Big questions for teams heading into the 2024 season

CSFL

Army: 2023 6-1

Quarterback Play

Army has had the luxury of having Mikal Willeke at the helm for the last few seasons. During his tenure Army finished as a top 3 scoring offense each season he was a starter and Mikal finished his career top 10 in career passing yards and touchdowns in sprint football history while also finishing 3rd all time at Army in career passing yards and touchdowns. Mikal left and legacy and and presences that will surely be missed. Mikal’s replacement will likely be a rising sophomore with a name sprint football fans should be familiar with. Son of coach Mark West and brother of former Army standout Keegan West, Kyle West seems primed to take the reigns. He played in some garbage time during his freshman finishing with 227yards and 2 touchdowns. Being taught the offense by his dad for years and getting to see his brother dominate should put Kyle West in a position to make some noise in his first year as a starter. Someone would have to come out of no where to knock him off this spot.

Caldwell: 2023 2-4

Quarterback Play

Army is not the only team that has their biggest concern at the quarterback position and Caldwell wont be the last. Standout QB Frank DeMaio finished up his career last season. He finished as Caldwell’s all time leader in passing yards and touchdowns and top 15 in sprint history in passing yards and touchdowns. DeMaio leaves having ushered in the most winning era in Caldwell history. New coach Louie Matsakis will have to find a new QB as he starts off this new era of Caldwell football. There are two names in the hat right now. Sr QB Anthony Haines and Soph QB Antonio Rosato. Haines has played in a light role so far in his career. He has 150 yards 1TD 1int to his name so far. Rosato has yet to see the field as a QB at this point in his career. Haines could be the front runner based on the fact that he has been a main backup over the last few season but with a new coach and a influx of new freshmen anything is possible.

Chestnut Hill: 2023 2-5

Defense

CHC has had a influx of young talent over the last few seasons. While they have had some success consistency has been a issue. Standouts like Jr DL Jonathan Havrilak and Jr LB Lex Williams have been impactful week in week out. The front seven duo have been the leading tacklers for the Griffins the last two seasons. However overall the Griffins defense has struggled to hold their opponents down. The Griffin’s defense gave up 30+ points 4 times last season while only scoring 30+ once. Offensively I think the Griffins are in a good place heading into this season. The CHC offense has playmakers like Jr QB Anthony Cancellare and Jr WR Kyree Griffin. Those two along with some other young pieces have created a sense of optimism on that side of the ball. If the Griffins want to take the next step and ascend up the ranks then defensively CHC will need to improve this season.

Cornell: 2023 0-7

Roster development

Cornell has been at the bottom of the CSFL for a few years now. Inconsistent QB play, a lack of an affective run game, and a light defense have plagued Cornell over the last few seasons. A new coach came in last year replacing long time head coach Terry Cullen. This did little to change the fortunes for the Big Red. Heading into this season Cornell has made another coaching change. Michael Huyghue was named the new HC a few weeks ago. Huyghue will have his hands full has he tries to bring Cornell back up from the bottom of the CSFL. One of the only relevant players Cornell has had over the last few seasons has been Sr ATH Evan Nicolas. Nicolas has shouldered the load and has undoubtably been Cornell’s best and most consistent player. He was played everything thing from RB, Safety, and WR. It remains to been seen where he will line up this year, he is currently listed as a RB. There will need to be roster improvements from top to bottom if Cornell hopes to compete this season.

Mansfield: 2023 4-3

Defense

Mansfield is in the midst of the most successful era in program history. They have found success on the offensive side of the ball thanks to the efforts of guys like Sr QB Chasid Raymond and Sr ATH Terrance Quaker. Mansfield has also had stars on the defensive side of the ball that have help push the program forward. The most notable being LB Matt Robert who finished his career as the all time leading tackler in sprint football history and Mansfield’s all time leader in tackles. With Robert gone there is a huge void in the middle of the defense. Beyond that the Mansfield secondary has been an issue over the last few seasons. Retention and development have been the biggest hindrance to success in the secondary. Soph DB Chase Thompson should build off of a successful freshman season to lead the back half of the MU defense. Sr LB Gavin Hinman who has been a great compliment to Robert will now need to be the man in the middle for Mansfield. Jr DL Ian Mapp will need to increase his effectiveness to give Mansfield a presence on the defensive line. If the Mansfield defense can take a step forward then they could be in the mix at the top of the ranks in the CSFL.

Navy:2023 7-1

Quarterback/Running Back

Navy is coming off of one of the best runs in program history. Despite this fact even the defending CSFL champs have some questions heading into the season. QB Brandon Atwood finished up his career as maybe the best QB in program history. Atwood finished with the 15th most passing yards in sprint history and the 6th most touchdowns in sprint history. His career numbers are also good for the 2nd most career passing yards in Navy history and he is the career leader in passing touchdowns at Navy. Its safe to say that these will be big shoes to fill. One of the guys should be in the mix is Soph QB Luke O’Connell. The young QB was a reserve last season and finished the year with 15 passing yards. We’ll see who else throws their name in the hat when the new freshman come to the team. As for the running back Navy has had the best streak of running backs in CSFL history. Last year was the first time in a while that there wasn’t a bonified star in waiting. This year Soph RB Hunter Gennicks looks like he might be the next great thing in the Navy backfield. The young RB showed flashes when his number was called last season. With a increased workload Gennicks could really pop. The interesting guy at both spots is Sr QB/RB Luke Wagner. Wagner has split time at QB and RB during his tenure at Navy. It will be interesting to see where the senior lines up to start the season. If I had to bet I would say he might get the nod at QB. The Navy backfield will look different this year no matter who gets their number called to start the season.

Penn:2023 2-5

Offense

Penn is coming off one of their worst season in program history. A big contributor to this recent lack of success has been their inability to produce offensively. Last season Penn only scored 13 point per game which is the lowest amount of points they have averaged in a season in over a decade. They will need to see improvements across the board if they want this to change. At QB it remains to be seen if Sr QB Ty Scherer is the guy. Incoming QB Michael Malone will have a shot to get on the field right away. He is coming in with a high pedigree and with the lack of success Scherer has had there should be a competition right away. There will need to be some development upfront if the Quakers hope to improve in the run game as well. Soph RB JT Goodman looks like a solid back but there’s not much you can do when there’s no where to go. On the outside it will be a major bonus getting Sr WR Jake Wang back from injury. He missed the entire season and his absence was huge. With some returning veteran leadership and a influx of young talent Penn could create a quick turnaround.

St.Thomas Aquinas: 2023 4-3

Youth Development

STAC is coming of the best season in program history. Program highs in points, games won, scoring differential, and rushing yards had STAC at a all time high last year. However heading into 2024 there will be a major changing of the guard. STAC graduated 24 seniors last year, 13 on offense and 11 on defense. There may be a few who return with this being one of the last classes with a “COVID YEAR” but that remains to be seen. If we are going on the assumption that they are all leaving there will be a lot of spaces to fill. ATH Reno Molina was one of the most electrifying players in sprint football last season and WR Jayden Bennermon had the best season of his career. These are just two players who will be leaving a void with their departure. Some of that offensive production will be shouldered by Soph WR Nyir Jones who was spectacular during his first season. The young receiver ended the year with 28rec 417yards 4TD. Having standout Sr QB Ryan Kenney will also help in this transition. Kenney is one of the best quarterbacks in sprint football heading into the 2024 season. He finished the season with 1460yards 17TD. If the Spartans young talent can produce in their newly found roles then STAC has a chance to pick up where they left off.

NOT LISTED MOLLOY * Inaugural Season*

MSFL

Bellarmine:2023 6-2

Offensive Development

Bellarmine improved from year 1 to year 2 and should do the same heading into year 3. This biggest area of concern has been developing offensively outside of their running game spearheaded by standout Jr RB Brenden Reid. Reid is one of the best players in all of sprint football without a doubt. It has been amazing to watch him play these last two seasons. Almost every big win the Knights have had has been due to the efforts of Reid as a runner, pass catcher, and blocker. For Bellarmine to take the next step they will need to continue to improve at other positions and in other facets of the game. Soph QB Luke Worley started off slow but found his wave as the season progressed. The Knights may have found their guy for the next few years if Worley can pick up from where he left off. Worley ended last season with 1036yards 11TD 8int. Bellarmine also has a nice trio of young playmakers to compliment Reid. Sophomores Tyler Smith, Derrick Gant, and Shannon Tonge all finished with 200+ total yards a piece with multiple touchdowns. If these young players can take a big step forward and if Reid can stay healthy then Bellarmine will have a shot at the MSFL crown.

Calumet College of St. Joseph: 2023 6-3

Where to play Nino Barbosa

CCSJ is heading into the 2024 season as defending champs. While the CSFL champs Navy also have a question at QB, CCSJ problem is slightly different. Last season CCSJ pulled off one of the most miraculous turn arounds I have ever seen as a player, coach, and reporter. One of the things that ignited this turn around was taking Jr ATH Nino Barbosa from his defensive position at Safety and moving him to QB. Once CCSJ made the switch they ran off 5 straight wins to finish the season as MSFL champs. The question is what to do with Barbosa. Does CCSJ keep him at QB so he can ride that momentum coming off of a championship season or do they move him back to defense where he was one of the best Safeties in sprint football. The CCSJ coaching staff has two tantalizing options to weight out. One of the lead guys in the QB question if they do decide to move Barbosa back to defense would be Soph QB Destry Peoples. The young QB played last year but he wasn’t able to be as successful as Barbosa before they made the switch. Peoples finished the season with 198yards 2TD 3int. CCSJ has a big decision on their hands. Having an athlete as talented as Barbosa is a good problem to have but deciding where to put him is a problem none the less.

Midway: 2023 2-5

Defense

Midway hasn’t been able to find their way so far since the program started two seasons ago. Heading into their 3rd year hopes are high under the guidance of new HC Elbert Kern. Midway has shown the ability to be able to score and produce big plays in the past. Where they have struggled is on the defensive side of the ball. Midway gave up the 2nd most PPG and the most passing yards per game in the MSFL last season. This will need to change right away and should be a major point of emphasis for Coach Kern in the beginning of his tenure. Jr Safety Brady Bond was able to carve out a nice role on the Midway defense and was one of their premier players on that side of the ball for the Eagles The young safety ended the year with 28tk 4int 3pbu. If coach Kern can get the Eagles defense to turn the corner then Midway could be on the verge of a breakthrough.

Oakland City: 2023 0-7

Roster Development

Oakland City is heading into year 2 for their program. On top of that they will have a new HC. Coach Maners takes over a Oakland City team that went winless in their inaugural season. In my time being involved with sprint football I have seen teams make huge jumps from year one to year two. One of the biggest factors in determining how much growth happens in these early years is retention and development. There is no telling right now who is returning from that inaugural team. There were some standouts like DB Kanye Johnson and DL Keith Hall who will be major building blocks if they return. Both defenders had 40+tackles 15+TFL and 5+sacks. Young programs can look very different year to year during their infancy. It will be exciting to see what Oakland City looks like once we get going this year.

Quincy: 2023 5-3

Turnovers

Quincy finished last season right on the cusp of breaking through. They made it to the playoff but lost to SMWC who were the defending champs at the time. A big component of the success they have had up to this point has been their stellar defense. With guys like Sr LB Ray Lingard and Jr DL Bryce Vaught the Hawks are in a good place on that side of the ball. Where they struggled last season was on the offensive side of the ball in particular with limiting turnovers in the passing game. The Hawks have experienced success throwing the ball to their talented young receivers. Jr WR Exavier Hinton and Jr WR Camden Pye are one of the best receiver duos you are going to see in the MSFL. The issue Quincy is trying to overcome is their tendency to commit turnovers. The Hawks used two quarterbacks last season, Soph Deuce Allaway and Jr Nick Manzo. While both young signal callers were able to produce neither was able to rid themselves of the turnover bug. Allaway finished with 580yards 4TD 7int while Manzo finished with 476yards 4TD 4int. Quincy has shown that they have all of the other elements of a high level team. A tough defense, an elite running game, talented players, and a opportunistic special teams. If one or both of their young quarterbacks can take a leap forward and cut down on the turnovers then Quincy could break through this year.

Saint Mary of the Woods College : 2023 7-2

Turnovers

SMWC has a similar concern as Quincy heading into the 2024 season. SMWC has been a juggernaut in their first two years as a program making it to the championship in back to back seasons. This past season they found their star signal caller in Jr QB Jeremiah Tosky. The gunslinger led all of sprint football in passing yards and touchdowns while setting multiple game and season records to finish the year. The issue that needs to be addressed going into this season the turnovers. Toksy finished with 12int to end the season and a handful of fumbles. SMWC was able to mitigate the impact of these turnovers by having one of the best defenses in the MSFL and leading the MSFL in scoring. With a year under his belt Tosky should look even better in the 2024 season. SMWC should be right in the mix for the MSFL crown if the star QB can continue to produce and cut down on the turnovers.

Walsh:2023 1-5

Defense

Walsh joined Oakland City as the two programs to have their inaugural season in 2023. With brand new teams you never know what your going to get and its always interesting to see what they develop into throughout the year. Offensively Walsh was able to do some things well. They didn’t score the most points but they always put something on the board and were usually in games. Where Walsh typically feel short was on the defensive side of the ball. They were in the bottom half of the MSFL in points allowed per game. They also were second to last in the MSFL in sacks. There were some players on that side of the ball that showed some promise. Soph DB Jhordan Peete led the team with 4int on the season. Soph DB Alex Cha also had a impact in the secondary leading the team with 9 pbu. Walsh is in a similar position as Oakland City in that they need to develop across the board and bring in a strong second year recruiting class. If they can do those two things then this second year should be much brighter for the Cavaliers.