It's kind of early for me to talk about 2012 football but I like your enthusiasm. I heard the weight room numbers are very good this winter. Over 30 kids fully participating in the off-season weight training program. I believe the last couple years we only had 12-15 kids fully participating in the winter program.
If rumors out of North Canton are true, you are getting an out and out STUD who will be a freshman next year. I would guess he would start as a freshman, although I don't know what you have coming back.
If rumors out of North Canton are true, you are getting an out and out STUD who will be a freshman next year. I would guess he would start as a freshman, although I don't know what you have coming back.
Is he from St. Pauls? There are a good number of St. Pauls' kids that don't live in North Canton. Aquinas returns a lot next year, with the very strong Junior class (next years seniors). Aquinas will lose some quality seniors to graduation this year but overall they return a lot. I can't remember the last time a freshman started on varsity at STA.
It's never too early to talk Knights football....especially since Aquinas has so much coming back this upcoming season (and we finally got that playoff jinx off our back).
Glad to hear the weightroom numbers are much stronger. 30 kids in the weightroom doesn't sound like a lot a first glance, but actually, that's about a 95% participation rate for the players that are returning. If we're not counting seniors who are graduating in a couple months, then those 30 kids are most of the current juniors, sophomores and freshmen who will make up the varsity squad in the fall.
From my quick check, I think the Knights have at least 6-7 starters returning on each side of the ball. Of course they lose some great seniors (including a few 3 year starters), and they'll have to replace starting QB and both starting receivers, as well as 2 offensive line spots.
But they return their top 4-5 running backs/full backs, 3 starting offensive linemen. On defense, they return all the linebackers, 2 defensive linemen (one of whom shared starting duties at DE), and a couple defensive backs.
This year could be a lot of fun and very successful for the Knights. QB play and finding some athletic receivers who can catch the ball will be crucial of course. But STA should really be able to pound the ball in the running game.
I just hope the schedule is strong enough to make the playoffs again. As we know, it's tough a lot of years in Region 17, as all those Columbiana County teams (and others like Kirtland and Cuyahoga Heights) can easily run up 9-10 wins and tons of computer points against their schedules. And Ursuline should be back as a power this year, taking up yet another one of the 8 playoff spots. The Knights probably have a win a few of their tougher games against Marlington, Minerva, Northwest and Central to have a shot. Central has a much tougher schedule themselves this year, so STA won't get an 8 win CCC again in week 10 as a Harbin cow (more like 5-6 wins for Central this year).
The long-term key to continued success for Coach Budd and the program is to keep the numbers up (hopefully 15 players in each class at least). It would be nice to get 15-18 kids out for freshman football this coming year. I've heard the overall freshman class this fall should be larger than last years (last year's may have been an all-time low for Aquinas), so that should mean more potential football players too.
I haven't heard anything about a specific player coming in a a freshman next year. Along with Buck, I also can't recall a freshman seeing any regular time with the varsity (and I've been watching STA football for over 30 years). It takes a really special freshman to be strong and physical enough already to play varsity. Even players like Bryan Sheetz didn't play varsity as a freshman (he was one of the best I've seen). Joel Rich also had the body of a junior or senior already when he was a freshman but didn't play varsity (he did dress for at least some varsity games I think).
A couple of the bigger, more talented, and more well developed freshmen I've seen still didn't really play varsity, let alone start varsity. Who are we talking about here? PM me if you like with the name, NC Res.
I forgot to add a big key I see for the Knights this fall....getting as many of their best play-makers on the field (on offense especially) at the same time.
I trust Coach Budd and his staff will figure out a way to get the ball to all their top skill guys in a variety of ways. For instance, I think STA should try to get Moore and Wilkins both on the field at the same time, rather than just rotating them in and out at tailback. Mudd is a very good interior runner. And Rude and Blevins can also line up in the backfield for short yardage blocking or carries.
As I mentioned, it will also be crucial to get some new guys going in the receiving game. Rich and Blevins could get some catches from the TE spot, and maybe some younger guys will step up as receivers to replace Dempsey and Hart.
He is not from St. Pauls. He attending Hoover this year as an 8th grader. I was looking forward to him being a sophmore player at Hoover for my son's senior year.
I will say I don't know when it has to become "official" as far as him attending St. Thomas, but I have heard from my son that the word is he is heading there.
He is not from St. Pauls. He attending Hoover this year as an 8th grader. I was looking forward to him being a sophmore player at Hoover for my son's senior year.
I will say I don't know when it has to become "official" as far as him attending St. Thomas, but I have heard from my son that the word is he is heading there.
I wrongly assumed he went to St. Pauls. Thanks for the info though.
He is not from St. Pauls. He attending Hoover this year as an 8th grader. I was looking forward to him being a sophmore player at Hoover for my son's senior year.
I will say I don't know when it has to become "official" as far as him attending St. Thomas, but I have heard from my son that the word is he is heading there.
Thanks for the info NC Res. I had someone else tell me about this kid before but in the context of baseball and I didn't know it was the same kid you're talking about.
I heard he's playing on a summer league baseball team with other future STA kids, so it sounds like he may well indeed be headed to Aquinas.
What positions did he excel at for North Canton's 8th grade team? Does the Federal League middle school league have weight restrictions for skill positions like Catholic schools have always had (so 200 lb. kids aren't trying to be tackled by 100 lb. kids)?
Coach Budd? Was he an assistant at Berlin Western Reserve for a little bit?
Don't know if he ever coached at Berlin Western Reserve. I know he was formerly an assistant at Medina Highland, Green, New Middletown Springfield, Field, and Streetboro.
He's an Aquinas alum and most of us hope he's here for a long, long time to come...
Don't know if he ever coached at Berlin Western Reserve. I know he was formerly an assistant at Medina Highland, Green, New Middletown Springfield, Field, and Streetboro.
He's an Aquinas alum and most of us hope he's here for a long, long time to come...
Thanks for the info NC Res. I had someone else tell me about this kid before but in the context of baseball and I didn't know it was the same kid you're talking about.
I heard he's playing on a summer league baseball team with other future STA kids, so it sounds like he may well indeed be headed to Aquinas.
What positions did he excel at for North Canton's 8th grade team? Does the Federal League middle school league have weight restrictions for skill positions like Catholic schools have always had (so 200 lb. kids aren't trying to be tackled by 100 lb. kids)?
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No weight restrictions for the 8th grade team. I think he played offensive line, and maybe LB/DE? Really big, athletic kid that moves extremely well. I think you have the right kid, because he has always played baseball as well.
Is he from St. Pauls? There are a good number of St. Pauls' kids that don't live in North Canton. Aquinas returns a lot next year, with the very strong Junior class (next years seniors). Aquinas will lose some quality seniors to graduation this year but overall they return a lot. I can't remember the last time a freshman started on varsity at STA.
I remember a few freshman who played....
Corey Sanchez i beleive was a starter his freshman year.....graduated in 04 or 05 i think
Evan Tortola played as a freshman, graduated in 08 or 09
I remember a few freshman who played....
Corey Sanchez i beleive was a starter his freshman year.....graduated in 04 or 05 i think
Evan Tortola played as a freshman, graduated in 08 or 09
Did they start or just get playing time, he initially said started. Did Matt Bing, Kendal Washington or Dennis Underwood play as freshman? I thought there were some that had some playing time as freshman, I just couldn't think of any that started.
Heard you guys replaced Alliance with Tuslaw on your schedule.
I don't think it was a replacement game, Alliance was only a one year deal. I think Alliance and Aquinas wanted a home and home contract but the open dates the schools had didn't match up.
I forgot to add a big key I see for the Knights this fall....getting as many of their best play-makers on the field (on offense especially) at the same time.
I trust Coach Budd and his staff will figure out a way to get the ball to all their top skill guys in a variety of ways. For instance, I think STA should try to get Moore and Wilkins both on the field at the same time, rather than just rotating them in and out at tailback.
I agree 100%. That was one gripe I had last year. Don't get me wrong Coach Budd is doing a great job. Moore and Wilkins need to be on the field at the same time this year. It will make defenses stay on their heals a little more having more players to defend. I understand that both will need to take breathers on occassion since Moore is a very good defensive player and Wilkins may also see time at safety this year, but they need to both be on the field together on offense some of the time this year.
The season seems like a long way off, but we're already over 3 months removed from the end of last season, and in another 3 months from now, school will be finishing up and the summer activities (and eventually 7 on 7's and other permitted practices) will start up.
It will be here in no time and we'll have to revisit this thread at that time for sure.
My only concern with the schedule is whether there are too many lousy computer points teams on it. I fear Trinity, North, Barberton, Garfield, and Ytown East might only be 1, 2 or 3 win teams at best. Central also will not likely have 7-8 wins again this year as their schedule is a lot tougher this year.
Not sure like Trinity on the schedule as the were really bad and their program seems headed downhill fast, but hopefully they are getting better and will at least give a few points.
STA should be good this year but 6-4 against this schedule will not make the postseason. Going to have to beat at least one of the three between Marlington, Minerva and Northwest for some much needed points.
This is the weakest schedule for STA in many, many years.
It is weaker than last year, but I do think some of that is out of STA's control. It's tough to schedule as a Catholic independent...especially as one that made the playoffs last year. STA can only play other quality teams that are in conferences in the first few weeks of the season usually (as their conference schedules fill up weeks 4-10 most of the time). So then you're choices are other private schools not in a conference, or some city schools (Akron, Youngstown, Barberton, etc).
STA's schedules have been weaker than this one before...such as in 2005 when they played three 1-9 teams and a 2-8 team. Also in 2006, they played two 1-9 teams and two 2-8 opponents. In 2007 (Tyrrell's last year), their only 3 wins were against two 2-8 teams and an 0-10 team.
Alliance was a one-year contract last year, and I can't fault them for essentially replacing Alliance with Tuslaw early in the year. It's better to play local Stark County teams when you can, rather than traveling an hour or more for an early season opponent. Tuslaw was 5-5 last year. It would be nice to get at least 4-5 wins from Tuslaw this year.
Youngstown East is actually a good quality opponent (not a pushover), but East plays a killer schedule themselves and so, I don't think they will give many Harbin points.
I'd rank STA's opponents this year into tiers as follows:
Top Tier (playoff caliber teams)
Minerva
Marlington (even though they missed the playoffs)
Northwest
Central Catholic
Middle Tier (4-5 wins at most)
Tuslaw (5-5 last year)
Youngstown East (3-7 last year but several close losses to Hubbard, Warren Harding, etc.)
Akron Garfield (2-8 last year, but 4-6 and 6-4 the two years prior to that)
Lower Tier (automatic wins, but not many points)
Barberton
Trinity (I'm hoping they improve, as they did make the playoffs a few years ago)
Akron North
It's not a killer schedule, but the points are out there. I am happy they got Western Reserve Academy off the schedule, as they are just too weak almost every year. STA just has to get over the hump and beat some of these teams that they've lost some tough ones too the last couple of years (Minerva, Northwest, etc.).
The Knights just can't start the season out 1-2 however. They have to beat either Minerva or Marlington in weeks 2 and 3. 2-1 after week 3 will put them in a great position. They should win the next 4-5 games after that setting up a showdown with an always tough Northwest in week 9.
Should be a fun year and I'm looking forward to it. Go Knights!
My only concern with the schedule is whether there are too many lousy computer points teams on it. I fear Trinity, North, Barberton, Garfield, and Ytown East might only be 1, 2 or 3 win teams at best. Central also will not likely have 7-8 wins again this year as their schedule is a lot tougher this year.
Not sure like Trinity on the schedule as the were really bad and their program seems headed downhill fast, but hopefully they are getting better and will at least give a few points.
STA should be good this year but 6-4 against this schedule will not make the postseason. Going to have to beat at least one of the three between Marlington, Minerva and Northwest for some much needed points.
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I am not sure I agree with you on Trinity. They made the playoffs in 2006 and 2009. In the 2009 playoffs they gave Ursuline one of its toughest games on the way to Ursuline's state championship. Trinity had a horrible year last year but they are not a horrible program.
I am not sure I agree with you on Trinity. They made the playoffs in 2006 and 2009. In the 2009 playoffs they gave Ursuline one of its toughest games on the way to Ursuline's state championship. Trinity had a horrible year last year but they are not a horrible program.
I hope you're right. Trinity is a similar size school to STA, and I know they made the playoffs a few years ago. They just looked so pathetic last year and even the numbers on their team seemed really low. They were 1-9 and lost at least 5 of the games by 30 pts. or more.
I hope they are on their way back and can at least win 3-4 games this year (maybe more). In 2010 they were 5-5 (STA beat them by 18). In 2009 they were very good and made the playoffs at 7-3 and lost to Ursuline in the 1st round 28-0 (STA lost to Ursuline in the regular season that year 50-7 for comparison).
Aquinas needs to hope teams like Trinity, Garfield and others are a little better than they were last year.
When you have as much coming back as STA does you can't worry about the schedule... We will be just as talented as every team on the schedule this year. If they win 8+ games the computer point won't matter.
The things they need to worry about is getting Anthony Moeglin ready to play QB, teaching Wilkins how to hold on to the ball and figuring out how to not let Nick Blower run for 300+ yards next time they play.
When you have as much coming back as STA does you can't worry about the schedule... We will be just as talented as every team on the schedule this year. If they win 8+ games the computer point won't matter.
The things they need to worry about is getting Anthony Moeglin ready to play QB, teaching Wilkins how to hold on to the ball and figuring out how to not let Nick Blower run for 300+ yards next time they play.
Agree. What I still can't figure out is how STA only won 6 games last year with so many starters coming back on both sides of the ball from the prior year when they won 5 games against a much tougher schedule (Ursuline, Elyria Catholic, Warren JFK and Benedictine).
Agree. What I still can't figure out is how STA only won 6 games last year with so many starters coming back on both sides of the ball from the prior year when they won 5 games against a much tougher schedule (Ursuline, Elyria Catholic, Warren JFK and Benedictine).
They lost to two Division III playoff teams in close games (Minerva and Northwest), lost to a loaded Marlngton team (that somehow missed the playoffs), and lost to Alliance in the worst game of the year for STA (and STA was missing one or both of their top two tailbacks early in the season due to either injury or suspension).
They made the playoffs for the first time in 23 years and won a postseason game fir the first time in 26 years so it was a great success despite the 4 losses in the regular season.
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Last edited by 1984StateChampsDIV : 03-06-12 at 07:45 AM.
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