TAAC

Cardinal Stritch Cardinals

FROM LEFT: Row 1: Chris Blazevich, Able Castillo, Zach Denomy, Joe Sinay, Sean Donavan, Grant Curavo, Julius Nunez, Travis Rodriguez, Abbey Wlinski, head coach Jim Kubuske Row 2: Kevin Hohenberger, Eddie Uher, Tanner Langlois, Tyler Wolff, Andy Cousino, Seth Kebker, Joey Cousino, trainer Kim Frissora, coach Jake Kubuske Row 3: Austin Wlodarz, Jale Halcomb, Zach Naugle, Picky Pratt, Josh Kramer, Joey Irwin, DJ White, Michael Outland, coach Jason Schober Row 4: Chrisyian Buenrostro, Brandon Rodriguez, Cesar Barra, Stephen Materni, Adam Bruckner, Bryce Ritzler, Ternt Fuller, Rick, Hrebic, coach Gary Allen, coach Tom Katafiasz, coach Ron Bencivengo

Coach: Jim Kubuske, second year

Last season: 2-7, 2-5 TAAC

Returning letter winners: 12

Returning starters: Offense 6, defense 6

Schemes: double wing/4-3

Top players: Seniors Zack Demony, 6-0, 160, RB-S; John Seymour, 5-10, 225, OT-DT; Trent Fuller, 5-10, 170, TE-LB; Travis Rodriguez, 6-2, 175, WR-S; Julius Nunez, 5-8, 150, RB-LB. Juniors Steve Materni, 5-10, 230, G-LB; Cesar Baara, 5-11, 230, C-DE.

Outlook: The Cardinals will build around what Kubuske expects to be solid offensive and defensive lines. Demony rushed for 706 yards and scored six touchdowns in 2011.

Youth and inexperience may overwhelm Stritch, which includes 25 freshmen and sophomores among the 36 players. The Cardinals were picked to place sixth in the conference. The secondary is perhaps the biggest question mark going in.

"A lot is going to depend on how our young kids develop," said Kubuske, who enters his 30th overall season as a high school head coach with prior stints at six other Ohio schools. "They need to step up and deliver and mature quickly.

"A key will be the beginning of the season in our non-league games. We need to build some confidence to carry into the TAAC."

2012 CARDINAL STRITCH SCHEDULE

Aug. 25-Woodward at Clay

Aug. 31-at Woodmore

Sep. 7-Lakota at Clay

Sep. 15-Danbury at Clay

Sep. 21-Toledo Christian at Perrysburg

Sep. 29-Gibsonburg at Clay

Oct. 5-at Ottawa Hills

Oct. 13-Edon at Clay

Oct. 19-at Hilltop

Oct. 26-Northwood at Clay