Spartans using underdog mentality for motivation
One would think as the father of two infants, the biggest question Dan Caruso would be getting these days are “How are the kids?”
Instead, not a day goes by where the Steinert football coach does not hear “How are you going to replace Jordan Morrison?” The answer is simple. “You don’t replace him and you don’t try to replace him or have a kid fit that mold,” Caruso said. “He’s a different type of player. We’ve already heard it a lot – ‘You guys don’t have Morrison anymore.’ Yeah we know, but thanks for reminding us.”
Indeed, there are no clones of a multi-talented player who amassed 1,328 yards in passing, rushing and receiving, and was also a weapon at defensive back and in the return game. But Caruso has lost star players and knows how to move forward.
It starts with an offensive line that returns senior Tim Toomer at center, seniors Thomas Wasylenko and Nick Harkness at guards and senior Malik Gbayor at tackle. Three others are fighting for the left tackle spot.
Senior Colin Smith returns at quarterback after spelling Morrison last year; while junior Nick Wright may see time as Smith was fighting some health issues in training camp.
“Colin is more of your drop back passer,” Caruso said. “Nick is more athletic, he’s gonna run more of the read stuff and the option stuff. So they are slightly different quarterbacks in that sense of the word.”
Junior Will Laster and senior Spencer Conti are at running back, while seniors Miles Smith, Joe Swindasz and Josh Lyons are slot receivers and senior Brendan James is the tight end. Smith caught 24 passes for 551 yards and eight touchdowns last year and rushed for 149 yards and a TD.
“Miles can be a game breaker,” Caruso said. “He had a big year last year, led us in receiving touchdowns. He’s a guy we expect to have a big year. He’ll carry the ball as well. It’s no secret we have to find ways to get the ball in his hands. I think we’ll be more multi-faceted. Laster is a good runner at tailback.”
Defensively, the line features senior Angelo Falvo and junior Jordan Allwood at ends with junior Savion Cooper and Toomer at tackles. Sophomores Kenny John and Josh James will rotate in.
Senior Xavier Roman returns at middle linebacker after a strong junior year, while James and senior Josh Lyons are on the outside. Lyons missed nearly all of last year after being injured in the opener. Senior Thomas McGovern will also see linebacker time.
Positions are not yet set in the secondary but Smith and senior Joe Swindasz are definite starters while juniors Wright and Matt Lambert and senior Jake Siebert are in the mix.
“We’re gonna be a quick defense, we’ll run to the ball, fly to the ball,” Caruso said. “I expect us to be stout against the run. Our D-linemen aren’t guys who take up space, they’re playmakers, they’re penetrators. Guys like Falvo are strong and lightning quick, but not overall big guys, so we’ve gotta play an attacking style defense.
“Xavier Roman is a great leader and was one of the top linebackers in the county last year; having him back is invaluable. In the secondary Smith and Swindasz are quality but we’ve got to develop those other two guys.”
The Spartans come off a 6-4 season in which it went toe-to-toe with Wall in a 49-41 Central Jersey Group III playoff loss. Steinert has been moved back up to the WJFL Capitol Division, with some bigger schools than it faced last year.
“We’ve got talent, we have ability,” Caruso said. “We’re playing some different opponents, we’re back to playing the Trentons and Allentowns of the world and I want it that way, I want to play those guys. They’re quality football teams and we’ve got to put together a helluva game to hang with those guys. We can no longer look at a team on the schedule and say ‘That’s a win.’ I told the kids we’re gonna be the underdog in every game.”
Follow Rich Fisher on twitter @fish4scores