Redhawk quarterback #4 Anthony Gaitano on the run during the Deptford-ACIT high school football game at Liepe Field in Hamilton Township on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
Mike McGarry
ACIT begins its second high school football varsity season this year.
The Red Hawks finished 2-6 in their varsity debut. But they graduated just three seniors.
"There's a big difference this year from this time last year," coach Chris Mancuso said. "Going into the first season, you have no idea what to expect at all. This year, almost the whole team is coming back.
ACIT will play all of its games on the road or at a neutral field this season. The construction of a stadium on the school's Mays Landing campus will be finished for the 2026 season.
"We're road warriors this year," Mancuso said. "Once the stadium is built, it's definitely going to be worth it. But it's going to be a challenge this season."
The Red Hawks return eight starters on offense, nine on defense and 27 letterwinners. The team is still young, with only 15 seniors on a roster of nearly 70 players.
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Anthony Gaitano returns at quarterback. Mancuso said Gaitano will benefit from last season's experience. He has a string arm and is a standout athlete. Gaitano showed his ability when he completed 9 of 13 passes for 129 yards and a TD also ran 13 times for 67 yards and a score in a 14-7 win over Triton Regiona in 2024.
"He's an incredible athlete, incredible kid, incredible student," Mancuso said. "The sky is the limit for him. He got so much better from the first game to the last game last year. He has an arm. He's a competitor."
David Nixon-Matos, Nasir Macon and Giovanni Digregorio are three team leaders. They should contribute at running back and at linebacker.
"They've put in a lot of work in the offseason," Mancuso said. "We're excited to see not only the experience of last season, but also the gains from the offseason."
Dante Franchini led ACIT at wide receiver and defensive back last season.
"He was a great addition for us," Mancuso said. "He did a lot for us as a sophomore."
Angel Ponce and Wyatt Engelmann spark the offensive and defensive lines.
"They're leaders in how we're going to play," Mancuso said, "not only as an offensive line but pretty much as a team. We have a good solid group of some seniors upfront with some size."
Mancuso said the strengths of ACIT's defense are effort and attitude. Defensive back Xavier Pagan and defensive end Sinsir Macon are sophomores to watch.
"The guys that are going to be on the field are the guys giving 100% effort," Mancuso said. "I want each team that plays us to say, 'Defensively, these guys just run (to the ball) like no other team.'"
Mancuso said the goal this season is to get better, continue to grow the program and develop the team's future leaders.
"We're still building the foundation and the cultures and values that we want," Mancuso said.
Schedule
Sept. 5
6 p.m. at Vineland
Sept. 12
6 p.m at Deptford
Sept. 18
6 p.m. at Triton Reg.
Sept. 25
6 p.m. at Cherry Hill East
Oct. 2
6 p.m. at Absegami
Oct. 11
1 p.m. vs. St. Joseph Academy at Brigantine
Oct. 17
7 p.m. at Bridgeton
Oct. 23
6 p.m. at Egg Harbor Township
ACIT Red Hawks
Coach: Chris Mancuso (one season, 2-6)
Last season's record: 2-6
2025 prediction: Building -- The Red Hawks graduated just three seniors from last season's team.
Key players: Anthony Gaitano, Sr., QB, 5-10/155; Dante Franchini, Jr., WR/DB, 5-8/150; David Nixon-Matos, Sr., RB/LB, 5-10/180; Nasir Macon, Jr., RB/LB, 6-0/181; Sinsir Macon, So., TE/DE, 6-1/185; Xavier Pagan, So., WR/DB, 5-7/140; Casey Colbert, Sr, OL/DL, 5-7/175; Daniel Rodriguez, Jr., OL/DL, 6-2/235; Giovanni Digregorio, Jr., RB/LB, 5/7/160; Angel Ponce, Sr., OL/DL, 5-9/195; Wyatt Engelmann, Sr., OL/DL, 6-2/255
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