Masuk Football Has Pieces to Solve Repeat Title Puzzle

With many key parts from last year's Class L championship team returning to the field this fall, the toughest opponent for the Masuk High football team this year may be itself.

Coach John Murphy believes his team can repeat a state championship for the first time in school history if a few players step up to fill in positions and if the team can replicate the desire it showed in 2010.

"There is a desire to repeat, but we've had previous championships where everyone has felt the same way. It is just one of those things,” Murphy said. "The natural tendency is that when you have 20 bucks in your pocket, it feels really good and you tend to not work as hard as when you didn't have 20 bucks. The biggest challenge is making the kids understand that the pockets are empty again, so if you want that same feeling and that same sense of accomplishment, you have to go out and work at it again."

Should the Panthers tap into last year's passion and stay healthy, a repeat title seems all but assured.

The explosive combo of senior quarterback Casey Cochran and senior running back Colin Markus lead the Panther offense as captains and look to put a crowning finish on their astounding high school careers. No teams could withstand their one-two punch last fall as Casey amassed 3,345 yards in the air and 40 passing touchdowns. The often overlooked Markus again turned in a sterling season with 1,535 yards on the ground and a total of 31 touchdowns. As captains, Cochran and Markus have led by example in the off season, Murphy said, by honing their skills and getting stronger.

"Casey is a better quarterback than he was last year, he's stronger and more accurate, he has a better understanding of the game than last year," Murphy said. "Colin is a better version of Colin as well. He is bigger than he was last year. He has done a really good job in the weight room and he is faster than he was last year. He is a very difficult back to describe but, however you want to describe him, he makes plays and Colin will continue to do so."

The real key to the Masuk offense will be replacing four of five starters on the offensive line.

Senior Eric Tucker anchors the O-line, resuming his spot at left guard. Talented sophomore James Karavitis is set to shine at left tackle, protecting Cochran's blindside. Senior Nick Plescia was set to play center, but a preseason injury has elevated junior Billy Norling to the middle and he has impressed the coaching staff with his play in scrimmages. Seniors Anthony Zucaro and Ray Kobza have also shown great ability stepping up to right guard and tackle, respectively.

So far, the offensive line has delivered with a solid performance in a scrimmage against the perennially competitive Shelton High School. Despite Cochran sitting on the sideline while recovering from a back injury, the offensive line gave enough room for Markus to have a strong night and for the Panthers to take the win.

"We have been really pleased with the development of the offensive line throughout preseason. We have four new starters and those guys have progressed a great deal," Murphy said. "I'm really pleased with what they have done through the course of the preseason and in our three different scrimmages, I think we have given up one sack and we've run the ball effectively."

If the offensive line continues to protect the quarterback and open holes this season, Cochran will have his pick of game breakers to hit with his passes this season.

Electrifying junior wide receiver Thomas Milone returns, looking to build on his 992 receiving yards from last year. Central Connecticut University-bound senior receiver Brandon Cusmano and classmate Ryan Norado are back after last fall's workhorse season. Senior transfer Jason Piontkowski looks to blend in nicely amid the sterling cast of receivers.

"Since we changed to the spread offense 11 years ago, this is without question, the best four wide receivers we have ever put out on the field," Murphy said. "You pick your poison with those four."

Defense reloads

Just like the Panther offense, the defense is ready to go with several experienced players looking to reignite the passion that didn't allow a touchdown until the sixth game of the season and yielded just 92 points.

All three of last season's starting linebackers are back led by All-State middle linebacker and captain Matt Duignan and fellow seniors Matt Fahey and senior Pat Tripodi.

Senior captain Andrew Sebben heads the defensive line, but will have to wait until the start of October to take to the field due to ankle surgery. Fortunately, the Panthers have senior Bryan Monaco back on the defensive line and senior Brad Swain has been shown impressive skills at the defensive end position after converting from quarterback.

All-State safety Shawn Flynn is back as "the heart of the defense" after notching 102 tackles last season and will have support from classmate Nate Coleman who has switched from cornerback to safety to help shore up the secondary. Senior Nick Lauricella looks to shut down opposing receivers after missing most of last year to injury and junior Andy Fredeen appears ready to step up at the other corner spot.

"They both possess outstanding speed and are great cover guys,” Murphy said. "They have their hands full every day. I know that they won't see better guys than the ones they see everyday at practice so I feel pretty confident in those guys."

Murphy admits the team isn't as intense during practice as it was last year, but he's not sure if its due to disruptions caused by this summer's harsh weather or just a matter of time until the new starters get comfortable. No matter the reason, he said the team is focused on the same goal it has every season, though this year, it may mean a little more.

"Our goal has never changed," he said. "I got the job in 1997 and five seconds into the first meeting I ever had, I said our goal here is to win the state championship and anything less than that is going to be disappointing. That has been our goal for 16 years and it is going to our goal again this year. It is what we are working towards and the kids understand that is what we are going after."