By Matt Diano
Speaking with the coaches, one theme that seemed to emerge is the excitement at the prospect of what they are calling, a “true AA Division” for the first time in a longtime…Knowing that they will be going to battle with each other week after week and that a playoff berth is no longer guaranteed, an attitude of “EVERY GAME IS IMPORTANT” has permeated throughout the respective campuses
The AA Division will also feature some new faces in 2015 as Holy Trinity will be taking a step down this season while last year’s “A” titlists, Fordham Prep, will be doing their “George Jefferson” impression and moving on up in an attempt to show that they can hang anywhere, anytime, anyplace against a tougher caliber of competition….Despite having to adjust to their new surroundings, both the Titans and the Rams possess the skillset and the thoroughbreds necessary to get the job done. Both team will feature a balanced attack with senior QB, Dylan Villari leading the former; and super sophomore Matthew Valecce looking to improve upon a freshman campaign that saw him throw for close to 1700 yards and nearly 20 scores for the Rams. The Rams also return over 1,000 yards of ground attack from their dynamic RB duo, Josh Johnson and Rory Allen…Holy Trinity will look to establish an unstoppable passing game, throwing to the likes of 6’3 Derick Eugene among other tall targets…All-League linebacker, Colin Moran will lead the HT defense, while FP (who brings back six players who piled up in the area of 40-70+ tackles in 2014) will have an abundance of people capable of influencing the game from this side of the ball.
Staying on the topic of change and the formation of new legacies, two schools (St. Francis Prep and St. Joseph’s by the Sea) will welcome new sideline generals in 2015…SF, who will play this season with heavy hearts following the passing of legendary coach, Vinny O’Connor (60 years of service to Terrier football). Stepping in to blow that irreplaceable whistle will be Rich Carroll who feels that what his team may lack in household names, they account for by playing with and for each other. Calling team unity and an experienced O-line the backbone of his squad, Carroll is confident that after going winless in Catholic League games a season ago, w’s will be on the horizon in 2015.
Grabbing the reins of the SJS Vikings will be Michel Corona. An individual who has extensive experience at both the scholastic and collegiate levels, Corona knows what he takes to achieve victory. While he had only been on the job a few weeks when we chatted with him, Corona said that talent level is not his primary concern. Instead, because he will be introducing new schemes on both sides of the ball, it is reps or lack thereof in the new system that may be an obstacle early in 2015. However, as his track record show, once he gets that ball rolling, it tends to keep doing so without interruption. A big part in getting that initial momentum will have to come from the backfield where running backs Paul DeVito, Francesco Coluccio, and Mike Edwards will all hope to chew up enough yards and clock to assist a defense that did graduate 50 percent of its starters from yesterseason.
2014 AA runners-up, the Cougars of St. John the Baptist have no intention of slowing down this season as their offense, fueled by a pair of All-League running backs in the persons of Jerome Brooks III and Nicholas Cipolla, may be the most potent of any team in 2015. Not that they need it, but Brooks and Cipolla will have their fellow All-Catholic honoree, Frank Guidice, opening holes for them left and right…A word to the wise; anytime the coach of a team that reached the finals the previous season (Ralph Carusillo) says that he thinks his squad is more dangerous in 2015, you know that good things will be happening in West Babylon.
If you are going to give this outpouring of praise to the Cougars, than you best not make the mistake of sleeping on the team that took them to their limits last season, Xavier….Losing 21-13 in the AA semifinals to St. John the Baptist, Coach Christopher Stevens and his Knights know what it feels like to be that close to the big one and not be able to touch it. That is a feeling that they feel they can avoid in 2015 as they will go to war with as strong a nucleus on both sides of the ball as you will find in any division of catholic football…Like Baptist, Xavier’s offense should be a juggernaut this season thanks to their own duo of All-League tailbacks— Michael Chiarovano and Zach Cilmi. Combining to run for just under 1500 yards and punching 16 into the end zone, forget shutting them down, if you have any chance of simply keeping them under control, you better be prepared to stack the box…While your mind is being blown by their offense, don’t forget to also pay attention to their defense, which is also championship caliber…Anchored by All-League selection Frank Masella (102 tackles, 20 of them for a loss) and sack masters, Anthony Pugliese and Malik Fischer, points will be at a premium.
Primed and ready to follow-up what was a season for the ages in Uniondale last season 8-2) will be the Firebirds of Kellenberg Memorial High School…Like the phoenix rises from the ashes, the Marianist based program under the guidance of 20-year head coach, Kevin Hanifan, will have to overcome some early hardship as they lost All-State running back, Jason Delucia, to a knee injury during camp…Rest assured though that the Marianist school is far from dead in the water. With explosive junior running back, Patrick Leahy, fresh off of a monster junior varsity season where he led the team to a finals appearance, set to make his varsity debut in 2015, all of the goals that were being envisioned with Delucia taking the handoffs, still remain on the table because of how special this 11th grader is going to show himself to be. KMHS will also have the added comfort of bringing back four starting offensive line-man, as well as their leading receiver (Kieran Fitzgerald). Hence, don’t cry for them; points will be scored in bunches…Defensively, a strong an experienced secondary, coupled with solid play up front will make them formidable on both sides of the line. Saying that the goal is to win it all, the Firebird faithful hope to add one more phrase to the school motto, ‘One heart, one mind, one championship.”
Rounding out our AA teams will be Mount St. Michael Academy. A team that went 1-9 a season ago and graduated the bulk of their starters on both sides of the ball, it may be unfair to call the Mountaineers a title contender in 2015…More than likely, this is a season that will be geared towards growing the program. The mastermind of dominant teams in the late 1990s/early 2000s, Coach Mario Valenti (now in his 32nd season) knows what it takes to deliver a winner…Even though that turnaround may not all happen in one season, we trust Valenti and know that given the team and the reps necessary, his young players that may feel overwhelmed slightly in 2015, will emerge as budding superstars in the years to come. Make no mistakes about it, no matter what it says in the win/loss column in your local paper, MSM will have a quality year in that it will take another step towards becoming who it once was.
Fordham Prep
Head Coach: Pete Gorynski (19th Season)
Last Season: 8-3 (Division A Champions, defeating Xaverian, 34-14)
Key Returning Players:
Matthew Valecce (Soph; QB; 1650 Passing Yards, 17 TDs);
Josh Johnson (Jr; RB; 735 Rushing Yards, 11 touchdowns),
Rory Allen (Sr; RB; 328 Rushing Yards, 5 Touchdowns)
Geffrey Ogando (Sr; LB; 73 Total Tackles, 1 Sack, I INT))
Anthony Gjelaj (Sr. Safety; 50 Tackles, 2 INTs)
Owen Fearon (Sr; DE; 48 Total Tackles, 3 Sacks, 1 Fumble Recovery)
Matthew Conlon (Jr; DT; 48 Total Tackles)
Justin Gomez (Sr; LB; 47 Total Tackles, 2 Fumble Recoveries)
Aidan Donnelly (Jr. NG; 39 Total Tackles)
Jack Casella (Sr. CB; 35 Solo Tackles, 1 INT)
Matthew Raysor (Sr; DT; 30 Total Tackles)
Key Losses:
Will Randell (WR; 61 Reception, 1110 Receiving Yards; 10 Touchdowns; All-League honoree; Honorable Mention All-State)
Nick Lorusso (C; All-League Honoree)
Cory Giordano (LB; 115 Total Tackles, 1 Fumble Recovery; 4th Team All-State)
Michael Bonzo (DB; 50 Total Tackles, 3 INTs; Honorable Mention All-State Selection)
Overview:
The Division A Champions in 2014, the Rams will make the jump to AA in 2015. While for some, this leap may seem like a daunting task. However, having relied heavily on his underclassmen last year, Head Coach Pete Gorynski feels confident that his squad will be able to successfully make the transition…Anchoring the Bronx based program will be a fierce defense that returns nine of 11 starters, highlighted by senior linebacker, Geffrey Ogando (second on the team in total tackles in 2014), who was banged up a bit during the offseason, but hopes to return to line-up as soon as possible…Even in his absence, this D-Unit is going to be very hard to move the ball against, as they pitched two shutouts last season and held the #5 team in the AA playoffs, Mount St. Michael Academy to 14 points in a 27-14 Week #2 victory. The defense would be even tighter during the postseason, surrendering only 10 points per game in their two wins en route to the hardware.
Offensively, with five starters, including their signal caller (Matt Valecce), two leading rushers (Josh Johnson and Rory Allen), and a pair of powerful linemen (Guard John Rooney and Tackle Reyd Williams-Pedro; both juniors) all back, points should flying on the board…While Fordham Prep will have big shoes at the wideout position following the graduation of Will Randell, the coaching staff feels that newcomer, Will Loffredo, is very capable of making an impact, thus reducing the significance of the departure.
Goals for 2015
1) If they can stay healthy, Coach G. has every belief that they can be a very good football team that contends in the AA division.
2) To avenge their Thanksgiving rivalry game against Xavier. Last season, the two teams would play a barn-burner, won by Xavier 35-34 in overtime.
Holy Trinity
Head Coach: Tony Mascia (25th Season)
Last Season: 4-6 (Lost In the AAA Quarterfinals to Iona Prep, 41-6)
Key Returning Players
Dylan Villari (Sr; QB/DE; Passed for 481 yard and 5 touchdowns)
Derick Eugene (Sr; WR/CB; at 6’3, he will be a huge target down field)
Keon Thomas (Sr; OT/DE)
Stefano Clerge (Sr; OL/DE)
Colin Moran (Sr; FB/LB; All-League Selection in 2014; Leading returning tackler with 70, including 9 for a loss)
Key Losses
Cameren Hayes (QB; All-League pick in 2014; was completing around 60 percent of his passes before being lost to injury during the sixth game of the season)
Earl Myers (WR/DB; All-League pick; Leading receiver in 2014; totaled 38 catches for 499 yards; caught 7 TD passes)
Phil Crawford (RB; All-League Pick)
Justin Johnson (WR/DB; All-League as a defensive back; Was the team’s leading tackler in his senior season, racking up 98 stops, 3 sacks, and 1 INT)
Andrew-Marcel Devieux (LB; All-League Selection; Made 85 tackles, Forced 1 fumble, and Recovered 2 fumbles)
Lorenzo Gisonda (LB; All-League Selection; 3rd on the team with 70 tackles; also added 1 Sack, and 2 INTs)
Myles Dewar (RB/LB; All-League honoree as a senior; contributed 53 total tackles, Forced 2 fumbles, and recovered 3 fumbles)
Overview
Calling the talent on his two lines the strength of the team, Head Coach Tony Mascia finds himself in the position of having to replace 15 (seven on offensive, eight on defense) of his 22 starters from last season…Lucky for him, as we tend to see year after year, the ability to control the offensive and defensive lines is often a precursor to winning games. Being called upon to deliver on this much needed advantage will be two of the players that Mascia highlighted as being among his best returning players, Keon Thomas and Stefano Clerge….Junior C/DE Brandon McLaren, who had a solid season for the Titan junior varsity last year will further add to the quality of play that the Hicksville, NY based program will receive this season on the lines…Running behind this wall of blockers could be Eugene Whitehead and sleeper pick, Isaiah Rogers. Both seniors, if there were ever a time to go on a vision quest and take a big year, 2015 would be is for these duo. Junior Jared Williams will also be in the mix to earn carries after having a successful season in the backfield for the HT J.V. in 2014….Having gained very valuable experience when he was summoned into the line-up due to injury, Dylan Villari knows that if the Titans are wish to be title bound come late fall, they need for him to sit at the head of the table and lead from under center. The senior hurler will have no shortage of “larger than life” targets as 6’3 Derick Eugene’s length is a weapon just waiting to be dropped on the competition. Joining the senior among the receiving corps will be junior William Corchado, and seniors Andrew Devlin and Jeremie Neptune. The latter [Neptune] was regarded by Mascia as the team’s most improved player. Just like Eugene, all three of these student-athletes surpass the 6’ mark, meaning that whoever plays them better have some tall secondary players if they want to avoid getting passed on all day.
Colin Moran, the lone All-League selection back from 2014, will be the superstar on the defensive end. Dominating the game from the linebacker position, the senior led the team with nine tackles for loss as a junior. With the other skill positions still looking a little uncertain at the moment, Mascia will need for him to take over games when possible…Trevor Wicks, who Is prime for a breakout season as a senior, is the person that Mascia will need to elevate his game in the secondary to complement the strong DL and the standout, Moran.
Goals in 2015
1) “We are looking to make improvements from last season and get deeper into the postseason.”
Kellenberg Memorial
Head Coach: Kevin Hanifan (20th Season)
Last Season: 8-2 (Lost in the AA Quarterfinals to Xavier, 27-14)
Key Returning Players
Kieran Fitzgerald (Sr; WR/FS; Led the in receiving yards and touchdowns caught in 2014; finished with 6 receiving TDs)
Kenneth Mulkeen (Sr; OL/DT; Great blocker)
Patrick Dercola (Sr;SS; Fierce hitter, who finished 2014 with 2 INTS)
Darren Belotte (Sr; OT/LB; has great feet)
Liam Deery (Sr; WR/CB; Great hands on both sides of the ball; possesses take it to the house speed, having returned an INT for a pick six last season)
Jesse McGlone (CB/WR; Top level cover skills)
Key Losses
Bobby Mossa (QB; All-League signal caller; Honorable Mention All-State; threw for 1423 yards and 14 touchdowns; also valuable in the running game, scoring 10 TDs with his legs)
Jason Delucia (RB; All-League; Honorable Mention All-State; is a senior this season, but was lost to injury; Ran for 911 yards and 5 touchdowns; also had 2 receiving touchdowns)
Jesse Clara (RB/DB; was very dangerous as back a runner and a pass catcher out of the backfield)
Michael Green (WR/LB; All-League in 2014 on the defensive side of the ball)
Michael Patalano (LB; All-League Selection as a senior)
Overview
The season has not even started yet and already the Firebirds find themselves slightly behind the proverbial 8-ball and they will have to play this season without their Honorable Mention All-State tailback, Jason Delucia, who suffered a serious knee injury that will sadly keep him shelved his entire senior season…While Head Coach Kevin Hanifan acknowledged how big a loss a player of Delucia’s caliber can be, he also see seems to believe that even in the absence of his star offensive weapon, his team maintains the skill and determination necessary to at the very least, match the 8-2 overall record they achieved in 2014.
On offense, the unfortunate loss of Delucia, coupled with the graduation of fellow All-Stater, quarterback Bobby Mossa, and RB Jesse Clara, has opened the door for the incredibly gifted Patrick Leahy, to get the chance to take center stage a year earlier than expected. The 5’10, 165-pounder, who Hanifan has confirmed will get the heroes share of carries, enjoyed a lights out sophomore season on junior varsity last season, securing his place as the back of the future. Trevor Quinn, also a junior in 2015, was impressive during the early stages of camp and could emerge as that second option out of the backfield….A source of comfort for Coach Hanifan is that while his two 11th graders are learning on the job and making the adjustment to a higher level of football, he will have four offensive linemen, led by senior center, Kenneth Mulkeen, plowing the path in front of them. It was Mulkeen and fellow class of 2016 member, Peter Guariglia, who Hanifan spotlighted as players who were ready to take their games to the next level along the interior…On the outside, seniors, Kieran Fitzgerald (WR) and Liam Deery will be the leading targets for whomever wins the starting quarterback job. Fitzgerald, who found the end zone on six occasions last season and will need to be just as reliable in 2015.
The strength of the defense this season should come in the secondary as Hanifan raved about the individual qualities that made each of his starting senior D-backs special. He loved the hard hitting of Patrick Dercola; was enamored with the speed and excellent hands possessed by Deery, and labeled Jesse McGlone as having great cover skills…Quinn, who one KMHS staff member called “the quietest, but perhaps biggest contributor from the rising junior varsity squad that advanced to the AA title game, will be partnered up with senior Darrin Belotte in taking charge of the linebacker unit…Connor Hayes, picked as both the team’s sleeper and their most improved player, will provide senior leadership and consistency up front.
Asked whether or not certain games were more important than others, Hanifan talked about how the changes in the league structure has made every game this season crucial, saying, “This year’s AA schedule pits Kellenberg and other teams against each other every week; every game is a must because a spot in the playoffs is not guaranteed.”. While no more important the rest, Hanifan did mention that he really hopes to see the alumni and student-body pack the stands on September 20th when the Blue & Gold play Holy Trinity for Homecoming.
Goals in 2015:
1) “Our goal is to win the AA title.”
2) “We always measure our success in the development of players; this, in turn, leads to success on the field.”
Mount St. Michael
Head Coach: Mario Valentini (32nd Season)
Last Season: 1-9 (Lost in the AA Quarterfinals to St. Joseph’s by the Sea, 23-20)
Key Returning Players
Kevin Leach-Brown (Sr; QB/FS)
Justin Montoyo (Jr; FB/MLB)
Storm Williams (Sr; OT/LB; All-League Selection in 2014)
Teraun Simms-Brown (Sr; TE/OLB)
Hugh Fraser (Sr; WR/OLB)
Key Losses
Lindsay Malcolm (OL/DT; All-League Selection as an O-Lineman)
Julian Massiah (WR/DB; All-League as a wide out; Led the team in all major receiving categories as a senior)
Aaron Brown (RB/DB; All-League on defense; was the leader of the secondary in 2014; was also the
team’s leader in most rushing categories in his senior season)
Overview
Calling every game important as he needs for his players to gain as much experience as possible this season, Coach Mario Valentini, now in his 32nd year patrolling the sidelines for the Mountaineers, finds himself in the position of having to replace 16 or his 21 starters, including just under 90 percent of his defensive cohort. Because of the toll that graduation took Mount St. Michael, Valentini and his staff were adamant in stating that now only will they need their returning seniors to give much larger roles, but will also require the group that moved up from the junior varsity to also contribute what they can in their “rookie season” on the big club.
Taking the snaps and running the offense will be senior QB, Kevin Leach-Brown, who did see some action last season as a junior, but will in all likelihood, will be doing much of his learning and polishing on the job this season….Leach-Brown, along with junior fullback, Justin Montoyo (who rostered with the varsity as a sophomore) will be serve as the chief offensive weapons for MSM. Senior center, Justin Davillia, who was given the tag of most improved player, will be the man that both of the aforementioned run behind.
Anchored by returning All-League linebacker, Storm Williams, what the Mountaineers do not have copious amounts of game-time/experience, they account for with toughness and comradery…Saying that team unity is the strength of his squad this season, Valentini will be counting on the senior linebacker trio of William, Teraun Simms-Brown, and Hugh Fraser to rise to the occasion and set the example for a group that will be breaking in many new faces.
Goals in 2015
1) “Winning is always important, as is showing improvement and getting better from week to week.”
St. Francis Prep
Head Coach: Rich Carroll (1st Season)
Last Season: 1-9 (Lost in the AA Quarterfinals to St. John the Baptist, 53-20)
Key Returning Players
Ryan Gardiner (Sr; FB/LB)
Nick Zovich (Sr; C)
Chris Nelson (Sr; OT)
Gaspar Artale (Sr;OL)
JT Manolopoulos (Sr; OL/LB)
Alexander Bracco (Sr; OL)
Marco Minichino (Sr; DB)
Key Losses
Rob Einerson (QB; All-League Selection; was the team’s leading passer and rusher with 866 yards in the air and 332 yards with his feet)
Ben Ewing (WR; the team leader in all major receiving categories; caught 4 of the 8 TD passes thrown by Einerson)
Anthony Pravata (OL; All-League Selection in 2014)
Richard Posch (LB; All-League Selection)
Francis Cole (LB; All-League Selection)
Brendan Cole (DE; All-League Selection)
Overview
After going winless in NYCHSFL games a year ago, the Terriers find themselves under new leadership as Rich Carroll has assumed the reins in the hopes of turning the program around….While the Queens school did lose their top offensive weapon, QB Rob Einerson, to graduation, there is still plenty of hard working players putting in the time and effort to break into the win column in 2015.
Calling “team work” and “unity” the strengths of his program, Carroll acknowledges that without a recognized game-changing star on his roster, he is going to need every single one of his players to contribute to the cause…What the team may lack in established firepower, they make up for with heart and determination
One area where STFP should be in good hands is along the offensive line where they return a plethora of experience in the persons of Nick Zovich, Chris Nelson, Gaspar Artale, JT Manolopoulos, and Alexander Bracco. From this group, it Is Bracco that has earned the most adulation from his coach, as Carroll said that the 6’5, 320 pound behemoth has been his most improved player since the start of camp…Senior Ryan Gardiner and junior Josh Angevine (who was pegged as the most varsity ready player among the student-athletes who moved up from the 2014 junior varsity) are expected to split the bulk of carries this season.
On the defensive of the ball, Carroll expressed that he is very pleased with what he is seeing from his secondary players. Calling the elevated level of the defensive backfield key difference between 2014 and this season, the coaching staff will lean on senior Marco Minichino to be the glue that holds the whole cohort together. Minichino was the one individual that Carroll singled out when discussing who he thinks will take on the most added responsibility in 2015. As the free safety, he will the ability to impact the game by using his ball hawk skills to complement the cornerbacks.
Because his squad does remain slightly unproven, Carroll said that a big game for them will be the season opener on September 12th against Kellenberg Memorial. The objective of this game does not need to be a “w”. Rather, it will be an indicator of how the Terriers stack up from a competitive standpoint.
Goals in 2015:
1) “Having the opportunity to compete in the AA Playoffs.”
2) “Player progression over wins/losses.”
St. John the Baptist
Head Coach: Ralph Carusillo (2nd Season)
Last Season: 5-6 (Lost In the AA Finals to Chaminade, 48-29)
Key Returning Players:
Jerome Brooks III (Sr; RB/DB; All-League Selection; Rushed for 900 yards, Had 250 receiving yards, and totaled 9 touchdowns in 2014)
Nicholas Cipolla (Sr; RB/DB; Picked for the All-League Team; Put up 700 yards on the ground, scoring 8 touchdowns)
Frank Guidice (Jr; OL/DL; All-League O-Lineman last season as a sophomore)
Jose Guzman (Sr; QB; Threw 5 touchdown passes before injury shortened his junior campaign)
Nicholas Conwell (Sr; OL/LB; Recorded 50 tackles last season)
Key Losses
Jamal Butler (OL/LB; All-League Selection on the defensive side of the ball as a senior)
Patrick Ridings (OL/DL)
Edwin Pizarro (QB/DB; Signal caller who proved he could beat you with both his arm and legs, completing over 50% of his passes and averaging over 6 yards per carry)
Frank Pannacchione (TE/DE; An All-League Defender in 2014 despite being undersized at the End position)
Dan Driscoll (OL/DL)
Overview
Calling his 2015 squad more versatile than the group that advanced all the way to the AA finals a year ago, Head Coach Ralph Carusillo, raved about the increased level of crispness he is observing on both sides of the ball. Saying that each of his last two teams have possessed the levels of toughness and intensity to be champions, the leader of the Cougars said that thus far in camp, he cannot help but be blown away by the cohesiveness being demonstrated.
Quick not to dismiss the potential potency of his passing game, in speaking with Carusillo, one cannot help but come away from the conversation that this team is going to be a bear to stop on the ground this fall…With their two leading rushers, All-League honorees, Jerome Brooks III (900 yard rushing) and Nicholas Cipolla (700 yards) back, as well as the continued progression of the Legagneur family, Patrice (500 yards, 3 TDs as a junior) and Christian (one of the top players moving up from the junior varsity), SJB is going to have no shortage of people who can take the pigskin and run with it for massive quantities of yardage…Aiding them in their quest to literally run all over the competition will be returning All-League interior lineman, Frank Guidice, who despite being only a sophomore in 2014, proved that he is already one of the best O-Line prospects on all of Long Island. First year varsity players, Jacob Woods (the largest lineman in the school as a sophomore last season at 270 pounds) and Andrew Fusco are expected to contribute immediately by adding depth and stability to both lines…Senior signal caller, Jose Guzman, who was off to a solid start to his junior season (5 TDs thrown) before being forced to the sidelines with an injury, will keep opposing defenses honest so that they cannot stack the box. Completing over 50 percent of his pass attempts in 2014, if you underestimate him, Guzman will make you pay for it.
Many of these same names and faces will be called into double duty and be asked to perform at a high level on defense as well. All-League linebacker, Nick Conwell (50 tackles a season ago) may be the individual that gets the most hype, but as a unit, this shear athleticism and grit possessed by the Cougars will enable them get stops and put the ball back in the hands of their dynamic offense.
One final name that Coach Carusillo wanted to make sure received the credit he deserved was senior placekicker, Nicholas Maldarella. A perfect 8-for-8 on field goal ties with longs of 41 and 43 yards, this “secret weapon” also converted all of his PAT attempts and utilizes his booming leg to drastically affect the field position off of kickoffs. With an Adam Vinatieri like poise, Maldarella is the last person you want to see come on the field with the game on the line in the closing seconds. If history has taught us anything, it is that this young man is going to rise to the occasion and drill it.
Facing the two teams who lost in the 2014 AA semifinals, St. Joseph’s by the Sea and Xavier, in the first two weeks of the season, Carusillo feels that a solid performance by his players will be the perfect start to a championship season. Baptist beat Xavier twice last season, including a 21-14 triumph in the semis and know that whomever wins that game will have added confidence should they hook up again in the postseason…Another important game will occur in week #6 (October 17th) as SJB will be pitted against perhaps the biggest threat to their AA supremacy when they square off with Holy Trinity, who moved down a division after losing in the quarterfinals of the AAA playoffs last year. The Titans and the Cougars played in 2014, with the former emerging with a 13-6 victory.
Goals in 2015:
1) “A successful season for me is one where the players progress and develop as players and as men. Our ultimate goal and expectation is to get back to, and win the AA Championship. That would make the season a true success coupled with the player development and growth.”
St. Joseph’s by the Sea
Head Coach: Michael Corona (1st Season)
Last Season: 2-7 (Lost In the Semifinals of the AA Playoffs to Chaminade, 28-18)
Key Returning Players:
Paul DeVito (Jr; RB)
Francesco Coluccio (Sr; RB/LB) Daniel Aber (Sr; QB)
Key Losses
Michael Russell (QB; All-League recipient)
Joe Robles (TE; All-League honoree)
Carlo Krecic (OL; All-League selection)
Brian Weintraub (LB; All-League pick)
Frank Vigilante (DB; All-League selection)
Daniel Dawkins (DL; Transferred to the Peddie School)
Overview
If there is a word that can best describe the Vikings in 2015, that term would be “change”…As the Staten Island located school heads into a new season, they do so not only with a new leader at the helm, but also with entirely new schemes on offense and defense. However, despite all of the uncertainties and shifting in strategy, there is reason for optimism. With wins and losses being held secondary this year in regard to importance, the SJS staff really feels that a lot of growth will take place, setting the course for potential future championship runs.
Named the fourth coach in St. Joe’s by the Sea football history, Michael Corona may be new to the New York Catholic scene, but he is no stranger to winning and high level competition…Accepting the top post at SJS (his first head coaching position) after previously serving as an assistant at Bishop O’Connell, in Washington, D.C., The 33-year-old gentleman brings with him a wealth of gridiron knowledge, having made career stops on both the collegiate (most recently at The University of Findlay from 2010-2012) and scholastic levels. It is the intensity and professionalism of the college game that he hopes to instill in his new players.
Graduating about 1/3 of the offensive starters and approximately half of the core student-athletes on the other side of the ball, there will be many opportunities for young players to step up and win a spot…Among the most active races in camp happened to be at the quarterback position where senior Daniel Abner will be looking to beat out a trio of juniors (Paul Bajada, Francis Perry, and Robert Mandia) for the privilege of standing under center…Corona has been very impressed with what he has seen at the tailback position, seeing the emergence of a possible three-headed running monster in the persons of seniors Mike Edwards and Francesco Coluccio, as well as junior Paul DeVito…While inexperienced as pass blockers, the athleticism of the O-Line has also turned some heads. Even though it may take some time to get accustomed to a new passing offense, all parties involved seem to be putting all possible effort as a means of making the transition as seamless and painless as can be.
Oddly enough, despite losing so much manpower on “D”, Corona has said that the one area where he is not the least bit concerned is along the DL…Marveling at the depth he has inherited, the first-year head-man spoke about having a legitimate two or three worth of capable line players. He was quoted in an article for Staten Island Live.com as saying, “We’ll have fresh lines every five or six snaps.”
Above all else, Corona sees the new season as one that will be filled with teachable moments that will benefit the Vikings down the road. Switching from a strictly run-based game plan (Double-Wing formation) to a more balanced attack is not an endeavor you can master in just a matter of weeks. For this reason, as noted above, he is taking a very realistic and modest approach to how he deals with the win/loss column. As long as his players continue to show signs of progress, one gets the feeling that Corona will be a very happy man in 2015, even if the wins do not pile up.
Goals for 2015
1) Get the players, parents, and all support staff to embrace a new culture, new process, and new perspective…Success will be measured by how successful the coaching staff is in getting all of the aforementioned to buy into the program…As said by Corona, “Improving the process of what we do creates wins, not the plays called on game day. If we can do this, our season will be very successful, philosophically and realistically.”
Xavier
Head Coach: Christopher Stevens (14th Season as HC; 24th overall)
Last Season: 5-6 (Lost in the AA Semifinals to St. John the Baptist, 21-13)
Key Returning Players:
Michael Chiarovano (Sr; FB; All-League pick in 2014; 2nd Team All-City; Ran for 1,048 Yards, Scored 11 rushing touchdowns, 12 TDs total)
Zach Cilmi (Sr; RB/FS; All-League selection; 425 Rushing Yards, 5 Rushing Touchdowns, 7 total TDs; Also a force on defense, racking up 82 total tackles from the defensive secondary)
Frank Masella (Sr; ILB; All-League honoree; Led team with 102 Tackles, 20 TFL, 3 Sacks, and 1 Forced fumble)
Anthony Pugliese (Sr; TE/DE; 62 Total Tackles, 21 TFL 4 Sacks, 1 Forced Fumble)
Malik Fischer (Jr; TE/DE; 57 Total Tackles, 21 TFL, 7 Sacks, 1 INT; was also the reception leader on offense with 8 catches for 143 Yards)
Key Losses
Teddy Boateng (OG/LB; All-League Selection on the offensive side of the ball; also contributed 45 Tackles on defense; 2014 Team MVP)
Ryan Fitzpatrick (SS; All-League pick; Registered 66 Total tackles, 12 TFL, 2 Sacks, 2 INTs, and 2 Forced fumbles; Team’s Most Improved Player in 2014)
Joseph Garthaffner (OT/DE; All-League Selection on Defense; Totaled 42 Tackles, including 8 for a loss)
Overview
A team with some unfinished business this season, the Knights could very well have been entering 2015 as the defending champions had it not been for some untimely injuries that deprived them of many of their senior leaders during the second half of the season and into the playoffs. After a 1-5 start, something seemed to click as Xavier (featuring 13 juniors due to the injury bug) would win five of their last six games…With most of the players who played big roles in helping to bring about that turnaround returning to the NYC based campus this season, expectations are both high and realistic.
Featuring one of the best backfields in the league with senior All-League selections, Michael Chiarovano (1,000 yard rusher in 2014) and Zach Cilmi (425 yards), Coach Christopher Steven’s single wing formation is sure to move the ball in large chunks this season…Accepting the responsibility for opening the holes and pancaking anything that dare get in the way of their dynamic duo will be the four young men who made up 80 percent of last year’s interior line, Lenny Camillo, Brian Nolan, Spencer Letizia, and Daniel Waggoner.
The guys whose jobs it is to keep points off the board are not looking too shabby either as back in 2015 will be three of the team’s top-4 leading tacklers, including All-League selection/Team Captain Frank Massella, who dominated from his linebacker position as a junior, cracking the 100 tackle plateau (102) and adding three sacks…On the topic of sacks, no discussion would be complete without giving a shout out to junior Defensive End, Malik Fischer, whose stat line included seven of these bad boys among his 57 total tackle. Playing on the other end of the DL will be another impact player, Anthony Pugliese, who all but lived in the backfield, recording 21 of his 60+ tackles for a loss (including four sacks)…Cilmi (“The glue that held the team together” per Coach Stevens) will again be the air traffic controller of the secondary, using his amazing athleticism to take away the deep game from the opponent….More additional cog in the wheel will be cornerback, Guiseppe Orlando. Referred to as a shutdown caliber player, the senior defensive back was off to a monster start to his 2014 season (3 INTs in seven games) before he would suffer an injury that would keep him on the shelf for the stretch run.
As mentioned above, having experienced more than his fair share of misfortune last season, Stevens, seemed to rejoice at knowing that he will be gaining tremendous depth from last year’s AA junior varsity Championship squad. Providing just a sampling of who they think will make an immediate impact in their first season with the big club, the Knights’ coaching staff expressed the following sentiments: “We are very excited about the physical preparation of Powerback/ILB Jack Manzo; are looking forward to seeing the speed and aggressiveness of RB Joe Morelli; and feel pumped up about the size and athleticism of that DEs/TEs J.P. Moran and Billy Esposito will bring to the team.
Commenting on how for the first time since 2007 the NYCHSFL has reconstituted a true AA division, Stevens is incredibly pleased with and focused on his schedule. Saying that there is “not one gimme” among the teams they play in 2015, the 14th-year Head Coach (who has spent 24 on the Xavier sidelines) said that he has the utmost confidence that if his team plays up to natural abilities, they have a valid chance to win every game. “Our fans are in for some very exciting football”, said Stevens.
Goals for 2015
1) “Our goal as always, is to win the Triple Crown—Division Champs, Playoff Champs and Turkey Bowl Champs versus our rival, Fordham Prep.”
Note: Christ the King was unable to get their response submitted in time to be included in this preview.