Football - News Football - News News | Roster | Schedules--Results | Archives
9/23/06-Football
Notebook
by Tom Markowski of The Detroit News
Familiar foes
Tonight's Birmingham Brother Rice-Orchard Lake St. Mary's game, scheduled for 7 o'clock at Southfield-Lathrup, is expected to be the first of two, possibly three, games the teams play against one another this season.
Both teams are 4-0, 1-0 in the Catholic League Central Division. St. Mary's is ranked No. 2, Brother Rice No. 3. Nationally, St. Mary's is ranked No. 20 according to Student Sports Magazine, a national publication, and Brother Rice is No. 45.
Last season, the teams played three times with St. Mary's winning the first two, including the league championship game, 20-7, and Brother Rice winning the third, 17-8, in a Division 2 regional final. The Warriors went on to win the state title.
Both teams have had little difficulty in the first four weeks. Brother Rice's 24-0 victory over Detroit Catholic Central last Saturday was surprisingly one-sided. The closest game St. Mary's has played was in its opener, a 34-18 victory over Detroit King.
When asked about the upcoming game, each coach, George Porritt of St. Mary's and Al Fracassa of Brother Rice, praised his opponent.
"They're solid in every area," Porritt said. "The growth of their quarterback, Mike Cappetto , is outstanding. That gives them an added dimension."
Not known for his running ability, Cappetto is running the option effectively for the Warriors as he showed last week against C.C. Cappetto's 24-yard touchdown run came on the option and appeared to fool the C.C. defenders. Now that Porritt and his staff are aware of this added dimension, it's up to St. Mary's' defense to stop it.
Stopping the run also will be the top priority for Brother Rice. Although Justin Siller of St. Mary's is one of the state's top quarterbacks, the Eaglets have predominantly kept the ball on the ground. In last week's 37-0 victory over Dearborn Divine Child, all five touchdowns came by rushing, two each by halfbacks Chris Mitchell and Dominique White , and one by fullback Blair Hollis .
"They have so many great players," Fracassa. "I know their numbers, now I'm beginning to learn their names."
Copyright 2006, St. Mary's Preparatory, Orchard Lake, Michigan. All rights reserved.
No logos, photographs, or graphics on the site may be reproduced without written permission.