 |
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
|
The Redmen who are losing 22 Seniors (due to graduation) and only having about 11 Juniors returning from last years state semi final team are looking at a rebuilding year. But don't tell that to the Coaching staff or players as the Redmen have been in similar situations before. During the 2000 season the Redmen were predicted to finish no better than 3rd in the NOL due to the loss of many graduated seniors. They ended up winning the NOL title and advanced into the second round of the playoffs. One of the biggest questions going into this season is who will fill the shoe's of former QB Jeff Polley. Sophomore's Jon Journay and Brian Palsa along with Junior Matt Lepley look to compete for the starting role. During the 11 year tenure of Headcoach Ed Nasonti, the Redmen have been no strangers to starting Sophomore's quarterback's. In 1991 Sophomore Quarterback Johnny Bollinger led the Redmen to a 8-2 record and Bellevue's first NOL championship since the 1982 season. In 1994 Sophomore Quarterback Ed Baptista led the Redmen to a 9-1 record and winning the NOL championship crown outright. While the Redmen lost a handful of key players, star wide receiver Ben Snyder who had 1,105 yards receiving and 17 touchdown's last season returns in hope to help ease the transition of the new quarterback. What appears to be the strength of the team going into the season is there Offensive Line. Two sophomore starters from last years team are back, as well as many good sized Junior Lineman. Coach Ed Nasonti ,who already has 9 NOL Title's in 11 years and who has won more title's than anyother Redmen coach is just 43 games behind former Redmen coach Lowell Schaffer for the most career victories. Schaffer took the Redmen to 7 NOL title's during his 23 year career and won 144 games during that span. Though this years team appears to be young, look for some exciting things this upcoming season as the road to the NOL title still runs through Bellevue. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
