Brick Memorial High School Celebrates Historic Mustang Football Season and Legend’s Retirement at 2026 Banquet

The Brick Memorial Football Parents Club hosted the 2025 Football Banquet on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at the Shore Inn in Spring Lake, to honor a season that will be remembered as one of the most dominant in program history. Players, coaches, and families gathered to celebrate a year defined by championship hardware, broken records, and the conclusion of a legendary coaching era.

The 2025 Mustangs solidified their legacy by capturing both the Central Jersey Group 4 Championship and the A-South Championship. The team concluded the season as the #1 ranked team in the Shore Conference and Ocean County, while also earning the #4 Group IV and #8 public school rankings in New Jersey.

The End of an Era: Honoring Coach Walter Currie

A highlight of the evening was a tribute to Coach Walter Currie, marking the end of his remarkable 19-year career. The night’s remarks were delivered by current Athletic Director James Bright.

Director Bright spoke to the crowd about the profound impact Coach Currie has had on the Brick Memorial community. He emphasized that Currie’s leadership extended far beyond the wins and losses on the field. Bright praised the coach’s steady presence and his ability to mentor young men through both triumphs and challenges, including the difficulties of the recent pandemic. He noted that Coach Currie’s legacy is now a permanent part of the school’s history and that his influence will be felt for generations to come.

“Walt’s legacy is not just wins, accolades, or championships,” adds Principal Ed Sarluca. “It is his ability to teach through adversity. Walt molded boys into young men and created opportunities that extended far beyond football.” It is obvious that while his final whistle has blown, Coach Currie’s influence is permanently woven into the fabric of Brick Memorial.

Jersey Retirements and Major Awards

In a rare and historic moment, the program announced the retirement of three jerseys to honor the incredible contributions of the team’s senior leaders. The following players had their numbers retired:

• Jason Lajara (Quarterback)

• Trey Tallmadge (Linebacker/Fullback)

• Nyzier Matthews (Wide Receiver)

These three athletes were also named the team’s MVPs for their record-breaking performances throughout the 2025 season.

2025 Football Award Recipients

The coaching staff recognized several players for their grit, leadership, and “Mustang Pride” on and off the field:

• The Mustang Award: Na’zeer Whittaker and Mike Pappas

• What it Means to Be a Mustang: Dylan Terry

• Warlord Award: Erik Pedre Jr. and Jaxon Pacheco

• Lombardi Award: Jaxon Ellis

• Tillman Award: Elijah Webb

• Butkus Award: Ryan Mullahey and Ricky Dillon

• Stampede Award: Joe Livio and Shawn Fowler

• Green & Gold Award: Rocco Iacullo, Jadiel Vega, Joe McManus, and Adam Andreadis

• Iron Stable Award: Colin Barron, David Diaz, and Tyler Pierce

• Special Teams MVP: Jack Marotta

• Rookies of the Year: Logan Perry (Offense) and Colin Schoellkopf (Defense)

• JV MVPs: Jayvon Ellison and Casey Pierce

• Practice Player of the Year: Dylan Terry

Academic Excellence

The banquet continued its tradition of academic rigor by honoring eight student athletes with Academic All Shore status. Mike Pappas was presented with the Player’s Choice Award for the senior with the highest GPA, earning an outstanding 97.5%. Pappas will be attending Gettysburg College in the fall. Other top academic performers included Rocco Iacullo (96.25%) and Trey Tallmadge (96.08%), who will be attending Sacred Heart University in the fall.

A Special Thank You

The success of the evening was made possible through the tireless dedication of the Brick Memorial Football Parents Club. Special recognition was given to Michele Pierce and the entire Parents Club board for their months of hard work in organizing the season’s events. Their commitment to providing the players with a first-class experience culminated in an amazing banquet that perfectly captured the spirit and achievements of this historic team.

A Legacy for the Class of 2026

The banquet served as a final farewell to a senior class that has redefined success for Brick Memorial. The Class of 2026 now holds the program record for the most wins over a two-year span (19) and a three-year span (29).

“As we look ahead, let us remember that this season was just one chapter in a bigger story,” the Parent Club Board shared. “The lessons learned, the relationships built, and the memories made will stay with us forever.”