Unfinished Business: 2025 Central Football Preview

Improving from four wins to eight from one year to the next is a major accomplishment for any high school football program and in that vein, Central Regional is coming off a wildly successful 8-2 season in which the Golden Eagles snatched a share of the Shore Conference Class B South division championship.

On the flip-side, the returning players from the 2024 success story headed into the offseason with a bitter taste in their collective mouth. That is because Central started 2024 on an eight-game winning streak before losing its final two games of the season – both at home.

Toms River South knocked off the Golden Eagles in Bayville, 33-26, in the final week of the regular season to not only score points in bragging rights between the two nearby rivals, but to also force a three-way share of the division title when Central could have clinched the outright title with a win.

Two weeks later, Jackson Memorial invaded the Eagles Nest for a 46-13 win that ended a resurgent season for Central.

What was a disappointed group to end 2024 is a motivated one to open 2025. Central dodged any major movement in the Shore’s realignment and will be back in Class B South with both Toms River South and Southern to run back their competition for the division crown.

The Golden Eagles have significant production to replace, with their top passer (Joe Vezzosi), rusher (Nick Ruggiero) and receiver (Royalty Riley) all graduating this past spring. Senior Jacob Halpin is in line to take over under center and he will have the support of three of the team’s top athletes as potential options.

Junior C.J. Yates flew under the radar with Riley as the No. 1 receiver and turned in a breakout sophomore campaign that, statistically, looked a lot like what Riley (37 receptions, 648 yards, eight touchdowns) produced: 32 catches, 627 yards, eight touchdowns.

Seniors Austin Jarvis and Elijah Reeder will also be key pieces to the offense in 2025, with the 6-foot-5 Reeder reprising his role as the tight end and Jarvis contributing at tailback in place of Ruggiero after he played the backup role as a junior. Junior Santino Trotta will also push for carries within the new running back room.

Yates lead a dynamic group of junior receivers, with classmates Dom Prasad and Zy’Shaun Carroll ascending into greater roles. Prasad is a 6-2 target for Halpin and Carroll got a helping of playing time as a sophomore. Senior Tino Nastasi is another receiver in the mix for snaps and sophomore Gus Copes has the tools to take over Reeder’s role as a two-way threat and tight end on offense.

The offensive line also breaking in a pair of new starters, but returning 6-3, 240-pound seniors Ashton Harris and Robbie Mondella will provide experience and leadership up front. Harris will be Halpin’s security blanket at left tackle and Mondella will spearhead the running attack as the right guard. Junior Jonathan Kale is also back as the team’s center after a solid showing as a sophomore and senior Tyler Alexander will strengthen the left side at guard.

Sophomore Luke Jones round out the starting offensive line as a 6-2, 245-pound prospect who will look to pull his weight as an underclassman while also preparing to be a leader on the line in years to come.

Central brings back seven starters on the defensive end, with balance at each level. Yates, Carroll and Nastasi are back in the secondary, with Yates and Carroll manning the corners and Nastasi back at strong safety. Senior Gauge Senatore rounds out the starting defensive backfield at free safety, while both Prasad and Trotta will factor into the picture as depth at multiple positions in the secondary.

Up front, Reeder will be a handful for opposing offensive lines as an imposing defensive end. Fellow senior Diego Soto is also back on the line as a starting defensive tackle alongside first-year sophomore starter J.T. Paden on the interior. Seniors Joe Dunne and Harris will mix in with junior Andrew Hoffman at the defensive end spot opposite Reeder.

While the defensive line and secondary look like strengths for Central in 2025, the linebacker corps has a chance to be a strength of the defense. Jarvis and fellow senior Zach Cramer return after leading the team in tackles in 2024 – Jarvis with 98 and Cramer with 91. Cramer will man the middle, with Jarvis and sophomore Gus Copes on the outside. Copes is already 6-1, 200 pounds and has a chance to round out a group of linebackers that measures up to all others in the division.

An x-factor is returning kicker and punter Mike Nieves, who knocked in a pair of field goals last year while connecting on 29 of 33 extra points.

With a balanced defense and plenty of athleticism remaining from last year’s 8-2 team, Central will be ready to battle Southern and Toms River South – as well as Brick and Manchester – for the division title again this season. If the new starters at the skill positions on offense can hit the ground running, a division title is once again the bar for the Golden Eagles.

Central at a Glance

Head coach: Jarrett Pidgeon, sixth season

Career record: 22-24

2024 record: 8-2

Offense: Multiple Pro

Defense: Multiple Four-Man

Coaching Staff

Offensive Coordinator: Frank Backle

Quarterbacks: Kyle Watson

Running Backs: Michael Bickford

Wide Receivers: Kyle Watson

Tight Ends: James Plummer

Offensive Line: Frank Backle, Brandon Voss, Pat Reilly

Defensive Line: Brandon Voss

Defensive Ends: James Plummer

Secondary: Michael Bickford, Pat Reilly

Assistant: Dennis Pidgeon

Freshman: Dennis O’Keefe, Cory Sullivan, Ken Beyrouty

Athletic trainer: Matt Goetz

Circle the Date: Oct. 10 at Toms River South

The battle for the Class B South division championship finished in a three-way tie and the team that prevented Central from winning the title outright was Toms River South, which defeated the Golden Eagles, 33-26, in the final week of the regular season to deny Central the outright division title. Central entered the Week 8 game vs. the Indians 8-0 and closed out the season with two straight losses. That Toms River South loss has stuck with Central’s returning players for the entire offseason and although there will be a long list of teams to tackle prior to the rematch, the Golden Eagles are looking forward to a chance at payback in October.

Rookie Watch: Gus Copes, So., OLB/TE

As Central looks to restock its depth chart with ready-to-go varsity players, Copes gives the Golden Eagles a third linebacker to complement returning standouts Austin Jarvis and Zach Cramer. Copes is the ideal combination of size and athleticism for the position and is ready for the challenge, especially with two top tackle leaders from 2023 to lead the way.

Stat to Know

Central was one of three Shore Conference teams (Rumson-Fair Haven and Toms River North) with both a duo of receivers to combine for 1,200 yards and a trio of defensive players to combine on 290 tackles. The Golden Eagles bring back a noteworthy contingent of those contributors, led by Yates (627 yards on 32 receptions) in the receiving corps and both Jarvis (98 tackles) and Cramer (91 tackles) at linebacker.

SCHEDULE

Date                             Team                           Time

Friday 8/29                    Steinert                         6 p.m.

Saturday 9/6                 Lacey                              1 p.m.

Friday 9/12                    Southern                       7 p.m.

Friday 9/19                    @Manchester                6 p.m.

Friday 9/26                    Brick                               6:30 p.m.

Friday 10/3                    @Middletown North       7 p.m.

Friday 10/10                  @Toms River South        6 p.m.

Friday 10/17                  Long Branch                      6 p.m.