2019 Archbishop Stepinac Crusaders Football Preview

(L to R) #9 Myles Walker, #2 Cory Richards, and #45 Davaine Cushnie.

It was a walk down memory lane for me. Very pleased to Coaches Michael O'Donnell, Ken Barger, and Joseph Venice for letting me interview a few members of the program. I had the opportunity to sit in on a team meeting. "It's the little things on the inside that decide whether we hold up a championship trophy or not", said Barger.

One conversation going around between coaches and players was the loss to Chaminade. Last year, the Crusaders were thought to have their playoff hopes ended when Joey Carino threw a pass into the hands of a Chaminade defender.

As the tone of that season quickly changed into a state championship victory, Carino hopes this year will as well. Carino, a storied quarterback in the history of the school, is in his last year at Stepinac and hopes to go out a champion. "We're still trying to win a state championship. We have a lot of talent." Stepinac has quite the schedule this year. "We're going to take all of the games seriously, and every game will win a state championship this year. All of my receivers are going to be really good this year. Matt Halas, Quentin McCauley, Cory Richards, Gianni Cardenas, Mekhi Greene, Kevin McKenna. I can name even more, but they are all just going to be great targets for me this year. They're athletic and all can catch." Carino voiced his verbal commitment to play football at Albany recently.

#12 Joey Carino takes a pre pass pose as his photo for the scoreboard is taken.

Another thing to mention is the offense will be a powerful one. Kevin McKenna is said to be one of the best two way players on the team. McKenna went straight from the Freshman Team in 2016 to Varsity the next season. "I have been playing both ways for all of my life. I have gotten used to it. It takes a lot of dedication and hard work. I have really great teammates that help me out, and the coaches do a good job preparing me to get in the game and get in shape. Being in shape is all I have to worry about. And the rest will take care of itself. Playing both year round will help me constantly stay on my game when I need to."

Right now, McKenna is committed to play both football and lacrosse for the University of Utah. "I am pretty used to traveling, so I think I will be alright with it. It's really cool out there, and the environment I will feel really comfortable with, so being away from Mahopac for a long time really will not affect me too much."

#32 Multisport and two way player Kevin McKenna poses.

Myles Walker has a brother who played in my year. Isaiah Walker was in my grade at Archbishop Stepinac. The older Walker brother plays as a defensive back at Pace University. "My brother set a path here for me, a good example, so I am just trying to fit in his shoes. I just want to be like him in his Senior Year and win a State Championship." This season Walker will have many talented defensive backfields to run routes by. "I have to say Jordan Dunbar of Iona Prep. We both played when we were younger."

Quentin and James McCauley are brothers and both playing currently on the team. James is Carino's backup. "It's going to go great. Having my older brother on the team only makes it easier for me obviously. Everybody on the team is my brothers and I love them, however, having an older brother will be a great experience to have for the whole season", said James.

Quentin McCauley looks to end a great career at Stepinac. "It's going to be something special. He is playing quarterback and I am playing wide receiver. Already those two positions have to have a lot of chemistry. As brothers, we are going to live through that. You are going to see that to the fullest extent. A lot of guys went on to bigger and better things and I am just trying to be like them."

#1 Quentin McCauley, and #7 James McCauley are the only pair of brothers on the team. The first since the Prince Brothers Ronald and James played in the 2017 season. Before them was Tyger and Tyler Winston and Nick and Bernie Dadario.

You cannot have a powerful offense without a powerful offensive line. The offensive line this season will be one that is productive. Ajani Cornelius is a prominent senior lineman. He played JV his freshman year and went up to Varsity the year after. There are certainly big shoes to fill with guys like Jon Mucciolo and Chris Fowx gone. "Definitely. Both amazing guys. When I moved up to Varsity, they both showed me love, and guided me. By guiding my other teammates, we can all fill the shoes and be that strong O-Line that we need to be."

(L to R) #68 Michael Tartaglia, #51 Chris Peller, #77 Matt DiLullo, #65 Ajani Cornelius, and #76 Amari Broady.

The defensive side of the ball will just be as productive. Kevin McKenna will be a huge role at linebacker, with Doug Simmons graduated. Cornerbacks Cory Richards and Jamel Fleming are looking to make the defense a dangerous unit.

The unit last year was able to stop the most productive offenses in the league. "There will be a lot of the same things. There are good coaches. There are good incoming players that did not get to play last year because of the Seniors." Some receivers are really hard to stop. "Jaylin Smith from Hayes will be the hardest. The Cardinal Hayes Game will be a back and forth good game. "

#2 Cory Richards will be a major piece of the defensive backfield.

"We have been very good on defense over the years. Our staff does a good job putting everyone in the right position. McKenna and Mekhi are returning, so they are going to have to play on both sides of the ball. Our defensive line is the area we are most concerned with concerned with who is returning. Michael Tartaglia, and Darius Underwood will be two guys playing that position. The linebacker core with Cushnie and McKenna are going to be stepping up, " said Head Coach Mike O'Donnell of the defense.

Many alumni are returning to Stepinac. This season, Malcolm Major '15 will be an assistant offensive coach. Major just finished his career at Assumption College.

Malcolm Major

There are also many alumni playing in college this year. At Stony Brook there will be four alumni playing: Tyquell Fields, Gavin Heslop, TJ Morrison, and Shawn Harris. "They grew up together, played Yonkers youth football and came here, where they were very successful. Now they are playing college football at Stony Brook doing their thing. I was talking to Gavin yesterday. He said they were just trying to form a cohesive unit, find their chemistry, and trust the process of getting better everyday, and looking forward to a great season," said Major.

Many parents are also excited for the season. Yasmin Hurston, the mother of Ajani Cornelius is one of them. "It is like a bittersweet moment. It is our last year, but the last year shows kids the opportunity to do the best that they can do. This season specifically for this group of young men, they've come together during the off-season strong. They have a lot of heart. This year they are just going to do the best they can do, and be the great men they are," said Hurston of the upcoming season.

(L to R) Yasmin Hurston (Mother Ajani Cornelius), Melissa Cushnie (Mother Davaine Cushnie), Mike McCauley (Father Quentin and James McCauley), and Steve Davis (Brother Malyke Davis).

For the academic side of things Stepinac will be very innovative for yet another year. The school will be introducing programs such as the AP Scholar Program, AP Seminar, and AP Research. "It is just another way to challenge ourselves in the classroom," said Mychal Riccio, who has one of the highest GPA's on the team. "The opportunities that we have are enough to keep us going, and increase your resume for colleges."

Schoolwork is a priority for everyone in the school. "You take care of the weekends. You do have some long nights. When you find and keep a rhythm and keep a good schedule, you are really able to increase your time efficiency and get everything on time and with high quality of work. This helps me to keep my responsibilities to the team as well," said Riccio.

Tight End #89 Mychal Riccio. He is ready for any challenge on the field and in the classroom.

All in all, I hope my alma mater can win championships this year.