Joey Payeur
Mike Cuzzolino’s strongest wish as head coach of the Muskie football team is to turn around a program in tatters.
But it’s more than a one-man job (or even a 15-man) job.
The end of his team’s two-week spring camp on Friday left Cuzzolino with more questions than answers about where his potential players stand when it comes to resurrecting a program that went 0-7 in WHSFL play last season.
“On average, we had about 13-14 kids out every day,” noted Cuzzolino, whose numbers topped out at 16 and went as low as 10.
“Our numbers were pretty much the same on both weeks.
“It would’ve been nice to see all our returning players out,” he added.
“We need that player commitment to really turn this program around and make it successful again.
“Where we need to improve is we need to get all our veteran players out and involved,” Cuzzolino reiterated.
“We had a lot of returning players who didn’t participate, and it makes it difficult for us coaches to put our base packages in and get an idea what shape our guys are in and who we have for positions,” he conceded.
“We’d love to be able to have an exhibition game with another school, but we need to know what our numbers will be–or at least have an idea before we can approach other schools for games.
“So we’d really like to see an improvement in our dedication from some of our returning players,” Cuzzolino said.
“We had a small group of returning players that were out; the ones who are consistently dedicated and committed to making this program better.”
One positive was what Cuzzolino called “solid participation” from a number of Grade 8s, who came out to lay the groundwork for their personal football development even though they won’t be eligible to play for the Muskies until the fall of 2018.
“They were the ones that pretty much came every day and they soaked up the information like sponges,” he lauded.
“It’s always fun to watch the kids learn and develop.”
Cuzzolino also praised fellow coaches Jordy Botsford, Pete Moen, Lou Gauthier, Josh Burley, Ian McKay, Vic Davis, Matt Soprovich, Malcolm Daley, and former sideline boss Chad Canfield, who is helping out in a part-time role as a running backs coach.
“I have the most incredible staff,” he stressed.
“I have 100 percent faith and trust in these guys. They’re amazing.
“We’re all on the same page with what we want to achieve with this program and they honestly make my job so much easier as the head coach, so I’m greatly appreciative of the hard work they put in,” he added.
With spring camp behind him, it’s time for Cuzzolino to turn his attention to the fast-approaching start of a new gridiron campaign.
“Our focus is just for the guys to get into the gym and train, and come into training camp in shape,” he remarked.
“That’s all we ask,” he added. “Coming in in shape will seriously help these guys with the grind of the football season and help prevent injuries.
“We have a solid, young squad,” Cuzzolino said. “Our coaching staff can’t wait to see them develop.”
