September 15, 2006The Nation's 2006 Season Previewby Max Mercy, Chief Editor, and Scotty Smalls, Senior Analyst Following a 19-0 white-washing of Bristol Central in Trinity Catholic's final preseason tune-up, the team is putting on their new uniforms and getting ready to take on the FCIAC, starting with a showdown vs. St. Joseph, who beat the Crusaders 28-0 last season. Before the season kicks off, CrusaderNation.net presents its 2006 Season Preview. Max Mercy and Scotty Smalls offer their insight into a season filled with high hopes. Are the Crusaders finally done rebuilding? Will this season be a return to glory? Initial Remarks SS: Well, Crusader fans, this could be a season to remember but the question we want to know: is it going to be for all of the right reasons? On paper, this team matches up favorably with just about every club in the FCIAC, but being able to turn expectations into reality is perhaps the most difficult mountain to climb. Trinity brings to the field a better than average player and even a few potential superstars at every position on the field, so with a watered down schedule in terms of the FCIAC, it’s hard not to expect big things. MM: Trinity loses a couple key superstars but has enough returning experience and talent to compensate. Look for Koummal, Nelson, Durkin, and O'Leary to sparkle on offense. Even better will be the stacked defense led by names like Cortese, Pirolozzi, Stephens, and Steele. If they stay healthy, the Crusaders will be able to put together a season that has not been seen at the school since 2003 (8-3) . . . or even since 1993 (10-1 State Champions). Biggest Question Facing Coach Fox and the Crusader Staff SS: Are the Crusaders deep enough to overcome injury? Traditionally, in the FCIAC, most schools have the ability to have a full squad on defense and a full squad on offense. This luxury does not pertain to the smaller schools like Trinity, where many key individuals play on both sides of the ball. Having two-way players might put the best players on the field more often, but with the additional field time comes a greater potential for injury. Injuries are going to happen, but the Crusaders need a little luck on their side this season to keep those injuries to a minimum. MM: The Crusaders have talent, and even experience, but do they have enough "big-game" experience? This team is not accustomed to playing high intensity games late in the year like a lot of the perennial power house teams around the FCIAC. Such inexperience may take a toll on the players and coaches. Staying focused and playing hard enough and smart enough to win week after week can be exhausting. Does this team have the hunger not just to win, but to win every game? Players to Watch SS: Offensively, quarterback Anas Koummal - he is the field general. Having the ability to keep the team under control during a difficult time in a game is important. If Anas is able to keep the huddle calm, stay healthy, and avoid making too many poor decisions in the passing game, look for him to help the Crusaders put some big numbers on the scoreboard. Defensively, I believe the TCHS secondary will be a key component to watch. A lot of questions surround this aspect of the defense. We all know that Stephens, Cortez, and Pirolozzi are going to put pressure on the opponents running game, but can the secondary keep the passing game at bay? We initially thought that the secondary would get a big test when Bristol Central and its top tight end in the nation came to town for a scrimmage, but Aaron Hernandez was nowhere to be found. He missed the game for unknown reasons. Even without Hernandez, Bristol was able to spring the deep ball on a couple of occasions. But in the end, they were unable to put points on the board. The Crusader secondary has experience, and if they are able to put a lock-down on the opposition’s wide receivers, the TCHS offense is going to spend a great deal of time on the field this season. MM: On offense, look for AJ Nelson to have a breakout year. He is strong, fast, and a threat to go to the end zone every time he touches it. He came to the team as a junior last year and I don't think we've seen him in a comfort zone yet. It took some time to understand the offense and he also missed four games. If he gets a full season this year, he could be dangerous. Defensively, Vin Cortese is the man. He might be the best linebacker in the state of Connecticut. He is strong, fast, mean and he is the defensive heartbeat of this team. Game of the Season SS: I’ll start by saying it’s neither of the city games, because this year’s team “should” win both of those and capture its first City Championship since 2003. The game of the season this year is the McMahon game. This game follows the ever-hyped Westhill matchup on the schedule and could prove to be the most overlooked game on the schedule. But the Norwalk schools should never be overlooked. Last year’s Crusaders beat themselves in this game and it cannot happen again. McMahon should be coming into the game with confidence after a victory over Bassick the week prior and the knowledge that they have recently had TCHS’ number. This game could be one of the most exciting games of the season and hopefully the Crusaders won’t forget to show up for it. MM: Opening week versus St. Joseph is the key. Crusaders were embarrassed 28-0 in the opener last season at home. In last year's game, the Crusaders were sloppy while St. Joseph had no turnovers and just two penalties. This year, Trinity must set the tone for the game early, and set the tone for the season - a stingy defense and a sharp offense are what we expect. A convincing win in Game 1 will be key in order to build confidence for the tough battles they'll face almost every week in the FCIAC. Overall Outlook SS: Hard-nosed defense and a physical running attack should allow the Crusaders to cruise to a number of victories and allow them to have their first plus .500 season under Coach Fox. It's not going out on a limb to say an undefeated regular season is attainable, but all the pieces must fall in place. Most likely, injuries, complacency, or simply overlooking an opponent is going to cause this team to have a couple stumbles along the way. The team’s ability to keep a "couple stumbles" from turning into a "few stumbles" will be key to TCHS making the state playoffs. Final prediction: 8-2 - qualify for State Playoffs. MM: The Crusaders are good but I'm not sure they have quite enough superstar power to overcome a few mishaps along the way. With the focus on defense and the running game, look for some low-scoring games that could go either way. Final prediction: 7-3.
 Big senior defensive tackle Vladimir Joseph swims by an offensive lineman in a 28-20 home victory over Fairfield Ludlowe on October 29, 2005. (CrusaderNation.net / Dana Maul)
 Junior defensive tackle Santiago "Teggy" Steele wraps up a Darien
rusher as his
 Junior center Cory Johnson prepares to snap the ball to fellow classmate
 The Crusader offensive line pushes Bassick around in the mud. The
Crusaders
 Senior wideout Rob Hawthorn races downfield to block as junior fullback
Eric Stephens
 2005 All-FCIAC East Offense Row 1, Left to Right: Eric Wells, Bassick; Willie Epps, McMahon;
Pete Raymond,
 2005 All-FCIAC East Defense Row 1, Left to Right: Joe Luchesi, Danbury; Greg Sabo, Danbury; James
Taylor, Danbury;
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