2014 Morris Catholic Crusaders Football Preview

You got to love Morris Catholic’s guts! First, they were one of the first schools to go out and invest in a turf field. Then they host one of the most prestigious football camps around every year by lending its facilities to Football University every Spring. After that, they go out and design the coolest looking uniforms in North Jersey. Then they took the leap and went out and recruited one of the hottest coaching prospects around in Brendan Gebert whose been cutting his teeth as a coordinator for St. Joseph’s (Montvale)…yes, that St. Joe’s! I give MoCath a ton of credit for all their efforts! As far as the 2014 season, Gebert gets a clean slate. But I wouldn’t be fooled into thinking this is a rebuilding year. There is a ton of talent on this team and these kids have spent enough time buying into Gebert’s system. Don’t get me wrong, chances are this year’s Crusaders will take some lumps given some of their regular season opponents. But I still see their postseason hopes alive and kicking come the eight-game cutoff.

The Offensive Studs
This is a young team with an array of talented energetic players filling some big roles. But leaders like senior fullback Steve Lahoe and junior runningback John Scalera are guys who will lead by example. Junior wideout Jayner Garospe is also an extremely talented player who will keep opposing defenses leaning heavily to one side.

Da Defense
Defensively, the Crusaders will get a ton of leadership from junior defensive tackle Joe Lapinski and junior cornerback Pete Palumbo. A guy who will be turning a lot of heads will be super freshman Joe Onorati who will be getting plenty of snaps.

Team First
Gebert is instilling a team first mentality and the 2014 players are buying into by showing a lot of discipline and toughness. This won’t translate into a perfect season for this year’s squad. But what I do see is them hanging tough and giving themselves a chance to win every game. Again, there is a real possibility for this team to have enough Power Points to get into the State Tournament when all is said and done.

Da Schedule
09-12 @ Hopatcong
09-20 Whippany Park
09-26 @ Hackettstown
10-03 North Warren
10-10 @ Butler
10-17 @ Morristown-Beard
10-25 Boonton
11-01 Parsippany
11-08 @ Wallkill

Morris Catholic’s Playoff Section
Cardinal McCarrick
Immaculate Conception
Marist
Mater Dei
Morris Catholic
Morristown-Beard
Newark Academy
Queen of Peace
St. Anthony
St. Joseph (Hamm.)
St. Mary