Commodores looking for better start out of the gate
Lori C. Padilla
Frazier’s returning lettermen will be key for the Commodores.
Lori C. Padilla
Frazier head coach Mike Steeber looks for his team to have a better start to the season. The Commodores lost their first six games a year ago before winning three of their last four to qualify for the playoffs.
Frazier is looking for a better start to the 2018 season.
The Commodores started slowly losing their first six games before putting on a strong finish winning three of their last four to get into the playoffs, where they lost to Riverside in the first round.
Head coach Mike Steeber explained last season:
“Our overall strength of schedule was a factor in our start, plus we lost close games to Charleroi and Beth-Center, teams we had beaten the year before,” Steeber said. “Despite the losses, the kids felt they played pretty good football. We found our comfort level late in the year and made the playoffs.”
Despite collecting only three wins, Steeber thinks the playoff experience will serve the Commodores well this season. He said the returning veterans have really stepped up their pace in practice and hopes that will lead to some early wins this season.
The task for any coach is getting the right people in the right position. To start with Steeber is working junior Bobby Boggs and senior Julian Muccioli at quarterback. “Both kids are doing a good job so far in camp and will get a good look,” Steeber said. “Muccioli is also working at wide receiver and will help us there if he is not under center.”
Sophomore Matt Kordich is also pushing to earn some time under center according to Steeber.
Steeber thinks last year’s experience will help along the line. He only has two returning starters in senior Nick Zelesnik and junior Robert Murphy. To help fill things out Wyatt Perry has been working at left tackle and Shane McGavitt has moved from fullback to left guard.
Senior Anthony Maximo is expected to open at right guard and freshman Aaron Panepinto is also looking for time on the line.
That group is expected to clear a path for several running backs, led by senior George Smalich.
“George is our most experienced back and has a chance to be one of Frazier’s best ever,” Steeber said. “He has very good quickness and is instinctive. If he gets into the open field he will be hard to stop.”
Several other backs are looking for carries in seniors Colin Shragel and Trevor Moon along with sophomore Kenny Fine. Steeber has also been impressed by the early play of ends Ryan Power and Joey Maczko, both juniors.
“We have a lot of young guys on this team that will grow up fast,” Steeber said. “They expect to play of Friday nights and are holding themselves accountable. It is good to see that hunger.”
Steeber said the most important thing for he and his staff is to find the best 11 players to put on the field from freshmen to seniors.
“We’ve been to the playoffs and we expect to be a contender every year,” he said. “That has been our mindset every year and we like it that way.”