SRA going back to the future
Sassi taking over offense for young, talented team
PAWTUCKET – At St. Raphael Academy, what’s old is new again concerning the school’s football team.
Once again, the Saints find themselves in a position where they’ll be counting on freshmen and sophomores to not just serve as valuable currency, i.e. depth pieces. In many instances, those hailing from those two specific classes are expected to make an impact on the field.
“It’s a fine line between not overwhelming them or hurting their growth and confidence,” said head coach Mike Sassi. “As time has gone on, we feel that they deserve to play.”
Coming off a 2018 season that saw St. Raphael miss the playoffs after posting two wins and five losses against Division I-A opponents, Sassi was pleased to welcome 45 players to preseason camp. That number represents the most bodies in a few years and in turn fostered a more upbeat, can-do spirit.
“Even though we’re young, there’s been a much more positive attitude,” noted Sassi. “The kids have been working hard. It’s been a good group to be around.”
One of the biggest changes involves Sassi switching with assistant coach Nick Landry in terms of who calls what. More than a half-decade has passed since Sassi last served as SRA’s offensive coordinator, but he will reprise that role this season. Landry was last year’s offensive play caller; he’s now the defensive coordinator.
Under Sassi’s guidance and creativity, the SRA offense will operate mainly out of the Wing-T formation where the quarterback lines up in shotgun formation. A decade ago, the Saints were predominantly a Wing-T team. The last few years, opponents were asked to defend against the spread offense.
The Saints won’t have to break in a new starter at quarterback. Two years ago as a sophomore, Devin O’Malley lined up under center. Last season, O’Malley was still part of the backfield as one of the mainstays at running back. Now a senior, O’Malley is getting another shot to start at quarterback after spending the summer preparing for the possibility of a dual offensive role based off his track record.
As a freshman last year, Andre Gray took plenty of QB snaps and showed plenty of promise. Expect there to be times this season when Gray sees time as the signal caller.
The stable of running backs includes senior Andrew Andella along with sophomores Napoleon Debarros and Henrique Ross. Once again, lining up at tight end will be Chase Dombroski, a sophomore who Sassi lauded as one of the strongest kids on the team. In the mix at wide receiver are juniors Jaden DeLomba, Makhi Goncalves, and Kai Meerbott.
The leading candidate to snap the ball from the center spot is a freshman, Lawrence Thornton III.
“He’s smart and aggressive. Plus, he’s the most consistent snapper we have,” said Sassi about Thornton.
Albert Guwoe, a senior, will hold down one of the guard spots on the offensive line. The other guard will come down to either senior Andrew Aguiar or junior Jack Majkut. At tackle, you have junior Geovanni Barbosa and freshman Romeo Dyer.
The punter is the same as last year (Gray) with senior Adam Gomes expected to handle kickoffs, extra points, and field goals.
Sassi noted the secondary is still a work in progress. Expected to see time are Andella, Meerbott, Gray, Goncalves, and senior Joey Torres. The linebacking unit will feature Ross, Debarros and freshman Moses Meus. The two mainstays on the defensive line will be Dombroski and Guwoe with Sassi hoping that a few more names emerge sooner rather than later.
Appointed captains this year are Guwoe and Andella. Schedule-wise, the Saints will face Tolman in an Injury Fund contest set for this Friday at Max Read Field. On Sept. 14, SRA will square off in non-league action defending Division II Super Bowl champion Woonsocket at Barry Field before kicking off Division I play on Sept. 20 against East Providence. League games also loom against Shea, Cranston East, Bishop Hendricken, North Kingstown, Central, and Cumberland.