2008 Holy Cross Football ~ Home of the Crusaders
Crusaders Eye Upcoming Season
Waterbury- The 2008 Holy Cross Crusader Football team will start camp in less than a week. The main goal of camp is to get out of the two weeks without any significant injuries, but the Crusaders have had one focus over the past 9 months... Return to the CIAC Class SS Playoffs. The Crusaders fell one game short of that goal in '07 with a 21-20 loss to Woodland in Week 6. This season the Crusaders are looking beyond what kept them out of the playoffs last fall. A new season with some new faces, but the same goals.
Leading the Crusaders Offensively will be the return of four Offensive Linemen who saw significant time last season. Co-Captain Joe Brown will anchor the line as a returning starter at Left Tackle, along with Junior Right Guard Mike Lynch and Junior Left Guard Tanner Young who is making the transition from the Center position he played in '07. Taylor Birtwistle, who saw significant time in '07 and has shown great strides in his off-season work ethic, will get the nod at Center. The Right Tackle position is looking to be the whole of fulfillment to the Offensive Line, with Junior Ryan Kindulas and Seniors Joe Bocci and Andrew Marrone all vying for the final spot.
The rest of the Offense will be led by Junior Quarterback Ryan Plourde, who had two very good Junior Varsity seasons in '06 and '07. Plourde threw for 14 touchdowns during his '07 campaign and has enough athletic ability to throw on the run. Returning receivers include All-NVL Co-Captain Ben Ewald, who averaged 13.5 yards per catch in '07 and scored two big touchdowns on Thanksgiving Day to help the Crusaders rally past Wolcott. Senior Tim Bessette will also be at a receiver spot as well as the backup Quarterback, along with Senior receiver Dom Flammia. Juniors Patrick Cronin and Tom Lacaria, along with Seniors Christian Cuevas, C.J. Flinter, and Sophomores Brandon DiClementi and Louis Pella will contribute in the backfield.
Defensively, The Crusaders will be led by Senior Linebacker Mike Possemato, who started seven games in '07 and missed time due to injury. Seniors Drew Durant, M.J. DiVito, and Christian Cuevas will also give time to the Linebacker corps. The Defensive Line will feature returning starters Anthony Pennacchio, and Daniel Huggins-Penn. Seniors Joe Bocci and Mike Lasky will also be vying for a spot. The Defensive End spots will be a battle between Senior Andrew Marrone, Juniors Ryan Kalnins, and Brian Kolosky and Sophomore Chris D'Esposito. The Secondary will have the most depth, with Senior Ben Ewald leading the way. Ewald led the secondary last season with 3 interceptions, including a 48-yard return for a touchdown to seal a victory against Naugatuck. The defensive backfield will also feature Seniors Rob Pagliaro, Mike Philbin, and Dan Lucia. Juniors Stephan Coney and Joseph Giannelli will also be vying for time.
The Crusaders will open up their Pre-Season schedule on Saturday August 30th against FCIAC power Stamford. The Crusaders are 3-1 against the Black Knights over the last four years. Kickoff for that will be 10:00am at Holy Cross High.
Holy Cross Tailback Patrick Cronin (4) and Fulback Tom Lacaria (33) will lead the Crusader backfield going into the 2008 season. The Crusaders will open the first of three pre-season games at home against the Stamford Black Knights on Saturday August 30th at Holy Cross. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:00am.
2008 Pre-Season Schedule:
Aug. 30th Stamford 10:00am Sept. 2nd @ Southington 3:30pm Sept. 5th Hillhouse 6:00pm
