Rams Unfazed by Losses

CARMEL – Despite having to deal with a dizzying array of injuries last season, the Carmel High football team still managed to find its way to the Class AA championship game. The only problem was, coming off an emotional semifinal win over John Jay EF, the Rams seemed drained by the time they got there, and ended up getting thrashed by New Rochelle, 34-0.

Ryan Shilling Carmel had opened the season with a rousing victory over that same New Ro squad, so the Huguenots were itching for another shot at the Rams.

Carmel lost some considerable talent from that team, including four All- Section performers – DE/T Alex Othmer, WR/DB Andre Jamison, FB/LB Dan DeMassimo and WR Ali Haluci - and a fifth – C/DT Chris Watkins - who would have been a shoe-in for the award had he stayed healthy.

This year’s team wants to earn a return trip to that championship game, and the Rams have the type of quarterback – and surrounding cast – who can make it happen. Ryan Shilling – already a two-time All-Section pick - will be the first three-year starting quarterback for Carmel since Todd Cayea has been coach, and by the time Shilling is finished, he could go down as the best at that position the school has ever seen. With 30 touchdowns and over 2,600 yards in the air in his first two years, he’s well on his way to the CHS record books.

RJ Krauss Here’s a look at this year’s Carmel squad.

TEAM – Carmel Rams football

COACH – Todd Cayea, 15th season

LAST YEAR’S RECORD/FINISH – 7-3, lost in Class AA championship game

WHAT’S EXCITING ABOUT THIS TEAM? – “We have some kids back with game experience, which could be exciting,” Cayea said. “We have a good quarterback, wide receivers and some kids up front… we have some holes to fill, but we’re hoping for a good year. Last year we had so many injuries, a lot of young kids got some experience they normally wouldn’t have seen. But we’re not as deep as the last few years, so we need to stay healthy.”

Chris Conover RETURNING STARTERS – Ryan Shilling (12, QB/DB, captain, All- Section), Chris Conover (12, WR/ DB), RJ Krauss (RB/LB, All-League), Keith DiSanto (12, FB/LB, ASHM), Joe Sadowski (12, C/DT), Nick Sadowski (OT/DE, captain), Alex Ahlers (12, OT/DT, captain)

NOTEABLE RETURNING PLAYERS – Aaron Smith (11, DB/ WR), Frank Smith (12, QB, SP TMS, captain), Matt Carraturo (12, OT), Luis Arias (12, DT/TE), Matt Moretti (12, TE/DE), Dylan Lovett (12, K), Chris Pompa (12, WR/DB), Terell Lawrence (12, NT/OT), Nick Capone (12, OG), Ryan Hess (12, OG/DT)

NOTEABLE NEWCOMERS – James Montgomery (11, TE/DE), Mike Marek (11, FB/LB), Phil Verona (OT/DT), Bryan Wiggins (11, DB/ RB), Joe Verde (12, WR), Mike Servider (10, DB), Eric Padilla (11, DB/ WR), Jordan Samuals (10, FB/NT)

The Rams will look to Krauss and DiSanto to get the ground game going, and Samuals and Wiggins could make noise as well. “Krauss and DiSanto are both very capable,” the coach said. "RJ has the potential to a breakout season… I’m excited about watching him run. Wiggins is young, but runs the ball hard, he’s a physical back. And Jordan has potential.”

Cayea added that Shilling has worked to improve his arm strength, which could translate into an even more effective passing game. “I expect nothing more – or less - than we’ve seen the last two years,” the coach said. “He has a great understanding of the way I think, which is a bonus. His running ability puts pressure on defenses, and he’s worked to improve his arm strength, so he could have a great season.”

Conover, Smith, and Verde hope to be reliable targets for the senior gunslinger. “Conover can step in and do a great job,” Cayea said. “Smith could be a new target, and Verde is also good. All three can step in and get the job done.”

Defensively, a big question mark is how fast the Rams secondary can gel. “If we can stay healthy up front, we can be good,” Cayea said. “Our young kids in the secondary are gonna have to grow up fast… that’s a key to the whole deal.”

LEAGUE – AA-North includes Carmel, Mahopac, RCK, John Jay EF, Arlington and new addition John Jay CR, which replaces Scarsdale. Last year’s AA final four included three teams from this league, and Cayea expects nothing less this year. “This league has the best football in the section,” he said. “Every week you’ve got to play… A league title is our goal every year.”

OUTLOOK – The ultimate goal each season is to win a sectional championship, and the Rams were close enough to smell a title last season. “You’ve got to set the bar high,” Cayea said. “Our kids believe they can get there. The league is always our first goal, but expectations are high, so we play it out and see what happens.”

Carmel opens the 2009 season Saturday at RCK (6-3 last year) at 2:30 pm, and Cayea is expecting the Indians to be a stern test. “They look really good,” he said. “So we’ll be tested right away.”