September 18, 2014
The Hamilton football team’s days of preparation have not been easy so far, with players battling injuries, fighting for starting positions, adjusting to a new head coach and playbook and, of course, facing the greater task of rebuilding a program from the ground up.
Yet despite the customary struggles of preseason, captain Vincent DeCindio ’15 remains positive. “Team morale is better than it has ever been in my time here,” he said.
Offensively, senior captain and offensive linemen Nick Noonan ’15 explains that as a team, Hamilton football is no stranger to adjustments. Though a challenge, DiCindio added, “Learning a new offense for the third year…has undoubtedly been one of our successes. We’ve all stuck it out, but you’ve just got to focus on your game, your responsibility.”
In terms of offensive strategy, Noonan stressed the diversity of plays and formations. “The offense will not be predictable,” he asserted. Chase Rosenberg ’17 will assume the role of starting quarterback for the base Power-I and spread looks. “Chase has great chemistry with everyone,” said Noonan, most notably with Patrick Donahoe ’16 and Nick Caso ’16, as well as Charles Ensley ’17.
Furthermore, look out for a dangerous “Wildcat” supplement that features halfback Jeffrey Hopsicker ’16 taking snaps as he is accompanied by bulwark first-year fullback, Jason Nastovski ’18.
However, the Continentals will unfortunately be without right tackle and captain DiCindio for what looks to be a majority of the season. DeCindio tore his ACL, MCL and meniscus in a loss to Middlebury last season. “I’m motivated and optimistic to make a return… with the help of [Scott Siddon] and the awesome training staff,” he expressed with confidence. Matt Snider’17 will fill the role for the time being.
Despite a whole new defensive playbook, new Head Coach Dave Murray will be able to look to a very experienced group of talent on the opposite side of the ball. Free safety Ian Milne ’15 believes that this past week, following their strong showing against Cornell, has helped tremendously in terms progressing the defense as a unit. “This week was huge for knowing everything better, and just tightening the entire defense. The whole culture has changed,” he said, referring to the positive energy present in the locker room and on the field this year from the new coaching staff. “The terminology has been the hardest part,” he noted, “but the coaches have been incredibly helpful, and it’s been a pretty smooth transition.”
Senior captain and NESCAC all-conference first team defensive tackle Michael De Percin will be the heart of the Continental’s defense, anchoring the middle of the line. Milne refers to him as the most dangerous player on the field.
Further adding to the front seven will be linebacker Cade Larabee ’16. “[Larabee] has looked great coming back from a torn ACL.” Holding his own in the secondary will be Milne himself as well as Alex Mitko ’16. “Mitko will be a real leader back there,” asserted Millan.
Special teams will be backed by new talent as first-year kicker Zach Altneu ’18 will take on the starting role, as well as many other underclassmen showing their worth.
The Continentals have certainly experienced early preseason success thus far. “We have continued to improve as a football program every practice,” said Coach Murray. While the first real test at Tufts this coming Saturday has yet to come, it is surely refreshing to see a Hamilton football team so confident in identifying itself by both progress and hope.
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