St. Edward set to take flight in more ways than one
Jetting to Florida for the season opener won't be the last time the St. Edward football team takes flight.
St. Edward under 12th-year coach Mike Rolando has traditionally been a running team. In fact, last season the Green Wave made its third straight playoff appearance and fifth in seven seasons by rushing the ball for 2,233 yards compared to 1,181 yards via the air.
But times change, as do rosters. Graduated is record-breaking running back Dwayne Allen (St. Cloud State) and most of the line that blocked for him.
What St. Edward does return is second-year varsity quarterback Dylan Mlarnich and his top four receivers from a year ago: Saveon Smith, Tyler Holte, Jimmy Harkins and David Madden.
As a sophomore, Mlarnich showed promise by completing 50.6 percent of his passes (80 of 158) for 1,033 yards. He threw more touchdowns (8) than interceptions (7).
Smith was his top target with 15 receptions for 356 yards and 2 touchdowns. Holte caught 16 passes for 188 yards and a score. Madden had 3 touchdowns among his 14 catches, and Harkins contributed 13 receptions for 131 yards and a touchdown. Juniors Ryan Pomeroy and Jake Frey are expected to join that experienced group.
In their season opener against Christ's Church Academy of Jacksonville, Fla. at the Disney Resort in Orlando on Aug. 26, look for the Green Wave to attempt to control the clock by completing hitches and short routes in lieu of their traditional 32 dive.
"We'll have a different style," Rolando said. "We've always tried to be a run-first team, but it may be a new look for St. Ed's as far as not having that power-running game. It's the best passing entity that we've had collectively since I've been here."
The three players expected to rotate at running back in the four-wide scheme also play linebacker on defense. Junior Ben Harrington and sophomores Angel Garcia and Nick Wright all came up through the Crusaders program.
The four returning wide receivers will also start in the secondary: Smith and Holte at cornerback and Madden and Harkins at safety.
The defensive line is fortified by senior Sam Reedy (5-foot-10, 255 pounds) and junior Brett Kruska (6-0, 190), who earned a spot as a sophomore. Phil Welch (5-10, 265) and Brandon Broetjes (6-1, 165) play ends.
The roster of 29 features only four seniors: returning offensive linemen Nolan Theriault and Anthony Salvadore, Reedy and Harkins.
"We're very young but not inexperienced," Rolando said. "Juniors like Madden, Holte, Mlinarich, Saveon, they all got significant time on the varsity level last year and that helps big time."