Providence Football Ready to Erase Bad Memories

Providence Catholic Celtics

Coach: Mark Coglianese (sixth season).

Last year: 2-7 overall, 0-5 in the Catholic League Blue

Opener: Aug. 26 vs. Morgan Park (at Soldier Field), 5:15 p.m.

Outlook: Last year was absolutely un-Celtic-like. Providence missed the playoffs for the first time since 1990, ending a streak of 19 straight playoff appearances. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the Celtics only won twice all fall, were winless in conference play and posted their first losing season since Jimmy Carter was president and gas was just $1.25 a gallon (1980). The schedule doesn’t get any easier for the Celtics. They’ll have to take care of business with non-conference matchups against playoff contenders Morgan Park and Minooka before diving into conference play. Kids have an opportunity to earn a chance to play, there’s plenty of motivation after last year’s struggles and the Celtics have their fingers crossed that they aren’t decimated with injuries like they were in 2010. The key question: Can the Celtics win five games?

Offense

Backs: Senior Chris Salazar or sophomore Jake Godfrey will play QB. Salazar got an opportunity to play last year when Joe Houlihan went down with an injury, but Salazar also spent time on the sidelines with an injury. Senior Andrew Hoffmeister and junior Brandon Price are the tailbacks. The fullback is Jack Klyczek.

Line: Garnering the most attention is senior OT Ryan Ward, who recently committed to the University of Iowa. Zach Morgan is a key newcomer to the line, while seniors Jesse Long, Charles Barth and Mike Lahey and junior Ryan Babka are expected to battle for starting roles.

Tight ends/receivers: The Celtics certainly have a pair of talented and experienced players to air the ball out to this fall in wide receiver Sean Fitzgerald and tight end Mitch Vejvoda. Look for Chad Weaver and Nick Pfiefer to see some action.

Placekicker: A decision hasn’t been made yet, but it’ll either be Nick Beller or Brandon Picciolini.

Defense

Linebackers: Mike Valentino is the leader of the group. Cousins Brian Fordon and Jack Fordon are notable newcomers, while Jimmy Frainey, Ryan Prickel and Jake DeYoung are battling for spots.

Line: This is an inexperienced group except for Nick Cemeno. Coglianese said Mike Hryn, Vince Ambrose, Mike Pericht and Kyle Crawford are likely to be the top guys to lead this unit.

Secondary: DB Troy Sheppard is back, which is a good thing. Battling to play alongside Sheppard will be Tommy Markasovic, Nick Quinlan, Kevin Ward and A.J. Knapczyk.

Punter: Chad Weaver or Nick Beller will handle the punting duties.

Coach Mark Coglianese said: The season will be a success if “we get off to a good start and stay injury free. We need a few wins before we head into the Catholic League Blue. We need to find five wins to get into the playoffs.”