Defending champion Knott opens season against Fisher
By ANDREW SOUKUP, COLIN BOYLAN and
JOHNNY LEITNER
Who said regular season games donÕt matter?
SundayÕs interhall football season opener between Fisher and Knott is more than just a season opener. ItÕs a rematch of last yearÕs semifinal, which Knott won 7-0 in overtime on their way to the interhall championship.
ÒThey knocked us out of the playoffs last year,Ó said Fisher co-captain Dahx Marrs. ÒI think itÕs safe to say weÕre motivated this time around.Ó
Many can expect to see the smash-mouth football team that carried Fisher to the semifinal last year. ÒWeÕre just going to keep powering through the middle,Ó said Marrs. ÒWeÕve spent most of our practices working on our offense, teaching the young guys the plays.Ó
Quarterback Byron Levkulich will direct the Wave aerial assault, and junior Steve Doherty is one of FisherÕs top receivers.
The Wave also have an experienced defense. Junior co-captain Dean Koralis leads an elite linebacker corps that includes Ray Aftandilians, Andrew Wagemaker, and Justin Westervelt. ÒWeÕre pretty solid,Ó Koralis said. ÒWeÕve got a lot of guys coming back, and I think that will make a big difference.Ó
However, FisherÕs veteran defense will have a difficult time containing KnottÕs versatile offense.
ÒI think youÕll see the ball spread out a lot more simply because we have so many offensive weapons,Ó said Knott co-captain Brian Pawloski.
Fifth-year senior Mario Suarez returns at quarterback to lead KnottÕs high-powered, balanced offense. When Suarez isnÕt throwing to receivers Jonathan Smith and Pawloski, heÕs most likely handing off to running back Pat Virtue. ÒPat loves to hit,Ó Pawloski said. ÒHeÕll see someone coming at him, and heÕll actually lower his shoulders and initiate contact.Ó
Knott is just as dominant on defense. ÒOur defense was the best in the league last year,Ó Pawloski said. ÒThis year, they can only improve.Ó KnottÕs ruthless defensive line will have to play perfectly to stop FisherÕs powerful running attack, anchored by tailback Zach Allen.
If Knott can force Fisher to go to the air, freshman Brian Schmutzler could make LevkulichÕs day miserable.
ÒI go up against Brian in scrimmages, and heÕs easily the best corner IÕve faced off against,Ó Pawloski said.
Fisher is clearly looking forward to SundayÕs game. ÒWe want to get them back for last year, and I think we have the talent to beat them,Ó said Marrs. ÒIf we stick to our offense and leave it all on the field, weÕll be tough to beat,Ó he said.
The Juggs know just how difficult SundayÕs game will be. ÒFisher was the toughest opponent we faced all year, and I donÕt see how itÕll be different this year,Ó Pawloski said.
However, the defending interhall champions are confident they can beat Fisher. ÒWe can hurt teams anywhere Ñ offense, defense, it doesnÕt matter,Ó Pawloski said. ÒWeÕre just so deep and versatile. We have so many options available that itÕs hard for teams to prepare for us, much less beat us.Ó
Zahm vs. St. Edwards
Another chapter in what is widely known as the longest and most bitter of all dorm rivalries will be written this Sunday at 2 p.m. on the Stepan field.
St. Edwards Hall hopes to reverse its football fortunes against neighboring Zahm Hall in a key opening day match-up.
St. EdÕs is optimistic about an offense that returns veteran players at all key skill positions. Led by running back Ernesto Lacayo and playmaking wide receiver Nick Sciola, the offense has the potential to score points in bursts.
The quarterback position, which was a question mark last year, is now solidified under the leadership of Tim Greene, who threw for four touchdowns in the teamÕs final three games last year.
Defensively, linebackers Mike Garafola and Jason Davila anchor a relatively young unit. The defense will play a key role in the StedsmenÍs success this year. Two of their losses last season were by a single point.
On the other side of the field, Zahm Hall will look to improve on last yearÕs disappointing finish. Expectations are high as quarterback Dan Burke and receivers Brian Zant and Joe Saenz return from last yearÕs squad.
But the key to the teamÕs prosperity might lie in the success of freshman running back Lawrence Santiago. A defense which features Defensive Lineman Peter Countryman and Linebacker Gabe Ibanez might cause concern for the St. EdÕs offensive attack.
Not traditionally known as an interhall powerhouse, St. EdÕs doesnÕt have history on its side as it tries to muster its first win in recent memory. Even Greene is cautious about predicting success.
ÒWeÕll have eleven guys out there on Sunday and just go from there,Ó he said.
Even so, emotions should be high for this opening day battle.
ÒThey havenÕt really fielded a team the past couple of years, so I canÕt say thereÕs much hate between us,Ó said Zant.
Carroll vs. Siegfried
The Bears vs. the Packers. Army vs. Navy. Notre Dame vs. Boston College.
Carroll vs. Siegfried?
Although their rivalry is a bit short on tradition, this match-up promises to be a game of intensity and ferocity, as both squads are hungry for an opening day victory.
When they hit Stepan Field at 1 p.m. this Sunday, Siegfried will aim to build upon their momentum from last season, a campaign that found them only one win shy of the championship game. Carroll, who did not field a team in 1999, hopes that their rejuvenated program can start fast with a strong showing this weekend.
The Siegfried Ramblers, led by captains Rob Plumby, Travis Smith, and Peter Aguiar, return twelve players from last yearÕs team. Along with a dozen new recruits, the team plans on employing a variety of styles and tactics in their clash with Carroll.
Siegfried boasts a veteran core of skill position players who will enable the offense to Òdo a little bit of everything,Ó according to junior quarterback Rob Plumby. He, along with Smith, a running back, and Aguiar, a flanker, intend to mix up their ground game with an explosive air attack that will light up the scoreboard early and often.
ÒWeÕre going to play hard and surprise some people,Ó predicted Plumby.
The Ramblers will be introducing some significant changes to their 2000 game plan, including the institution of a new offensive system. However, donÕt expect any slow starts on either side of the ball.
The defense has more size and aggressiveness than last yearÕs team, said Travis Smith.
As for the offense, Siegfried looks for dynamic play that
will fuel them on their quest to avenge last yearÕs finals loss to Sorin.
ÒThe Ramblers will be as tough or tougher than last year,Ó said Smith.
The Vermin of Carroll Hall, following a one-season hiatus from interhall football, is back in action in 2000 with a young and enthusiastic team. Led by sophomore captains Geoff Polk, a linebacker, and Kevin Thomas, a safety, Carroll hopes to be spearheaded by a big-play offense and a commanding defense. Like Siegfried, they plan to experiment with a variety of offensive schemes.
Captain Geoff Polk recognizes that the Vermin is a bit unaccustomed to the interhall gridiron, but he sees their young lineup as a positive.
ÒWe wonÕt be losing any players next year, and weÕve got a lot of good young guys,Ó said Polk.
As for their prospects against Siegfried, he anticipates an exciting but unpredictable game.
ÒWeÕll find out on Sunday,Ó Polk said.
All Sports Stories for Friday, September 15, 2000
