The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Oneida gearing up for strong season
ONEIDA, N.Y. » Oneida head coach Jason Fuller has a simple message for his 2018 football team:
“Strive to be better each day.”
Thus far, both veterans and newcomers have given their coach reasons to be optimistic.
“I’ve seen a lot of things I like. Last year, we had a couple of players doingmost of the work,” Fuller said. “This year, a lot of the kids are. The more kids we have that are threats, the better.”
One advantage Oneida has on the competition is the leadership it returns in the backfield. Quarterback Ryan Chevier and running back Luke Albro, both seniors and 2017 all-stars who started for Fuller a season ago, are back and ready for their final campaigns in orange and blue.
“I thoughtwe did pretty well withme and Luke [in the backfield last year],” Chevier said. “We want to do that again.”
Though the senior QB is excited about getting back under center, he enjoys punishing the opposing quarterback from his spot on the defensive line more.
“I like hitting the quarter-
back,” Chevier added with a grin.
Albro, who like Chevier was named to the TriValley 2nd team all-stars a year ago, echoed those sentiments.
When asked whether he enjoyed carrying the ball out of the backfield or lining up at safety, Albro was quick with his response.
“I like defense,” he said. “You get to hit people.”
Seniors Bruce Joslyn and Vinny Leibl have also stood out to Fuller during summer practice.
Josyln, now in his second year on varsity, will join Albro as another running back option, as well as playing some corner and linebacker.
“Win. Be a good unit. Go places,” Joslyn said of his hopes for the season. In the meantime, he is enjoying the grueling preparation for the regular season.
“Brotherhood. Making so many friends,” he said of the best part of camp.
Leibl, a 2017 all-star, is another weapon for Oneida on offense as a receiver and will join Albro in theOneida secondary. Steven Barrett is another all-star caliber player back in the fold as a senior for Oneida this year, and underclassmen Will Merrell, Ty D’Arcangelis, Zander Farr, Jordan Clark, Steven Cafalone, and Gavin Curtis are expected to provide significant contributions as Oneida seeks a return to the postseason after missing out last year.
Reaching the postseason will require Oneida to navigate a stocked Class B East. If Oneida comes out on top of the heap in the division, it will be the first time since 2008.
“Can we block? And can we tackle? That wins games,” Fuller said. “Every gamewill be a battle. All the teams have real athletes.”
Now in his third season at the helm of the program, Fuller’s long-term goal is to be on the field at the end of October and into November.
“We’re going to play football as long as we can,” he said.
Oneida opens the season at the Carrier Dome in a Thursday, Aug. 30matchup against New Hartford. Then, Fuller’s squad hits the road for away games against Camden andMexico before a late home opener against Chittenango. A week later, Oneida is back on the road against Central Valley Academy on Friday, Sept. 28. The Orange and Blue return home for their first October game against Cazenovia on Oct. 5 before closing the regular season on the road against arch rival Vernon-Verona-Sherrill on Oct. 12.
“First goal is to make the sectionals,” Albro added before echoing one of his coach’s favorite refrains, “One day at a time.”
Schedule
Thursday, Aug. 30 - New Hartford at Carrier Dome
Friday, Sept. 7 - at Camden
Friday, Sept. 14 - at Mexico
Friday, Sept. 21 - vs. Chittenango
Friday, Sept. 28 - at Central Valley Academy
Friday, Oct. 5 - vs. Cazenovia
Friday, Oct. 12 - at Vernon-Verona-Sherrill