AthleticsXAVIER FALCONS
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The 2002 season turned out to be tougher than expected. Everyone knew the success of the past two seasons would be difficult to duplicate with only five returning players with varsity experience. Although there were sixteen seniors on the roster, only Jeff Campbell, Sean Strain, Jayson Thibodeau, Mark Vess, and Mike Vetica had any significant varsity experience. The level of competition in the SCC only magnified this. The Falcons played two future state champions, West Haven (class LL), and Hillhouse (class SS), as well as class L defending champs Notre Dame. The season ended on a good however, note as Xavier defeated cross-town rival Middletown in the Thanksgiving Day game played on Saturday in West Haven due to the weather.
Co-captains Mark Vess and Mike Vetica did an excellent job all year in leading the team. Senior linemen; Jayson Thibodeau, Sean Strain, Pat Schaedler, Mitch Pawlowski, Larry Parsons, as well as juniors Nick Turelli and Steve Berry did a commendable job all season as they were forced to constantly change positions from one week to the next due to injuries. Quarterback Mike Crescimanno, and receivers Ed Dessureault, Joe McDowell, Leon Mularski, Mike Piecynzski, Mike Vollono, and Adam Moskey worked hard all year, creating a passing attack to compliment the running of Jeff Campbell, Mike Vetica, and Bill Wells. The defense which consisted of, Anthony DelMastro, Mike Randazzo, Joe McDowell, Gerald Marquis, Doug Fletcher, Jayson Thibodeau, Pat Schaedler, Sean Strain, Bill Wells, Jeff Campbell, Mike Vetica, Leon Mularski, and Ed Dessureault improved steadily throughout the year. The last game of the season was their best, as they shut out Middletown in the Thanksgiving Day game. About thirty players, who are not involved in a spring sport are already working in the weight room and on the track to get ready for next season.
| Paul Randazzo, | 01 Assumption College | Defensive Lineman |
| Matt Moskey, | 01 Assumption College | Linebacker |
| Tyree Hughey, | Villanova University | Running Back |
| Matt Johnson, | Union College | Receiver & Punter |
| Brian Quinn, | University of Maine | Center |
| Bill Wells, | Marist College | Running Back |
| Jayson Thibodeau | Marist College | Offensive Lineman |
| Mike Vetica | 03 Springfield College | Defensive Back |
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| #21 Jeff Campbell breaks into the open while returning a punt against Bristol Central. | #44 Anthony Delmastro, #11 Joe McDowell, # 68 Pat Schaedler, and #26 Bill Wells shut down Bristol Central, as Jeff Campbell, #65 Mark Vess, and #78 Jayson Thibodeau close in. |
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| #8 Leon Mularski, and #82 Zach Curzan keep this punt return from going anywhere as #2 Adam Moskey moves in to help. | Bill Wells hangs on as Pat Schaedler closes in. |
#31 Mike Piecynzski gets ready to make a tackle, as #55 Sean Strain, #78 Jayson Thibodeau, and #44
Anthony DelMastro move in to help.
# 78 Jayson Thibodeau and #26 Bill Wells provide all SCC Quinnipiac division running back Jeff Campbell with some running room.
Junior Varsity
The junior varsity finished above 500, with 4 wins and 3 losses. The offensive line, Jamie DeGemmis, Alex Frenkel, Paul Renzi, Chris Bitel, Tim DeLuca, Terry Therrien, and Zach Curzan played well all season, opening running lanes for Steve Halibozek, Cody Ryan, and Taimoor Zaidi, as well as giving quarterback Matt Maguire time to throw. The consistent play of Cody Ryan, Eugene Giannelli, Steve Halibozek, Sam Murray, Brian Opalacz, Sal Dibacco, and Tim DeLuca led an aggressive defense. The season ended with the most exciting game of the year, according to coaches Roy Roberts, Mike Callan, Dino Dinino, and Dick Nobile. Again the defense led the way in a hard fought 7 to 6 victory over West Haven. The defense forced 4 turnovers, with the last one coming on a fourth down and one yard to go, with under a minute to play, and West Haven driving for a touchdown.
#9 Kyle Lavette, Dave Jurek, Eugene Giannelli, #66 Jamie DeGemmis, #72 Sal Dibacco, #73 Alex Frenkel, #82 Zach Curzan, and #19 Matt Maguire get ready to run a play against Wilbur Cross.
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| # 22 Taimoor Zaidi gains some yardage, as #75 Dave Jurek, and #66 Jamie DeGemmis try to help out. | #28 Steve Halibozek gets a block from #66 Jamie DeGemmis and #22 Taimoor Zaidi as #54 Eugene Giannelli and #73 Alex Frenkel look on. |
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| #82 Zach Curzan, #54 Eugene Giannelli, #72 Sal Dibacco, and friends make sure Wilbur Cross has no where to run. | #9 Kyle Lavette gave the officials a hand when #54 Eugene Giannelli recovered a fumble, as #19 Matt Maguire, #76 Tim DeLuca look on. |
Freshmen
The freshmen Falcons kicked off their undefeated 2002 season with a convincing 48 to 6 win over Bristol Central. With an explosive offense and a stingy defense they continued to dominate their opponents over the next few games. Their first test came in week 5 against Hamden. The Falcons maintained their focus and discipline in the fourth quarter, as conditioning proved to be the key as they came up with a victory.
The Falcons picked up the pace and convincingly defeated their next three opponents Derby, Fairfield Prep and East Haven. In week 10 the Falcons faced their toughest opponent of the year, in West Haven. Once again conditioning proved to be the key, as the Falcons scored late in the fourth quarter, to give them a 14 to 12 come from behind win. The season finally came versus cross-town rival Middletown High. Poor field conditions moved the game from Palmer field to Middletown High's home field. This did not discourage the Falcons as they ended the season with a win and wrapped up a perfect 11 - 0 season.
Running backs Amari Spievey, Mike Campbell, Pat Newell, Clint Walker, and Chevar Rankins were able to exploit the holes opened up by offensive linemen Bill Mularski, Dave Harrigan, Peter Tarrant, Ryan McNally, James Inkel, and Jeremy Mill. Quarterback Coree Moses also had a good year throwing to Ray Wachtarz, Brian Meskill, and Pete Romano. The defense also played well all season due to key efforts by Justin Bazzano, Dave Heiney, Will Heiney, Kike kominske, Shea Dwyer, Clint Walker, and John Gumkowski. Congratulations to the players and to their coaches Don Crescimanno, Rajir Jaswal, Al Edgar, and Lonnie Leroux, for a great season.
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