By Dylan Butler
Brendan Stackpole split time at quarterback last year, but he was under center when St. Francis Prep turned its season around a year ago, and the Terriers shook off a miserable start to advance to the CHSFL Class AA semifinals before losing a heartbreaker to Mount St. Michael.
Stackpole is now a senior and the quarterbacking job is all his. He’s the leader of an inexperienced offense which features a brand-new everything — line, running backs and wide receivers.
“It’s a big plus because I’m not only learning, but I can help out all the new guys with what they need to know on offense,” Stackpole said of gaining valuable experience a year ago. “It’s coming together. We’re starting to get a feel for everybody. We have all new receivers, a whole new backfield.”
This year, though, the Terriers open against rival Holy Cross in the annual Battle of the Boulevard clash Sept. 10 at the Mitchel Athletic Complex, can’t afford a slow start.
“We’re just trying to hit the ground running the first game,” Stackpole said.
A year ago, Stackpole completed 47 percent of his passes for 1,179 yards, 10 touchdowns and seven interceptions. A big reason for his success was having New York Post All-City receiver Bryan Caffrey as a target.
But Caffrey, who had 39 catches for 842 yards and a CHSFL Class AAA-best 10 touchdowns, is now at Wingate University. Stackpole has to go elsewhere when he looks down field.
Legendary St. Francis Prep Coach Vince O’Connor, who is entering his 57th year on the sideline, thinks senior Tanner Brandimarte and junior Robert Myers will anchor the receivers. Senior Anthony Witschel, a safety last year, moves to the other side of the ball to start at tight end.
“They’re both solid receivers with a similar build,” O’Connor said of Brandimarte and Myers.
Senior fullback Frank Campisi and sophomore running back Reuben St. Marc, who is “learning, but he’s got some good physical skills,” according to O’Connor, will get a bulk of the rushes this season in front of a completely rebuilt offensive line.
“On the offensive line, we have seven boys, all new,” O’Connor said. “Patience is the name of the game. They’re good kids, they have a nice attitude and they’re working on it.”
Senior Keith Carrington is the lone returning starter on the defensive line, but he moves from end to nose guard.
“It’s harder because every play is pretty much a double team,” Carrington said. “But it’s what I have to do for the team.”
Taron Fason, who has drawn interest from Marist, anchors the linebackers, which also features seniors William Holmes and Seamus Turner. The defensive secondary is also a veteran group, highlighted by cornerback Bart Sweeney V, whose father played for O’Connor on the 1979 team, and senior strong safety Chris McClain, who has a better feeling in training camp this year.
“The attitude this year is better, everyone is more driven,” McClain said.
But Fason knows the Terriers will be underdogs, not just against Holy Cross.
“I hope nobody doubts us because we might surprise anybody this year,” Fason said. “I have a good feeling. We have a lot of players back on defense.”
