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DEL.ICIO.USSpring Football Fling: Young St. Pius squad finds itself on new, unfamiliar turf
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THE SPRING FOOTBALL FLING
In upcoming weeks, teams throughout the state will spend 10 days on the practice field preparing for the 2008 football season. In a series of stories, ajc.com will provide an offseason outlook for 25 of the top teams in the metro and state.
This Week’s Lineup
• 4/28: Lowndes • 4/29: Parkview • 4/30: Mays • 5/1: Marist • 5/2: Northside-Warner Robins • 5/3: Lovett • 5/4: St. Pius
Photos: A look at St. Pius
You make the call: What’s the buzz on St. Pius in ‘08? Will transition affect the young Lions? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
After eight years in Class AAAA - the past two in what was arguably the toughest region in any classification - St. Pius will be dropping down to Region 5-AAA to compete against unfamiliar foes.
Washington is the only region opponent that returns to the Lions’ 2008 schedule, while the annual Fish Bowl matchup with Marist shifts from the end of the season to the beginning, this time without region title implications.
The changes on the schedule will be major, but coach Paul Standard says there are similarities.
“For the most part, it’s a totally new region, but I do believe it’s going to have the same characteristics as the last region we were in with a lot of great athletes and speed,” Standard said. “We have some knowledge of these teams, but for the most part, we haven’t competed with Grady, North Atlanta and the others. I feel like this is going to be a tough region, but it remains to be seen.”
St. Pius will make the transition while trying to fill major holes, most notably on the offensive line, where five starters graduated.
St. Pius conducted spring practice in January.
“Some of these kids did start for us on junior varsity, and they have played in varsity games, so we know they can play,” Standard said. “I thought we made good strides. We feel like we came away with what we think is a good two-deep lineup. We’re actually going to have a senior-oriented offensive line.”
St. Pius X Golden Lions
Region 5-AAA
Spring practice dates: January.
Last year’s record: 8-4, lost in the second round.
Reclassification challenge: The Lions move from Region 6-AAAA to 5-AAA and will face unfamiliar opponents.
Worked on: St. Pius must replace its entire offensive line, so much of January’s work was spent on previous backups and fostering communication within that unit.
Key starters lost: QB Dylan Knight; LB Greg Foster; K/DB Chris Philpott; OL Kent Cleveland; OL/DE Jonathan Roberts; WB/LB Michael Kolshak.
Key starters returning: DT Jamie Slaughter; DE Andrew Butler; LB Robert Lucisano; QB/CB P.G. Standard; RB J.C. Carter; FB Cole Moon.
2008 strengths: Linebackers, secondary, offensive backfield.
2008 weaknesses: Offensive line experience, defensive end, defensive line.
This year’s projection: If the offensive and defensive lines can make a smooth transition to varsity play, the Lions could be one of the teams to beat in Class AAA. Pius has won eight or more games four of the past five years.
Comment: “We had a good number of juniors who played last season because of some injuries to our senior class,” coach Paul Standard said. “Who was going to be ready to step in and play for us as juniors? I think we found a number of kids who are ready.”
Photos: A look at St. Pius
Week Two Lineup
• 4/21: ML King • 4/22: Valdosta • 4/23: Buford • 4/24: P-Ridge • 4/25: Tucker • 4/26: Fayette • 4/27: Brookwood
Week One Lineup
• 4/14: Roswell • 4/15: Norcross • 4/16: Walton • 4/17: Harrison • 4/18: Camden • 4/19: Newnan • 4/20: Stephenson
You make the call: What’s the buzz on St. Pius in ‘08? Will transition affect the young Lions? Games start in August. Talk starts NOW.
Permalink | Comments (11) | Post your comment | Categories: Spring Football
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By john
May 3, 2008 12:03 AM | Link to this
I think St. Pius will do very well in its new classification. They competed very well in a very tough region for the last eight years. Last year was supposed to be a rebuilding year and what started out as a question mark and a major weakness, the offensive backfield, is now their major strength. The backfield should really be something to see this year if the offensive line plays up to par. Coach Standard has done a remarkable job with this program. It will be interesting to see how well we play Marist early in the year as compared to late in the year which has always been the case in the past.
By Ray
May 3, 2008 12:09 AM | Link to this
You failed to mention Matt Pierce as a key starter returning. I thought he had a great year.
By Winston
May 3, 2008 12:38 AM | Link to this
I think St Pius had a pretty good football team last year and I think they will have a very good team this year. St Pius has a couple of very good backs that did not get a lot of ink last year, however, I think they were a pretty awesome combination. I think the quarterback with some repetitive snaps with perform admirably and St Pius will suprise a lot of folks.
By Winston
May 3, 2008 12:39 AM | Link to this
I think St Pius had a pretty good football team last year and I think they will have a very good team this year. St Pius has a couple of very good backs that did not get a lot of ink last year, however, I think they were a pretty awesome combination. I think the quarterback with some repetitive snaps will perform admirably and St Pius will suprise a lot of folks.
By Winston
May 3, 2008 12:48 AM | Link to this
I think St. Pius will do very well this upcoming season. They have a great coach and a pretty good pair of backs that did not get a lot of ink even though they combined for well over 2000 total yards. I think the quarterback with some repetitions will perform admirably for he certainly knows the system as well as anyone.
By Dave
May 3, 2008 11:46 AM | Link to this
Two interesting and contrasting reviews within the past couple of days on the bitter rivals St. Pius and Marist. St. Pius returns experienced backfields, but must replace both lines. Marist returns experienced lines, but must replace the backfields. That should make for a very interesting opening game between the 2 rivals.
By T.J.
May 5, 2008 8:09 AM | Link to this
AJC is being cautious writing who whould be dominant. So how does AJC pick that they are in top 25 to be considered worthy of writing on? History, popularity, or last seasons accomplishments? What is criteria to list teams as top 25 in spring? Where is list for top 25? Last 4 teams to be reported on in my book should be Tift, North Gwinnett, Grayson, North Cobb.
By Chadwick
May 16, 2008 11:15 AM | Link to this
I think that St. Pius will be awful because they choke every year. GO WAR EAGLES Marist
By Chadwick
May 16, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
I think that St. Pius will be awful because they choke every year. GO WAR EAGLES Marist
By Coach Chadwick
May 16, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
I think that St. Pius will be awful because they choke every year. GO WAR EAGLES Marist
By Coach Chadwick
May 16, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this
I think that St. Pius will be awful because they choke every year. GO WAR EAGLES Marist