It’s going to be a tough act to follow.
Rams head coach Lou Marinelli enters his 34th season at New Canaan.
A year removed from one of the most dominant football seasons in the program’s rich history, the New Canaan Rams will get their 2014 season underway against Daniel Hand on Sept. 12. That being said, the first challenge for the defending FCIAC and Class L State Champions will be putting the past behind them.
“We lost 28 seniors and to show you the quality of that class, 14 of them went on to play at another level,” Rams head coach Lou Marinelli told NewCanaanite.com. “So it’s hard to replace that kind of talent, but it’s like—the next guy up, the next class, let’s go, it’s your turn and let’s see what you can do. It’s just trying to fit the pieces together.”
Senior co-captain Zach Allen will continue to terrorize opposing QB’s.
One of the biggest pieces–literally and figuratively–on the team will be senior co-captain Zach Allen. The 6’6”, 258-lb. Northwestern-bound defensive end/linebacker had a monster season last year, seeming to play his best on the biggest stages. And with New Canaan having lost last year’s vaunted trio of Connor Buck, Cole Harris and Michael Root to graduation, the Rams will be leaning on Allen for his leadership of a largely inexperienced defensive unit.
“He’s a Big 10 player,” Marinelli said. “Every day he seems to surprise me when he does something else. It’s really good to have someone like that who is also the captain so he leads the way.”
Allen–who will also see some time at tight end–said the team is working hard.
“We had a great model last year, and we’re going to use that experience to our advantage, so that when we’re on the field in the fire it doesn’t affect us that much,” Allen said.
With Allen expecting to receive the majority of attention from Rams opponents, opportunities should pop up for his supporting cast, which will include senior linebackers Teddy Dumbauld and Peter Benko, and junior linebacker Cass Knox.
The Rams hope to see more end zone celebrations from senior co-captain Alex LaPolice.
Another major key to New Canaan’s success will be the play of senior co-captain Alex LaPolice. Perhaps the Rams biggest playmaker last season, LaPolice is also one of the most versatile players in the FCIAC, seeing significant time–and success–on offense, defense and special teams. LaPolice–who recently committed to play football at Harvard–has even seen some time under center this preseason.
“I’m trying to do as much I can to help the team,” LaPolice said, “I’m going to be on the field as long as I can, basically until I can’t go anymore. It’s crazy that we have only 14 games left, so hopefully we can get after it and get a ring to finish it off.”
Junior Kyle Smith will be a dangerous complement to LaPolice at wide receiver, teaming up to form a “pick your poison” choice for opposing defenses to double-team. New Canaan will also look to seniors Sterling O’Hara and Michael Kraus, as well as sophomore Jackson Appelt to fill holes vacated by the graduated Cole Turpin and Jack Gilio as the Rams’ spread offense will be even more pass-dependent given the loss of senior co-captain Frank Cognetta.
Senior co-captain Frank Cognetta is eyeing a mid-season return from a foot injury.
New Canaan’s main workhorse on the ground last season, Cognetta led the Rams with more than 1,200 yards rushing in 2013. But a broken foot suffered over the summer has sidelined Cognetta for at least half the season. Marinelli will look to several players to fill the starting running back role, including Cognetta’s own younger brothers–juniors Matt and Mike Cognetta. Senior Teagan Saitta and sophomore Robby Jones could also get some looks in the backfield.
Senior co-captain Jim Keneally (#67) will be protecting junior QB Mike Collins (#16) in 2014.
Regardless of who is carrying the ball, a huge key to Rams success will be the play of the offensive line. The Rams will return senior co-captain Jim Keneally, who will have a new supporting cast around him. With 6’5”, 245-lb. junior Lucas Niang and 6’6”, 255-lb. Will Conley at the tackle slots, the Rams should make up for a lack of experience with tremendous size. Filling in the middle with Keneally will be junior Gardner Read and seniors Aidan Donovan and Matthew Demattia.
Perhaps the biggest question mark for the Rams heading into the final week of preseason is at quarterback. Junior Mike Collins filled in admirably for record-setting New Canaan signal caller Nick Cascione at times last season, and figures to have the inside track over impressive–but inexperienced–sophomore James Crovatto.
“Mike has worked hard, he’s got a strong arm, he’s very smart and reads coverage well,” Marinelli said. “We’re excited to see what he can do.”
Another piece of the puzzle worth mentioning is the New Canaan kicking game. Junior Peter Swindell emerged as one of the FCIAC’s best kickers last season, but an injury has him temporarily sidelined. Sophomore Jack Hoelzer has impressed Marinelli while filling in, a microcosm of the “next man up” mantra that the Rams’ head coach has been preaching for most of his 33 years manning the New Canaan sidelines.
“It’s exciting,” Marinelli said. “Every scrimmage and every practice you get to see somebody else and put the puzzle together. That’s the thrill of it. It takes so long to get here and it goes by so fast. I’m just trying to hold on and enjoy the ride.”
New Canaan Rams Football
- Head Coach: Lou Marinelli (34th year, 278-90-6 as NC head coach).
- 2013 Record: 14-1, FCIAC, Class L State Champions.
- Key Returnees: WR/DB Alex Lapolice, DL/LB Zach Allen, OL Jim Keneally, RB Frank Cognetta, WR Kyle Smith, LB Teddy Dumbauld, QB Mike Collins.
- Key Losses: QB Nick Cascione, LB’s Cole Harris, Michael Root, DL Connor Buck, DB Mike DiCosmo, WR’s Cole Turpin, Jack Gilio, OL’s Joao Rocha, Mike Donnelly.
- Key games: 9/12 @ Hand; 9/27 vs. Greenwich; 10/24 vs. Staples; 11/1 @St. Joe’s; 11/27 @ Darien.