Some plans, ideas for St. Viator aren't that new
Brandon New hasn’t come to St. Viator with all kinds of new schemes and ideas for success.
In fact, some parts of New’s plan as the Lions’ new head coach would be considered time-honored ways toward success. That’s something New knows a little bit about as a player, assistant coach and head coach in the legendary Driscoll program.
“Since Day 1 we’ve laid out a plan for how to get where we need to go,” New said. “We wanted to build their self-esteem and also put pressure on them for what the expectations are and what we expect as coaches.”
One of the biggest expectations for New offensively is to run the ball with Mayo Arogundade behind experienced offensive linemen Hugh Masterson (6-feet-5, 265 pounds), Roy Pettingill (6-2, 256) and Oge Udeogu (6-4, 340).
“I came in and said if we want to win football games we have to be able to run the ball,” New said. “I think we’ve done it.”
Junior Bobby Calmeyn won the starting quarterback job and has two solid targets in John Balas (34 catches, 595 yards, 5 TDs) and Kevin Hammarlund (32 for 406, 5 TDs).
Romteen Bahramirad and Zack Niro lead the way up front defensively. Senior Connor Kinasz is back at linebacker and senior Jimmy Murphy will start at linebacker after not playing last year.
Starting cornerback Chris Strzalka also returned after not playing last year. Brent Piechocki and Hammarlund are back to start in the secondary.
“We’ve simplified things because we want the boys to play hard and play fast,” New said. “We want them to line up and play some football. In this conference (East Suburban Catholic) there aren’t a lot of gimmicks.”
And while New’s staff has a big Driscoll flavor — along with the pro experience of former Bears receiver Marcus Robinson and offensive line coach Chris Babyar — he’s not trying to turn back the clock.
“I try not to reference the past much,” New said, “except to say this is what made us successful.”
Lions at a glance
Coach: Brandon New (first year; second year overall, 9-3)
Last year: 2-7, 1-7 (8th ESCC)
OFFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
QB Bobby Calmeyn 6-1/180 Jr.
TB Mayo Arogundade 5-11/200 Sr.
T Hugh Masterson 6-5/265 Sr.
G Tommy Madaras 6-2/220 Jr.
C Andrew Hansen 6-0/240 Jr.
G Jack Brandt 6-0/190 Jr.
T Roy Pettingill 6-2/256 Sr.
TE Joe Faerber 6-2/200 Jr.
WR John Balas 6-1/175 Sr.
WR Kevin Hammarlund 6-1/185 Sr.
WR Ben Dickey 6-0/180 So.
DEFENSE
Pos. Name Ht/Wt Yr.
DE Zachary Niro 6-3/185 Jr.
DT Romteen Bahramirad 5-9/200 Sr.
DE Conner Purk 5-11/220 Jr.
LB Marty Cukierski 5-10/175 Sr.
LB Connor Kinasz 5-10/185 Sr.
LB David Kujawa 6-1/220 Sr.
LB Jim Murphy 6-0/220 Sr.
CB Chris Strazalka 6-0/170 Sr.
CB Brent Piechocki 6-0/175 Sr.
S Ben Dickey 6-0/180 So.
S Kevin Hammarlund 6-1/185 Sr.