2025 Football Preview: Coaches Confident in FJM Sharks’ Transition to PSAL’s 3A Division

After enjoying a 7-1 record and making it to the Public School Athletic League (PSAL) 2A Conference final in 2024, the league moved up Brooklyn’s Frank J. Macchiarola Educational Complex High School (FJM/Sheepshead Bay) to the more competitive 3A Division for the upcoming 2025 season.

No worries, as the Sharks’ co-offensive coordinator Diondre ‘Mac’ McFadden and coach Yusuf, along with the rest of the coaching staff, are extremely confident that their boys will find impressive success in the 3A.

“We have a lot of seniors on this team,” said McFadden, who is the CEO of Move the Chains Academy, a non-profit football program that trains and provides competitive avenues for young players. “We’ve got great balance on both offense and defense; it’s equal. They (players) took the off-season really serious and worked hard in the weight room.

McFadden, who last coached with the program three years ago, even went as far as saying that the present-day squad is better than the 2022 one, in which FJM went 6-1 and made it to the semifinals of the then-Division B Conference–a game that ended in a 34-30 defeat to A. Philip Randolph.

Right now, as the Sharks are preparing at Camp Kinder Ring in Hopewell Junction, N.Y., a quarterback competition has been brewing between rising junior Jayden Browne (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) and class of 2028 Michael Misla, he noted.

But McFadden did say that the signal callers may share the wealth in FMJ’s pass-heavy spread offensive scheme.

“They’re having a blast competing,” McFadden said. “I think they will get a great number of snaps each. They both can run; they both can pass.”

At the running back position is rising senior Jaycon Reid, who also suits at safety, and scored a total of seven touchdowns between the regular season and playoffs.

“He’s one of the best players in the 2A,” the Piscataway, N.J.,” resident said. “He’ll be a big piece for us.”

Another solid running back is rising senior Ahmed Cisse, who is a bonafide speedster, McFadden said, and also mans the linebacker spot.

“He runs track, and is one of the fastest in the state,” he said.

Of course, when you intend to put the rock in the air an ample number of times per affair, you will need players to corral passes. Dalontai Davis will be one of them, a class of 2027 receiver who will see time in the defensive backfield as well. Rising junior Anthony Milan will be another wide receiver and defensive back with reliable hands.

At tight end position will be the 6-foot-1, 205-pound Wade Evans, a returning starter who will line up as a receiver, too. Evans’ versatility should serve the team well, as he saw action behind center and in the running attack, too, last year.

Starring on the offensive line will be the 6-foot-5, 285-pound rising senior Octavius White, a Canarsie transfer whom McFadden said the program is eyeing as a potential Division I player.

“He has amazing footwork, and works on his technique every day,” McFadden pointed out regarding White’s O-line strong suits, adding that, “he’s very coachable, and is strong.”

On the other side of the football, rising junior 6-foot-1, 185-pound middle linebacker Kawan Howard will lead the Shark’s defense, McFadden noted.

“He is fast. Comes down hill, and is solid tackler who hits hard,” McFadden explained. “He worked pretty hard to get better.”

In the defensive backfield will be rising senior cornerback Krishten Wallace, whom McFadden sang his praises.

“He’s really good in coverage,” he said of Wallace. “He runs downhill, is a smart kid, and can make good tackles.”

On the defensive line will be rising senior defensive tackle/offensive guard Amaree Britt, and Shareffe Salaam, a 6-foot-3, 265-pound class of 2026 skilled defensive tackle/offensive guard who spent ample time to improve his craft during the summer.

“He’s an amazing football player,” the former Midwood High School and SUNY Courtland player said of Salaam. “He’s been to a lot of football camps.”

Rounded out the group of gifted defensive players is 6-foot-1, 235-pound rising senior defensive end Aaron Marrero, another no-quit warrior, whom the coaching staff is resting high hopes on this year.

“He’s super-fast off the edge,” McFadden said. “Our defensive coordinator coach Jarrell thinks he’ll lead the PSAL in tackles. He plays until the whistle blows. He has a high motor.”

Needless to say, McFadden said its defense impressed the FJM’s coaching staff in a recent inter-squad tilt.

“Overall, our defense played really well in an inter-squad game,” he said. “They were flying around.”

With all the high hopes heading into 2025, McFadden said head coach Ubeaka McKinney is at the forefront of leading the Sharks into enemy-infested, chum-filled water after pushing his players to get stronger physically and mentally, while leaning on his coaching staff of eight or so to help mold men into boys.

“Our head coach is super excited about this season,” McFadden emphasized. “He has stressed the importance of weight room and coaching our kids up.”

FMJ will travel to Poly Prep in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, on Friday, August 29th at 6:00 p.m., and face Catholic High School Athletic Association (CHSAA) 2A champs Xaverian on Friday, September 5th at 6:00 p.m. at Aviator Sports Center (3159 Flatbush Ave.) in two non-league contests.

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— Jerry Del Priore

Photos: Frank J. Macchiarola Educational Complex High School Football.