Bartlett hoping this becomes special season
This could be a special season at Bartlett, one the Hawks have been building toward the last two years.
Traditionally, sixth-year coach Tom Meaney and his staff follow the winning formula of playing seniors first unless a junior or sophomore is clearly superior. That approach works. The Hawks have reached the playoffs in each of Meaney's five seasons and every season since 2000.
However, Bartlett notched its eighth straight playoff appearance last year by going a different route: mining the deep vein of talent within its junior class and getting those players experience.
Thus, instead of having just a few returning starters on either side of the ball as has been the program norm, the 2008 Hawks return eight starters from a record-setting offense and six starters from a defense that improved as the season progressed.
It's the kind of experienced assemblage of talent that could power Bartlett to its first Upstate Eight Conference title since 2003 and advance beyond the second round of the playoffs, a feat the Hawks have never accomplished.
"We'd like to get a little deeper than that," Meaney said of the second round. "These kids have high expectations and we've put a lot of demands on them. The biggest thing is to expect to win. Last year it was a younger group. Now, we're mature. This is it. These seniors were 9-0 their freshman year, 7-2 their sophomore year with five kids playing up on varsity. I think their expectations are high and they should be."
The balanced Bartlett offense set records for yardage in 2007 with over 2,000 yards rushing and 1,600 passing. The attack that averaged 5.1 touchdowns per game returns senior quarterback Josh Hasenberg (6-foot-2, 195 pounds), who is getting college looks. Hasenberg also rushed for 11 touchdowns.
Returning senior receivers Alex VanNess (6-1, 185) and Cory Brown (6-0, 180) combined for 1,100 yards and 7 touchdown receptions. Bartlett also enjoys a luxury of two talented tight ends. Junior Greg Partyka (6-3, 235) was all-conference last year and senior Matt Pashawitz (6-2, 215) can get down the field.
Graduated are the fullback/tailback combination of 260-pound blocker Myles Griffin and all-area rusher Vinnie Libreri. However, little brother Fabian Libreri (5-10, 185) should step in at tailback along with backups Corleon Richardson (5-9, 180) and Eric Millon (5-7, 155).
Joey Lehto (5-8, 205) tops the depth chart at fullback along with hard-working seniors Andrew Gorski (5-11, 215) and Eric Elleman (5-7, 165).
The offensive line rivals that of a small college team. Senior Mike Aiello (6-2, 265) started at right tackle last year before he was injured in the first game of the season. He'll move to left tackle while his replacement, Gianni Pietanza (6-4, 245), remains at right tackle. Junior left guard Brendan Bauers (6-0, 220) started last year. Center Max Yep (6-1, 244) enters his third season as starter, and senior Sean Matheny (6-1, 210) will start at right guard.
Defensively, Bartlett returns three of its four linebackers, led by middle linebacker Kyle Zelinsky (6-1, 215), a three-year starter being recruited by five Mid-American Conference schools and the Air Force. He'll team on the inside with senior Mike Andreuccetti (5-10, 190) and returning junior outside linebacker Jim Crain (6-0, 195). Senior Brandon Burck (5-10, 175) also lines up on the outside.
Seniors Matt Paladino (6-0, 210) and Dean Brady (5-11, 255) started at defensive tackle positions for half of last season. Paladino will move to left end this year while Brady stays at right tackle. Senior Kyle Kirchoff (5-11, 270) will play left tackle. Senior right end Dante Perez (5-11, 190) started four games last year, and promising sophomore call-up Brian Polubinski (6-2, 185) is pushing for playing time.
Secondary experience includes senior free safety Steve Seeman (6-0, 185) and junior cornerback Mike Banks (6-0, 165). Both started every game in 2007.
"We have a lot of experience coming back, and you hope you've improved since last year, that's the main thing," Meaney said. "We had them in the weight room working, so you hope good things are going to happen. We want to win our conference, which hasn't been done in several years."