping up in competition. The depth is going to help us.” That depth may be the team’s biggest asset, with 11 returning starters on offense and 10 on defense when combining contributions from both former rosters. Still, Mistretta made clear that nothing is guaranteed.
He believes the real strength lies in the internal competition: “Even with all that returning experience, there’s a battle at every position. Whoever earns a starting spot for Week 0 will have absolutely earned it — through resiliency and hard work.”
Offense
Jackson Township will move forward with senior quarterback Mason Ciccariello, who started for Liberty last season. Memorial graduated Dennis Caswell, who was a second team All A-South selection in 2024. Ciccariello earned First Team All C-South honors after throwing for 1,213 yards and 15 touchdowns with a 62% completion rate, adding two rushing scores on 100 yards. He has been named the team’s top returning player heading into the 2025 season.
While Ciccariello leans toward a pocket-passing style and isn’t known for running, that’s no issue given the firepower in the backfield. Both of Jackson Memorial’s standout running backs return, headlined by Jonah Glenn, who was Second Team All-Shore and First Team All A-South in 2024. Despite battling injuries, Glenn rushed for 968 yards and seven touchdowns on 8.6 yards per carry. With 2,552 career rushing yards and 21 touchdowns, he enters the season as one of the top returning backs in the Shore Conference.
Jio Kabiri also returns after serving as Glenn’s primary backup. A Second Team All A-South selection himself, Kabiri ran for 600 yards and four touchdowns on 130 carries. With Glenn’s injury history in mind, the staff may opt for a more balanced split to start the season. Both players are considered top returning talents.
Both Jackson Memorial and Liberty graduated their top receiving threats from last season, leaving openings in the passing game for the newly formed Jackson Township squad. Eric Zebrowski was a Second Team All-Shore and First Team All A-South selection in 2024 as an athlete. He recorded 29 catches for 667 yards (23 yards per reception) and added 326 rushing yards with five touchdowns. His two-way impact will be missed. From the Liberty side, Justin Uhteg was a First Team All C-South selection after posting 17 receptions for 505 yards and four touchdowns.
This year, the top pass-catching role is expected to go to former tight end James Dressler, a Second Team All C-South selection last season. At 6-foot-2, 185 pounds, Dressler is a big, reliable target with established chemistry with returning quarterback Mason Ciccariello. Also contributing in the passing game will be senior returning starter Ajay Kabiri (6-0, 170) and a deep junior class including Ashton Martinez (5-9, 165), Farrin Blake (5-10, 175), and Jordan Jones (5-11, 165). At tight end, seniors Aidan Chornobroff (6-0, 215) and Cooper Charzewski (5-11, 205) will line up as returning starters as well. Dressler and Kabiri have already drawn strong praise from the coaching staff and are expected to lead the receiving group. Martinez and Blake have been named two of the team’s top newcomers, giving the Jaguars intriguing depth and upside at the position.
The offensive line is senior-heavy and returns four starters, even with both Memorial and Liberty graduating key all-division linemen. Harold Mee, a Second Team All A-South selection from Memorial, and Donovan Louis-Jacques, a First Team All C-South selection from Liberty, have both moved on. Still, their shoes are expected to be filled by a deep and experienced unit.
The left side of the line features two senior returning starters in Vinny Lopiccolo (6-2, 250) at left tackle and Ryan Nalewajko (5-10, 240) at left guard. At center is junior Gavin Wolf (5-11, 250), who has already impressed the coaching staff and was named one of the team’s top newcomers.
Position battles are still ongoing on the right side of the line, but the team is confident in the quality and depth of its options. Senior Zach Reese (5-8, 250), a returning starter, is the projected right guard, while junior Marc Lovacco (5-11, 255), also a returning starter, is pushing for reps as well. At right tackle, Jomar Rodriguez (6-0, 210) is the projected starter, with senior Somto David (6-2, 240) also competing for snaps.
The staff is highly confident in this group, citing experience, chemistry, and versatility across the line. With multiple returning starters and strong internal competition, the offensive line is one of the most stable and productive units on the team.
Defense
The defensive side of the ball also sees the departure of several award-winning players, but Jackson Township brings back a strong core with 10 returning starters. On the defensive line, they will need to replace Ishmal Thompson, who recorded 63 tackles, including nine for loss and five sacks, as a First Team All A-South selection. Brennan Cager, a Second Team All C-South pick, also graduates, leaving some gaps to fill up front.
Despite those losses, the line returns impact players like Matt Howard (6-2, 230) and Vinny Lopiccolo, both of whom were Second Team All A-South selections last season. Howard, who reprises his role at defensive end, registered 54 tackles, four tackles for loss, nine sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. Lopiccolo returns at defensive tackle after posting 18 tackles with two for loss and is already drawing recruiting interest.
Senior Tyler Niman (6-4, 285) is another returning starter and will slot in at the other tackle spot, providing size and experience in the middle. Junior David Howard (6-0, 215) is projected to start at the other defensive end opposite Matt Howard, with sophomore Danny Bivins (6-1, 200) also in the mix for snaps.
Liberty graduated two of its top linebackers in Corzeek Palms, a First Team All C-South selection, and Justice Bray, a Second Team All C-South honoree. On the other side, Memorial returns Jacob Zapata, who will lead the linebacker unit this fall. Zapata, a Second Team All A-South selection and returning starter, posted a team-high 94 tackles last season, including three tackles for loss and two sacks. The senior (5-10, 180) will be a key presence in the middle of the defense. Backing him up will be fellow senior Justin Cellini, who was also a Second Team All C-South selection in 2024.
The other projected starters at linebacker are all seniors: returning starter Aidan Chornobroff (6-0, 215), returning starter Jio Kabiri (5-9, 175), and Cooper Charzewski (5-11, 205). The group offers a mix of experience and versatility. Chornobroff had 36 tackles, five for loss, and a sack last season and is considered one of the team’s top returning defenders. He is currently garnering recruiting interest. Kabiri, in addition to his contributions on offense, was the second-leading tackler on the team with 81 total stops, including five tackles for loss, a sack, two forced fumbles, and an interception. Also providing depth at the position are Fouad Suleiman (6-0, 185) and Jack Niechwiadowicz, a 2024 Second Team All C-South selection.
In the secondary, both cornerback spots will be manned by returning starters Nick Dos Santos (5-10, 175) and Nico Dela Cruz (5-8, 160), providing stability and experience on the outside. Dos Santos had 28 tackles, including three for loss and an interception, in 2024. At strong safety, Jonah Glenn returns to the starting lineup, adding to his versatile role on the team. Glenn is one of three players on the roster currently being recruited, bringing physicality and football IQ to the back end. Junior Farrin Blake is also in the mix at the position, offering additional depth. At free safety, Tucker Pazinko steps into the starting role after earning First Team All C-South honors for Liberty last season. He takes over for Derek Matthews, a fellow First Team All C-South selection who graduated.
Outlook
As echoed by Head Coach Vin Mistretta, the primary challenge for Jackson Township heading into the season is the shortened offseason. The team had to ramp up quickly after the merger; however, Mistretta refuses to use that as an excuse, instead highlighting how “all the uncertainty and challenges throughout the offseason have brought the team closer together.”
Township enters not only one of the toughest divisions in the Shore Conference but also faces one of the more challenging public schedules in the state. On the docket are reigning state champions Toms River North, perennial playoff contenders like Point Boro, Brick Memorial, Southern, and Manalapan, along with Non-Public powers Donovan Catholic and St. John Vianney.
Last season, Memorial finished 5–6 (0–5 in A-South), allowing the most points in the division. Their offense averaged 19.5 points per game while surrendering 27.7. Liberty, on the other hand, went 6–4 (4–1 in C-South), with a defense that allowed just 14.8 points per game—the fewest in the division—while scoring 26.2 per contest. While the level of competition between their 2024 schedules isn’t quite comparable, if the newly formed Township squad can land somewhere between those two statistical profiles, they will be in decent shape.
Mistretta believes the foundation is in place, saying, “We’ve got guys willing to work and grind to get better every single day to make sure we get to where we need to be.”
Jackson Township at a Glance
Head Coach: Vin Mistretta
Career record: 46-32
2024 record: 5-6 (at Jackson Memorial)
Offense: Multiple I
Defense: 4-3
Coaching Staff
Offensive Coordinator: Matt Spader
Defensive Coordinator: Arnell Cozart
Quarterbacks: Matt Spader
Running Backs: Jim Sharples
Full Backs: Ryan Azzolini
Wide Receivers: Jake Bosco
Tight Ends: Ryan Azzolini
Offensive Line: Matt Schmidt & Mike Chumura
Defensive Line: Mike Smith & Sean Thornton
Linebackers: Tom Daly & Jim Lopez
Secondary: Jared Morris
Athletic Trainer: Nicolle Figaro & Chris Grande
Circle the Date: Sept. 26 Point Boro
By this point in the season, the rubber meets the road. While each of their first few matchups presents challenges in its own right, there is a realistic path for Township to enter this game undefeated at 4-0. That said, this contest also marks the beginning of a tough second half of the schedule.
Point Boro’s strength continues to be its offensive line and ability to run the football. While they only return two starters up front, the backfield remains largely intact with key returners like Jake Clayton and Nick Spanola. The entire conference knows how Boro wants to play — and how they win — yet stopping their run-heavy attack remains easier said than done. For Township, the defensive game plan will hinge on getting off the field on third down, giving their offense a chance to dictate the pace.
Both teams pride themselves on physicality and controlling the game on the ground. Expect a battle in the trenches, where the team that wins the line of scrimmage will likely come out on top.
Newcomer to Watch: Ashton Martinez, Jr., WR
While much of the team features returning starters, the wide receiver room remains one of the biggest question marks heading into the season. Both Memorial and Liberty graduated their top pass catchers from last year, leaving a noticeable gap in production. Even with James Dressler shifting from tight end to a full-time receiver role—and bringing with him an established chemistry with returning quarterback Mason Ciccariello—there are still plenty of targets up for grabs.
The competition for the No. 2 option is wide open, and while there’s no clear frontrunner yet, junior Ashton Martinez is firmly in the mix. He’s caught the coaching staff’s attention early on and could be a breakout candidate as the season unfolds.
SCHEDULE
Date Team Time
Thursday 8/28 at North Brunswick 6 p.m.
Friday 9/5 at Southern 7 p.m.
Friday 9/12 Manalapan 6:30 p.m.
Friday 9/19 Donovan Cath. 6 p.m.
Friday 9/26 Point Boro 6:30 p.m.
Friday 10/3 at Midd. South 7 p.m.
Friday 10/10 at TR North 6 p.m.
Friday 10/17 SJV 6:30 p.m.
Friday 10/24 at Brick Mem. 6 p.m.
