“We need to make the focus of pre-season to get into the best possible shape to compete.” That’s what Albany Academy head football coach Tony Fruscio believes will put the Cadets over the top this season in the very competitive Class B.
The Cadets are looking to rebound after a dismal finish to the 2009 season. Last year, Academy won their first four games of the regular season, but after a tough loss to Lansingburgh in the fifth game, it all went downhill. The Cadets finished the season 4-4 and lost their first round Sectional game to Schalmont. Junior quarterback Hunter McCarthy said that after the team’s loss to Lansingburgh, “We had kind of a hangover.”
This year the Cadets have four returning starters on offense and six returning starters on defense with defense being the big question mark heading into the 2010 season. Coach Tony Fruscio says, “We need to be more aggressive and work on form tackling.” Injuries are another big question for the Cadets. Last year the Cadets were plagued by late season injuries, including the loss of leading rusher Zay Richardson for the Sectional game against Schalmont. Coach Fruscio believes the Cadets will have a big year if “we can stay clear of key injuries and peak at the end of the year.” Academy, which traditionally has had a strong running game, will try to incorporate the passing game this year as well. “Our goal is to find a good balance on offense using both the running and the passing games,” Coach Fruscio said.
Apparently validating Coach Fruscio’s preseason regimen, the Cadets opened their 2010 season with a colossal win against Broadalbin-Perth. Academy destroyed the hapless Patriots team, 67-12. Zay Richardson led the way with 297 rushing yards and five touchdowns in five carries as he looks to improve on his 1,086 rushing yard total from 2009.
The Cadets’ next game will be their home opener on Saturday, September 11th at 2:00 p.m. against the tough Hudson Falls Tigers.