Catholic Memorial Head Football Coach John DiBiaso was in mid season form on day one of fall camp. He had a certain pep in his step and so did his football team.
In regards to how he felt about day one, DiBiaso was pleased.
“Everyone is full of optimism. We haven’t played any scrimmages or a game but everyone is healthy and they feel good right now.”
The Knights looked good as well. They appeared to be in great shape and had the look of a team that is on a mission. After winning the Catholic Conference during the Fall II, Catholic Memorial is ready for more.
With 10 starters returning on offense, the Knights posses one of the most explosive offenses in the state. Junior quarterback J.C Petrongelo returns after breaking his collarbone in the first game of the Fall II season. Petrongelo has added a noticeable amount of muscle to his frame since the injury and he looked good throwing the ball. DiBiaso said that Petrongelo is on a “pitch count” to start camp.
Petrongelo will have plenty of weapons at his disposal. Most notably running backs Carson Harwood and Datrell Jones and wide receiver Jaedn Skeete. Dibiaso raved about all the returning talent the Knights have on offense.
“J.C looked good. He has a lot of weapons to work with. A good offensive line. He needs to be like a point guard in basketball and distribute the ball.” DiBiaso added. “We have some great athletes. Get the ball in your athletes hands. Jaedn Skeete,, Datrell, Carson Harwood, K.O Osinubi, we’ve got guys all over the place.”
Of course with the new statewide playoff, strength of schedule matters. The Knights have a tough schedule. Aside from their Catholic Conference schedule, they also play perennial Rhode Island powers LaSalle Academy and Bishop Hendricken as well as Capitol Prep Harbor out of Bridgeport, Connecticut and Amherst Pelham. Despite the tough schedule, DiBiaso isn’t looking ahead.
“We’re 0-0 right now. Everybody is the same. You cannot rest on your laurels. You rest on your laurels and that’s when someone knocks you off.” DiBiaso went onto say that you are only as good as your last game. If that’s the case, the Knights are in a good spot.
Of course Catholic Memorial is now in Division Two in the newly reconfigured divisions. Catholic Memorial was originally Division Three based on enrollment but opted up to two. DiBiaso and the program have faced criticism this off-season for not opting all the way back into Division One.
DiBiaso response to that is simple.
“The division thing doesn’t matter to me. We were actually Division Four enrollment wise and they pushed us up to three and we opted up to two. As I said to people, how many other people opted up? You didn’t see other people opting up. Now people are giving us grief for not opting into one.”
In the end, DiBiaso believes the school did what was best for the program. He also reiterated that the school plays a Division One schedule.
“We did what was best for our kids. We play Xaverian, we play the Prep, we B.C High, we play Shrewsbury.”
DiBiaso also mentioned that the move to Division Two will still be very challenging for the Knights when it comes to making a Super Bowl run.
“No one is going to tell me that Mansfield, King Philip, Marshfield, Barnstable, Reading and Lincoln-Sudbury aren’t good teams. They are all good programs. Coming out of the South might be a harder road. We’re going to play some really good teams and it’s not a given that we’ll be at Gillette.”
The road could be daunting for Catholic Memorial but if you take one look at the Knights, you know they are built for the challenge that lies ahead. They are ready to face the best Division Two has to offer.