June 15, 2008Green and Gold Game About Traditionfrom The Stamford Times STAMFORD — The first play was a swing pass from junior quarterback Brian O'Neil to Vince Carter that covered 30 yards. For Coach Bryan Fox and the rest of the Trinity Catholic football faithful, it is, they hope, a specter of the kind of play they will be seeing on Alumni Field next fall. Fox indicated that although there are still question marks for his team, spring practice is useful in introducing new players to the system and expectations of the program. He said the annual Green and Gold game, which occured on Saturday, June 14, is a fun way for the players to end their practice sessions. "It's a chance to find out who you've got," said Fox. "It lets the kids come out and get acquainted with the game and have a little bit of fun. It allows the new kids to get involved with the program, we have the alumni back. I think it's a way to teach them how to get ready for the upcoming summer sessions." The Crusaders suffered through an injury-plagued campaign in 2007 and ended with a 3-7 record. Fox knew going in that it was going to be tough replicating their 2006 mark of 7-3 and a city championship after graduation depleted his ranks of 17 players from that squad. Fox acknowledges that depth will always be a problem at Trinity but feels defense is a key to next year's team. "Take a look out there (on the field). We'll probably never be deep," said Fox. "I think our focus this year is to create some tough kids to play defense. We're trying to select our defense one kid at a time, a kid that can actually go out and hit. Right now, we only have six kids that made that list, so, the first week of August we're going to have to find the other five who can play." The key position of quarterback is one place Trinity did show some depth. Senior Steve Scalero, who was pressed into action last year due to injury, returns with some experience under his belt. He was nursing and injury himself during the game which allowed O'Neil, a junior, and sophomore Patrick Murphy a showcase for the coaches and fans. "I think there's some competition there," said Fox. "I think O'Neil looked real good in this game throwing the ball. I got a chance to give him (Scalero) some game time (last season) which was big ... he took some snaps in real games and I think that will benefit him this year." Scalero takes his new leadership role seriously and said he understands he has to set a good example for the younger players. "I have to be ready (this year). I have to know all the plays and I have to know everybody's role, "said Scalero. "I feel a lot more responsibility; I have to work with the freshman coming in and teach them what they have to do." Fox is now in his fifth year at the helm of the Crusaders where he was a three-sport star in his days in the green and gold. He said one of his goals when he took over the reigns was to surround himself with former players who had been on Trinity teams that had been successful and allow them to teach this generation to compete against tough FCIAC competition. "It's been special (coaching here), most of my coaching staff are alumni of the football program," said Fox. "I think (being alums is) the reason they came on. There was a lot of excuses as to why you can't win here and I surrounded myself with people who have won here and we don't take any of those excuses." Senior Nick Cortese said the spring football is a proving ground for the younger players. Cortese was the Crusader's top weapon last year. He rumbled for over 1,000 yards in his first year as the primary ball carrier. He will see double duty as a linebacker and has high expectations for himself and his team. "It's a time to find out who is going to play here and who is going to win that starting battle," said Cortese. "I have to work 10 times harder in the summer. Last year, it was not good that we went 3-7. This year is going to be different, everyone is here and in the weight room working hard and if they do (work hard) they'll will play and if not they can watch." There was more to Saturday's event than just football, too. The day is a great way for the incoming freshmen and their families to become part of the Trinity Catholic community, according to Fox. Many of today's players are second generation athletes whose parents wore the Trinity colors. Art Murphy, who is on the board of the Touchdown Club, said that generational connection keeps a great tradition alive. "I think it's two-fold, it's great to get these kids out here to play against each other but it, also, brings back the alumni. It helps with the continuity of the program," said Murphy. "I played here back in the late '70s and early '80s and still love coming to the games. The guys showing up to raise some money for the team, it's the family aspect of it." It started with a Mass in the courtyard and ended with a barbecue and alumni game. Vin Cortese, Nick's older brother, who will be playing for Stony Brook College on Long Island this fall, said it is the tradition passed down through families as his youngest brother, Jeffrey, will be a freshman next year. It is that close-knit community that sets Trinity apart. "It's fun and special to get together with the kids you played with in high school," said Vin Cortese. "Even though we're still in college, we enjoy coming home to see a couple of games. That's what special about being part of a program like this." The gold squad led by Nick Cortese and Scalero won the game over the green squad, 14-8. Copyright © 2008, The Stamford Times
 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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