The Irish had a string of five straight postseason appearances
snapped last season with a 5-5 finish in head coach Mike McCann’s first
year. FC won its first four games, including an overtime win over
Newark Catholic, before finishing 1-5.
The Irish have plenty of question marks entering this season with just four starters returning.
PLAYERS TO WATCH
DE/TE Luke Roesch (6-7, 230, Sr.); LB/FB Nick Orlando (5-10, 210, Jr.); DT/C Johnny Fox (6-1, 225, Sr.)
SEASON OUTLOOK
2007 Record: 5-5
The Irish had a string of five straight postseason appearances snapped last season with a 5-5 finish in head coach Mike McCann’s first year. FC won its first four games, including an overtime win over Newark Catholic, before finishing 1-5.
The Irish have plenty of question marks entering this season with just four starters returning.
Senior TE/DE Luke Roesch is a solid building block – literally. Roesch (6-7, 230) was first team All-Ohio on defense last season and will be relied upon heavily to make contributions.
Senior FB/LB Nick Orlando (5-10, 210), who split time at fullback last season, will be “the main focus of the offense” according to McCann.
On the offensive and defensive lines, seniors Johnny Fox (6-1, 225) and Joe Karch will provide the anchor.
FC’s schedule also gets a facelift with Danville and Chillicothe Huntington replacing Centerburg and Bloom-Carroll in weeks 1 and 2. In Week 3 FC faces rival Newark Catholic.
If the Irish stay healthy, McCann intends for his squad to compete for the rugged Mid-State League Cardinal Division (three playoff teams last year). McCann tabbed. West Jefferson and Licking Heights as preseason favorites.
SCHEDULE
8/23 DANVILLE (VI)
8/29 @ CHILLICOTHE HUNTINGTON (V)
9/6 NEWARK CATHOLIC (VI)
9/12 @ MILLERSPORT (VI)
9/19 @ PATASKALA LICKING HEIGHTS (IV)
9/27 SUGAR GROVE BERNE UNION (VI)
10/3 @ WEST JEFFERSON (V)
10/10 @ CANAL WINCHESTER HARVEST PREP (VI)
10/18 BALTIMORE LIBERTY UNION (V)
10/25 GRANDVIEW HEIGHTS (V)
