FOOTBALL PREVIEW: A WINNING CRUSADE?

With 22 returning varsity lettermen, 19 of whom are seniors, from amid a 78-player tryout, this was “arguably the largest turnout in
school history,” said St. Paul’s coach Dave Dolch, who is looking at “an exciting year.”

Last year’s record: 6-4, 5-3 MIAA B Conference

Offense: Spread

Defense: 4-4

Returning starters: Offensive 5, Defense 7

Top players: Brian Taaffe, Sr., RB-QB, 6-4, 215;
Rich Clough, Sr., 6-4, 215, OL-DL; Sean Richardson, Sr., OL-DL, 5-9, 275; Colby Roane, Sr., WR-DB, 5-5, 155; Lance Roberts, Jr., WR-DB, 5-10, 175; Mike Shipley, Sr., OL-LB, 6-1, 185; Peter Smyth, Sr., LB-OL-WR, 6-1, 195; Dimitri Hajimihalis, Sr., 5-7, 210; Ryan Gilway, Sr., OL-DL, 6-2, 250; Jake Fradkin, Sr., RB-LB, 6-1, 195; Spencer Sims, Jr., RB-LB, 5-9, 195; Scott Matthews, Sr., WR-DB, 6-0, 190; Brian Prater, Jr., PK, 5-11, 170; Chris Wilson, Sr., OLB-WR, 5-10, 160; Tim Adams, Soph.,RB-DB, 5-9, 175; Mike Kogelschatz, Soph., Jr., OL-DL, 6-2, 230; Sean Sullivan, Jr., OL-DL, 6-2, 220; Chip Leigh, Soph., OL-DL, 6-2, 190; Austin Crabill, Jr., Jr., WR-DB, 6-1, 185;
Dennis Michalos, Sr., WR-DB, 5-10, 165; Garrett Byron, Jr., OL-DL, 6-1, 165; Tyler Feeley, Sr., P-PK, 6-1, 185.

Outlook: Dolch, who began coaching 31 years ago as an assistant at Western Maryland College, is ecstatic about this year’s prospects.

â??It will be an exciting year,” Dolch said, “where the fruits of hard work meet the opportunity to experience the fun associated with success.”

Dolch has 22 returning varsity lettermen, 19 of whom are seniors. The Crusaders boasted a 78-player tryout, “arguably the largest turnout in school history,” Dolch said.

The Crusaders will play an 11-game regular season schedule for the first time beginning today at Calvert Hall, and including three-time Baltimore County 4A-3A League champ Perry Hall and defending MIAA A Conference champ McDonogh.

The Crusaders “should prove to be a contender for the MIAA B Conference Championship,” Dolch said. â??While we have competed on perennial bases for the championship and won a share twice in the last five years, it is history now.”

Taaffe has thrown for 14 touchdowns and over 1400 yards at St. Paulâ??s, Dolch said. “There are good receivers to throw to” in Matthews, Roane and Fradkin.

“Roberts is a junior wide receiver who should have a big season,” Dolch said. “Adams is a super sophomore running back who started as a freshman in the second half of last season.”

Wilson returns to football following a year off, Clough and Sullivan are back as starters on the offensive line. Hajimihalis is a three-year starter at DT, Gilway returns at the other DT spot.

Smyth leads a quality defensive front as a returning All-MIAA B Conference DE. Shipley has started
since the end of his freshman year at LB. Fradkin, Wilt and Krieger “provide a good core at LB,” Dolch said.

Sims adds experience and depth. Crabill “will be a great boost to the defense,” Dolch said.

“The defensive secondary is in good hands with the return of Matthews and Michalos moving up from the junior varsity,” Dolch said.