Middletown North heads into the 2025 season with one of the Shore Conference’s top quarterback-receiver combinations and a clear goal: return to the NJSIAA sectional semifinals after falling just one win short of a South Jersey Group 4 championship appearance last fall.

The Lions’ path will look different this time around. A year ago, they opened with an 8-0 run, claimed the Class B North title, and entered the South Group 4 playoffs as the No. 2 seed behind only Winslow—the state’s top-ranked public school to close 2024. Now, after finishing 8-2, Middletown North makes the jump into the daunting Class A North division. That means yearly battles with perennial Shore powers Rumson-Fair Haven and Red Bank Catholic, crosstown rival Middletown South, and rising programs Marlboro and Holmdel.

Even in a tougher setting, optimism is high thanks to senior quarterback Owen Robson and wide receiver Jack Viola, one of the Shore’s most productive returning duos. Robson threw for 1,749 yards last season, completing over 70 percent of his passes with 16 touchdowns to just four interceptions. Viola hauled in 41 passes for 662 yards and five scores, ranking second among returning Shore receivers in yards and first in catches.

The passing attack doesn’t stop there. Senior Ryan Clark (21 receptions, 295 yards) adds size and consistency, while junior Dany Sigler flashed big-play ability with 143 yards and two touchdowns on only three grabs. Senior tight end Braden Marcotte and junior linebacker Kade Little, who could see time on offense, round out a proven group of weapons.

Replacing 1,000-yard rusher Shane Volante is no small task, but junior Matt Belenko showed promise as his understudy, rushing for 227 yards and four touchdowns while averaging 6.5 yards per carry.

The biggest challenge lies in the trenches. Four new starters join senior Shea Mora, who shifts from guard to left tackle. Juniors Josh Johnson and Logan Grenham, along with senior Jason Woods and junior Derek Laguna, complete the line. All five will also play key roles on defense, where Woods and senior Brody Uhl lead the unit up front.

Defensively, Marcotte and Little return as starting linebackers in the Lions’ 4-2-5 scheme. Clark, who tied for third in the Shore with five interceptions, anchors the secondary as the rover. Viola returns at free safety for his third varsity season, while seniors Jovonni Fernandez and John Engels, juniors M.J. Parulis and Brennan Cross, and senior Anthony Christiani add depth across the back end.

Special teams are secure with senior Seamus Montegue, who handles both kicking and punting.

Middletown North closed 2024 ranked No. 6 in the Shore Sports Insider poll, and while the offense has the talent to remain among the Shore’s best, the team’s success will hinge on how quickly the new linemen adjust. The Lions open with Howell and Marlboro—ranked Nos. 11 and 12, respectively, in last year’s final SSI poll—before back-to-back road tests against Red Bank Catholic and Rumson-Fair Haven.

The seniors of this year’s team will look to use last year’s playoff loss to Shawnee as a reminder to finish strong during the 2025 campaign.

MIDDLETOWN NORTH SEASON FACTS:

Friday 11/27                   Middletown South            10:35 a.m