Colts to tackle county’s best

The winds of change are blowing across the gridiron at Calhoun on several levels. On top of a major overhaul of the roster due to graduation, the eighth-seeded Colts are also moving up to to Nassau’s highest level of football, Conference I. Head coach Joe Bianca has even installed a new offensive system in an effort to combat the new opponents the Colts will face on a weekly basis.

“It’s a no-huddle offense, fast-paced and run and gun,” he said. “We’re going to a conference where the guys are bigger. Our plan is to be in better shape and wear them down. Hopefully we can get an advantage that way.”

Working out of the shotgun, Bianca hopes to put his new three-headed quarterback attack in better position to succeed. Strong-armed senior Paul Grubb is joined by juniors Coleman Meier and Vinny Samuel, all entering their first season under center at the varsity level. “They all bring something different to the table,” Bianca said. “We might do some quarterback by committee.”

Returning experience along the offensive line—three starters are back—lends itself to a smoother transition to both the new signal-callers and system. Seniors Jake Behrman and Kyle Vadnais are back at center and left guard, respectively, while senior Cosmo Nestola returns to one of the tackle spots. “You can tell that their timing and continuity are very good,” Bianca said.

Senior Carlos Navas, who missed part of last season due to injury, is back in the lineup at tailback, ready to punish opposing tacklers on his way through the line. Toughness has never been an issue for Navas, and the 5-11, 185-pounder used the offseason to improve his speed. Senior wide receiver Connor Fogarty turned in one of summer training camp’s most surprising performances, and he’s slated to line up opposite senior Tyler Thornton.