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Brookfield wants to continue playoff streak
By Curtis Pulliam
Brookfield
Brookfield coach Randy Clark knows he has a good thing going. The Warriors have made the playoffs the past three seasons and are looking for more.
“They know what to expect,” Clark said, who is entering his 10th season as head coach. “They don’t want to be the class to stop that string.”
The Warriors went 8-2 in the 2013 regular season and lost to Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas, 47-14, in the first round of the playoffs.
The Warriors lose starting running back Joe Clark, defensive end Jamal Tarver and safety R.J. Leon but have plenty of players on both sides of the ball returning.
offense
Brookfield returns eight starters from last season, including junior quarterback Augustus Necastro, who passed for 1,500 yards.
“Usually we spread everybody out to run but this year might be a little different,” Clark said. “We got some great receivers that we need to get the ball to.”
Necastro says passing the ball will be key for the Warriors.
“Our offense kind of struggled [last year],” Necastro said. “We need to put points on the board and we need to have more big plays. We need to score quick, too.”
Clark said the group of receivers included Kasey Tingler, Caleb Hunkus and Brian Hiner.
“Our receiving corps is all back so we’ll be pretty good,” Necastro said.
The backfield features Chris Johnson and Nate Morrison.
The whole offensive line also returns for the Warriors with juniors Josh Sinkuc and Zach Hosick veteran starters.
Defense
Clark is hoping for more out of the unit with eight starters back.
“We’re looking for bigger and better things out of the defense this year,” Clark said.
The defense gave up 215 points in 11 games last year.
Hosick and senior Tommy Hutchinson will see time up front, along with Johnson and sophomore Carmen Furillo. Senior Nate Morrison and Hiner will start in the secondary. Necastro and Hunkus will help out.
“We need to win in the trenches obviously,” Necastro said. “We need to cause more turnovers. Two years ago, they were really good at causing turnovers.”
Special Teams
Tingler takes over as punter for Leon and remains the kicker. Return specialists include Hiner, Morrison and Tingler.
Outlook
Brookfield has a number of starters on both sides of the ball but faces a tough schedule this season. The Warriors will play teams such as Warren JFK, Struthers and Campbell as an independent team. Brookfield will move into the All-American Conference starting next year.
“It’s a tough all-around schedule,” said Clark, who is 53-42 with the Warriors. “We have a lot of good teams, a lot of playoff teams as well.”
But Clark has high expectations for the Warriors.
“Our goal is to get to the playoffs,” Clark said. “In two of the three years, we have been knocked out in the first round. These kids here, their motto is not just to make it but they want to make some noise once they get there.”