Proctor primed to turn corner
Wednesday, Aug 30, 2006
Observer-Dispatch
UTICA — Quarterback Wesley Jackson didn't even play football last year. Neither did tailback Ronnie Pierce, for that matter.
So what makes Thomas R. Proctor High School coach Jerry Fiorini still think, "This could be the year for us?"
For starters, there is the much-anticipated return of junior flanker Deandre Preaster, the multi-talented, all-state basketball star who last year caught everyone's eye with his remarkable — at times, downright scary -- playmaking ability as a receiver, a runner, and a kick and punt returner.
"He can be the best player in the league," said Fiorini. "He's going to run the ball. He's going to catch it. We've just got to get it to him. He's got to get his touches. How could you not try to get him the ball?
"We don't know what we're going to see from other teams, what kind of coverages because of Deandre. We've got to make them adjust to him. We're going to ask teams to defend the whole field. If they can do that, then they deserve to beat us."
Defending the whole field means Fiorini believes teams will have more than Preaster to worry about again this season, too -- namely, other proven veterans like RB-WR Ronald Tarver, FB Joe Colangelo and WR Jay King. The coach really isn't concerned about starting quarterback Jackson, either — "He can play," according to Fiorini — and untested or not, Pierce is "a tough, run-over-you type" who, together with Tarver, Steven Brown and Mike George, should help ease the loss of last year's gritty rushing leader, Israel Ferrer.
"We're keeping things simple for (Jackson and Pierce), and they're picking it up. They're athletes, too," Fiorini said. "We've just got to take care of ourselves and make plays. We definitely have playmakers. We're definitely going to be fun to watch. We have the ability to score on any play, from anywhere on the field. Not many teams do.
"If our line comes around, we'll be pretty solid."
Starters Muamer Torlak, Steph Hammell and Ryan Golding return up front. Defensively, first-team all-star linebacker Colangelo — last year's leading tackler — is back. So are linemen Golding and Joe Loconti, pass-rushing standouts a year ago when they were second-team all-stars, and athletic defensive backs like Preaster, Tarver, King, Brown and Jackson.
Perhaps most difficult to replace will be all-state kicker Dennis Avdic, who last season booted a Section III-record 55-yard field goal.
Proctor, 6-3 last season including a 66-21 loss to eventual Section III champ Christian Brothers Academy in the Class AA semifinals, has qualified for the playoffs five times in Fiorini's first six years as head coach.
"We've got to take the next step," Fiorini said. "We're getting there. Now, we've got to turn the corner. We've got the potential. We're on the verge, and if things go our way. ... We'll see. This could be the year for us. We've got the athletes. We've just got to get better every week and not make the little mistakes.
"It helps this year to have two nonleague games (scheduled) first, to work the kinks out, because then we've got Fayetteville-Manlius and Rome Free Academy right off the bat."
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