Cardinals kick off season Saturday

FOOTBALL

By Tim Falls, Sports Editor
As the three-time defending Colonial Valley Conference Champions, Lawrence is the team to beat.
   The Lawrence High School football program has been very successful the past few years and that shouldn’t change this season.
   The Cardinals have worked hard to reign the CVC. Lawrence players pretty much begin training for the next season as soon as the last season ends.
   Lawrence kicks off its CVC season with a game against Notre Dame at 11 a.m. Saturday.
   "We’re anxious to play," said Lawrence head coach Rob Radice. "You practice to play games, you don’t practice just to practice."
   Lawrence opened the season last year with a win over the Irish and remained undefeated until falling in the NJSIAA playoffs.
   Obviously, Radice would like to see his team be as successful in the CVC this season, but the Cardinal coach knows how teams change from year to year.
   "It’s hard to tell in high school football where you stand each year," said Radice. "We want to see how the kids perform."
   While the Cardinals have a strong work ethic, and that is an important factor in Lawrence’s success, the team needs to play well and retain the focus that has carried them to victory in the past.
   "It takes a lot to win like we have," said Radice. "Part of it is being a little lucky. Hard work and putting yourself in good opportunities is what its all about."
   The Cardinals have made the most of those opportunities in the past and that’s why their competition in the CVC will primed to play Lawrence each week.
   "We probably have a target on our back," said Radice. "That’s okay, we can handle that. We’re the three-time defending CVC champs."
   Lawrence’s senior captains are running back, Brian Mills, linebacker Dan Albi and linebacker Will Nahan.
   Radice described the three captains, citing their involvement in the school and other activities, not just their success with the football program. Radice said along with his outstanding work ethic Nahan volunteers for special olympics and "serves as a good role model. He’s totally active in the school. He’s everything a parent would want their son to be."
   That kind of leadership should bode well for the Cardinals.
   Lawrence senior players are Chandell Fuqua, Mills, Ken Sherman, Marcus Eaddy, Albi, Pat Kenney, Nahan, Tyler Beckingham, Mike Irene, Adam Joyce, Eric Sobolewski, John Espinoza, Justin Flam, John Murawski, Tamai Young, Travis McAchen and Andrew Lawrence.
   The Lawrence juniors are Matt Irene, Jamal Taylor, Sean Pearson, Brock Krawczun, Anthony Russ, Pat Rynkowski, Jerry McClure, MacKendy Brutus, Case Jemison, Raffaele Albanese, Brandon Henderson, Elliot Watson, Brad Hector, Kevin Lopze, Alphy Herrera, Stephen Mitchell, Matt Gregory, Lee Wing Zhou, Tom Kmiec, Jensen Pierre, Dean Massaro, Kalen McCallum, Steve Parsons and Jeremy Arwas.
   The Lawrence sophomores are Roger Sarmiento, Chris Coyle, Nick Brackett, Isaiah Coleman, Nikhil Sharma, Charles Pearson, Gerrayl Bryson, Janusz Gorcyza, Darnell Hudson, Keith Sherman, Dashawn Journigan, , Jordan Singh, Pat Fedorko, Sean Adamcik, Hiran Aviles, Eugenio Palaez, Johnathan Flemming, Lee Ping Zhou, Elliot Hebden, Wayne Hannon, Jesse Goldstein, Glenn Friedborn, Joe Guarrieri, Ethan Posey, Bimal Patel, Mike Reeves, Zeeshan Azfar, Dave Amin and Azzdean Coleman.
   Junior Anthony Russ returns as Lawrence’s quarterback. Russ was sidelined with an injury midway through the season last year.
   "Russ has developed into a legitimate passer," said Radice. "He’s grown in confidence, along with growing physically. He’s got a command of the field."
   Along with Radice, the Cardinal coaching staff includes defensive coordinator Anthony Ammirata, offensive line coach Dave Bossio, defensive backs and junior varsity coach Ferdie Reeves, defensive line and JV coach Nate Jones, press box and freshman coach Dean Mason, scout coach and freshman coach Chris Gresko and volunteer coaches Scott Caloiaro and Ryan Dunn. The Lawrence student managers are Elizabeth Morreale, Ana Martinez, Jennifer Acuna, Isabel Zuniga, Ivy Drexel, Ashley James, Jessica Tucker and Tiffany Williams. The student camera man is Nathan Harris.
   Lawrence will see if the hard work during the off season pays off when it takes the field against Notre Dame on Saturday.
   "We’re trying to push these kids to be their best," said Radice. "We want them to be the overall consummate student athletes. We tell them if they’re not training hard, pushing themselves to the limit, they can bet their opponents are."