The Oneida Daily Dispatch (Oneida, NY)
Chittenango prepared for jump to Class B East
The Chittenango Bears are taking it one day at as they prepare for the 2018season in the Class B East.
CHITTENANGO, N.Y. » After two weeks of two-a-days, Chittenango is ready to line up against someone in a different color uniform.
“Our kids are ready to find someone else to hit,” Chittenango head coach Curt Kielbasa, now in his third year, said. “Now it’s fun.”
After competing in the Section III Class BWest a season ago, the Bears enter 2018 as the newest member of the Class B East. The jump gives Chittenango a little bit more homework to do before each regular season contest as head coach Kurt Kielbasa and his staff will need to familiarize themselves with key returners and newcomers on six Class B East rosters.
“Who is coming back? Who is where?”
Other than that, Kielbasa says the biggest changes the move to the Class B East bring are new names on the front of opposing jerseys and perhaps, a better situation for local fan bases.
“Honestly, other than the teams having different names, [the Class B East] is seven hard games, just like the West was.” Kielbasa said, adding that logistically, the move to the East may make commuting easier for fans of all teams and renew natural rivalries from the days of the Tri-Valley football. “There are 16 good teams in the Class B.”
After a 4-4 season that ended with a first-round playoff exit in 2017, Kielbasa’s expectations for the season are to take things one day, one game at a time.
“Get better each day. One game at a time,” Kielbasa said. “Be tough. Be physical. Try to do things fast. Try to be in shape... the mental aspect of knowing you are in shape is half the battle.”
The third-year head coach described his team as experienced at the skill positions with a lot of potential on both sides of the line.
potential on both sides of the line.
Tyler Daviau, an all-star a year, Hunter White, Connor Caporin, also a 2017 allstar, and John Spencer are expected to make an impact for Chittenango along the offensive and defensive lines. The offensive line battle during Bears camp has been particularly competitive, with seven players battling it out for five starting spots. 2017 all-star Dakota Diable will help lead the Bears linebacking corps.
Chittenango has the luxury of returning four Section III 2017 all-stars on the offensive side of the ball in starting quarterback Brian Lamaitis, running back Francis Cerio, wide receivers Keith Spurgeon and Griffin Furco.
Furco will also roam the Bears secondary as free safety, and the receiver enjoys the mind-set that comes on the defensive side of the ball.
“It takes a special mentality to play Bears defense,” Furco said, describing the unit as ‘relentless, fearless, hostile.”
His goals for the season extend beyond the playing field.
“Live up to our coaches’ expectations,” he said. “Do something for the community.”
Now in his senior season with a core group of teammates that have been together since their PopWarner days and with his father on the coaching staff, Lamaitis wants to go out on a high note.
“Winning a champion- ship,” he said of his goals for the team. “The opportunity is here. We have to win. We’ve been together since Pop Warner and flag, and now we’re all here. Looking forward to the season.”
Spurgeon has noticed something different about this year’s Bears during training camp.
“Everybody’s will and effort,” Spurgeon said about what stood out to him about his team the past couple of weeks. “The strive to get better is way better than last year.”
“Work hard. Get things done. Do what we’ve practiced all year,” Spencer said of what it will take for Chittenango to be successful in 2018. What is the junior most looking forward to?
“Everybody comes and enjoys the Friday Night Lights.”
Chittenango opens the season at home against Camden before travelling to New Hartford on Sept. 7. The Bears return home a week later to take on Central Valley Academy before visiting Oneida and then Mexico. Chittenango closes the season with back-toback home games against Vernon-Verona-Sherrill on Oct. 5 and Cazenovia Oct. 12.
Schedule
Friday, Aug. 31 - vs. Camden
Friday, Sept. 7 - at New Hartford
Friday, Sept. 14 - vs. Central Valley Academy
Friday, Sept. 21 - at Oneida
Friday, Sept. 28 - at Mexico
Friday, Oct. 5 - vs. Vernon-Verona-Sherrill
Friday, Oct. 12 - vs. Cazenovia