VALUABLE EXPERIENCE
SRA hopes 2017 sets stage for big season
PAWTUCKET – Over the past two years, veteran St. Raphael Academy mentor Mike Sassi hasn’t had a choice but to use freshmen and sophomores as varsity players.
The reasons: Either his upperclassmen, the guys with more experience, became injured during the rigors of playing a Division I-A schedule, or a lack of those juniors and seniors from registering.
Naturally, the Saints’ record (1-6 league, 3-8 overall) suffered as a result; they couldn’t keep pace with the deeper, more talented D-I clubs like Hendricken and La Salle.
Sassi, however, is beginning to see taking that unenviable direction bear fruit. He will return 15 starters to the varsity squad this summer and fall, and it all starts with his three senior tri-captains: Thomas Arsenault (OT/DT); Andrew Stephens (WR/MLB); and James Coleman (FB/LB).
Other senior starters will include Pride Clark ( RB/SS); Christian Abis (WR/CB); Tyree Martin (OG/DE); Ryan Bricault (C/DE); Billy Baxter-Lima (C/ LB); Garmodeh Willie (G/DT); and Walter DeBarros (WR/CB).
Then there’s a quartet of juniors, among them Andrew Andella (WR/FS), Albert Guwoe (G/DE); Devin O’Malley (slot/SS/QB) and Dajuan Hayes (slot/ DB), not to mention sophomore offensive tackle Giovanni Barbosa.
“We’ve got a lot more experience than we’ve had in the past,” Sassi stated. “A lot of these guys played last year, so they know what to expect. They’ve been through the Division I wars, and now they’re better prepared to know how to deal with them.
“I will say this: Our side (I-A) is loaded with talent; we have to play Hendricken, Cranston East, Shea, East Providence, North Kingstown and Cumberland, but then we have to play one crossover opponent, and that’s Central,” he added. “It’s going to be a tough road, but we should be more ready this time.”
There’s more good news for Sassi and Co.: He discovered earlier this year that Pawtucket resident and junior Cam Wilson had transferred in from Providence Country Day; he and sophomore Kai Meerbot are currently engaged in a tussle for the starting quarterback nod.
“It’s a pretty even battle right now,” Sassi noted. “Both have some strengths, both have some weaknesses. We’re working on those; we want both of them to be more consistent.
“We’ve got more experience, and I think we’re going to get back to the brand of football St. Ray’s usually plays – with speed, toughness and a never-quit attitude. The kids are working very hard, and I think we’ve had a good camp so far. I’ve seen more unity among the kids, and that’s always big.
“If we’re going to be weak in any given area, it will probably be our overall depth. We have a lot of freshmen who are backing up the varsity positions, but the good thing is we have some talent in that class. I have no doubt we’re going to start some freshmen, so they’re going to have to step right into the fire.”