September 19, 2006Trinity Football Reaches Into Past for the Futurefrom The Stamford Advocate STAMFORD -- It will take two more months to determine whether the record lives up to the late-summer buzz, but no delay is needed to gauge the current state of Trinity Catholic High School's football program. That answer was provided last month, during the team's annual golf outing. It was not that all 170 golf slots were filled up and people had to be turned away. It had more to do with the idea of honoring Bob Lynch, the Crusaders' first coach, and linking together the team's past and present. After dog-paddling through a few autumns until Bryan Fox's ascendance to head coach three years ago, Trinity again has direction. It is going back to the future. By dusting off the team's rich tradition and putting it on display for all to see, there is a template for the current players to shoot for. There are a number of reasons for the wave of optimism, starting with Fox, the understated and unassuming general, whose teachings extend beyond the field. "It's not just about wins and losses, but producing good people who are going to represent the school well even after they leave," Fox said. That might sound like coach-speak, but with Fox every word is genuine. He played for -- and learned from -- Mickey Lione, and is bringing his mentor's ideals to another generation. Then there is Tracy Nichols, Trinity's athletic director, who did not flinch at the idea of hiring a 26-year-old alum to run the school's sports program. "That was never too much of a consideration," Nichols said of the age factor. "I know some people questioned the wisdom of that, but he probably had more coaching experience than people older in age." The results speak for themselves. The Crusaders lost their first eight games under Fox, then rebounded to win the final two. Last year they were 5-5 and a hard out for every opponent. Would Fox -- whose goal is a 1-0 finish each week -- sign on for another three-game improvement this season? "That would certainly be a positive," he said. That is not an unrealistic goal. The Crusaders got a good test with yesterday's opener at St. Joseph, which has 14 starters back from last season's team, which finished 7-3. Trinity is also experienced. It will feed opponents a steady diet of running backs Eric Stephens, A.J. Nelson, Kyle Foti and Ryan Durkin. Anas Koummal returns at quarterback, with strong targets like John O'Leary, Tyler Collins and Chris Hawthorn. The defense will be active, with a line anchored by Santiago Steele and Mario Pirolozzi. A new season brings the hope of a fresh start, but this one is not like any other since Fox arrived. It is not just the talent he will lead onto the field, but the exuberance of a balance sheet that is healthy. In a sense, the football program is a microcosm of the school, which has an enrollment about 30 percent higher than when Fox took over. More students means more athletes, which means greater interest in the sport, which translates into many hands playing a hands-on approach. The team's booster club is as active as it has been in years, and played a big part in the idea of bringing Lynch back to the program he started. "I thought it was a great idea," Fox said. "The event is just a good way to get people together, raise some money and reach out to people who have been or who would like to get involved with the team." Fox has many people now asking him what they can do to make his job easier, none of whom have ulterior motives. Fox is now 30, and just one of his six assistants outranks him in age. All but one is also a graduate of the school. "What really impresses me is that they continually try to make themselves better coaches and not just make the kids better players," Nichols said. "They are not afraid to say 'I made a mistake here.' By making themselves better they make the program better." Fox mixed his metaphors but got his point across in discussing the importance of yesterday's opener. "St. Joseph is an example of the two-way approach," he said. "You can try and pretend it is not a big game and run and hide, or you can say it is a big game. Doesn't everyone want to bat in the bottom of the ninth with the bases loaded and two outs. You don't want to just hit that home run in the third inning." Fox gets it. So do his players. Even before the first pass had been thrown, the Crusaders' new season was off to a great start. -- Dave Ruden can be reached at dave.ruden@scni.com Copyright (c) 2006, Southern Connecticut Newspapers, Inc.
 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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