More News

Good Counsel graduated some of the area's best football players, one of whom might be the best player in Montgomery County history, and others who are playing at University of Maryland and Penn State.

But as long as Falcons coach Bob Milloy and his veteran staff are at the Olney private school, Good Counsel will never truly rebuild. No, they just reload.

Replacing the likes of Jelani Jenkins (rated by recruiting Web site www.rivals.com as the nation's No. 1 linebacker in the Class of 2009), Caleb Porzel and Mike Wallace will not be an easy task. But with a total of 24 seniors, 22 juniors and a sprinkling of sophomores dotting this year's roster, the Falcons should once again be a contender for the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title.

"I just think the younger players have to pick up a lot," said linebacker Chris Pitsenberger, who will play for Towson University. "But I think we can make it to the championship again."

Added linebacker Troy Gloster, who has narrowed his list of prospective college choices to West Virginia, Michigan and Stanford: "I think this squad can [contend]. We put in a lot of work in the summertime and we have a lot of great players coming back."

That is certainly the case on the defensive side of the ball, with All-WCAC nose guard A.J. Bowman (5-foot-10, 215 pounds) and Dominick Mitchell (5-11, 195) joining Pitsenberger and Gloster in the linebacking corps. The secondary includes Louis Young (6-1, 190), Frank Tamakloe (6-3, 180) and Al Thompson (5-9, 170), all returnees to the starting lineup.

Young (four interceptions) has made a soft verbal commitment to Stanford (Calif.) and has many other suitors, while Tamakloe will play for the University of Wisconsin. Thompson had 44 total tackles and four interceptions a year ago.

The offense will include some of those same names and an entirely new backfield, consisting of quarterback Zach Dancel (6-0, 190), fullback Mike Nittoli (5-9, 200) and sophomore tailback Wes Brown (6-2, 180). Sophomore Stefan Diggs (6-0, 175), who played receiver last fall, will also split time at tailback.

Dancel is more of a running threat than his predecessor, Tyler Campbell, and boasts a strong left arm. Nittoli rushed for 263 yards and two touchdowns a year ago, while Diggs caught 12 passes for 142 yards and a score. Young and University of Virginia commit E.J. Scott combined for 36 catches, 821 yards and nine touchdowns 2008.

"We've got a lot of athleticism in the backfield," Young said. "Wes Brown, he's looking good."

Paving the way for those players will be a sturdy line that consists of Pete Sotiriou (6-2, 280), Pat Walsh (6-1, 250), Stephen Snyder (6-0, 235), Michael Madaras (6-6, 250), Randy Delgado (6-1, 260) and tight end Vincent Croce (6-4, 260). Croce, Walsh and Thomas Kokolas (6-4, 235) will also anchor the defensive line.

The team's new players will be tested early as Good Counsel opens in California against Valhalla, which also went 11-1 a year ago. The Falcons play five of their first six games on the road, ending with arch-nemesis DeMatha.

Good Counsel

Head coach: Bob Milloy, 10th year (69-20; 37th overall, 334-102-1 career record)

League: Washington Catholic Athletic Conference

Last year's record: 11-1

Last league playoff appearance: 2008

Last league title: 1996

Players to watch: DB/WR Louis Young, LB Chris Pitsenberger, FB Mike Nittoli, LB Troy Gloster

2008 results

Sept. 5 — Dunbar, (W), 42-12

Sept. 13 — Friendship Collegiate, (W), 42-0

Sept. 20 — St. Peter's Prep, (W), 27-14

Sept. 26 — Paul VI, (W), 42-0

Oct. 2 — DeMatha, (W), 42-21

Oct. 10 — O'Connell, (W), 41-14

Oct. 18 — McNamara, (W), 42-6

Oct. 24 — St. John's, (W), 42-3

Nov. 1 — Gonzaga, (W), 45-0

Nov. 8 — Carroll, (W), 44-0

Nov. 14 — McNamara, (W), 45-6*

Nov. 22 — DeMatha, (L), 34-7*

*playoff game

2009 schedule

Sept. 4 — at Valhalla (Calif.), 7 p.m.

Sept. 12 — at Mount St. Joseph's, 1 p.m.

Sept. 17 — Gilman, 7 p.m.

Sept. 26 — at O'Connell, 1 p.m.

Oct. 3 — at McNamara, 1 p.m.

Oct. 9 — at DeMatha, 7 p.m.

Oct. 16 — Paul VI, 7 p.m.

Oct. 23 — St. John's, 7 p.m.

Oct. 30 — Gonzaga, 7 p.m.

Nov. 6 — Carroll, 7 p.m.