A year ago, when the Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference held its annual football media day at Giants Stadium, St. Peter’s College head coach Rob Stern was brimming with optimism – but so was every other coach in the room.
When Stern spoke with such high hopes, there had to be some people who chuckled.
"St. Peter’s? Optimistic? Are you kidding?"
The coaches of the MAACFL had a right to laugh. After all, St. Peter’s College’s football teams had won a total of nine games in the prior eight years. Why would Stern be so giddy over the fact that his team finally won a handful of games, like they did in 2000?
But things have certainly changed at St. Peter’s, thanks to a shocking, yet historic 10-1 season a year ago, the best in the school’s history. The Peacocks are no longer the laughingstocks of the MAACFL. In fact, quite the opposite.
And at this year’s media day, held Tuesday at Giants Stadium, the Peacocks were the preseason no. 2 team in the league, behind perennial power Duquesne.
"We are the hunted now," Stern said. "I’m sure there are teams that are coming after us this year. There are some teams that have to look at us and believe that they can do the same thing and turn things around in a hurry."
It was more than simply turning things around. It was a lightning rod, from also-ran to instant contender, from complete joke to a team actually thinking about national championships – or at the very least, a MAACFL championship.
"We have to come into the season with a lot of confidence," said senior center Chris Cassaro, the three-year starter from Hudson Catholic who also happens to be Stern’s brother-in-law. "I think everyone is looking forward to the season. We have to be able to build on 10-1. We had a great season, but we lost a game. This year, we want to do better."
"We want to win a championship and it’s a good situation to be in," said Stern, whose team will begin play Aug. 29 at Florida International. "Being ranked in national polls is the fun part. It’s where you want to be."
Stern is fortunate enough to have a host of returning starters back to make a legitimate title run in 2002. The Peacocks welcome back nine of 11 offensive starters and seven of 11 defensive members. That kind of veteran play only adds to the confidence.
"There was no need to ask them to come in early," Stern said. "They all did so on their own. There’s a lot of anticipation, because the expectations are high. That is what happens when you win nine straight to end a season. But we won all those games and didn’t get anything for it."
So that’s the goal for the Peacocks in 2002. Win more and win a title. Easy enough, right?
It just might be. The Peacocks have experience, depth, talent and hunger. If they can somehow get through the tough three-game road trip to begin the season – against Florida International in its first-ever Division I-AA game, against perennial Patriot League power Fordham and against St. Francis (Pa.), then the Peacocks should be in good shape for the rest of the season.
"We have to step out and play some tough teams," Stern said. "Our schedule is tougher than ever before. Fordham is the toughest team we’ve ever faced. But the bottom line is that we have to win our MAAC games. That’s what it all comes down to."
When you talk about the Peacocks, it’s all about defense. They had the no. 1 ranked defense in NCAA Division I-AA football last year, leading the nation in several categories, including scoring defense, total defense, passing defense, pass efficiency defense, turnover margin and turnovers gained.
"I think if everything goes according to plan, our defense should be just as strong as last year," Stern said.
The defense is keyed by former Hudson Catholic standout Jon Wasielewski, who made 112 tackles last year at linebacker (more than double the team’s runner-up), earning First Team All-MAACFL and All-America honors.
"I think we were a surprise to everyone last year," said Wasielewski, a former Hudson Reporter Defensive Player of the Year honoree. "Except to ourselves. We knew we had a good team and we were right. The one thing we can’t get this year is overconfident. That’s perhaps the only thing I’m scared of. We know that every game is going to be a war this year. There are no walkovers. People are coming after us."
The linebacking corps will be bolstered by the addition of former Hudson Catholic standout Brad Cunningham, who has transferred to SPC from Rutgers. Justin Diomede and Alfredo Pascal will also see time among the linebackers.
The Peacocks also have a great secondary in All-American safety Jon Ambrose, who led the nation in interceptions last year with 11 and begins this season as a pre-season All-America and the pre-season MAACFL Defensive Player of the Year. He needs four interceptions this season to match the all-time NCAA Division I-AA career record of 28, set by Dave Murphy of Holy Cross some 13 years ago.
But the secondary doesn’t end there. Fellow senior Antonio Seay collected six interceptions last year at cornerback and was also All-MAACFL. Having Seay, Ambrose and Wasielewski back on defense certainly helps.
Last year’s MAACFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, defensive end Shawn Poling, also returns, but the defensive line was hurt by the graduation of All-American Jeran Crawford and the transfer of defensive tackle Michael Quarshie to Columbia.
"The defensive line is a question mark, but not a big one," Stern said. "You don’t replace guys like Mike and Jeran, but we have some good kids there who are ready to step up."
One of the players to watch will be Elias Perez of North Bergen.
Offensively, the Peacocks will be led by speedy tailback Derek Clayton, who emerged last year as one of the most explosive players in the MAACFL. Clayton set a school record with 942 yards and scored five touchdowns last year.
"DC is definitely the man," Stern said. "He’s exciting and has all the tools. He has to get the ball at least 20 times a game for us. We’re going to live and die with him, but you don’t find many kids with the ability he brings back there."
Former Union Hill great Heatcliff Leonor, another former Hudson Reporter Player of the Year during his phenomenal high school career, backs up Clayton and Eugene Vick.
Junior Andre Harris returns at quarterback for the Peacocks, where he rushed for 544 yards and seven touchdowns and passed for 1,040 yards and 10 touchdowns. More importantly, Harris rarely turned the ball over.
"Andre put us in position to win games," Stern said. "We’re going to ask him to do a little more this year. He knows he’s the guy now, so he’s physically and mentally more mature. DC and Harris are the ones who have to lead us. That’s not a line. But our receivers (Doug Barber and Steven Taylor) have to make plays to help Clayton."
Along the offensive line, Cassaro is an anchor, as is tackle Joe Isa of North Bergen.
So the prospects look good for another great season for the Peacocks. You can no longer laugh.
"It’s always a good feeling when you’re one of the last coaches to speak at media day," Stern said. "Obviously, we must be doing something right."
Sure looks that way. – Jim Hague