Being young, capable and athletic is what the Foran High football team has going for it when coach Jeff Bevino’s Lions open the season with the Fairfield Warde Mustangs in an SCC-FCIAC Football Challenge game on Thursday, Sept. 11, at 7 p.m.
“We’ve scrimmaged Ludlowe, Trumbull, who is very good, Stratford and Wilbur Cross,” Bevino said. So far, we’ve been okay and are working to be better than okay.”
Foran captains, quarterback Jake Kasuba, offensive lineman Anthony Raccio, defensive back Josh Mixie and running back Stephen Longley spoke about the Lions’ chances.
“We have to key into our assignments,” said Kasuba on replacing 19 graduated seniors, including 13 starters from last year’s 8-3 team. “We’ve been working with receivers on getting the timing down on our pass routes.”
Kasuba passed for 2,918 yards as a junior and 27 touchdowns.
Keying his success will be the offensive line, led by Raccio.
“We have three starters back (Luke Edmondson and Aniber Moras) and as a group we’re coming along quickly,” he said. “The young guys (Sam Kopatch and Mike Howell) know the system from freshman ball on up. It’s a matter of getting the reps to fill the spots left by some great seniors.”
Gone from the receiving corps are Nick Weissauer, who caught 74 passes for 1,098 yards and seven scores, Sean Deegan, who had 40 catches for 912 yards and 11 touchdowns, Connor Cadrin and Zach White.
“We are accepting the challenge of being a younger team,” said Mixie, who will start in the defensive secondary and see time at wide receiver. “As a senior, it was up to us to get the kids in the weight room to get stronger.”
Pat Fitzgerald, David Enders, R.J. Balado and Cubbie Canelli will be Kasuba’s main targets.
Longley is the top returning receiver, and he’s a running back.
“I’m focusing on doing my job,” said Longley, who had 11 catches for 125 yards to go with 581 yards rushing and five touchdowns. “Our offensive line has made a lot of progress and is doing a very good job.”
Foran coach Jeff Bevino agreed about his team’s o-line.
“They have some great days, other times...They are young and capable.
“Defensively, we’ll play Jordan Townsend, Robert Laggis and Andre Vella up front.
“David McLenithan is our defensive leader at inside linebacker with Noah Hubler and Howell. Colin Firmender and Mike Bevino will be the outside backers.
“Josh Mixie, Steve Lynch, Brett Huber and Sal Rosa will be in the secondary.
“We’re starting a lot of sophomores and yes, the speed of playing varsity is different. We’ll be ready.”
Warde went 4-7 a season ago. The Mustangs boast a talented offense, led by quarterback Brandon Bisack (1,341 yards passing) and wide receiver Ryan Brown (35 catches, 537 yards, five touchdowns).