One of the biggest challenges high school football programs face year after year is replacing top players lost to graduation.
For the most part, Saint Patrick has avoided that hurdle this year, as the Shamrocks enter the 2016 campaign loaded with talented returners ready to make an even bigger impact this season.
A trio of senior award winners from last year – wide receiver Andrew Edgar (MVP), running back Niko Childress (Offensive MVP) and defensive back Mike Valicento (Defensive MVP) – are all ready to reunite with St. Pat’s other nine returning starters and lead the way in the Shamrocks push for a return to the postseason.
OFFENSE
Wide Receivers
St. Pat’s offensive skill players figure to be a force to reckon with all season long.
Edgar – who led the Shamrocks in receptions (58), receiving yards (765) and touchdown catches (7) last season – “runs unbelievable routes and has unreal hands,” according to coach Dan Galante, and leads the way for a deep, talented receiving corps.
Jonathan Hamilton – the team’s third leading receiver last season – also returns, and as the tallest player on the team at 6-foot, 3 inches, he’ll be a giant target in the passing game. Senior Patrick Byrne also figures to be an important part of the aerial attack this year, as does junior Brett Rosenbusch, the Shamrocks fourth-most targeted wideout a year ago.
Running Backs
Following a stellar junior season in which he ran for 985 yards and 11 touchdowns in just seven games, Niko Childress appears ready to put together another stellar season out of the backfield.
“He’s put in the work. He’s very fast and he’s very strong,” Galante said. “The thing that’s great about him is he doesn’t go down on one tackle. His yards after first contact are impressive.”
Childress will be backed up by junior speedster Joey Solak, St. Pat’s No. 2 rusher last season. The Shamrocks will look to senior Luis Rivera when they need to pound the ball up the middle.
Quarterbacks
Senior signal caller Anthony Mazzenga put up excellent numbers in limited action last season, and followed that up with a stellar camp this summer that ultimately led to him win the starting job.
“He knows the whole offense and he’s a very good decision maker,” Galante said. “He knows who to get the ball to. Physically, he’s much better through his conditioning in the offseason and mentally he’s made huge strides.
“His confidence level is very high right now, in a good way. He’s confident, not cocky.”
Although he threw just 16 passes a season ago, Mazzenga actually had the highest quarterback rating of any quarterback on the roster. He completed 11-of-16 passes for 143 yards and three touchdowns, and did not throw a single interception.
Rosenbusch will serve as the Shamrocks backup QB.
Offensive Line
St. Pat’s offensive line will be anchored by three returning senior starters: center Steve Lombardi and tackles Colm Keane and Mike Taylor. That group will be joined in the starting five by senior guard Nick Kolodziej and junior guard Joseph Immordino.
With an average weight of 255 pounds among his starting O-linemen, Galante thinks the group will be able to impact the game in many ways this year.
“This is a good size line,” he said. “I’ve been impressed with them. We’re going to be able to run the ball and pass protect at a high level.”
Senior David Ramos and junior Marty Ryan will also fill in on the O-line throughout the year.
When he’s not lined up as a wide receiver, Hamilton will serve as the Shamrocks’ tight end.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
A pair of experienced pass rushers return to lead St. Pat’s efforts on the D-line.
Seniors Roc Salvo and Louis Cerone, who led the team in sacks in 2015, will man the edge and provide leadership for the entire unit.
“Their game is quickness but they’re both strong,” Galante said. “They’re really good stunting and moving.”
That pair will be joined on the defensive front by junior defensive tackle Victor Traversa and nose tackle Paul Garcia.
Hamilton, Kolodziej, Ramos, Ryan, senior Hugh Gallagly and junior Korrey Shelton will all see time on the D-line, as well.
Linebackers
The Shamrocks appear to be set at a position that demands leadership.
St. Pat’s two inside linebackers, Senior Ivan Gonzalez and junior Thomas Tedesso, are also two of St. Pat’s four captains (along with Childress and Mazzenga) and will have a lot of responsibilities this season. In addition to getting the team lined up and calling out adjustments, the pair will be called upon to drop back into coverage and stuff the run on a regular basis.
Galante doesn’t think his guys will have any trouble handling the workload.
“They’re both real physical kids, and they’re both coming into their own this year,” he said.
Seniors Connor Sisk and Anthony Grassini will be the Shamrocks starting outside linebackers. Rivera and junior Christian Cotto will play key roles as reserve linebackers.
Secondary
In addition to the return of Valicento, a corner who had three interceptions last season and was named defensive MVP, this unit should also see an additional boost from its positional coach.
Galante has taken the defensive backs on as the position group he focuses on during practice, giving special attention to a unit that faces a lot of complexities with various schemes and play calls.
Solak and Valicento will be up to the challenge at cornerback, as will Edgar and junior Joey Lombardi. Byrne will start at free safety for the Shamrocks, alongside senior strong safety Mike Coughlin, who had a pair of picks last season.
Senior Malachy Rahlfs and junior Justin Ortiz well be St. Pat’s reserve safeties.
SPECIAL TEAMS
Rosenbusch will be the Shamrocks kicker this season, handling kickoffs, filed goals and PATs. Hamilton returns as the punter. Rahlfs will handle long snapping duties.
The kick returners will be Childress and Joey Lombardi, while Edgar and Byrne will return punts.
The Shamrocks open their season at Soldier Field on Sunday, August 28, against St. Rita.
