A 4-7 finish and a Central Jersey Group 4 sectional quarterfinal exit left a bitter taste across Middletown South last autumn. Head coach Marc Tomo and the Eagles surrendered 237 points while managing just 203, slipping below the program's traditional high watermark. Yet the calendar turns, and continuity offers a powerful antidote. This iteration of the Eagles boasts an experienced roster that has developed together since their sophomore season, setting up a vital campaign to restore the standard.
Graduation claimed notable production, most notably wide receiver and defensive back Logan Donofrio—now bound for UConn—alongside defensive back Ryan Goode, who headed to the College of New Jersey. But unlike previous cycles where entire units required wholesale rebuilding, the 2026 squad returns six starters on offense and seven on defense. That foundational familiarity forms the bedrock of Tomo's tactical blueprints as August workouts give way to live fire.
The Power Spread Engine and Offensive Personnel
The Eagles continue to operate out of a power spread formation designed to leverage multi-year experience at the skill positions. Senior quarterback Jack Schneider steps into the projected starter's role after logging limited reps behind Donofrio a year ago, backed by sophomore Drew Cerminario, who adds valuable depth.
The ground game anchors itself on senior running back Justin Rosato. Entering his third year as a starter, Rosato accumulated 829 rushing yards and seven touchdowns on 185 carries in 2025 while also pacing the defense with 58 tackles and four interceptions. Juniors Connor Leon and Shawn Menditto provide the necessary relief in the backfield to keep Rosato fresh.
Out wide, senior Owen Maguire returns as a polished target after hauling in 30 receptions for 396 yards and two scores last season. Senior Luke Picariello and junior Cillian Duffy round out the primary receiving corps, while senior Anthony Bennett anchors the H-back and tight end spot. The offensive trenches feature crucial reinforcements: senior left tackle Brendan Roudi returns after missing most of 2025 due to injury, flanked by returning left guard Marcus Rayson. Projected starters Ryan Rosato at center, Ryan Menditto at right guard, and Will Rentschler at right tackle round out an imposing front line that features sophomore Paddi Mulholland as the sixth man.
Defensive Structure and Front-Seven Restructuring
Defensively, the Eagles deploy a multiple 3-4 scheme. Up front, Beckett White returns at defensive end alongside fellow senior Aiden Adessi at nose guard and junior Ryan Menditto. The linebacker corps retains significant experience in the middle and on the edge through Connor Leon and Anthony Bennett, while Ryan Kraft steps in on the weak side and Shawn Menditto takes over at rover.
The secondary is arguably the team's most seasoned unit. Three-year starters Mike Mullane and Justin Rosato patrol the cornerback and safety positions, supported by returning cornerback Ryan McCarthy and safety Ryan Cerminario. Staying healthy and shoring up line depth remain the primary coaching concerns after injuries hindered last year's trajectory, but the sheer volume of returning reps provides a distinct competitive floor.
2026 Regular Season Schedule
- Thursday, 8/27: at Cherokee
- Friday, 9/4: at Rumson-Fair Haven
- Thursday, 9/11: vs. Freehold Township
- Friday, 9/18: vs. Shore
- Saturday, 9/26: at Manasquan
- Friday, 10/2: vs. Holmdel
- Thursday, 10/8 – Saturday, 10/10: Bye Week
- Friday, 10/16: at Marlboro
- Friday, 10/23: at Matawan
- Thursday, 11/26: vs. Middletown North
The path forward hinges on whether the returning trench personnel can protect Schneider and establish consistent rushing lanes against a demanding September slate. If Tomo's senior-led group translates summer preparation into early execution, Middletown South has all the necessary components to climb back into the upper tier of Shore Conference football.
Sources
These sources formed the evidence pack for this article. Links open the original publisher; inclusion does not imply endorsement.
- Shore Sports Insider original
- admin original
- Joe Zedalis | original
- njrecordbook.com original
