
Coach Dan Bielli
RESULTS,
YEAR BY YEAR |
1999 |
W-L |
Carr. |
Opp |
Reg. Season |
|
|
|
Kennedy-Kenrick |
W |
33 |
7 |
Wood |
W |
42 |
21 |
Dougherty |
W |
21 |
2 |
Conwell-Egan |
W |
40 |
6 |
West Catholic |
W |
37 |
13 |
McDevitt |
W |
3 |
0 |
Neumann |
W |
28 |
15 |
Playoffs |
|
|
|
Dougherty |
W |
28 |
7 |
McDevitt |
L |
10 |
14 |
|
8-1 |
242 |
85 |
2000 |
W-L |
Carr. |
Opp |
Reg. Season |
|
|
|
Kennedy-Kenrick |
W |
38 |
0 |
Wood |
W |
77 |
0 |
Dougherty |
W |
42 |
0 |
Conwell-Egan |
W |
49 |
0 |
West Catholic |
W |
74 |
7 |
McDevitt |
W |
27 |
0 |
Neumann |
W |
34 |
6 |
Playoffs |
|
|
|
Neumann |
W |
49 |
0 |
McDevitt |
W |
42 |
10 |
|
9-0 |
432 |
23 |
2001 |
W-L |
Carr. |
Opp |
Reg. Season |
|
|
|
West Catholic |
W |
35 |
0 |
Neumann |
W |
28 |
0 |
Dougherty |
W |
41 |
6 |
Wood |
W |
47 |
8 |
Conwell-Egan |
W |
40 |
0 |
McDevitt |
W |
28 |
6 |
Kennedy-Kenrick |
W |
42 |
0 |
Playoffs |
|
|
|
Neumann |
W |
34 |
13 |
Wood |
W |
28 |
7 |
|
9-0 |
323 |
40 |
2002 |
W-L |
Carr. |
Opp |
Reg. Season |
|
|
|
West Catholic |
L |
21 |
28 |
Neumann |
W |
24 |
13 |
Dougherty |
W |
45 |
6 |
Wood |
W |
21 |
7 |
Conwell-Egan |
W |
28 |
21 |
McDevitt |
W |
21 |
14 |
Kennedy-Kenrick |
W |
26 |
12 |
Playoffs |
|
|
|
Conwell-Egan |
W |
21 |
14 |
West Catholic |
W |
22 |
7 |
|
8-1 |
229 |
122 |
Total |
|
1226 |
270 |
Average |
|
34.1 |
7.5 |
TOP 10 PERFORMANCES |
Rushing |
Opponent |
Year |
Yards |
Brian Mattaway |
Dougherty |
2000 |
185 |
Ryan Stewart |
McDevitt |
2002 |
175 |
Brian Mattaway |
Wood |
1999 |
156 |
Charlie Hurley |
K-K |
2000 |
148 |
Ryan Stewart |
Neumann |
2002 |
143 |
James Roderick |
C-E |
2002 |
140 |
Mike Larkin |
Neumann |
2000 |
134 |
James Roderick |
Neumann |
2001 |
134 |
Charlie Hurley |
Neumann |
1999 |
125 |
Charlie Hurley |
Dougherty |
2000 |
124 |
Passing |
Opponent |
Year |
Yards |
Pat Brochet |
Wood |
2001 |
192 |
Pat Brochet |
Neumann |
2001 |
160 |
Kevin Waterman |
McDevitt |
1999 |
142 |
Pat Brochet |
K-K |
2001 |
142 |
Kevin Waterman |
Wood |
1999 |
130 |
Pat Brochet |
C-E |
2001 |
130 |
Pat Brochet |
McDevitt |
2001 |
126 |
Derek Zambino |
McDevitt |
2000 |
125 |
Kevin Waterman |
West |
1999 |
122 |
Pat Brochet |
Neumann |
2001 |
117 |
Receiving |
Opponent |
Year |
Yards |
Maurice Stovall |
Wood |
2001 |
115 |
Matt Pascucci |
Wood |
1999 |
102 |
Maurice Stovall |
C-E |
2001 |
89 |
Chaz Scott |
McDevitt |
2001 |
84 |
Maurice Stovall |
Neumann |
2001 |
81 |
Chaz Scott |
Neumann |
2001 |
79 |
Mike Larkin |
McDevitt |
2000 |
68 |
Mike Larkin |
Wood |
2000 |
62 |
Chaz Scott |
West |
2002 |
59 |
John Trainor |
West |
1999 |
58 |
|
Tribute Page
Carroll's Great Start
In Catholic Blue Play
The Catholic League started its Enrollment Era in 1999. Over the first
four seasons, Carroll racked up a 34-2 record in Blue Division play and went
3-1 in championship games. The Patriots won their first of three consecutive
titles in 2000. Here is that story . . .
By Ted Silary
Jeff Vanak
won't lose sleep over the B he recently received.
After all, one of his few non-A's ever came in AP literature.
"It's a really hard course," Vanak said. "Plus, I'm not the greatest
writer."
Who is? Whoever penned the script for Archbishop Carroll High's 2000
football season.
Saturday night at frigid Northeast High, the 6-2, 235-pound Vanak blocked
well at tight end and involved himself in three sacks (one full, two half)
at defensive end as Carroll thumped Bishop McDevitt, 42-10.
The yield was the Catholic Blue championship and the first perfect season
(13-0) in the school's 33-year history.
En route, coach Dan Bielli's Patriots rolled up 584 points (44.9 average)
to annihilate the city-leagues season record (457); set modern marks for
most points in a game and biggest victory margin while stomping Archbishop
Wood, 77-0; never won by fewer than 24 points; allowed just 42 points (3.2
average); and posted eight shutouts (six in a row).
One problem: They didn't do so in Big Boy Land, the league's Red
Division.
"I think we all knew it could come to this," Vanak said, referring to
lingering questions about Carroll's greatness. "I never wanted the Catholic
League to go to the big-small setup. We lost our good rivalries against
O'Hara and St. Joe's Prep. I liked playing those teams.
"I think the outcome of our season would have been the same, at 13-0, but
we'll never know. Finding out just wasn't meant to be.
"No matter who wins the small division. . .Just not the same. Just the
difference in the crowds was enormous (maybe 2,000 compared with 8,000).
They had people standing all around the field. At ours, I think you could
have found a seat."
Next year, Vanak might be occupying classroom seats at Harvard. He ranks
fourth in his class and has scored 1,310 on the SAT. Already, he
attends Villanova.
Vanak reports at 8:30 each morning, where he takes 50-minute classes in
government and psychology before it's back to Carroll for the rest of the
day.
"I'm prouder of my academic accomplishments than my football
accomplishments," said Vanak, who will soon become a two-time first team
Daily News All-City honoree. "My parents [Tom, Joanne] really push education
and I've worked at it.
"I'll only be playing football for four more years at the most. Doing
well in school will help me for the rest of my life.
"At Villanova, no one is told that you're a high school kid. Not even the
professor. They leave it up to you whether you want to tell anyone. I've
basically kept my mouth shut. At some point, just because you do talk to
people in your class, it eventually gets out. It's been a good experience
for me."
He laughed. "It's free, too. Can't beat that."
Vanak was offered a scholarship by Delaware before the season. He is
still considering the Blue Hens along with Harvard (official visit next
week) and Villanova, among others.
Vanak finished with 501/2 career sacks. He hit five-oh with 5 minutes, 35
seconds remaining when he dropped Dave Melcher for a 4-yard loss.
"I'll always have that accomplishment in my back pocket," he said.
"That's a nice number. Not many kids get anywhere close. Getting it in the
same game where we won the championship makes it more special. "
Vanak, whose brother, John, a junior, started at guard, said he sensed
impending greatness when the current seniors were freshmen. He knew it last
year as the Patriots rolled to an 11-0 start with a high number of juniors.
The '99 season ended with losses to Malvern Prep and McDevitt. Saturday
night, the Lancers jumped to a 10-0 lead as Melcher ran 60 yards for a
touchdown and Sean Hughes thumped a 36-yard field goal.
"We did think a little about how Prep [entering at 12-0] had lost to
O'Hara [in the Red title game]," Vanak said. "At least I did. We talked to
each other. Stayed focused. Didn't panic. We got good emotion going while we
were going for a score on our very next drive. We all fed off that."
Carroll received touchdowns from Brian Mattaway (two), Maurice Stovall,
Mike Larkin, Jeff Kobilka and Charlie Hurley. Those by Mattaway and Kobilka
came on interception returns, Nos. 6 and 7 of the season for the team.
(Carroll had four other return TDs).
"There might be somebody as good as them in the Catholic League, but
there's nobody better," McDevitt coach Pat Manzi said. "They can run inside,
run outside, pass. But as good as the offense is, the defense sets the
tempo."
All season, as the teams remained perfect, CL fans called for a special
Prep-Carroll showdown.
Would the Patriots like to challenge O'Hara?
"I'm thrilled to death with 13-0," Bielli said. "We'll put the stuff
away."
After being prodded, he added: "I know the game's not going to take
place. I know the people downtown [archdiocese] aren't going to sanction it.
. . But if I do get a call from downtown, and if these kids want to practice
another week, we'll be out there [today], ready to go." |
This story was written after Dan led
the Patriots to second consecutive title . . .
By Ted Silary
ARCHBISHOP CARROLL High's 1999 football season was history and James
Roderick, like every member of the
freshman team, was filling out a questionnaire.
Out of general curiosity, and always looking for ways to improve his
team, varsity coach Dan Bielli asked his
up-and-comers what positions they'd like to play, given the opportunity.
Roderick, already a rock, physically, and a budding two-way lineman,
circled fullback.
"I always liked the idea of trying to run," he said. "I knew I was big
for a running back, but . . .
"I wanted the chance. I figured, 'If I'm good at it, go for it. If I'm
not, they'll get someone who is. ' No problem. I'd
go back to being a lineman."
The occasion yesterday at Northeast High, in front of maybe 1,000, was
the once-postponed Catholic Blue title game.
Even in an areawide search - let alone a Carrollwide search - for fullbacks
able to truck/drag defenders seemingly at
will, it's doubtful Bielli could have found someone better than Roderick.
At 6-1, 260 pounds, the lad is a serious load, folks.
In this one, the junior rumbled 25 times for 148 yards and two touchdowns
as the Patriots wilted Archbishop
Wood, 28-7, to capture their second consecutive crown.
"This was one of my better games. Great time to have it," said the
affable Roderick.
Bielli recalled not doing a double-take when Roderick indicated his
desire to be a rusher.
"Actually, I was all for it," Bielli said. "Our offense [coordinated by
Fran Murphy] is kind of complicated and I did
tell Murph he'd have to show a lot of patience because James was going to be
brand-new to everything. But I said,
'This kid has a real possibility to blossom.'
"Thank goodness we stuck with him and showed patience."
Roderick was the JV fullback last season and the varsity backup through
the first three games of this one. He posted
100-yard efforts in his final three games, and next year it might take an
elephant gun to bring him down.
So, back in '99, did Roderick truly believe he'd be given a shot at
running?
"Mr. Bielli is the gym teacher," he said. "He came up to me one day in
the gym and said, 'I see you want to be a
running back. We're going to give you a chance.' "
Did Roderick believe that?
"I believe everything that man says," he noted, smiling broadly.
Roderick was not the Patriots' first headliner yesterday.
That honor went to Mike Malandra, who returned the opening kickoff 91
yards for a touchdown.
Carroll had nailed Wood to the tune of 124-8 in the teams' last two
meetings (77-0 last year, 47-8 this year), but
those who expected the Vikings to go away whimpering after that early shock
were mistaken.
Quarterback John Spinosa, unavailable for this season's first meeting,
scrambled 4 yards for a TD midway through
the first quarter and Tom Laurich's PAT made it 7-6.
Carroll stiffened thereafter. Jared O'Shea, Sean Ryan and Maurice Stovall
(his 11th of the season) made
interceptions and Paul Rambo recovered a fumble. Roderick, doubling at down
lineman, made five tackles.
"It's not easy to go both ways at those positions," he said. "I just work
hard on conditioning.
"I love playing running back. You just go forward instead of side to
side. I know there are things I still have to work
on, like staying lower. "
The 6-5, 205-pound Stovall, who is lining up visits to Georgia Tech,
Virginia, Notre Dame and Michigan, had a
leaping, 41-yard catch in a scoring drive and a 7-yard TD catch. He also
vaulted over the goal line on a conversion run.
"We knew Wood was going to come strong on us because of how bad we beat
them in the last two games," Stovall said.
"We kept our poise and made some corrections on defense and did the job."
Carroll stormed to a 13-0 mark last season and went 12-1 this time, with
the only loss, 3-0, coming in Game No. 3 to
Monsignor Bonner, the Red runner-up.
Many pooh-pooh Carroll's accomplishments because the small-enrollment
Blue is considered (vastly?) inferior to the
large-enrollment Red.
When Bielli was asked how his title teams would have fared in an
all-one-league format, he did not hesitate.
"Last year we would have won it. We were better man-for-man," he said.
"This year I don't think we were the best team man-for-man. But with Mo
[Stovall], who's such a big variable, I think
we could have beaten any of those teams. St. Joe's, Bonner, Judge, O'Hara.
They're all terrific. But because of Mo and
the way these guys play, I think we would have had a shot."
Title tidbits
Carroll's fan contingent likely did not top 200 . . . Wood down lineman
Keary Packer made nine tackles . . . Carroll's
defense: ends John Vanak and Vince Lynam, tackles James Roderick and Pat
Kelly, linebackers Paul Rambo, Mike
Cutone and Mitch Yanak, cornerbacks Mike Malandra and Sean Ryan, safeties
Maurice Stovall and Jared O'Shea.
This story was written in 2002 after
the Patriots extended their title streak
to three . . .
By Ted Silary
You're the veteran quarterback of an 0-4 football team and your
confidence, if not shattered, is shaken.
You're Pat Brochet, of Archbishop Carroll High, and it's late September.
"I was down," Brochet said. "But I didn't want to say anything about
[contributing factors]. Being a captain, I kept
things inside. I listened to my dad and my coach and I believed them when
they said, 'You'll come through in the end.'"
The End, sports definition, is a championship game.
At one point, whether Carroll would advance to this year's was up for
white-hot debate. But it happened and Brochet
indeed came through.
At about 9:30 Saturday night, the 5-10, 175-pound Brochet was standing
tall at Roosevelt Field, in Norristown. He
was beaming, shaking hands, accepting slaps on his shoulder pads.
Carroll defeated West Catholic, 22-7, to win its third consecutive
Catholic League Blue Division title, raise its record
in the 4-year history of the Red-Blue competition to 34-2, and tie
Archbishop Ryan at 26 for the most wins in CL
playoff history.
Brochet passed 6-for-6 for 102 yards and twice picked up first downs with
runs. He went 4-for-4 in a six-play,
87-yard drive that ended 1 minute, 2 seconds before halftime and put the
Patriots ahead for good, at 10-7. The TD
came on a 32-yard flip to Chaz Scott.
Those passes were Brochet's first of the game.
"I was begging to throw," he said, smiling. "Not begging to anyone. Just
on the inside. I felt I was going to have a hot
hand, that I could do what needed to be done.
"When I was getting to Carroll, I saw Mr. Bielli [Dan, Carroll's coach]
getting out of his truck. I went right over to
him. 'Don't worry, coach. We've got this one. ' "
Thanks in large part to Maurice Stovall, who already is an impact
receiver at Notre Dame, Brochet last season passed
for 1,647 yards and 16 TDs. His 2002 numbers - 686 yards, eight touchdowns -
are modest.
"I was mad last year when I didn't make All-Catholic [except for
honorable mention]," he said. "This time, I didn't
have that great of a season, but I did make it, so that made me feel better.
"Now, to go out like this as a senior, it's a great, great feeling. I
can't even explain it."
Said Bielli: "Pat was definitely down for a while. But he's a tough guy.
He hung in there. I kept hitting him with
positive reinforcement. With the kinds of things anyone would like to hear
when they're messing up and not playing to
their potential for whatever reason. "
Carroll's James "Big Rig" Roderick (19 carries, 84 yards, two TDs) and
Ryan Stewart (nine carries, 88 yards)
handled much of the rushing and Ryan McGoldrick opened the scoring with a
31-yard field goal. Mike Cutone (10),
Will Bradley (nine) and Roderick (eight) led in tackles. Scott and Mitch
Yanak had interceptions.
Carroll's line included center Ryan Kelly, guards Mark Campetti and
Andrew Lahage, tackles Justin Faust and John
Lachman and ends Pete Novak, Matt Reilly and Brad Baer.
West's Curtis "Boonah" Brinkley, the all-time city season rushing leader
(2,635 with Thanksgiving vs. Penn Wood
remaining), carried 24 times for 121 yards and a TD. He added 4 receiving
yards and 46 return yards.
Carroll's only Blue losses have come in the '99 title game (14-10 to
Bishop McDevitt) and this year's opener (28-21
to West).
In 2000 and '01, the Patriots often crushed the opposition. Only once
this season did they win by more than 14 points.
"Not to shortchange the guys on those first two championship teams, but
this one's probably more satisfying," Bielli
said. "Because of the 0-4 start, for one thing, and because the Blue
Division this year was much closer to what people
wanted it to be [tight competition]. This team showed great resiliency.
Because we knew everyone was gunning for us,
the games were very stressful. But when they were over, the feeling was very
satisfying."
These players were
starters or key subs for Carroll's teams from 1999 through 2002. Please speak up
with adjustments/additions. Thank you. . .
tedtee307@yahoo.com.
Andrew Lahage |
G |
2002 |
Brad Baer |
WR |
2002 |
Brian Mattaway |
FB-LB |
1999-2000 |
Bryan Maguire |
LB |
2002 |
Carl Brooks |
DB |
1999 |
Charlie Hurley |
RB-DB |
1999-2000 |
Chaz Scott |
RB-WR-DB |
2001-02 |
Chris Hall |
DL |
2002 |
Curtis Costa |
RB |
2001 |
Dave Puliti |
DB |
2002 |
Dave Stroup |
E |
2000 |
Derek Zambino |
QB |
2000 |
Dom D'Alicandro |
C |
2000-01 |
Drew Shaw |
ILB |
2000 |
Drew Shaw |
RB-LB |
1999 |
Evan Dittler |
TE |
2001 |
James Roderick |
FB-DL |
2001-02 |
Jared O'Shea |
DB |
2001 |
Jeff Kobilka |
CB |
2000 |
Jeff Olivo |
WR-DB |
1999 |
Jeff Vanak |
TE-DE |
1999-2000 |
Jesse Roberts |
LB |
1999 |
Joe Cocco |
G-T |
1999-2000 |
Joe Daly |
G |
2000 |
Joe Hallinan |
T |
2000 |
Joe Tocco |
T |
2001 |
John Lachman |
T-DE |
2002 |
John Trainor |
TE |
1999 |
John Vanak |
G-DE |
1999-2001 |
|
Justim Faust |
T |
2002 |
Kevin Waterman |
QB |
1999 |
Mario Troia |
T |
2000 |
Mark Campetti |
G |
2002 |
Matt Kelly |
G |
2001 |
Matt Pascucci |
WR-DB |
1999 |
Matt Reilly |
WR |
2002 |
Matt Smith |
RB |
2001-02 |
Maurice Stovall |
WR-DB |
2000-01 |
Mike Cutone |
LB |
2002 |
Mike Larkin |
RB |
2000 |
Mike Malandra |
RB-DB |
2000-01 |
Mike Navarro |
T |
1999 |
Mitch Yanak |
LB |
2001-02 |
Pat Brochet |
QB |
2001-02 |
Pat Kelly |
DT |
2001 |
Paul Costa |
LB |
2001 |
Paul Rambo |
LB |
2001-02 |
Pete Novak |
TE |
2002 |
Ray Baysmore |
DB |
1999 |
Rob Reed |
DB |
1999 |
Ryan Kelly |
C |
2002 |
Ryan McGoldrick |
DB |
2002 |
Ryan Stewart |
RB-DB |
2002 |
Sean DeLuca |
LB |
2000 |
Sean Ryan |
DB |
2001 |
Tom Sabatino |
C |
1999 |
Vince Lynam |
T-DE |
2000-01 |
Will Bradley |
LB |
2002 |
Zach Torres |
T |
2001 |
|
--
Recaps of the Playoff Victories . . .
1999
Semifinal
Carroll 28, Dougherty 7
Brian Mattaway carried 26 times for 120 yards and two TDs
and Marty Higgins kicked field goals of 32 and 42 yards. For Dougherty,
Ben Dever ran for a TD and passed 13-for-29 for 163 yards and Sarina
Oeub, made seven catches for 97 yards.
2000
Semifinal
Carroll 49, Neumann 0
In the biggest postseason blowout in Catholic League
history, Maurice Stovall got things rolling with an 85-yard kickoff
return. Charlie Hurley and Mike Larkin ran for two scores apiece while
Derek Zambino scored once on a sneak and again on a 42-yard return of a
blocked punt. With seven PAT, Marty Higgins claimed the city-leagues
record for kicking points in a season (81).
Final
Carroll 42, McDevitt 10
The Patriots spotted McDevitt a 10-0 lead, then stormed to victory while
raising their season scoring advantage to an amazing 584-42 (45-3
average rounded off score). Brian Mattaway scored twice -- run,
interception -- while Maurice Stovall (pass from Derek Zambino), Mike
Larkin, Charlie Hurley (runs) and Jeff Kobilka scored once apiece. Marty
Higgins kicked six PAT to pad
his city-leagues records for season (73) and career (118). In all,
he finished with five marks. Pat Kelly made 10 tackles and Jeff Vanak
raised his career sack total to 50.5. For McDevitt, Dave Melcher
(60-yard run) became only the third CL player to score a TD vs. Carroll,
joining West's Abdul Sesay and Neumann's Owen McGuire. Sean Hughes added
a field goal.
2001
Semifinal
Carroll 34, Neumann 13
The Patriots exploded for 27 points in the final 15:16. Pat
Brochet passed 6-for-15 for 117 yards and one score apiece to Evan
Dittler and Chaz Scott. Maurice Stovall scored on a 52-yard interception
return while James Roderick added 134 yards and a TD on 15 rushes.
Neumann's Mark Meighan scored on a 64-yard fumble return.
Final
Carroll 28, Wood 7
Mike Malandra opened the game by returning the kickoff 91
yards for a TD, then turned over the heavy-duty work to 260-pound junior
James Roderick (25-148, two TDs). Maurice Stovall added a TD catch and
his 11th interception of the season; Jared O'Shea and Sean Ryan also
made
picks. Carroll (12-1) raised its two-year record to 25-1, with the only
loss coming to Bonner, by 3-0. For Wood, burned by Carroll to the tune
of 124-8 in the teams' previous two meetings (77-0 last year, 47-8
earlier in this season), down lineman Keary Packer made nine tackles.
2002
Semifinal
Carroll 21, Conwell-Egan 14
James Roderick made 11 tackles at down lineman and rushed 15
times for 140 yards and TDs of 54 and 7 yards. Ryan Stewart won it by
returning a punt 40 yards for a score with 1:36 left. C-E failed to
score on first-and-goal from the 1 just before halftime.
Final
Carroll 22, West Catholic 7
Carroll won its third consecutive title and lifted its
four-year record against Blue opposition to 34-2. Pat Brochet passed
6-for-6 for 102 yards and went 4-for-4 in a six-play, 87-yard drive that
ended 1 minute, 2 seconds before halftime and put the Patriots ahead for
good, at 10-7. The TD came on a 32-yard flip to Chaz Scott. James
Roderick (19-84, two TDs) and Ryan Stewart (9-88) handled much of the
rushing and Ryan McGoldrick opened the scoring with a 31-yard field
goal. Mike Cutone (10), Will Bradley (nine) and Roderick (eight) led in
tackles. Scott and Mitch Yanak had interceptions. The Patriots started
the season at 0-4, and the last of those setbacks was to West, by 28-21.
West's Curtis "Boonah" Brinkley, the all-time city season rushing leader
(2,635
to here; he finished with 2,813), carried 24 times for 121 yards and a
TD. |
--