Catholic
League FB Preview, '01
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This is the CL football preview, which appeared in the Sept. 6 Daily News.
By Ted Silary
St. Joseph’s Prep came within one game of a perfect record last
football season?
Geez, coach Gil Brooks barely noticed.
“You get so focused on the week-to-week demands, it’s like
you have tunnel vision; it’s hard to see beyond,” he said. “I didn’t
feel the ‘undefeated thing’ until we got near the end. So this season isn’t
that much of a change. To some extent, we’re always hunted.”
Brooks made those comments with this mind: His team is 0-1. The Prep
last Friday fell to mighty Central Buck West, 21-17, and it still faces two extra-tough
tests (Malvern, Holy Cross of Delran, N.J.) before Catholic League play commences.
But when it does, the Hawklets/Hawks (your choice) will be the favorite
in the large-enrollment Red Division.
Prep returns two first team All-City honorees in tailback Kyle Ambrogi
(2,109 yards; he also plays safety now) and guard John Connors. Defensive linemen Mike
Mailey and Brian Tucci likewise are receiving Division I looks and, in time, Vince
Gallagher’s throws to veteran wideouts Pete Chromiak and Jim Lachman could cause big
damage.
“Last year we had a nice mesh between the seniors and
juniors,” Brooks said. “I’m still looking to see that again.”
Monsignor Bonner, which hasn’t had a winning season since taking
the 1994 title, is primed to impress. Wideout-defensive back Kevin LeSage is fast and
quick. Two players, TE-LB Joe Boland and lineman Mike Whalen, have Ivy interest.
Cardinal O’Hara, the 2000 champ, returns All-City lineman Mike
“Tuna” Bucella and still has firepower despite losing all-timer Kevin Jones, now
at Virginia Tech, and many others who touched the ball. La Salle (linebacker Ed Sabia),
Archbishop Ryan (Maryland-bound lineman Dave Quaintance) and Father Judge (QB Greg
Hennigar) are also expecting to be factors.
In the Blue, the presence of top-shelf wideout Maurice Stovall (6-5,
205) could help put Archbishop Carroll over the top.
The highly athletic and hard working Stovall is currently considering
Virginia, Notre Dame and Georgia Tech; the list will likely expand.
“The kids feel we’re good enough to win it again,” coach
Dan Bielli said. “But they don’t want to get into comparisons, statisticswise,
with last year’s team (13-0, city-leagues record 584 points, six-game shutout
streak). I guess that’s smart on their part.”
Bishop McDevitt, Archbishop Wood and St. John Neumann are hoping to
push anywhere from hard to hard.
Wood’s Art Barrett is the league’s only new coach.
THUMBNAIL SKETCHES
RED DIVISION
ARCHBISHOP RYAN
Coach: Glen Galeone, 12th year; Education: Wood, Drexel. Career: 95-39-3.
Last year: 3-4, tie fourth; 4-7 overall.
Great eight: Dave Quaintance, G-DT, 6-5, 275; Rich Ott, C-LB, 6-foot, 230; Jim Norbury,
G-LB, 5-10, 200; Greg Silenok, LB, 5-10, 165; Pete Varanavage, RB, 5-11, 190; Chris
Kozole, Rec.-DB, 5-11, 155; Scott Downey, RB-DE, 5-10, 195; Anthony Ferrante, QB-DB, 5-11,
180.
Happy about: having coachable kids, tough core group.
Concerned about: special teams, depth (four players already lost for season).
Galeone's comment: “I think we’re at least in the middle of the pack.”
CARDINAL O'HARA
Coach: George Stratts, eighth year (also McDevitt, 1970-73; Dougherty, 1974-84);
Education: St. James, Pennsylvania Military. Career: 125-92-10; At O'Hara: 46-29-1.
Last year: 5-2, tie second; 10-2.
Great eight: Mike “Tuna” Bucella, T-DT, 6-3, 300; Pat Sweeney, G, 6-foot, 245;
Andrew Wood, LB, 6-foot, 200; Corey Cannon, LB, 6-1, 200; Pat Gallagher, RB-DE, 6-2, 210;
Craig Haywood, QB-DB, 5-10, 180; Harry Dougherty, Rec.-DB, 5-11, 175; Matt Mascio, DE,
5-10, 180.
Happy about: attitude.
Concerned about: inexperience.
Stratts' comment: “We’d like to be right back in it at the end.”
FATHER JUDGE
Coach: Tommy Coyle, second year; Education: Judge. Career: 3-8.
Last year: 1-6, tie seventh; 3-8.
Great eight: Tom Lynch, LB, 5-11, 215; Greg Hennigar, QB, 6-3, 200; Justin O’Brien,
RB-K, 5-9, 175; Derek Talley, Rec., 6-3, 190; Mike Haigh, Rec., 5-8, 145; Greg Beatrice,
LB, 5-11, 200; Ryan Loftus, DE, 6-2, 185; Jim McAteer, DB, 5-11, 170.
Happy about: cohesiveness, linebackers.
Concerned about: speed, defensive line..
Coyle's comment: “We’re hoping to make all the old Judge football guys really
proud.”
LA SALLE
Coach: Joe Colistra, 17th year; Education: La Salle, Villanova. Career: 123-61-1.
Last year: 5-2, tie second; 8-4.
Great eight: Sean Miller, QB-RB-DB, 5-9, 175; Ed Sabia, Rec.-LB, 6-2, 225; Brian
Noone, G-LB, 6-1, 215; Mike Graham, DE, 6-3, 210; Brian Donohoe, QB-RB-P, 6-1, 200; Dan
Waters, RB-DB-K, 6-foot, 185; Drew Babin, DT, 6-5, 265; Bill Loughery, Rec.-DE, 6-1, 185.
Happy about: rock-ribbed defense, special teams.
Concerned about: offensive line.
Colistra's comment: “We’re good, with still a lot of room to improve.”
MONSIGNOR BONNER
Coach: Mike "Stump" Coyne, 14th year; Education: Malvern, Villanova.
Career: 73-70.
Last year: 3-4, tie fourth; 4-8.
Great eight: Kevin LeSage, Rec.-DB, 5-10, 175; Paul Kollhoff, RB, 5-7, 150; Joe Boland,
Rec.-LB, 6-2, 215; Dom Armideo, G-LB, 6-foot, 220; Mike Whalen, C-MG, 6-1, 240; Mike
Kozak, G-DT, 5-11, 280; J.D. Johanson, T-DT, 6-3, 280; Mike Stauffer, QB, 6-4, 205.
Happy about: senior leadership, great size.
Concerned about: Stauffer’s health (currently out with wrist injury)
Coyne's comment: “We're looking forward to doing well in one of the best leagues in
the state.”
NORTH CATHOLIC
Coach: Rich Betts, fifth year; Education: Mastbaum. Career: 15-29.
Last year: 1-6, tie seventh; 2-9.
Great eight: Mike “Pio” Piotrowicz, G-LB, 6-1, 215; Sean Murphy, T-DT, 6-3, 235;
Rob Shiffler, RB, 5-10, 245; Brian Mitchell, QB, 6-foot, 175; Greg Buehler, Rec., 5-11,
190; Steve Cross, Rec.-DB, 5-11, 170; Jamar Little, RB, 5-5, 145; Chris Stine, G-LB, 6-1,
205.
Happy about: defense, work habits.
Concerned about: inability to move the ball.
Betts' comment: “We’re looking to make the playoffs, but in this division
that’ll be somewhat difficult.”
ROMAN CATHOLIC
Coach: Jim Murphy, second year; Education: North Catholic, Holy Family. Career:
5-7.
Last year: 3-4, tie fourth; tie first; 5-7.
Great eight: Anthony Alosi, Rec.-LB, 5-8, 185; Tom Maisch, RB, 5-8, 165; Kevin Dolan,
Rec.-DB, 5-9, 160; Ryan Dopkin, DB, 6-foot, 165; Johnny Ortiz, RB-DB, 5-6, 145; Bryan
Donohoe, DT, 6-foot, 250; Ryan Brody, G, 6-foot, 220; Chris Guinter, C, 6-foot, 230.
Happy about: work ethic, composure.
Concerned about: youth, inconsistency.
Murphy's comment: “It’s like we’re on a 12-step program, taking it one day
at a time.”
ST. JOSEPH'S PREP
Coach: Gil Brooks, 10th year (also Paul VI, N.J., 1986-87); Education: St.
Joseph's Prep, Swarthmore. Career: 74-49-3; At SJ Prep: 70-36-2.
Last year: 7-0, first; 12-1.
Great eight: Kyle Ambrogi, RB-DB, 5-11, 200; John Connors, G, 6-3, 275; Mike Mailey,
Rec.-DT, 6-3, 240; Pete Chromiak, Rec., 6-2, 190; Adam Hepp, RB-LB, 6-1, 205; Jim Lachman,
Rec., 6-3, 200; Brian Tucci, DE, 6-4, 215; John Quinn, T-DE, 6-4, 235.
Happy about: explosiveness, front seven on defense.
Concerned about: cohesion on offensive line.
Brooks' comment: “I like this team. When you have kids with good character, it’s
a pleasure to coach.”
BLUE DIVISION
ARCHBISHOP CARROLL
Coach: Dan Bielli, third year (also Carroll, 1995; Kennedy-Kenrick, 1996-97);
Education: West Catholic, West Chester. Career: 36-21; At Carroll: 28-8.
Last year: 7-0, first; 13-0.
Great eight: Maurice Stovall, Rec.-DB, 6-5, 205; Mike Malandra, RB-DB, 5-10, 170; Pat
Brochet, QB, 5-10, 175; John Vanak, G-DE, 6-2, 230; Dom D’Alicandro, C, 6-foot, 240;
Joe Cocco, T, 6-2, 260; Vince Lynam, DT, 6-1, 230; Pat Kelly, DT, 6-3, 240.
Happy about: passing game, athleticism.
Concerned about: overall inexperience.
Bielli's comment: “We have the chance to do really well again. Maybe win another
championship.”
ARCHBISHOP WOOD
Coach: Art Barrett, first year; Education: Wood, Temple; Career: 0-0.
Last year: 4-3, tie third; 6-6.
Great eight: Antonio Troisi, RB, 6-foot, 180; John Spinosa, QB-DB, 5-11, 180; Bill
Hartley, RB-DB, 6-foot, 205; Keary Packer, DT, 6-2, 275; Dave Lorditch, Rec.-DB, 6-foot,
160; Sean McAfee, LB, 5-10, 185; Brian Gallagher, Rec.-DE, 6-2, 235; Jim Crompton, T, 6-3,
225.
Happy about: seasoned backfield.
Concerned about: offensive line, secondary.
Barrett’s comment: “We’ll get better with age. We’re hanging in there
as the kids learn new systems.”
BISHOP McDEVITT
Coach: Pat Manzi, 20th year; Education: Judge, Temple. Career: 124-68-5.
Last year: 6-1, second; 8-3.
Great eight: Brian O’Meara, T-DT, 6-1, 260; Bill Holden, QB, 5-10, 160; Adam
Gullotti, T-DT, 6-2, 235; Mark Finley, Rec.-DB, 6-1, 175; Jeff Beach, Rec.-DE, 6-4, 225;
John McKeever, RB-LB, 5-11, 210; Andrew Kovach, RB-LB, 6-2, 215; Demetrius Oliver, RB-DB,
5-11, 190.
Happy about: team speed.
Concerned about: inexperienced lines.
Manzi's comment: “We just want to make the playoffs and see what happens from
there.”
CARDINAL DOUGHERTY
Coach: Jerry McConnell, fourth year (also Neumann, 1989-90); Education: Holy
Cross (N.J.), Temple. Career: 10-43-1; At Dougherty: 8-26.
Last year: 3-4, tie fifth; 4-8.
Great eight: Sean McGovern, QB, 6-1, 205; James Jefferson, RB-LB, 6-foot, 175; Albert
Davis, RB-LB, 5-11, 215; Jim Leahy, C-DE, 5-11, 230; Jimmy John McElvaney, T-DE, 6-foot,
245; Eliezer Garcia, RB-DB, 5-10, 165; Matt Miller, Rec., 5-8, 155; Dominic Rock, RB, 5-7,
145.
Happy about: big-time speed, overall offense.
Concerned about: secondary, aggressiveness.
McConnell's comment: “We’re in an up year. We could be a force in our
division.”
CONWELL-EGAN
Coach: John Quinn, third year (also Ryan, 1967-75, 1981-84, 1988-89; Roman
Catholic, 1992-93; North Catholic, 1994-96); Education: North Catholic, Notre Dame.
Career: 114-116-7; At C-E: 5-16.
Last year: 1-6, seventh; 4-7.
Great eight: Vince Salvatore, Rec.-DE, 5-11, 195; Joe Lamina, RB-LB, 5-10, 185; Matt Pape,
G-DT, 6-1, 255; Rob Biernat, RB-LB, 6-1, 195; Brad Becker, T-DT, 6-4, 255; Derrick Savage,
QB, 5-10, 165; Mike Smith, RB-Rec.-LB, 6-foot, 185; Dan Quinn, RB-DB-P, 6-foot, 165.
Happy about: defensive line.
Concerned about: secondary.
Quinn's comment: “We think we can play well defensively. We’ll try to eke out
enough points to win.”
KENNEDY-KENRICK
Coach: Mike McTamney, fourth year (also Harriton, 1995-97); Education: Kenrick,
St. Mary's (Canada). Career: 12-50; At K-K: 5-27.
Last year: 0-7, eighth; 1-10.
Great eight: Dan McCabe, QB, 5-9, 165; Mike Romano, RB-LB, 6-1, 205; Anthony McCloy, C-DT,
6-4, 280; Steve DeGrazio, RB-DB, 5-9, 155; Rocco Fusco, G-LB, 5-10, 200; Rafael
Calzadilla, T-DT, 6-1, 285; Ted Kavanagh, T-DT, 6-2, 245; Dan Molyneaux, Rec.-DE, 6-1,
210.
Happy about: size.
Concerned about: having lost top two rushers (Jeremy Matozzo, Brian Gillin) for season
McTamney's comment: “We need somebody to step up and get the ground game going.”
ST. JOHN NEUMANN
Coach: Ed "Bubby" DiCamillo, second year (also West Catholic, 1984-89;
Neumann, 1991-93, 1995-96); Education: Neumann, Temple. Career: 62-58-4; At Neumann:
34-30-2.
Last year: 4-3, tie third; 8-5.
Great eight: Pat McLaughlin, QB, 6-1, 170; Ed Lego, DB, 6-foot, 155; Chris Scott-Peters,
DE, 6-foot, 220; Brian Navin, DB, 6-1, 180; Mark Meighan, LB, 5-11, 195; Ryan Binck, G,
5-10, 195; Justin Adams, G-DE, 6-2, 205; Ed McDuffie, T, 6-5, 307.
Happy about: offensive possibilities.
Concerned about: young defense.
DiCamillo's comment: “I don’t know how to take these kids. I have to keep
reminding them, ‘Enthusiasm will make the difference.’”
WEST CATHOLIC
Coach: Brian Fluck, third year; Education: West Catholic, Temple. Career: 10-13.
Last year: 3-4, tie fifth; 5-7.
Great eight: Johnathan Jackson, Rec., 6-1, 185; Curtis “Boona” Brinkley, RB-DB,
5-10, 180; Matt Rodia, QB, 6-1, 180; Robert Ramsey, RB-DB, 5-9, 160; Ameel Johnson,
Rec.-LB, 5-10, 200; Will Grant, G-DT, 6-1, 295; James Burke, C, 6-foot, 265; Mike Cannon,
T-DT, 6-5, 275.
Happy about: skill positions.
Concerned about: offensive line.
Fluck's comment: “My guess is ‘playoffs.’ Who knows what seed?”
RETURNING ALL-CATHOLICS
(Selected by Daily News)
FIRST-TEAM OFFENSE
John Connors, SJ Prep, L; Mike “Tuna” Bucella, O’Hara, L; Maurice
Stovall, Carroll, Rec.; Kyle Ambrogi, SJ Prep, RB.
FIRST-TEAM DEFENSE
Kevin LeSage, Bonner, B.
SECOND-TEAM OFFENSE
Pete Chromiak, SJ Prep, Rec.
SECOND-TEAM DEFENSE
Mike Mailey, SJ Prep, L; Keary Packer, Wood, L; Ed Sabia, La Salle, LB.
HONORABLE MENTION
Jim Lachman, SJ Prep, Rec.; Bill Hartley, Wood, RB; Sean McGovern, Dougherty, QB;
John Spinosa, Wood, QB; Greg Hennigar, Judge, QB; Brian O’Meara, McDevitt, DL; Joe
Lamina, Conwell-Egan, LB.
Note: Coaches' records are through last season.