La Salle alumni faces off with RPI in NCAA round 2 action
TROY >> La Salle graduate Joe Germinerio was excited to find out that his next opponent was going to be against a familiar opponent, even if it wasn’t necessarily a homecoming for the Wynantskill, N.Y. native.
“I thought it was funny because a lot of friends texted me saying ‘O you guys are playing RPI this weekend, is it at RPI?’” said Germinerio. “It is at Brockport, but for us, we like that. We get to sleep in our own beds, we get to stay in our own routines, and we get to play in front of our fans. I was shocked when we played Wesley in the Sweet 16 last year knowing that students are gone and assuming a lot of students won’t be there, the stands were filled and it really felt like a home atmosphere. The community really came together and gave us some support.”
RPI and Brockport have only ever met twice on the field. First in 1984, and the
again in 1986. The series sits split at 1-1 apiece.
Despite that lack of history between the teams, they have shared common opponents this season.
“Our three non conference games were Liberty League games that RPI played as well,” said Germinerio. “There’s not a ton of familiarity, but at the same time there is because we play those common opponents and seeing those scores of how they did and what we did.”
Brockport played the Liberty League’s Hobart, St. Lawrence, and Ithaca this season, as well as shared out of conference opponents Buffalo State and Utica.
Neither Brockport nor RPI lost a game to their shared opponents.
Germinerio is having a pretty good season himself. The former Cadet is having a career season earning himself a semifi- nalist bid for the Gagliardi award, awarded to the top Div. III football player of the year, and was named the Empire 8 Conference Offensive Player of the Year.
“I wanted to build off the success of last year,” said Germinerio. “I had a pretty good season and I just want to build off that. We went to the final four and I knew I had to play well in order for us to be successful but at the same time I had guys around me that I knew were just as equally as talented. I had a defense behind me that was really, really good, so I just wanted to put everything together and really have a stellar season.”
Germinerio finished the regular season this year with 2900 passing yards on 227 completions. Germinerio threw 26 touchdowns and just seven interceptions.
“I think our offensive line has been the most consistent position on this offense because they’ve been great since game one one,” said Germinerio. “The time they have given me and the run blocking they have given has been great — We have talent across the board and it makes my life a lot easier. Just because i’m the leading passer or whatever else, the guys around me make my job that much easier. “
The All Section II quarterback and safety was also named the MVP of the All Section II Senior Bowl game so the question obviously arises, did the Engineer’s ever come knocking at La Salle’s door for Joe?
“I went to an RPI camp and met Coach Isernia. I don’t really remember what happened from there,” said Germinerio. “I know the defensive coordinator, Jeff Dittman, there from my time at Albany, and I know some of the QB coaches there so there is some familiarity. I think it will be pretty cool.”
Though Germinerio is a local boy, it is certain he bleeds green and gold. Come Saturday, he will approach his opponent just as has any other team, whether they are from New York, Pennsylvania, or anywhere else for that matter.
“We want to move forward and understand that every game and every play, every possession means something and if we don’t execute, we are going to be sent home,” said Germinerio. “We understand how big of a game this is.”