Caldwell Chiefs   

July 3, 2024 

2023: 

• 9-1
• Lost to Lakeland in the North Jersey Section 2 Group 2 semifinals and beat Madison in the quarterfinals 
• Wins included West Essex, Hanover Park, Mountain Lakes, Cedar Grove, and Madison 
• Scored 360 points for a 36.0 average 
• Allowed 99 points for a 9.9 average 

Graduation: 

• LB/OL Julian Casale – Monmouth 
• RB/DB Joe Marinello – RPI (NY) 
• DB Jake Gruzas – Kean for lacrosse 

Offense: 

• Formation: Multiple Spread 
• Returning Starters: 5 

Quarterback: 

• Jake Matanin, Sophomore, 5-10, 170 – competing 
• Dean Tahbaz, Sophomore, 5-10, 155 – competing 

Running Back: 

• Nick Mignone, Junior, 5-9, 190 – projected starter; saw action and started on defense 
• Solomon Soriente, Junior, 5-6, 145 – will spell Mignone 
• Sean Murtagh, Senior, 5-10, 190 – will spell Mignone and play wide receiver; started on defense  
• Nick Moyano, Junior, 5-10, 185 – will spell Mignone and play wide receiver; started on defense  

Wide Receiver: 

• Mike Mignone, Senior, 6-0, 220 – returning starter 
• Sean Murtagh, Senior, 5-10, 190 – projected starter; started on defense  
• Kaelen Harper, Junior, 6-1, 180 – projected starter 
• Nick Moyano, Junior, 5-10, 185 – projected starter; started on defense  

H-Back (situational):  

• Andrew Fonseca, Senior, 5-10, 190 – returning starter 

Offensive Line: 

• Cole Bazerman, Senior, 6-1, 245 – returning starter at left tackle 
• Quays Rabah, Junior, 5-11, 222 – projected starter at left guard 
• Aidan Hartney, Senior, 6-0, 205 – returning starter at center 
• Elvis Nikollaj, Junior, 6-0, 205 – projected starter at right guard 
• Anthony Capaldo, Senior, 6-2, 235 – returning starter at right tackle 
• Logan Arnott, Sophomore, 5-11, 225 – key reserve along the line 

Defense: 

• Formation: 3-3 with three safeties
• Returning starters: 4 

Defensive Line: 

• Cole Bazerman, Senior, 6-1, 245 – part of the nose guard rotation 
• Aidan Hartney, Senior, 6-0, 205 – part of the nose guard rotation 
• Elvis Nikollaj, Junior, 6-0, 205 – part of the end rotation 
• Andrew Fonseca, Senior, 5-10, 190 – part of the end rotation 
• Quays Rabah, Junior, 5-11, 222 – part of the end rotation 
• Logan Arnott, Sophomore, 5-11, 225 – part of the end rotation 
• Anthony Capaldo, Senior, 6-2, 235 – part of the end rotation 
• Aidan Callery, Senior, 6-1, 210 – part of the end rotation 

Linebacker: 

• Mike Mignone, Senior, 6-0, 220 – 3-year starter in the middle, moving from the outside 
• Sean Murtagh, Senior, 5-10, 190 – returning starter on the weak side and competing 
• Ryan Healey, Junior, 6-2, 190 – competing and will get to play 
• Teagan McOmish, Junior, 6-3, 190 – competing and will get to play 
• Jake Simone, Senior, 5-10, 185 – competing and will get to play 

Secondary: 

• Nick Mignone, Junior, 5-9, 190 – returning starter at the middle safety, moving from weak safety 
• Nick Moyano, Junior, 5-10, 185 – returning starter at weak safety, moving from strong safety 
• Kaelen Harper, Junior, 6-1, 180 – projected starter at strong safety 
• Jordan Gruzas, Junior, 5-9, 175 – will support the safeties 
• Solomon Soriente, Junior, 5-6, 145 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Dom Gaffney, Senior, 5-11, 175 – projected starter at cornerback 
• Santino Russo, Sophomore, 5-7, 155 – part of the cornerback rotation 
• Nico Sozio, Sophomore, 5-8, 170 – part of the cornerback rotation 

Special Teams:  

• Sophomore Matt Murtagh will be the kicker and senior Sean Murtagh will be the punter 
• Nick Mignone, Moyano, Russo, and Harper are the return men 

Schedule: 

• Thursday, 9/5, Passaic Valley at home 
• Friday, 9/13, at West Essex 
• Friday, 9/20, at Westwood 
• Friday, 9/27, Wayne Hills at home 
• Friday, 10/4, Cedar Grove at home 
• Thursday, 10/10, at Shabazz 
• Friday, 10/18, Millburn at home 
• Friday, 10/25, at Nutley 

Concerns: 

• Being able to compete with bigger schools – they are excited about the challenge and ready to get going 

Recruiting: 

• Sean Murtagh verballed to Marist for lacrosse 
• Mike Mignone is receiving 1-AA looks 
• Bazerman and Hartney are D2/D3 prospects 
• Gaffney is a D3 candidate 
• Others could go D3 
• Underclassmen: 
• Nick Mignone, Moyano, Nikollaj, and Rabah are the top candidates 
• They have a good sophomore class, but the players have to establish themselves 

Coach’s Comments: 

“We have a new schedule and we’re excited about being in a new division. The schedule is a gauntlet and have to be ready each week. There are bigger schools on the schedule and it will be exciting.” – Head Coach Todd Romano