Here is the Greater Catholic League Central Division preseason football coaches poll, with total voting points and first-place votes (in parentheses):
1. McNicholas (3) 14
2. Badin (1) 11
2. Roger Bacon 11
4. Purcell Marian 4
By Rick Cassano
Staff Writer
The defending champion is the team to beat in the Greater Catholic League Central Division this season.
McNicholas High School’s football squad has a new head coach (Mike Orlando) and high expectations after going 11-3 and reaching the Division III state semifinals in 2010.
The Rockets are No. 1 in the Central preseason coaches poll. Badin and Roger Bacon are tied for second, while Purcell Marian is fourth.
“Last year we talked about building a foundation, and I think we did that,” Orlando said. “We had a heck of a year and a great group of kids. We’re stressing to our kids now that this should be more the norm than the exception.”
Of being No. 1 in the poll, Orlando added, “Well, I’m not much of a poll guy, especially preseason stuff. But with success comes responsibility, and some of that is getting the best shot from our opponents. We’ll welcome that.”
Orlando — McNick’s quarterbacks coach the last two years under Steve Klonne, who’s now an MHS assistant — has to replace 18 starters. The Rockets have more speed than size and want to run the ball with their option offense, set to be led by junior quarterback Austin Ernst.
Badin lost a big chunk of talent as well, going 6-6 and losing in the second round of the Division V playoffs in ’10.
The Rams, now competing in D-IV, were voted first in last year’s coaches poll and finished third.
“So far, so good for us,” Badin coach Bill Tenore said. “I think we can have a pretty good football team. No win is a given in this league. I think it’s going to be pretty even.”
The Rams are moving to the wing-T on offense, though the spread isn’t disappearing from the playbook. Defense looks to be the team’s strength, keyed by three returning seniors — linebackers Cody and Casey Schappacher, and free safety Luke Wurzelbacher.
Roger Bacon, a Division III playoff team last season, lost 19 seniors to graduation, but returns quite a bit of speed and athleticisim. The Spartans are D-IV this year.
“We’ve definitely got some weapons,” Bacon coach Kevin Huxel said. “I feel good about what we’ve got. We’re just small in numbers. If we can stay healthy, I think we’re going to be real tough to deal with.”
Finding a quarterback among four candidates is one of Huxel’s priorities. Senior running back Griffin Mouty is coming off a 1,000-yard season, and senior end Joe Newton is expected to be the defensive leader.
Purcell, riding a 32-game GCL losing streak, is the consensus pick to finish last again in 2011. Yet coach Brian Miller feels he has the division’s best player in senior tailback-cornerback E.J. Burnett.
“I think (the Central is) more wide open than it’s been in my first five years here,” Miller said. “We need some luck. We’re not as physically big and don’t have some of the depth other teams have. But if we can find five guys to block for E.J. and stay healthy, I think this team can compete.”
Purcell has plenty of team speed and a returning senior (Chris Korthaus) at quarterback. The skill positions are experienced. The lines are not.