2013 HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PREVIEW

Cardinal Stritch Cardinals

Toledo Area Athletic Conference

2013 Cardinal Stritch Cardinals

Row 1: Austin Wlodarz, Chris Blazevich, Nathan Martin, Michael Outland, Stephen Materni, Cesar Baara, Eddie Uher

Row 2: Jake Halcomb, Seth Kebker, Ricky Pratt, James Dobson, Joe Sinay, Grant Curavo, Tanner Langlois, Connor Ryan

Row 3: Sean Donovan, Abel Castillo, Ricky Lopez, Bobby Romstadt, Andrew Cousino, D.J. White, Josh Kramer, Rick Hrebic, Jared Sutphin

Row 4: Tyler Wolff, Drew Beier, Thomas Hardy, Bryce Ritzler, Matthew Luettke, Zach Naugle, Justice Butler, Lorenzo Garcia

Row 5: CeCe Gozdowski (manager), coaches Nick Fuller, Todd Baden, head coach Brian Wical, Gary Allen, Tom Katafiasz

ABOUT THE TEAM

Coach: Brian Wical, first year

Last season: 1-9, 0-7 TAAC

Returning letter winners: 18

Returning starters: Offense 7, defense 7

Schemes: Hybrid wing-T/​3-5-3

Top players: Seniors Stephen Materni, 5-10, 200, OL-DL; Michael Outland, 5-11, 225, OL-DL. Juniors Joe Sinay, 6-2, 210, QB-LB; Chris Blazevich, 6-0, 160, QB-DB; Austin Wlodarz, 5-8, 160, FB-LB; Ricky Pratt, 5-10, 185, FB-LB. Sophomore Grant Curavo, 5-10, 165, WB-LB.

Outlook: Wical begins his first season with 33 players, but only four seniors. He expects the Cardinals to be effective running the ball, and to create a decent pass rush defensively. His top concern is pass coverage from the secondary.

Stritch’s top graduation loss was back Zach Denomy, who rushed for 836 yards and 11 TDs in 2012.

“Our football team has put in a lot of effort and work in the offseason,” Wical said. “We have a lot of potential to have a great season in the TAAC. Our goal is to compete in every game and hopefully be in a position to make the playoffs at the end of the year.”

CARDINAL STRITCH SCHEDULE

Aug. 30-Woodward at Clay

Sep. 6-Woodmore at Clay

Sep. 13-at Lakota

Sep. 20-at Danbury

Sep. 27-Toledo Christian at Clay

Oct. 4-at Gibsonburg

Oct. 11-Ottawa Hills at Clay

Oct. 18-at Edon

Oct. 25-Hilltop at Clay

Nov. 1-at Northwood