Stevenson aims to extend playoff pattern

The veteran assistant replaced the hall-of-fame coach last year, and nothing changed.

Not even the initials of the head coach.

Stevenson’s football team kept winning.

The Patriots won their first 11 games, before losing to eventual Class 8A state champ Maine South in the quarterfinals.

“We don’t have that big, high-profile player out there like we had with Brion Wood and Kevin Earl and Joe Cassata, but we have a lot very solid football players,” said coach Bill McNamara, who replaced Bill Mitz last year. “We’re really excited about the team that we’re going to put on the field this year.”

Expect Stevenson to keep winning.

Gone are nine all-conference players, including all-state linebacker Wood (Penn), quarterback Earl (1,715 passing yards, South Dakota) and running back Cassata (1,273 rushing yards, 19 touchdowns), as well as wide receiver Steve Salata (56 catches-982 yards, 8 TDs).

Back is the streak.

The Patriots seek their 23rd straight state playoff berth this fall.

“We’re hoping to keep that playoff tradition going,” McNamara said, “and actually extend in the playoffs a little bit.”

Matt Micucci will look to continue his trend of scoring. Only the senior will try to put up points mainly by throwing and running, rather than just kicking.

Micucci booted 50-of-50 PAT kicks last year and made 6-of-7 field goal tries.

“He had a great year for us, so we’re hoping that our kicking game stays as strong as it was last year,” McNamara.

Micucci is no stranger to taking snaps from directly under center. He was the sophomore team’s quarterback two years ago.

“He’s a good athlete,” McNamara said. “He was behind Kevin (at QB last year) so he had to wait his turn. ... Matt brings more of a running aspect to the game. We’re expecting him to manage a game, take care of the football and get the ball to our halfbacks. And he’s actually a very accurate thrower. We’re very pleased with his progress throwing the ball, so we’re not afraid to put it up with him, either.”

The Patriots have been traditionally a running team with big offensive linemen providing holes. That could be the same this season.

“We’re going to be well balanced,” McNamara said. “If teams start to load up on the run, then we’re going to take our shots downfield throwing the ball.”

Micucci has solid options in the backfield, with junior Anthony Bozin, senior Nate Kahn, senior Kevin Foley and senior Mike Ling all candidates to get carries. Bozin moves from wingback to tailback. Kahn returns at fullback, while Foley was a short-yardage back a year ago. Ling did not play football last year.

Senior Jake Hurcombe (6-2, 275) and senio center Dan Laner (5-10, 215) return to anchor the offensive line. Senior wide receiver Troy Radtke showed big-play ability last year.

Defensively, the Patriots are moving Dom Bickus from outside to inside linebacker.

“He’ll be making the defensive calls, (like) Brion Wood was last year,” McNamara said.

Two other players, veterans Carl Miller (honorable mention all-NSC last year) and Jon Way, are also playing new positions. They’ve both moved from safety to outside linebacker.

“We’re moving guys around a little bit, but they’ve been flying around out here (at practice) and making tackles,” McNamara said. “(Miller and Way) really look good.”

Strong-and-fast Quentin Lorenzo and Mikey Kuhn return at defensive end and tackle, respectively. The secondary features sophomore Matt Morrissey, who will start at free safety and back up Micucci at QB.

Morrissey’s brother, Mike, starred to Stevenson and later started for Boston College. Dad Jim was a member of the Super Bowl Bears.

“We brought (Matt) up for the summer, and he was sitting at second or third string,” McNamara said. “He just got better and got better and was lifting and getting stronger. He really showed his athleticism. He passed a couple of guys up and he’s playing great for us. We’re really excited about what he’s going to bring to us, not only this year but two more years after that.”

Sounds like a high-profile player for the future.

Probable starters

OFFENSE

Pos. Name Ht. Yr.

WR Troy Radtke Sr.

LT Jake Hurcombe Sr.

LG Jeff Smith Sr.

C Dan Laner Sr.

RG Joe Marchese Jr.

RT Colin Wetzel Sr.

TE Dan Nowak Jr.

QB Matt Micucci Sr.

HB Anthony Bozin Jr.

FB Nate Kahn Sr.

RB Mike Ling Sr.

DEFENSE

DE Quentin Lorenzo Sr.

DT Mikey Kuhn Sr.

DT Sam Goldsmith Sr.

DE Art Polk Jr.

OLB Carl Miller Sr.

ILB Dom Bickus Sr.

OLB Jon Way Sr.

CB Connor Lewis Jr.

FS Matt Morrissey So.

SS Pat Breen Sr.

CB Troy Radtke Sr.