The Griffins got off to a slow start in 2025, dropping three of their first four games before finding their rhythm and rattling off seven consecutive wins. Donovan Catholic’s late-season surge ultimately came to a heartbreaking end with a loss to Holy Spirit in the sectional quarterfinals.

Donovan Catholic is chock-full of experience with 16 returning starters this season. On paper, the Griffins appear to be the Shore Conference’s top contender to dethrone Red Bank Catholic. They certainly have the talent and experience to challenge for the top spot, but they’ll need to reach their full potential to do so.

The Class A South division race is loaded with strong teams standing in the Griffins’ way, including Brick Memorial, Southern, Jackson, Point Boro, and crosstown rival Toms River North.

Offense

The Griffins return seven starters from an offense that averaged 21.4 points per game last season, rushed for 1,997 yards and passed for 1,163 yards.

Senior quarterback Kahden Davis (6-1, 190), a Columbia University commit, returns after an injury-plagued junior season in which he still managed to throw for 963 yards and eight touchdowns while adding 444 yards and five scores on the ground. Sophomore Chris McClaren (5-11, 150) gained valuable experience in Davis’ absence, throwing for 200 yards and a touchdown.

The Griffins return a strong one-two punch in the backfield with seniors Ethan Nicolas (6-1, 190) and Alex Staten (5-9, 180). Nicolas rushed for 653 yards and seven touchdowns last season, while Staten added 569 yards and six scores on the ground.

Senior Aidan Kelly (5-11, 170) headlines a talented group of returning receivers after leading the Griffins with 34 receptions for 471 yards and four touchdowns last season. Junior TJ Hunter (6-4, 205) provides another proven target after hauling in 16 passes for 251 yards and three scores. Senior Nyron “Boogs” Snerling (5-9, 160) also returns after recording eight catches for 59 yards, while sophomores Tristan Garcia (5-8, 150) and Torrence Turner (6-1, 180) will look to carve out roles in the receiving corps.

Senior Jason Madden (6-4, 235) returns at tight end after serving primarily as a blocker last season while contributing three receptions for 29 yards and a touchdown in the passing game.

Sophomore Xavier Fowlkes (6-4, 330) returns and will anchor the offensive line at left tackle where he has the potential to follow in the footsteps of Kai Pritchard as the program’s next Power Four recruit. Senior Carter Smith (6-0, 305) returns at left guard, with senior Tino Mammano (6-1, 255) taking over at center. Senior Ben Lubin (6-3, 330) and freshman Reed Faulkingham (6-2, 315) will compete for the starting job at right guard, while senior Robbie Pissott (6-6, 240) rounds out the unit at right tackle.

Senior Sal Reynoso (5-10, 220) will once again handle both the kicking and punting duties after going a perfect 18-for-18 on extra-point attempts last season.

Defense

The Griffins return nine starters from a defense that allowed 16.4 points per game last season.

Smith returns at nose guard after recording 68 tackles and 2.5 sacks last season. Madden, a University of Connecticut commit, is back at defensive end after registering 82 tackles and a team-high 6.5 sacks. Fowlkes will line up at defensive tackle after contributing 13 tackles in limited defensive action a year ago.

Senior Henry Byrnes (6-2, 210) returns at outside linebacker after recording 62 tackles and 4.5 sacks last season, while Nicholas and Turner will compete for the starting job on the opposite side. Senior Diondre Foendoe (5-10, 200) anchors the middle after stuffing the stat sheet with a team-high 90 tackles a year ago. Senior Sean Byrnes (6-2, 210) returns alongside Foendoe at inside linebacker after registering 72 tackles last season.

 

Donovan Catholic at a glance 

Head coach: Dan Curcione, 10th season (13th overall)

Career record: 69-44

2025 record: 8-4

Offense: Spread

Defense: 3-4

 

Coaching Staff

Offensive Coordinator/QB: Jack Nascimento

Defensive Coordinator/OL/DL: Ron Mammano

WR: Dave Ellis

DB: Sean McPherson

RB: Tye Coleman

OLB: Jared Morris

JV/Freshman/FB: Vinnie Destasio

OL/DL: Dominick Mastroianni

Assistant: Bob Coates

Assistant/JV: Charlie Dowling

Strength and Conditioning: Mark Deppen

Strength and Conditioning: Eddie Herman

Athletic Trainer: Bob DeStefano

 

Circle the Date: Oct. 16 vs. Red Bank Catholic

Much can change between now and then, but the two private-school heavyweights are the presumptive top two teams in the Shore Conference. If Donovan Catholic wants to break through and claim the No. 1 spot, the Griffins will have to go through the Caseys to get there.

Newcomer to Watch: Reed Faulkingham, Fr., OL

The Griffins have consistently produced Division I offensive line recruits over the past decade, and the 6-foot-2, 315-pound freshman has the size to potentially join that exclusive group. The fact that he is already competing for a starting job as a freshman only adds to his promise.

Schedule 

Date	Opponent
8/27	Kingsway (at Rowan)
9/4	at St. John Vianney
9/11	at Brick Memorial
9/18	at Jackson
9/25	Southern
10/2	Rumson-Fair Haven
10/9	at Point Boro
10/16	Red Bank Catholic
10/23	Toms River North
10/31	at St. Joseph Met.