Dillon aims to avenge disappointing 1999 season end
By MATT CASSADY, JAMES VERALDI, and BRIAN SHARP
Sports Writers
The Dillon Big Red interhall football team looks for redemption Sunday afternoon as it faces an improved Stanford team at 3 p.m. at Stepan fields.
While Dillon was an impressive 3-1 during the regular season last year, the Big Red made a first round exit from the playoffs, falling victim to Knott Hall. Dillon looks to rebound from its early exit by relying on its ground game against Stanford.
ÒWe are going to mix it up,Ó linebacker-fullback and senior co-captain Jason Visner said. ÒBut primarily (we will do it) on the ground.Ó
Visner leads the defense against a Stanford offense that managed just 21 points last fall. The Griffins won their season opener 21-0 last year, and then failed to score a single point for the duration of their schedule.
ÒI think everyone who plays interhall has one goal: to get to the stadium at the end of the year,Ó Griffins senior captain Hugh Roberts said. ÒI guess it would be good to score more than 21 points though.Ó
In spite of last yearÕs offensive futility, Roberts sees this seasonÕs unit as one that is on the rise.
ÒLast year we had some problems with passing, so we had to depend a little too much on the run,Ó he said. ÒBut so far, our offense has looked pretty good.Ó
A Stanford defense Ñ which returns 10 of 11 starters from last year Ñ should give the offense time to develop. The presence of senior cornerback Corey Hartmann and junior defensive lineman Josh Kaakua will keep the defense up to the task of dealing with DillonÕs offensive arsenal.
That offensive arsenal will only go as far as its backfield takes it. Junior running backs Chris Crane and J.P Camardo, along with the senior fullback Visner will carry the bulk of the offensive load for the Big Red. When the running backs are not pounding the ball at the Griffins on the ground, it will be up to junior quarterback Tayt Odom to find the open man among an unproven receiving corps.
ÒI will just try to spread it around and find the open man,Ó Odom said. ÒI think our offense will primarily be running the ball, though.Ó
The Stanford defense must be wary of an altogether new offensive game plan from the Big Red. This season, Dillon has changed its offensive strategy, according to Odom.
ÒIn years past, we would run random plays here and there,Ó he said. ÒBut last spring after the season had ended, we sat down and went through some things, and we put a system in place.Ó Just how well that system works will come down to execution.
ÒI think we are the team to beat,Ó Visner said. ÒBut we still have to go do it on the field.Ó
This guarded optimism does not sell well with the Griffins. ÒI donÕt think anyone is the team to beat,Ó Roberts said. ÒLook what happened to Keenan and Keough last year. They both thought they were going to win it all last year and neither of them made it that far.Ó
Keenan vs. Morrissey
It may not have the hype of Notre Dame-Nebraska, but SundayÕs interhall football game between Keenan and Morrissey should be just as entertaining and hard-fought.
After suffering its first lost in three seasons last year, Keenan looks to build on a young team against an optimistic and experienced Morrissey team. The game will be held at 2 p.m.
Keenan brings a very young team to the field, particularly on defense, where they have to replace many graduated seniors. The defense is lead by captain linebackers Herb Giorgio and Brian Kuhitzer. Steve Gehrman anchors the defensive line.
Offensively, Keenan is lead by quarterback Billy Ellsworth and a young offensive line featuring mostly sophomores and freshmen. Overall, Keenan is focusing on rebuilding after dominating interhall football over the past three years.
Although relatively inexperienced in the secondary, Morrissey Hall will send an overall experienced team that lost only a few starters from a year ago.
The linebacker core of Vince DeGennaro, Jose Ronchetta, John Carver, and Joe Larson anchors the defense. Notable freshmen Justin Baumler will be rotating in at defensive end on an athletic defensive line lead by nose tackle Nick Davis.
Offensively, senior captain Mark Berndt will be replacing the legendary Danny Sullivan at quarterback. Other than Josh Rife replacing Steve Barlett at tailback, most of last yearÕs offensive starters are back. Morrissey was an underachieving team a year ago, and expects big things this year.
Alumni vs. OÕNeill
This weekend, Notre DameÕs varsity football team is not the only one that will enter into battle with an inexperienced hand at the helm of their battleship.
Alumni Hall will also be guided by a newcomer as they open up their season against OÕNeill this weekend at 2 p.m. on Sunday with freshman Chris Cottingham getting the starting nod at quarterback. They will also start freshman Alex Roodhouse at tailback.
Alumni hopes to build on the success they had last year. Dominating throughout the regular season with a relentless defense, they held their opponents without a point. Despite entering into the playoffs with the numberone seed, they fell in the first round.
A deep and experienced team, they return 16 players from that squad, and only took 8 new players this year. ÒI wish that we had thirty spots,Ó said team captain Mitch Karam. ÒSome of the kids we had to cut were very talented.Ó
Players to look out for are the freshmen offensive duo along with defensive standouts Pat Paquette and John Salivilno.
OÕNeill is looking to build some momentum to start the season with after a winless 1999 campaign. Sophomore Mark Yost, one of ten returnees, when asked how his team did last year, responded simply Ònot too wellÓ But he also added that they will be Òlooking for a W this week.Ó
Junior quarterback Paul Irvine will lead OÕNeillÕs wishbone attack, as they try to grind it out on their opponents. Regardless of the outcome, this should be just one of several games that will make for an exciting weekend full of great football.
All Sports Stories for Friday, September 15, 2000
