The Cadets lost their second game of the season last weekend, falling 2-20 to SUNY Maritime.
The Norwich football team is now 7-2 overall and 4-2 in its league, having lost to Mount Ida College a few weeks ago. It plays Castleton tomorrow for its last game of the regular season.
The team is coming off a big ECFC championship last year. Said head football coach Shawn McIntyre, “The Norwich University’s football team is looking very good this season.”
There are a number of players who are making a large impact on the team.
“First starting out with the 26 seniors who are a very good group leaders and a very good group of football players,” said McIntyre. “Our offensive line is doing a great job, we’re running the ball effectively, we’re pass protecting well which is allowing us to stretch a defense and then attack it vertically.”
According to McIntyre, the whole defense is an impact when they are on the field. There are a lot of other players who, when given an opportunity to shine, do very well.
“Our starting tight end Derek Hungerford, a senior from St. Albans, Vt., is doing a good job as well as working with the o-line and helping out the run game,” said McIntyre. “Brian Segit a senior from Fly Creek, N.Y., (who) is doing an outstanding job as our punter. Long Ding, a junior from Qing Dao, China, and Ryan Kelly, a senior from Niskayuna,N.Y., are doing a good job as our kickers.”
There have been plenty of injuries. A major one is Chris Roberto, a senior defensive end from Wakefield, Mass., who broke his leg and part of his ankle against Gallaudet University, which ended up a season-ending injury. Rocco DiMeco had a sprain MCL in the same game, and had to sit out a couple of weeks.
The team has at least one big game ahead of it. Tomorrow it plays Castleton State College on Sabine Field, starting at 1 p.m.
McIntyre said,” You got to prepare for one game at a time.”
Last week McIntyre said, “We’re solely focused about SUNY Maritime and we’re working on defending the triple option and being able to run and throw the football against their 4-3 defense.”
Last spring the football team elected three captains: Mike Ohrenberger, 22, a senior biology major from Framingham, Mass.; Rocco DiMeco, 21, a senior physical education major from Holden, Mass.; and Don Hanni, 22, a senior criminal justice major from Youngstown, Ohio.
“I would have a say if I thought there was an inappropriate choice but I’ve never had that here in my six years as head coach. Our captains have been a clear-cut vote by their teammates.” said McIntyre.
The team’s motto is “Be one, believe to achieve.” Explains McIntyre, “you can be individuals and separate but you’re one team, one family, and you have to believe in one another to achieve the results that you want.”