By Bob Badders - Senior Writer
E-mail: badders@digitalsports.com


    Over the past two seasons, Brick has been able to put together a defense that plays tough and physical and has the ability to shut teams down. It's been a unit that has carried the Green Dragons to some big wins and will once again look to be a strength in 2008.
    The Dragons, however, are hoping it isn't their only strength. The biggest problem for Brick recently has been the inconsistent play of its offense. One week it will look efficient and crisp and the next it will look stale, often times leaving the defense out to dry. So in searching for success on the offensive side of the ball, the Dragons have scrapped their spread offense and reverted back to a system that has served them well for many previous seasons: the Delaware Wing-T.
     "What it came down to was that I know that offense better than the spread and we just felt like it was time to get back to that," said Brick head coach Warren Wolf, who is entering his 51st season as the Dragons' only head coach. "Also, a lot of our coaches played in the Delaware Wing-T, and they are more comfortable with it."
    Last season the Dragons used only a couple running backs while running the spread and it was actually quarterback Jordan Roshala who led the team in rushing. That will change this season in the Wing-T as there will be upwards of seven players that can contribute in the running game. Starting at running back will be senior Joe Goble, who ran the ball occasionally last year. He will be spelled by junior Joe Spinella. At fullback will be 6-foot-1, 225-pound senior Doug Sibole and also 215-pound junior Paul Heatter and 6-foot-3, 220-pound sophomore Dylan McDonnell. The wing back will be senior Brennan Candito, a versatile player praised by Wolf.
    Roshala,  a senior, was set to begin his third year as the Dragons' starting quarterback until he re-injured his knee in a scrimmage. Wolf said Roshala is doing physical therapy and is week-to-week until he gets cleared to play. In the meantime, the Dragons are fortunate to have a young quarterback who also has experience to run the offense. Junior John Applegate, who started toward the end of last season for an injured Roshala, will begin the season under center.
    "Last year I was a little nervous but having a few games under my belt has helped me feel more comfortable coming into the season," Applegate said. "We have big linemen and it should be easier for us to run the ball. This offense should be better for our team in the long run."
    The offensive line Applegate speaks of is bigger than in years past and could play a big role if Brick is to change its offensive fortunes. Starting at left tackle will be 6-foot-1, 235-pound senior Charlie Rusignuolo. Two players will see time at left guard, as junior Tyler Mastria and 6-foot-3, 230-pound sophomore James Gibbons have been working with the first unit. The starting center will be yet another big body, 6-foot-2, 225-pound senior Kevin Watson. The right side of the line is huge and will be a load to handle for opposing defensive lines. Senior Ryan Sibole, a 6-foot-3, 285-pounder will be at right guard and 6-foot-3, 275-pound senior Andrew Leustek is at right tackle.
    "We are a big line so we should be able to open up holes better and gain much more yardage," Ryan Sibole said.
    "We didn't change to this offense because we have a big line," Wolf said. "But our personnel certainly enhances what we want to do."
    The Dragons will be heavily using a tight end in their offense and have four players that will see time. Seniors Carl Rex (6-2, 235) and Bill Paterno (6-3, 255) lead the way with fellow seniors Eddie Leach and 6-foot-5 John Scandone also slated to see the field. The wide receiver rotation also features Scandone as well as Candito and juniors Michael Auriemma and Tom Marino.
    "Coach Wolf really thinks this offense will be good for us, and we have the right personnel to run it," Goble said. "We're looking forward to having an explosive offense again."
    The same big bodies that occupy the offensive line will man the defensive line as Brick plans on having a stout defense again. Paterno, Leustek, Ryan Sibole and 6-foot-2, 215-pound senior Corey Lane will make up the defensive front in Brick's multiple defense. The linebackers will be Doug Sibole, Rusignuolo, McDonnell, senior Chris Polazzo and junior Dan Brennan. Goble, Applegate, Spinella, Leech and Roshala, if healthy, comprise the core of the secondary. Senior Chris Monroe and junior Justin Kamen are also in the mix in the defensive backfield.
    "I think our defense can be a lot better, and if our offense can score points we'll win more games right there," Ryan Sibole said.
    "The defense has played well through the years and we're going to continue to do that," Wolf said.
    Sophomore Patrick Kearns will be the placekicker while the punter will be either Paterno, Applegate or Roshala.
    After finishing at 5-5 last season with some close losses, the Dragons feel that a few changes can take them from a .500 team to a squad ready to make a run at a division and state championship.
    "We're just trying to get back to being a winning program," Wolf said.


Head coach
Warren Wolf, 51st season
Career record: 355-119-11

Assistant coaches: Brian McNamara; Warren C. Wolf; Len Zdanowicz; Bill McDonnell; Rob Dahl; Al Lamura; Jack Bush; Kurt Weiboldt; Don Marino; Jay Groschel.

2007 record
5-5 (2-4)

BIG SHOES TO FILL: Kurt Loftus was both an explosive punt returner and a reliable receiver who seemed to make tough catch after tough catch. The offense will be geared more towards the run this season, but will still need someone to step up in the passing game.


X-FACTOR: Will the defense continue to play at the high level it has been at for the past few seasons? Can the offense turn it around and put enough points on the board to make the Dragons a complete team?
 

IMPACT NEWCOMER: The Dragons have a big sophomore class and one of those players that will contribute this season is 6-foot-3, 230-pound offensive lineman James Gibbons.

 

PIVOTAL GAME: The Dragons have a tough division schedule plus nondivisional games against Howell, Jackson Memorial and Brick Memorial. Because of that, Brick needs to start off strong when it hosts Howell in Week 1.