Albany Football Preview: Cougars' Improvement Hinges on Defense

Returning Starters: 11 (5 offense, 6 defense)
Top Offensive Players: Robert Crowley, quarterback; Avi Rosenblum, running back and wide receiver; Ben Roberson, wide receiver; Jerry Gurule, fullback; Alex Stepans, center.
Top Defensive Players: Ben Roberson, defensive back; Avi Rosenblum, defensive back; Jerry Gulure, defensive end; Lucas Caldwell, defensive back; Quinn Miyashiro, defensive line.
Rising Star: Quinn Miyashiro, offensive and defensive line.
Captains: Robert Crowley, Avi Rosenblum, Jerry Gurule, Alex Stepans.
Team Strengths: Cameraderie, senior leadership, special teams, fitness level, understanding of offensive and defensive concepts.
Areas to Improve: Execution, tempo, discipline at line of scrimmage.
Mark the Calendar: @ St. Mary's, Nov. 6

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The offense has been solid, if unspectacular, but still the Albany High football team has endured losing season after losing season. So as the 2010 campaign approaches, the Cougars are eager to see if this is the year they can finally stop somebody.

"We've scored points and racked up yards, but teams have been able to march up and down the field on us," said coach Scott Shevelson. "We're slowly improving and trying to change that."

Shevelson, in his fifth year as head coach and offensive coordinator, brought in former Berkeley High linebackers coach Derik Calhoun to be the defensive coordinator last year. In Calhoun's first season, the Cougars' struggles continued as they allowed 39.8 points per game. But in year two, he's seeing improvements.

"When I got here, the guys on defense just didn't understand the fundamentals of the game," said Calhoun, who coached Pop Warner in between his stints at Berkeley and Albany. "They just plain didn't know how to play their positions."

So for his first season, Calhoun tried to teach players the basics they'd never learned. In year two, he's hoping to begin seeing results.

"The work ethic is getting there," he said. "We're a lot harder-working this year than last year."

Offensively, the Cougars return plenty of skill position experience from a unit which averaged 21 points per game in 2009. All-Bay Shore League honorable mention wide receiver Avi Rosenblum returns along with fellow wideout Ben Roberson. Robert Crowley, an honorable mention all-league tight end in 2009, steps into the starting quarterback role. Crowley is more of a drop-back passer than Andrew Spivey, the three-year starter he'll replace, but coaches and teammates say he has good presence in the pocket and has established himself as a leader.

"He makes good decisions, and he's one of the hardest workers on the team," said Alex Stepans. "He's someone the younger guys can look to because he always gives 110 percent."

Stepans leads a rebuilt offensive line, which welcomes many new players from last year's junior varsity team. The line will need to gel quickly for the Cougars to exploit their advantages in the skill positions.

But if they are to emerge into the league's top half, the key will be a continually-developing defense. New assistant coach Mark Griffin has bolstered the defensive line, and Calhoun expects his front seven to be a strength. Many players will go both ways, allowing the team to best use its top athletes but leaving the Cougars tired late in games. Many of Albany's 2009 defensive breakdowns came in the second half of games.

Toughening up down the stretch will be one step in the development of a strong winning culture in Albany, a process that players believe is already underway.

"We're not a joke anymore," said Rosenblum. "This is a completely different Albany football team."

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Schedule

9/3 vs Campolindo 

9/10 @ Vallejo

9/17 vs St. Elizabeth

10/1 @ John Swett

10/8 vs Piedmont

10/15 @ Moreau Catholic

10/22 vs Encinal

10/29 vs Kennedy-Richmond

11/6 @ St. Mary's

11/12 vs St. Patrick/St. Vincent

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