Football Seniors Seek to Step Up in 2011
NEIRAD enilno edition
If you read January's 2011 football sneak peek, you have already gotten to know next year’s football team as a whole. Now, as the season approaches, it’s time to learn a little more about 2011’s senior football class.
Outgoing senior Zack Sherwood called this group “hardworking”, adding that they’ll put up “a lot of competition.” Senior Scotty Watters said that “they’ll come together” well for next year.
Here’s a breakdown of the current juniors, each of whom is sure to have an impact on the team that will try to match 2010’s FCIAC Championship win.
Playing linebacker and fullback is Mike Stovall, who was named one of the team’s four captains. “Michael played quite a bit on the 2010 FCIAC champion team and will be a very important leader for the 2011 team," said Coach Trifone.
Joining Mike as a captain will be the multi-talented Patrick McDonald. “P-Mac is probably our most versatile senior player as he will play QB, receiver, Tight End, Safety and Outside Linebacker,” said Coach Trifone.
Brett O’Donnell, a tackle, will also be a captain. Coach Trifone described him as “a great leader who started every game for us last year.”
Corey Eppely, a safety, is the fourth announced captain. “Corey is a great leader on and off the field,” said Coach T.
Receivers include Clay Barker, Ryan Barthold, and Harlan Smith. Clay is an “awesome receiver” who will be “a 3 year starter at Split End,” according to Coach Trifone. Ryan is a “tall receiver with soft hands” who is also a “very hard worker” says his coach. Coach T described Harlan as “one of our tall receivers for next season".
At the linebacker position will be Jim Anderson, whom Coach Trifone says is a “great team player” who will “do whatever it takes to help his team succeed”. Joining him at the position will be Steven Ciasullo. Coach T says Steven “has big shoes to fill at Middle Linebacker, but has been working hard in the offseason”. Kyle Mangan will also play linebacker. Coach Trifone says that “Kyle is a very tough linebacker and a great team player”. Joe Puzio, who joined DHS from Iona Prep last fall, “has been a wonderful addition to the Blue Wave family,” said Coach T. Joe will play linebacker and guard.
On the defensive side of the ball will be Nick Connery at defensive end and Jake Coughlin at defensive tackle. Coach Trifone said “just go the weight room any day after school, and you’ll see Nick working extremely hard to succeed in 2011.” As for Jake, Coach T expects big things. “Jake played some varsity defensive line last year and with a great offseason looks to be a leader on defense,” he said.
Ryan Gregory will be playing cornerbak. Coach T described him as “a young man with great work ethic who can be found working out all the time”.
Max Gunn, another player with varsity experience, “ will return as our long snapper and offensive tackle” said Coach Trifone. Stephen Wildish will “be our starting center next year and will be very important in helping the entire line with blocking schemes” says Coach T.
Tyler Maul, a nose guard, was described by Coach T as “the hardest man to block on our scout team last year” and “looks to fight his way into the starting line-up this year”.
Next year’s lineup will be different than this year’s, missing certain senior stars. By the looks of it, the Class of 2012 seniors will be able to handle the pressure. Current sophomore Will Lochtefeld said that “they are very athletic kids”. Sophomore Brian Wiegand added that the they are “a hardworking group”.
“Although team 2011 has very big shoes to fill, they are looking forward to the challenge,” said Coach Trifone. During the off-season, the team can be found “working hard in the weight room, speed training at Blue Streak or involved in off-season programs at Sono fieldhouse,” according to Coach T.
Until next fall, that is, when DHS football returns to the turf to try to match or even top this year’s success.
