season Preview
Offensively, the Celtics have some huge holes to
fill with the losses of All-State wide
receiver Mike Maher (St. Xavier), QB Brian Stroud (Western
Michigan), tailback Brandon Phillips (Grand Valley State) and WR/DB
Carson Cleveland (Air Force).
Quarterback Tom Barry has shown flashes of
brilliance during the off-season and the running back position
should be interesting and potentially explosive with Drew
Abernathy and Sean Lindbloom handling the Tailback position and
junior Calvin Smith at fullback. Hayden Grove and Dan Ruzich
gained valuable experience last year and made major
contributions during the playoff run at wide receiver. The
offensive line, however, could be the key. Returning
All-Conference performer Kevin Maloney will anchor a D-line that
has size (George Gniadecki 300 pounds), experience(Zach Panfil
playing time last year) and infusion of juniors Patrick Ward
(6-7 270) and Jake Lembke(6-1 240).
The Celtic defense is definitely a work in
progress. The defensive backfield will be led by Ken Eichorst
and Mark Coglianese(6 int’s in 2006) who saw significant time
last year as juniors. The linebacking crew is currently wide
open with the loss of last years inside starters Mike Barry (U
of St. Francis) and Neil Dahlman (Bowling Green)! Greg Bennett
returns as a starter outside, but inside backers Chase Pavlik,
Jim Byrne, Matt Hayes and Dan Burk are pushing each other for
the starting nod. Other key players among linebackers and DB’s
will be Joe Crylen, Joe Michals, Frank Carioti, Mark Houlihan,
Shane Paty and Eric Sawicki.
Just as with the offense, the defense has the
potential to be very good on the line. Paddy O’Connell and Dave
Togher return as starters. Josh Lembke saw playing time last
season and sophomore Steve Laski could be a contributor.
On special teams, Senior Mike Sodic and Junior
Pat Wright will share kicking and punting duties. Both have
worked a lot in the off-season and appear to be much improved.
The Coglianese staff has some subtle but
noticeable changes. Look closely and you will see that the
varsity staff includes Josh Ditzler(’99) coaching D-line, Tom
Lenahan(’99) coaching O-Line, Sean Lucas(’96) with receivers,
and Andy Hopkins(’03) guiding the kickers. Gregg Braun(’98) is
coaching DB’s on the sophomore staff. On the freshman staff,
Nick Stanton(’03) is tutoring the QB’s and Zach Weber(’06)
helping with the O-Line. That’s SEVEN former Providence players
who know what it takes to win championships!
Coach Cogs has tweaked his staff, has a year
under his belt, and the Celtics appear to have the high
expectations and hunger to succeed that has brought them 9 State
Titles in years past! |
