By Mark Jaffee
WOLCOTT — The St. Joseph of Trumbull football team has had three different coaches, Ed McCarthy, Christy Hayes and current head coach Joe Della Vecchia in its rich football history, which has guided the Cadets to state titles, a combined 12 in all.
Wolcott is seeking still its first crown and is in only its fifth playoff game after coach Jason Pace, in his sixth season, has guided the Eagles to one playoff win in four games.
No. 4 Wolcott (8-2) hosts No. 5 St. Joseph (8-2) in the Class M quarterfinals.
Della Vecchia, winner of four state titles, back-to-back in 2009-10 and back-to-back in 2013-14, feels the Eagles provide a huge challenge, led by Wolcott junior quarterback Michael Polzella, who ran for three touchdowns and passed for another in the Eagles’ 47-28 win over Holy Cross on Thanksgiving.
“Polzella shows poise and runs the offense very well,” said Della Vecchia. “Their running back (Ray Iorio) has great balance and runs very hard and is determined. One of their receivers — No. 29 (Steve Urbanski) — runs good routes and is quick. And their right guard and linebacker No. 75 (Bobby Stoeckert) is one of the best linemen I’ve seen this year. He’s very physical and precise in his assignments.
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“Overall, Wolcott’s team is very good,” added Della Vecchia. “They’re aggressive on both sides of the ball and run the ball very well. They have a very balanced offense and their defense is tough.”
Knowing the weather forecast is not particularly good, ball security and turnovers are going to be a key of the game. The fact that the Cadets are coming off a lopsided, 39-7, loss to Trumbull on Thanksgiving, Pace expects a quick turnaround by the Cadets.
“It all comes down to matchups,” said Pace, whose team will need to play at its ultimate best to beat the Cadets and advance to next Monday’s semifinals. “St. Joseph is exceptionally good in all facets of the game. When we have been successful, we have been able to run the ball effectively.”
Perhaps the least known, but most effective Cadet is freshman tailback Jaden Shirden, listed at just 5-foot-7, 155 pounds. Still Pace is concerned about Shirden’s breakaway ability
“Shirden is tough to bring down and makes defenders with his elusiveness,” said Pace. “He can turn a minor play into major one.”
At quarterback, Cadets senior Cory Babineau has thrown for more than 2,000 yards and can put secondaries in a prevent defense mode.
“I’m very impressed by Babineau has a quick release, a strong arm and an accurate one,” said Pace. “One f my assistants saw him make a throw with a flick of the wrist and the ball went 40 to 50 yards down field for a completion.”
“(No. 3) Jarod Mallozzi is Babineau’s primary target but (No. 41) Phil Presmeg is big tight end and possession guy with really good hands,” said Pace.
Defensively, defensive end Brian Harner (No. 44, 5 sacks) and safety Nick Osborne (No. 13, five interceptions) lead the way.
“Harner is very athletic and as soon as we saw him on film, he jumped out as a great player for his ability to rush the passer and tackling ability against the run,” added Pace. “He could be one of the best, if not the best defensive end, we have faced this year. Osborne reads the quarterback well and is always in a position to make a big play.”