Junior teammate Alexander AJ Moren led the Lehigh Valley Live.com region with eight interceptions from his free safety position last season, and Jordan Tocci-Wachter provides a convincing argument.
Being a safety in the middle of the field is similar to playing baseball, according to Tocci-Wachter, who grew up playing baseball with him as the catcher and center fielder. However, he’s a natural because a football this large holds his hands apart to the football’s circumference, whereas a baseball this large puts his hands closer together.
Moren, who caught three passes in Salisbury’s victory over Palmerton, said, “Tracking balls and changing direction kind of comes with that because I used to play the outfield in baseball.” Five different games had the other thefts.
There are many baseball players who play football as well. Amazingly, Moren had never played organized football until the 2024 season.
According to Salisbury coach Kevin DiZenso, AJ was a defensive star who appeared out of nowhere. Justin Aungst, our baseball team’s center fielder, came out and played for us after I basically stole him. I apologize to the coach.
DiZenzo’s first season as head coach saw a number of players come up, including Moren. To surpass the cumulative number of victories from the previous three seasons, the Falcons went 4-6. 4-6 won’t do this fall.
“We’ll view it very differently than last year, when the media said Salisbury exceeded expectations, if we go 4-6 again and miss the (District 11) playoffs,” DiZenzo said. The next stage is our slogan for this year. Our goal is to consistently compete in this league. This league had a lot of tough opposition, but when we faced them, we saw that we had changed from a squad that had lost games for several seasons to one that had won four times and participated in numerous games. That explains a lot about the shift in our beliefs. We always knew we could do it, and I believe that last year was the first time it showed.
Salisbury s known
One of the league’s strongest players, pound for pound, is the 5-6, 160-pound Tocci-Wachter. From his linebacker position, he led the Falcons in 90 tackles. With Jason St. Leger (662 yards, 9 TDs rushing) graduating, the senior will assume the role as featured running back.
For his 35 carries in the previous season, Tocci averaged 5.9 yards.
Tocci-Wachter stated, “I made sure I was in the gym working out.” In order to play both sides of the ball this season, I needed to make sure that I was well-conditioned and had enough stamina. I was also trying to get faster overall. I’m much faster than I was last year, everyone says. Last year, I was fairly fast, but this year, I’m even quicker.
Jake Watson, a senior who made room for St. Leger, is back at fullback.
The Falcons are expected to start senior Jamanni Cruz, one of the best wide receivers in the Colonial League. For the last two seasons, he has been the team’s top receiver.
“Our guy is Jamanni,” DiZenzo remarked. His freshman year, sophomore year, and junior year were all marked by significant plays. He had scores, over 100 yards (155 on 4 catches), and contested catches left and right in games like the one versus Northern Lehigh last year. I can’t wait to see where he goes in the future. He was elected captain and works hard.
The 6-1, 175-pound Cruz has all the qualities necessary to be successful at the next level and aspires to play football in college. He anticipates playing more cornerback on defense.
Cruz stated, “I’ve been working on my speed, strength, dominance, and the technical aspects of being a defensive back and wide receiver.” My top three qualities are my height, my hands, and my quickness.
On offense, Salisbury ought to be as formidable as any middle-field squad. Both senior Elijah Garriga (5-10 215) at center and senior Griffin Lakics (6-5, 340) at left guard are three-year starters. Sam Krauss, a senior right guard (5-10, 260), has started on both sides of the line for four years.
I’m attempting to provide leadership and ensure that everything runs smoothly as a senior, Lakics stated.
Salisbury s unknown
Two fresh tackles will start for the Falcons. Grayson Gnall (6-2, 235), a sophomore who played tight end, is switching to left tackle. Griffin’s brother, sophomore Isaac Lakics (6-2, 250), plays right tackle. Playing time may also be at stake for senior Yoviel Perez and sophomore Tariq Bailey (5-11, 280).
Junior Keaton Frye will start at quarterback after starting at tight end the previous season.
In the offseason, Keaton approached me and asked, “Coach, what must I do to be the starting quarterback?” “DiZenzo said.” The rest is history. He worked really hard. Despite his setbacks, he persevered through hardship, and now we’re testing him in training camp. We say things like, “Hey man, you can’t throw to Jamanni on this play because your hands are cuffed,” during training camp. Find another solution. As a junior, he was elected captain.
Cruz will be a fantastic safety net for the starting quarterback in his first season. That safety net will occasionally be snatched away. The Falcons may have a gem in the rough as their No. 2 pick, but that’s okay, DiZenzo said.
According to DiZenzo, AJ (Moren) has switched to playing the slot on offense. Because he is a defensive turnover machine and turnover margin is important in football, we have been using him a little cautiously. But he’s been amazing in our 7-on-7s. His actions are preventing Jamanni Cruz from receiving the bracket coverage he has been receiving. We have a lot of weapons for offense.
Quotable: Coach Kevin DiZenzo
(about the anticipation that is growing for the program)
We were ecstatic about our actions, but enthusiasm only lasts so long. The numbers remained and kept rising. The player count was in the 32 range before to our arrival, and we were able to bring it up to about 65. So our numbers climbed beyond that to the point that just before training camp began we unfortunately had to cut some players to bring that number down. We cherish being a Falcon and want it to be a unique experience, so we do want it to be a little more difficult.
Quotable: Sr. WR/DB Jamanni Cruz
(on his confidence level playing with new starting QB Keaton Frye)
He is learning the offense well. After three years on the squad, he has mastered the system. He and I get along well together.
Key returnees
Sr. RG/DL Sam Krauss, Sr. C/ILB Elijah Garriga, Sr. LG/DL Griffin Lakics, Sr. WR/CB Jamanni Cruz, Sr. FB/ILB Jacob Watson, Sr. RB/ILB Jordan Tocci-Wachter, Sr. TE/DE Jadan Claudio, Jr. FS/WR AJ Moren, Jr, QB/DB Keaten Frye, So. LT/DE Grayson Gnall, So. RB/CB Jadiel Gonzalez.
Top newcomers
Sr. WR/SS Jeremiah Bell, So. OL Tariq Bailey, Sr. K Jude Fitzgerald, So. RT Isaac Lakics, Sr. OL Yoviel Perez.
Salisbury basics
League: Colonial/Schuylkill, White Division.
Class: 3A.
Coach: Kevin DiZenzo (second season, 4-6).
2024 record: 4-6.
2023: 1-10.
2022: 0-10.
2021: 2-8.
2020: 3-5.
Their home: Salisbury High School Stadium (turf).
Salisbury s 2025 schedule
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Corky Blake may be reached [email protected].
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