By Ross Marrinson
rmarrinson@hgazette.com
—
Just days before defending Super Bowl champion-Whittier's opening night matchup against Southeastern, Coach Kevin Bradley is continuing to preach consistency and constant improvement to his team.
"We'll do something very well, and then we'll make a mistake," Bradley said. "A fumble, bad snap, a false start. But we're getting better all the time."
He'll hope so, as the team will travel south Friday night to face Southeastern at 7 p.m.
Two weeks into practice, Bradley is continuing to enlist the service of "athletes," players versatile enough to play multiple positions.
Quarterback is no exception, as the team is expected to play three behind center over the course of the season.
Junior Shane Surrette is a more typical, drop-back thrower, while junior Mike Melling creates opportunities with his feet. Junior Kyle Jenkins can line up and block for running backs or receivers in the backfield, a prime example of what a QB can do in a wildcat formation.
"A lot of our offense is the wildcat," Bradley said. "We've got the athletes, and we want to get them out there."
The same holds true for the running back position.
A total of 37 players carried the ball last season for the Wildcats, a number that doesn't surprise Bradley.
"We keep a lot of fresh bodies," he said.
Seniors Mark and Matt Asemota and junior Jack Creesy will provide strong, between-the-tackles interior running, while senior Paul Buccos will stretch the field with his speed and agility.
Also in the mix is sophomore Seth Bunnell, who's shown remarkable instincts, good cutting ability and strength throughout training camp and practice.
"He's going to be a good one," Bradley said.
On the outside, the team is as deep as it is versatile, employing the 6-3 senior speedster Mike Davis, and a tough, over-the-middle slot receiver in junior Bryan Roe.
"(Roe) just brings toughness," Bradley said. "Really hard to bring down."
Surrette, as well as sophomore Rob Curicio, will see playing time on the outside.
Bradley sees a huge amount of potential in the 6-foot sophomore.
"So smooth," he said. "Runs very good routes. He's just a good, young talent."
The lines will be the strengths of this year's team, as the youth of last year's championship squad has gained another valuable year of experience.
Leading the offensive line is junior Ryan Tragakis, a team leader on both sides of the ball.
"Speed and strength," Bradley said of Tragakis' skill set. "Big shoulders, big chest."
Junior Pat Lawlor will also see a majority of the snaps, as he's become one of the more intelligent players on the line.
"He's so smart, and he knows how to use all the angles," Bradley said of Lawlor. "He makes a lot of the calls out there."
Bryan Goulet outsizes them all, however, as the 6-8, 290-pound junior is being recruited by the University of Connecticut, Boston College and Texas A & M. Bradley says that while Goulet has good speed and good conditioning for someone his size, he still has room to improve his mechanics.
"He's got to learn how to stay low," he said.
Overall, Bradley is pleased with the progress he's seen with the experienced group.
"They've been solid so far," he said. "They have to dominate, have to."
Tragakis agrees, saying that the team is a work in progress.
"Basic fundamentals," Tragakis said. "We're perfecting our fundamentals."
On defense, the team will utilize a 4-4-3 set, and Bradley says the group is essentially all newcomers and all underclassmen.
"But very talented," he said.
Surrette will see time at the free safety spot, while Creesy and junior Cam Dubiel will occupy the two cornerback spots.
"We knew (Dubiel) could cover, but he's been making some great open-field tackles," Bradley said. "He's hitting hard."
The linebacker crew is solid, too, as the team lost veterans Nate Allen and Ralph Hancock to graduation last year. Allen is playing collegiately at Lebanon Valley, while Hancock is at UMass-Dartmouth.
The two interior linebackers spots will be occupied by seniors Ryan Shanahan and Jay Desjardins.
"They're filling some big shoes," Bradley said.
Desjardins will also see playing time at full back, and the coaches have seen marked improvement this year over last.
"He's the most improved player coming out of camp," Bradley said. "Unbelievable leader. He's done a 360."
A position battle is waging for the outside linebacker spots, as seniors Brendan Hoffses, Jim Dore and Jonathan Chhim are seeking to fill the two openings.
All bring something different, as Hoffses can rush the quarterback and alter passing lanes, Dore can provide interior run stopping and toughness, and Chhim can provide speed to protect the outside gaps and lanes.
"(Chhim) doesn't allow anyone to get outside," Bradley said. "All arms and legs."
On the defensive line, another strength of the team, there will be a power side — with Tragakis and senior 6-5 end Sean Ford — and a speed side — with Corey Gallo and Matt Asemota.
"So well-built," Bradley said of his power-side lineman. "And as fast as lightning," about his speed side lineman.
In the upcoming days before the first game of the 2010 season, Bradley and his coaching staff will continue to evaluate players and schemes to determine what to bring to Southeastern.
"We'll see what we're doing well, and what we're not doing well," Bradley said. "And then, we'll get rid of the plays we're not doing well. We'll be all right."
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