By Paul R. Silverfarb
While it can seem like the Greenwich High School football team can’t catch a break, head coach Tony Morello and the rest of the Cardinals would rather look at this year’s obstacles as a minor speed bump on the road to a state championship run.
After a year of high school football in Connecticut silenced due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Cardinals are back on the gridiron this season ready for what everybody hopes will be a complete season of football.
“Words can’t describe what it feels like to be back on the field with all the 200 football players in this program,” Morello said. “After we went through what we all did last season, to see the looks all of the senior’s faces was really difficult. Time seemed like it would never end. But I am thrilled to just be back on the field and back into a routine with the student-athletes. I am sure all the coaches around the state are as well. There was a big void left last season and just being able to be out there every day is just a big relief.”
Due to construction at Cardinal Stadium that’s seeing the bleacher being replaced, as well as addition of locker rooms and restrooms to the facility, GHS will not get to experience the roar of the Cardinal Crazies until at least the second half of the season.
The first six games of the season, two of which were slated as home games, will be on the road. Greenwich’s game against Ridgefield will be played at New Canaan High School on Sept. 18 at noon, and the location for their home game against Prep has not been announced as of press time.
“We’re not going to be able to use our home stadium for at least the first few home games,” Morello said. “On top of it being a tough schedule, we’re likely going to be on the road for the first five or six games. We’re going to put a lot of miles on the buses this year. We’re just going to take it week by week. We are rolling with it. It helps that we have amazing support from the families in the program and they will make sure that they take care of the players and make sure they have everything that they need.”
To prepare the road warrior Cardinals for its tough schedule, Big Red boarded their buses and played three top quality preseason opponents, Daniel Hand High School, Newtown High School, and Brunswick School.
“It’s not ideal to have to travel, but it’s a part of the game,” Morello said. “Ultimately, when the whistle blows, it’s the same dimensions on the field and the same goal posts. For me, I’ll play anywhere. This team just wants to play football, no matter where we play it.”
This year’s captains will be seniors Michael Sinisi, a starting center; Tyler Cusimano, a starting safety; Zach Mantione, a starting wide receiver; and Luke Ware, a starting inside linebacker. Sinisi started every game as a center his sophomore year and has the most experience on the roster. All four were elected by their peers back in March and Morello couldn’t be happier with the selections.
“The minute they were elected captains, they jumped head-first in that role and have done an amazing job of keeping things organized,” said Morello. “They are keeping everyone involved in all levels and make sure that the sophomore class, who lost their freshman season, understands the culture and expectations that come with being a part of this program. I am incredibly proud of the job they have done to this point.”
While Morello has some lofty expectations for his senior captains, they are getting help from their classmates throughout the process.
“The senior class is a very close group,” he said. “A lot of them have been together since their GYFL days and I am looking forward to seeing all that the senior class can do.”
Behind Sinisi will be junior quarterback Jack Wilson, who was in a quarterback battle for most of the preseason with Holden Brown.
“He’s 6-04 and throws a really good ball,” Morello said. “He played football as a freshman at Greenwich High School and played in our sevens as a sophomore. He moves very well in the pocket and can run, but like so many in the program, these will be his first varsity reps. You never know what the outcomes are going to be until you start playing these games, but he has all the pieces and have the coaches to get him to where he needs to be. We are very excited to have him as our QB.”
Joining Wilson in the backfield will be seniors James Babb and Thomas Foster, who Morello said have done a tremendous job in the preseason and will see a bunch of touches in games. Junior Jack Konigsnerg will be the bruiser in the backfield and will give the opposing team’s defensive lines fits throughout the season. Sophomore George Vomvolakis is one of the fastest athletes on the GHS roster and will be a contributor as well on some key plays.
“We are definitely going with the running back by committee approach and will stay with the hot hand in certain situations,” the head coach said. “We will find a way to utilize all their strengths week by week.”
Leading the way at wideout will be senior standout Chason Barber, who recently committed to Brown University. Morello said that Barber is a very talented 6-04 athlete who is extremely quick, a vertical threat and runs very solid intermediate routes. Joining both Barber and Mantione will be Brunswick transfer Logan Galletta, who will also use his quickness to return kicks for GHS as well. James Waligum and Charlie Dixon, both juniors, will be rounding out the receiving core.
Defensively, the secondary will be led by Cusimano at safety. Morello said that the senior has played safety before and is familiar to the position. Seniors John Scarlata and Jake Prieto have exceeded expectations for GHS and will help the team at the corner positions.
At linebacker, Ware will be a dominant force for Big Red this season and will be joined by fellow senior Luke Vivier at the inside linebacker position. Matt Trimmer is a solid tackler and will be called upon in big situations.
Both the offensive and defensive lines will be a strong asset for GHS football. Leading the way defensively will be two seniors, Andrew Guillaume and Cameron Doyle. Junior Dominic DeLuca and freshman Peter Vomvolakis will round out the line. Offensively, the line will be anchored by Sinisi at center, with fellow senior Josh Grijalba playing left guard. Junior Jake Kiernan is the team’s left tackle and the right guard will be a mix of juniors Ted Flinn and Drew Falla. Rounding out the line at right guard will be junior Vincent Insinga.
A pleasant surprise this preseason has been the team’s kicking game. In addition to kickoffs consistently reaching the end zone, Sergot Boone blasted field goals from 30, 35, 40, and 45 yards on consecutive kicks during a preseason scrimmage at Daniel Hand. Sebastian Parra also has a strong leg and has been reaching the back of the end zone on kickoffs.
“Those are huge weapons for us, when it comes to games and field position,” Morello said. “I am very excited about our kicking game. They are going to make a difference.”
While Morello said that it’s obvious that the strength of the team will be its wideouts, with excellent talent up and down the position, he also said that he’s thrilled with both his offensive and defensive lines. When it comes to improvements, the GHS head coach is hoping the speed of play improves quickly.
“We need to make sure we are aligned properly and that we are set properly,” Morello said. “Everything is going between 75 and 80 percent of the speed that it needs to go. We need to develop chemistry. You can’t simulate the speeds of the games in practice, no matter how hard you try. You also can’t teach experience and reps. Those will come as game go on and as athletes get more comfortable in their positions.”
The expectations are always high in this town. For Morello, it’s all about making sure the athletes are having the quality experience within the program and developing at all levels of the sport.
“For me, that’s a major emphasis because ultimately these are the years that the kids are going to remember for the rest of your life,” he said. “You want everybody to look back on their high school football years as a fun time and you want to continue keep Greenwich football in their minds, years after they leave the program. Our alumni are the best alumni you could possibly imagine. The support in this town is like no other. With all that come high expectations and being successful on the field and we want to continue that this year.”
On paper, Greenwich football will have quite the challenge this season. From top to bottom, their schedule is a list of top competitors. After starting the season against Westhill tomorrow afternoon, GHS will play Ridgefield, Shelton, Fairfield Prep, St. Joseph, and Trumbull. Greenwich will then return home to play New Canaan, but that’s not a guarantee either.
“The schedule, compared to year’s past, is much more challenging on paper,” Morello said. “Everybody that I have spoken to around town says that it’s the toughest schedule that they’ve seen for Greenwich. It’s definitely going to be a big challenge, as teams up and down the schedule are incredibly talented.”
