State of the Program: Small Morris Catholic football team hopes to step up to competition
EAST RUTHERFORD — Morris Catholic football coach John Hack and seniors Matt Lahoe, Luca Cardone and James Conigliaro introduced themselves to friend and foe alike at SFC Media Day on August 8. Hack had a smile and kind word for nearly every colleague.
They were most often asked about the four letters on the back of their jerseys: "F.T.H.D." That stands for "faith, toughness, hard work, and discipline," the Crusaders' longstanding team values. The players also picked Proverbs 11:14 as this season's Bible verse. It refers to the importance of seeking outside counsel and trusting the wisdom of others.
Lahoe, a senior running back, was the first 1,000-yard rusher in Hack's eight seasons at Morris Catholic. Conigliaro, a returning tight end and linebacker, had 44 tackles and a sack. Cardone is a senior running back and defensive back.
With last year's quarterback Malachi "Bubba" Lewis transferred home to Montclair, sophomore Ethan Everett will line up under center. Junior linebacker/receiver Erik Edelman, who Hack said "will be one of the best players in the area," came into Morris Catholic from Pope John.
"They're a good group," Hack said. "We work hard. We get creative at practice. Everyone has to contribute. That's the deal."
Tradition
Morris Catholic has never won a NJSIAA sectional title. The Crusaders have qualified for the postseason 14 times, going 2-15 and reaching just one final.
Before Hack arrived at Morris Catholic in 2015, the team had won two games a year for five consecutive years. In 2019, the Crusaders won their first division title: the SFC United Blue.
However, Hack has a 35-80 record in his tenure at the Denville parochial school – finishing only three of the eight seasons at or over .500.
Challenge
Morris Catholic has a small program, not even 40 players across all four grades. But that's nothing new to Hack, who is in his eighth season at the helm. He said the key is to stay healthy. Last fall, two Crusaders went down with knee injuries in the first quarter of the season opener. Morris Catholic will rely on its 15 seniors, a group comprised of veterans, transfers and newcomers.
Expectations
The Crusaders qualified for the postseason in 2019 and 2020, but had only six total wins in the past two seasons. They are hoping to turn things around this fall, despite the challenges of the American Gold – where Morris Catholic is the only Non-Public school – and Non-Public B, where potential showdowns loom with perennial powers St. Joseph (Hammonton), Red Bank Catholic, Holy Spirit and DePaul.
"We're really committed to having a bounce-back season," Hack said. "At the end of the year, if they're 8-2 or 2-8, if they give the best effort then we can look at ourselves in the mirror and be proud of what we've done. ... Our division is tough, and our playoff division is tough. It's not Bergen (Catholic) and St. Joe's (Montvale), but it's right there."
State of the Program: Inside look at HS football teams in Bergen, Passaic, Morris, Sussex
2023 schedule
Aug. 25: at Montville
Sept. 1: at Caldwell
Sept. 8: Mountain Lakes
Sept. 15: at St. Peter's (Staten Island)
Sept. 22: Verona
Sept. 29: Hudson Catholic
Oct. 6: Hanover Park
Oct. 13: at Immaculata
Oct. 20: Madison
This article originally appeared on Morristown Daily Record: NJ football 2023 preview: Small Morris Catholic team hopes to step up
