Ever since I came to Oratory Prep, I’ve always been confused as to why Oratory doesn’t have a football team. Students have constantly debated who would run the team, who would be at the helm of the quarterback position, who would carry the ball, who would kick, and so on.
Here is my Oratory football lineup if we had a team:
Head Coach: Mr. Gist
Oratory’s finest Athletic Director, Mr. Gist, would be the head coach because of his sports knowledge and his football experience (former Division I football player for Purdue and high school head coach).
Offensive Coordinator: Mr. Gordon
Mr. Gordon would take his passion for ethics and morality and bring a major morale boost to the team. Guiding students through complex ideas and making connections is perfect for calling audibles and keeping the quarterback calm under pressure.
Defensive Coordinator: Mr. Daugherty
Mr. Daughtery’s calm and serious approach would push the team’s defense to greatness. Being the head coach of the basketball team, Mr. Daughtery knows all about positioning, reading the offense, and reacting quickly, skills that transfer perfectly from the court to the field.
Strength & Conditioning Coach: Gerry DeFilippo
2012 OP Alumni Gerry DeFilippo from Challenger Strength would easily turn a group of freshmen who struggle with push-ups into a powerhouse of strength. DeFilippo’s combination of pushing limits while keeping training fun is perfect for the team, helping the team progress without damaging morale.
Players:
Quarterback (QB): Ryan Fay
Fay’s speed, arm strength, and overall athletic ability make him the best fit for the position. Mistakes aren’t likely, and his leadership capabilities are perfect for the team, as shown by his leadership on the basketball team (other options: Henry Griffiths, Will Kostka, Thomas Albinito).
Running Back (RB): Logan Costello
Costello’s power and athleticism would easily overpower defensive linemen. His ability to clutch in big moments, shown in his baseball games, will come up big for the Rams and help them win in the later stages of games (other options: Nolan Gabel, Aidan Mino, Brody Sheehan).
Wide Receivers (WR): MJ, Joe Bateh, Devon Fernandez
MJ’s athleticism and speed, Joe’s size and catch ability, and Devon’s stature and route-running skills would be great options for Fay (other options: Brody Sheehan, Zachary Owens, Thomas Albinito).
Tight End (TE): Will Kostka
Kostka’s height and running ability would benefit him as he’ll be able to stand over defensive backs. His blocking ability would be questionable, though, but that’s why there’s a depth chart (other options: Joe Bateh, Will Mazzei, Jeremy Yeager).
Offensive Line (OL): Kevin Bernstein, Joey DeMarco, Alex Akiwumi, Eric de Vomecourt, Thomas Dilkes
These boys would use their stature to their advantage, overpowering the defensive line and protecting Fay (other options: Blake Duddy).
Defensive Line (DL): Joey Demarco, Kevin Bernstein, Joe Bateh, Eric de Vomecourt
Keeping the stature and power from the offensive line to the defensive line will keep strong power on both sides of the ball (other options: Andrew Hipolit, Matt Dion).
Linebacker (LB): Thomas Albanito, Will Mazzei, Tyson Moose, Caylor Mendez
Size and strength are qualities that all these students share. Their athletic abilities (a mix of hockey, soccer, and basketball athletes) and power would strike fear in short-route receivers.
Cornerbacks/Safeties (CB) (S): MJ, Brody Sheehan, Liam Quinn, Zachary Owens, Devon Fernandez
Speed and elusiveness are necessary for the corner position; all of these students fit perfectly for the position. Height against tight ends and keeping up with the opponent’s wide receivers will prove easy for the team.
Kicker/Punter (K) (P): Will Mazzei & Henry Griffiths
Mazzei’s kicking power and Griffith’s soccer abilities will give strength to the Oratory’s special teams. Field goals will be hit, and it’s unlikely that clutch kicks will be missed (other options: Caylor Mendez, Bruno Pastore).
