2025 Team Preview: The St. Joseph Metuchen Falcons, Part I

<p>It was very much so a tale of two seasons for Head Coach Bill Tracy's squad last fall. After starting the season 5-0 and clinching the Big Central Conference American Gold Division title by going 3-0 against divisional foes before the start of October, the Falcons then lost their next 5 games - including three to fellow non-public competition. With a clean slate in 2025, a few key returning starters, and a few more incoming transfers, expect the Falcons to improve upon this record and extend their season further than they did last fall.</p>    <p>If I could only use one word to describe the game of [player_tooltip player_id='1476965' first='Justin' last='Scaramuzzo'], it would have to be "moxie." The tape shows us that Scaramuzzo is evasive in the pocket, selective when he runs, and keeps his eyes downfield for a big gain. Scaramuzzo has the ability to move both in the pocket and in the open field. We see him dance around and step up in the pocket, as well as execute play action very effectively. Moreover, his deep ball is exceptional as he hits nearly all of his receivers in stride and in a way that they have to adjust minimally. Scaramuzzo is an unorthodox dual-threat player, as shown that he reads midline option well, can make something out of nothing, and take off when there is green grass ahead of him. Additionally, he has much faith in his receivers to make plays on the ball. Two bits of feedback I have for Scaramuzzo would be for him to run behind his pads more and to show a wider variety of routes on his tape. </p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/justinscara12 </div></figure>     <p>After coming over from Nottingham, [player_tooltip player_id='1227819' first='Reggie' last='Bropleh Jr'] is more firmly entrenched in the Falcons than ever before. A corner, receiver, and returner, we see the emergence of a second gear at moments. Bropleh plays in between routes very nicely, undercutting and picking off passes where it seems the quarterback is unsure of who to get the ball to. His short game recognition is outstanding. We see Bropleh leave his assignment and rally to the flat or in run support very quickly. There were a few clips of Bropleh shedding blocks in the quick game to re-establish his force responsibility in his run fit, while also maintaining his vice leverage when tackling. At moments Bropleh can be a bit handsy when defending routes, but he has not shown anyone to get behind him and also uses his one-hand jam to bump and run nicely. I do this that at receiver his routes are a bit rounded and it would behoove him to lower his pad level when tackling. </p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/ReggieBropleh </div></figure>     <p>A prospect roaring off the edge, [player_tooltip player_id='1198282' first='Jason' last='Gross'] is a relatively refined prospect who does a good job of finishing, punishing quarterbacks when he draws near. We see Gross attack early hands of offensive linemen in order to gain the edge; while at other times he can win with a quick slant & rip inside. At moments he has an exceptional get off that allows him to gain the corner with straight speed, including when serving as a backside chaser. At times he sort of barrels through the line of scrimmage, but regardless, he has a good habit of finding himself playing behind the line of scrimmage. He can inch up a bit more to the neutral zone and seeing his hips snap along the edge will make him more menacing and convert his many pressures into sacks.</p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/Jgross5081 </div></figure>     <p>Joining Gross in the trenches is 2026 classmate [player_tooltip player_id='1198283' first='Brody' last='Picariello']. The line's center, Picariello is very quick climbing to the second level. Additionally, he has quick feet that allow him to reach shades and a mean streak to match when to finish his blocks. Somewhat of a brick wall on offense, his feet and size make it difficult for opponents to beat him. In space we see a burst of speed and he attacks the hands of nose guards lined up over him. Picariello appears to be as proficient defensively as he is offensively. He is a physical nose guard who bangs in the middle. Picariello uses his hands well to work opponents backwards and seems like a load to handle at times. I would, however, be contentious of lunging. </p>    <figure class="wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter"><div class="wp-block-embed__wrapper"> https://twitter.com/BrodyPic71 </div></figure>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading">2025 Team Previews</h2>   <p><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/2025-team-preview-the-bayonne-bees-part-i/">Bayonne Bees, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/2025-team-preview-the-bayonne-bees-part-ii/">Bayonne Bees, Part II</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/2025-team-preview-the-linden-tigers/">Linden Tigers</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/2025-team-preview-the-st-joseph-metuchen-falcons-part-i">St. Joseph Metuchen Falcons, Part I</a><br><a href="https://prepredzone.com/2025/08/2025-team-preview-the-westfield-blue-devils">Westfield Blue Devils</a></p>

It was very much so a tale of two seasons for Head Coach Bill Tracy's squad last fall. After starting the season 5-0 and clinching the Big Central Conference American Gold Division title by going 3-0 against divisional foes before the start of October, the Falcons then lost their next 5 games - including three to fellow non-public competition. With a clean slate in 2025, a few key returning starters, and a few more incoming transfers, expect the Falcons to improve upon this record and extend their season further than they did last fall.