September 11, 2008On Paper, They All Look Goodfrom The Stamford Times On paper, there is something very intriguing about this upcoming football season in the city. Maybe it's the returning running backs, proven veterans all, who are ready to slice and dice their way through opposing defenses. They carry not just the hopes of their team's success this fall, but also the chance to play the game at the next level if they so desire. Maybe it's the unknown commodity that is The Quarterback Club, the leaders who try to put it all together -- arm, head, heart -- and become the field generals of victory. Maybe it's from listening to all the coaches, whose hopes spring eternal in their roles as makers of men. They build teams day by day, play by play and seem to live and die with each passing game. But, by the same token, there is also my past experience with football and paper and it's not good. Flash back to the early 1980s: Mr. Higgins' study hall, my sophomore year in high school. I took one for the team that day, blocked a game-winning field goal, one of those triangular shaped paper "footballs" that gets flicked through finger-built uprights -- with the bridge of my nose. Flash forward from there to last Sunday when the hopes and dreams of the 2008 New England Patriots were dashed by some no-name from the Kansas City Chiefs, who fell across Tom Brady's knee, chopping down a legend in the process. Football and paper just don't add up. Yet still I am intrigued. It is the most prolific of storylines that drag me in. On Roxbury Road, Westhill is out to defend its city championship and put together its first stretch of three .500 or better seasons in team history. Adler Florian as quarterback? An unknown quantity, for sure; but what kind of excitement does he bring to the table? Think a high school Vince Young or Tim Tebow. He could do it with his feet or his arm. As Vikings coach Dick Cerone said, "Adler brings some different strengths to the table. It's going to be hard to replace three years worth of experience, but he throws the ball pretty well. But if he sees opportunity, he's a kid who, on any play, could go to the house." Downtown, at Stamford High School, there are some studs, some exciting players who have colleges taking an extra look-see: Marcus Dixon. Khairri Fort. Chris Evans. And that's not all. But if any team needs to avoid the Jinx of Bernard Pollard, it's Stamford. If Stamford High School's football team was going to be played by an actress, it's Anna Faris -- They're just not very deep. This is probably the most talented team I've coached," said head coach Kevin Jones. "I think we're as talented as we've ever been." But the intriguing question that acts as the dark cloud over Boyle Stadium is what did the Knights learn from last year's 1-9 season, which included a number of close games slip into defeats? Can the talent use its experience to pull out a few wins in those types of games this season? "That's going to be the difference," Jones said. "A lot of it is up to the kids." Trinity Catholic returns plenty of talent from last year's team which was forced to lick its wounds from an injury-plagued finish to a lost season. And if there was a ever a go-to player who is the picture of what his coach wants his team to be its the Crusaders. Fullback Nick Cortese would run through a wall for a first-round down. He'd tackle the trunk of a 100-year old tree on third-and-goal. "They're a team that will have to bring their lunch box to work and they've had that attitude so far," said head coach Bryan Fox. It's September and everybody is 0-0. Of course, one week is going to change all that. For today, though, the city's football scene is pretty intriguing. At least on paper. * * * Games and dates to watch: Opening Weekend -- Westhill at Danbury on Friday, Sept. 12; Stamford at Norwich Free Academy, and Darien at Trinity, on Saturday, Sept. 13. The first step is always the hardest. Especially if you forced to take the second step at 0-1. Saturday, Sept. 20 -- Westhill at Trinity Catholic, 1 p.m. Who puts themselves in the driver's seat for the City Championship? Last year provided some thrilling action and chances are 2008 will be no different. Friday, Oct. 3 -- Stamford at Wilton. The Black Knights will have faced Trumbull and Staples since opening against NFA. Depending on how they fared, this game will say a lot about the rest of the Black Knights season. Saturday, Oct. 4 -- Trinity Catholic vs. St. Joseph. Say your prayers and go at it. Saturday, Oct. 25 -- Stamford at Trinity Catholic. Say this for the Crusaders in the battle for city supremacy. They had the home field advantage for both of its games, so that excuse is out the window. Friday, Oct. 31 -- Stamford's only win a year ago came at a cost. A post-game fight that led to suspensions of players. Ding, ding. Round 2. Friday, Nov. 7 -- If either Westhill (at Trumbull) or Stamford (at Greenwich) are for real, these games are huge. If not, then the new season of Gossip Girl will be heating up. Wednesday, Nov. 20 -- Stamford vs. Westhill. City championship implications? Perhaps. Thursday, Nov. 21 -- Trinity Catholic at Wilton. Last year, Wilton led 44-0 by halftime. It was a Turkey of a game. Revenge will be sweeter than Apple Pie. Copyright © 2008, The Hour Publishing Co.
 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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