Athletics

XAVIER FALCONS
FOOTBALL

2004 SEASON

7 Wins 3 Losses

SCC Division 1 West Champions
City of Middletown Champions

View 2003 Season

The 2004 season was a good one for the falcons. We finished with a 7 and 3 season, won our division in the SCC, won the Middletown City Championship, for the fifth time in a row and narrowly missed out on the state playoffs.

Things looked good from the start as the team came together during the pre-season. The falcons came out on top in scrimmages against Cromwell, Berlin, Southington, RHAM, and East Hartford. The season started against #1 ranked Hand. Our hard hitting and swarming defense, coupled with a balanced running and passing attack on offense was almost too much for Hand to handle. Although we played well it wasn't enough as we lost a nail-biter 34 to 27. The senior leadership of team captains Ryan Cody, Mike Crescimanno and Matt Maguire, as well as fellow seniors Mike Randazzo, Jimmy Mularski, Alex Frenkel, and Mike Kisner did not falter as we won our next two games against Hamden and Amity. Unfortunately injuries, illness, and lack of focus led to our dropping the next two games to Guilford and West Haven.

We had been knocked down and were now staring adversity squarely in the eyes. One of the measures of character is how you respond to adversity. Every member of the 2004 football team would show that we had character. Once again our seniors took control; they got up and were not going to get knocked down again. They responded by working hard in practice and dedicating themselves to playing hard, physical football on both offense and defense. Most importantly they played for all four quarters in each game. We started by traveling to Fairfield Prep and coming home with a 21 to 13 victory. The following week we were back at Palmer field, and soundly defeated Jonathan Law of Milford. Next up was a very good Notre Dame team that had walked all over West Haven. Playing at home and in front of the Black Hole provided the motivation for a 26 to 12 victory. The following week, with the division championship on the line, 7th ranked Shelton (the only other team to have beaten West Haven this year) came to town. Playing on a field covered with snow and ice the falcons slugged it out with Shelton for four quarters and brought home the division championship with a 27 to 20 upset victory.

We had achieved one of our three goals and the second goal would be decided on Thanksgiving Day against Middletown. It took us a quarter to get going on the muddy field, but after that it was never in doubt. Four different players scored touchdowns as we defeated Middletown for the 5th time in a row 41 to 6 and won the City championship. Unfortunately we missed our third goal and did not qualify for the state playoffs.

In all eleven different players scored touchdowns over the course of the season. The offense averaged 330+ yards and 4 touchdowns per game, finishing the year with 1,847 yards rushing with 22 rushing touchdowns, 1,502 yards passing with 16 receiving touchdowns, a kick-off return for a touchdown, and a punt return for a touchdown. The hard hitting, swarming defense, led by seniors Mike Randazzo, Matt Maguire, Alex Frenkel, Mike Kisner, and Chris Bitel played traditional Xavier football all season. They forced 19 fumbles of which we recovered 12, and 10 interceptions while holding opponents to an average of 17 points per game.

Coaches; Raj Jaswal, Don Crescimanno, Paul Bischoff, Dick Nobile, and Sean Marinan are already at work, preparing for next season and are looking forward to continuing and improving on the accomplishments of this past season. Assistant coach Roy Roberts will not be returning, as he has accepted the Head Football Coaching position at Bloomfield High School. We all wish Roy the best.

AWARDS

All-State (Connecticut High School Coaches Association)

Amari Spievey - Running Back

All-SCC Division 1

Mike Crescimanno - Quarterback

Matt Maguire - Tight End

Amari Spievey - Running Back

Gene Casey
National Football Foundation Scholar Athlete � Anthony DelMastro

Joseph Drexler

All Middletown Press

Mike Crescimanno - Quarterback

Mike Kisner - Defensive Tackle