The 2025 Season was a tough one for the Hawks. After moving up from the C South to the B South, hopes were high, with a Sophomore QB taking over after the record-breaking season of last year, everything was looking up. Until it wasn’t. The Hawks went 1-9, with their lone win coming in Week 10 against J.P. Stevens, an out-of-conference school from Edison. Whether it was a 43-0 blowout of a loss, or an 18-12 win, the Hawks stayed committed throughout the season, and kept digging.
Hawks Head Coach Tommy Farrell answered the following questions:
Q: During a tough season, how important is your role as a coach to keep the team committed to playing their best, and playing with integrity and respect for the game?
A: “It’s everything. When the wins don’t come easy, that’s when coaching truly matters most. My job is to remind these young men that football isn’t just about the scoreboard — it’s about effort, discipline, and character. I want them to understand that how we respond to adversity defines us far more than any record ever will. We talk a lot about doing things the right way — practicing with purpose, playing with respect, and representing Manchester with pride — no matter the circumstances.”
Q: Do you think the season would’ve gone differently if Manchester had stayed in the C-South?
A: “It’s easy to look back and wonder, but I try not to live in the “what ifs.” The reality is, wherever we play, our focus has to be on controlling what we can control — our preparation, our execution, and our mindset. Sure, the competition and matchups might’ve looked a little different, but the lessons we’ve learned this year about resilience and accountability are the same ones that make a program stronger in the long run. And we played every team in C-South except Lakewood and lost – so it doesn’t change much.”
Q: What’s one takeaway you have from this season?
A: “Growth doesn’t always show up in the win column. This season reminded me that progress can look like young players stepping into leadership roles, teammates holding each other accountable, and guys still showing up and giving everything they have even when it’s hard. That kind of toughness and loyalty — that’s what builds a foundation for future success. And as a coach, that’s something I’ll always be proud of. The players may not know it now, but this season made them better young men and it will help them handle adversity better in the future when they are husbands and fathers.”
Sophomore quarterback Trevor Freyer was the starting Quarterback for the Hawks this year, after backing up Aidan Lunn in 2024, and while Freyer played some snaps at QB last season, this was a true rookie season of sorts for him. Freyer finished the season with 716 yards, going 73/128 on completions, with 3 TD, 7 INT, and a longest pass of 44 yards.
Senior RB/DB Malik Pharmes led the Hawks in rushing yardage, with 650 yards, 5 TD, and a longest rush of 35 yards. After rushing for 285 yards last season, Pharmes had a significant boost for his senior season. He had a breakout performance against J.P. Stevens, with 192 yards, 3 TD, and a longest rush of 33 yards for his best single-game performance of his career. The Hawks will certainly miss him next season.
The Senior WR/DB duo of Tyheem Jackson and Aidan Philips-Frazee were the team leaders in receiving yardage, with Jackson having 187 yards, and Philiips-Frazee having 186, and they both had 1 TD on the season. Junior TE/LB Mike Fink also scored a receiving TD for the Hawks, with three receptions for 27 yards.
Senior TE/DL Kurtis Mayer led the Hawks in Sacks, with 6 sacks on the season. Mayer was the overall leader on defense for the team, with 6 sacks, 11 tackles for loss, 64 tackles, and one forced fumble. Some notable defensive stats include Sophomore OL/DL AJ Focarile forcing the lone safety of the season against Barnegat, TE/LB Aidan Philips-Frazee had two fumble recoveries on the season, the team leader in fumble recoveries.
While the 2025 season wasn’t up to the impossibly-high standards set last season, quality high-school football was still played. In every game played, one team will win, and the other loses. As Coach Farrell said earlier, football isn’t just about the scoreboard, it’s about integrity, respect for the game, and to have fun out on the field. The Hawks will look forward to 2026, to prove that the fire that was lit in 2024 has yet to be put out.
The 2025 Manchester Township Hawks Football Schedule/Record:
8/28 vs. TR East – L 22-6
9/5 vs. Barnegat – L 20-2
9/12 @ Lacey – L 28-8
9/19 vs. Central Regional – L 42-8
9/26 vs. TR South – L 33-22
10/3 @ Monmouth – L 21-6
10/10 @ Southern – L 42-0
10/17 vs. Pinelands – L 32-12
10/24 @ Brick Twp. – L 43-0
10/29 @ J.P. Stevens – W 18-12
