Four years have past since I went out to Hartwood Park to watch a LeRoy modified football team that was said to be very good in the eyes of fans and foes. Good? They were that and more. Much more. They were big, they were fast, they were physical as heck, they could run, pass, block, and tackle, all the while staying disciplined and sticking to the game plans that lead to numerous victories throughout subsequent JV and varsity seasons. The chemistry of the team spoke volumes of how well they were coached and how much they liked one another. Those 8th graders are now seniors to be in this, the 2007 season. Much is expected of this year's varsity. Much is desired after a stinging 1-point loss at rainy Ralph Wilson Stadium in the state quarterfinals in '06. The team is loaded with talent, depth, and heart. It remains to be seen if the Knights can defeat a lineup of opponents that have their calendars marked to take it to the Men in Black. Coaches Brian Moran, Ron Plummer, and Andrew Paladino have the team prepared for this heady opposition, focused on the goals of another sectional crown and a possible run at a state title. A lot can happen in a few months…buckle up for the ride.

Coach Brian Moran continues to add to his gridiron resume' after having lead the Knights to a #4 final state ranking in Class C last season, going 9-2 in the process. Overall, Moran is 147-41-2 for a 78% winning percentage, with 11 Section V titles. The Knights have won 85% of their games over the past dozen seasons (114-20) and have garnered the following state rankings: 1st-1995, 2nd-1996, 2002, and 2004, 4th-1998, 2006, and 5th-2005. A sectional title in 2007 would move the Knights into a 3-way tie for most titles by a Greater Rochester area football program; the Knights' current tally of 12 wins in the championship game trail only the 13 earned by the storied programs of Cal-Mum and Clyde-Savannah. Speaking of numbers, the Knights have not lost a home football game since 1998 (38 consecutive home games).

The offense will be led by the sheer energy of offensive coordinator Ron Plummer, who sticks his nose and body into the action at each practice to teach, motivate, and inspire the O to be a disciplined, error free, attacking group that is sure to once again light up the scoreboard. LeRoy is known for its power rushing attack. Defenses looking only to stop the LR rush will pay a price this season, as there is a QB in town and receivers that can snag his throws.

The defense will be very strong and big up front. How would you like to weigh 250 and be the smallest on a front four that has the others going 290, 325, and 260? Ask Joe Carubia. There are 4 stellar linebackers behind the big boys, and 3 D-backs that will stick and hang step-for-step with the best of opposing receivers. Speaking of the best, the D will once again be managed by defensive coordinator Andrew Paladino. Coach P is liking what he sees on defense and he is ready to once again manage his trademark aggressive, smart, swarming to the ball, group of tacklers that will keep opposing teams' punters very busy.

Consistency wins championships and that flows from the likes of assistants Jim Bonacquisti, Dell Storey, and Hooks Robertson. You can count on these three individuals to do anything and everything to make the team better. Coach B pushes the rigors of weight training, and lets individuals know when they have put in a good day's work in the off-season. Dell is all eyes when it comes to techniques, spotting when they are good, and how they could be better. Watch him before each contest, walking from player to player, calmly letting each one know to play with pride after buckling up the black helmet. Players listen to coaches they respect. They know when a coach's advice is credible and worthy of note. Enter Hooks Robertson. To a man, he is loved for his classy, positive, strong, and heartfelt guidance. No one wants these young athletes to win more than Hooks. By experiencing him, they already have won…they already have.

Junior Travis Fenstermaker, one of the best all-around athletes on the team, will take over the reins at QB after the most successful tenure of departed Mark Bennetti. Travis has gained size and strength since he put on a show as a freshman call-up for the sectional clash with Marcus Whitman in 2005. Travis showed poise and stellar throwing ability late in that contest and has only gotten better. He throws a beautiful tight spiral that will lead to a LeRoy air attack that remains alive with his abilities. When he takes off, he will let you know his presence with a lowered shoulder and grit. Travis will also handle the kicking duties, as he has a pretty good canon on that right leg. The backfield features Thunder and Lightning in the form of senior backs Brady Bonacquisti and Ian Humphrey. Bonacquisti is simply a stud of a player, now in his 3rd season as a starter. Brady's big time play did not go unnoticed in 2006. He simply led the team in scoring (14 TDs and 546 yards as a fullback) and was the leading tackler from his LB position (74 total). Oddly just an Honorable Mention selection in the LCAA in '06, Brady went on to be selected Game MVP of last year's Section V Class C championship game, was one of only 7 underclassmen to be selected to the 2006 All-Greater Rochester Super 22 Team, and along with John Whiting and Marcus Epps, earned 2nd team All-State Class C honors as a linebacker. Brady has worked oh so hard in the weight room and will be a load. Senior Ian Humphrey is glad of that. Running behind the likes of the Whiting, Epps, and Bonacquisti, Ian showed that he was not just a former JV star, but a bonafide varsity runner as well, racking up 900 yards, scoring 13 TDs, and averaging 6.1 yards per carry. His vision of the field and cutback abilities are some of the finest I have ever seen at LeRoy…and I have watched a lot of great backs in 40+ years of spectating. Ian, all 5'7 of him, can high-jump over 6 feet in track, bench 150% of his body weight, and flat out juke defenders into stumbling sequences. He is not the only Humphrey in the LR program either. Younger brother Quentin will enjoy his RB stint this season on the JVs, and come up to play along side brother Mike Humphrey, a junior this season, and the team's most impressive wide receiver. Whatever you throw toward Mike, he grabs. Mike's sophomore season was shortened as he separated his shoulder in the team's '06 opener against Batavia after rambling 70+ with the pigskin. Mike is healthy and that is bad news for opposing D backs. Mike was stellar in last week's scrimmage with Victor, Franklin, and Livonia. Also showing well at the scrimmage and all preseason for that matter, is another receiving threat, junior Andrew Alexander. Look for the A-Train to be on the tracks constantly. Last season on JVs, Andrew rushed for 952 yards, scored 14 TDs, and averaged 6.2 yards/carry for the 6-2 squad. He will also play defensive back and be on special teams. He is a great addition to this year's gridiron talent pool.

Coach Paladino's first-team defense will be downright tough to score on this season. The D ends will be manned by the experienced dynamic duo of Whiting and Epps. Clogging the middle at D tackles, will be senior Chuck Brandes and junior Joe Carubia. Chuck is big. Big in size, heart, determination, personality, and desire. He is pretty darn strong in the weight room too. Carubia returns to the LeRoy football fold, a year removed since starring on the JV squad. Joe is another big, strong, and tough player that will hold his own with the double-teaming usually reserved for the likes of Whiting and Epps. Mixing into the front defensive four will be the brothers Casper, Jordan and Josh. Josh is one of the strongest players on the team and was the leading tackler on last year's JV squad. Bailing hay and doing his daily farm chores with his brothers has lead to even a stronger pair of mitts he calls hands. The linebackers are top notch. The middle will be guarded by All-State 2nd teamer Brady Bonacquisti and hungry Greg Elmore. The outside linebackers will be '06 sack leader Kory Cosimeno and upstart Chris Andrews, the second leading tackler on last year's JV squad. Cosimeno and Andrews both have wrestling backgrounds so the takedowns by the two will be plentiful. Andrews has been nothing short of stellar from opening day. Centerfielding Mike Humphrey will be a pickoff machine at his safety position all season long. Flanking Mike at D corners will be junior standouts Travis Fenstermaker and Andrew Alexander.

Depth will be bountiful for this year's squad. The second teams are strongly manned. Special team members and those being called upon for jump-in-and-play ability will be Nate Larson, Travis Hurd, John Scheuing, Don Pangrazio, Travis Pangrazio, Jared Inouye, Evan Calmes, John Kelso, Joe Schwab, Jourdain Holly, and Josh Risewick. The raw speed and strength of Tyrone Wyckoff will also have the locals smiling.

Here is hoping that all stay healthy and that everyone enjoys the upcoming season. The first contest of the year is this Friday at home versus the Batavia Blue Devils.