Item Football 2009: Fenwick hoping that closeness breeds winning

The way Bishop Fenwick coach Dave Woods figures it ? well ? he can’t always figure it.There have been times in the past when he’s had teams he where he was absolutely positive they’d contend mightily for the Catholic Central League/Large crown ? only to fall somewhat short.And he’s also had teams where he really didn’t know what to expect ? and they’ve come through in a big way.That’s why he’s making no predictions for 2009, except to say that his Crusaders (5-6 last season) are small in numbers but big in heart.”This is the smallest team we’ve had since I’ve been here,” said Woods, who, during the off-season, was appointed interim athletic director and now performs both jobs. “We have 36 kids, from sophomores to seniors.”But,” he said, “we have a real tight group. They’re really close. Of that 36, 26 worked out together all summer, so they’re hard-working, and they’re tough.”The Crusaders ran into a buzzsaw of bad luck in 2008.”We had outstanding kids,” Woods said. “I really liked our team coming into the season. And then, we had injury upon injury upon injury. It was getting to the point where it was almost comical.”He remembers one game against eventual Super Bowl champion Arlington Catholic where “we were ahead of them by halftime, and then Danny Kennedy gets hurt, and we were done. We had a lot of tough injuries last year.”Things didn’t start off any better this season, either, as junior Dan Delomba, a 5-10, 195-pounder projected to start at running back and linebacker, tore his anterior cruciate ligament in a scrimmage and is out for the season.”That hurts us,” Woods said, “as we’re thin enough as it is.”Woods has some experience returning, including quarterback/defensive back Chris Renzulli (5-8, 165) whose older brother, Ralph, is on board this year as an assistant coach; Joe Bona (TE/LB), a 5-11, 180-pound senior whose brother, Nick, played for the Peabody West Little League World Series team; linebacker/guard Kevin Pierce (5-10, 195), center/defensive back Joe Terry (6-1, 190), Zach Nardone (OT/DT, 6-1, 235) and Tyler Phonann (RB, DB, 6-2, 185) – all seniors.Junior returning starters include Brett Kidik, a quarterback (6-0, 185) and Ryan Lipka (6-0, 180, E/DB).Woods also likes seniors Alex Crecco (RB) and Pat Ryan (DE).”We’ve had a great camp,” said Woods. “The kids have done everything we’ve asked, and we’re looking forward to a good season.”Woods says Fenwick’s strength “lies in our skill kids and our depth.”But,” he said, “we’re very thin on the offensive line and defensive line. We have only one returning starter (Nardone). We really need to stay healthy on the offensive line, too.”Woods feels that because of the injuries already, and the numbers, “we’re one of two teams in the league that didn’t really get better – on paper, anyway. Arlington Catholic would be the other one, and they’re already pretty darn good.””But,” as Woods notes, “you don’t play football on paper. You never know what’s going to happen until you get on the field.”Woods has the additional responsibility of running the athletic department this season, “and that definitely takes a lot of time management skills,” he said.”It’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun too. As long as you can manage your time, you’re OK. You never get everything done when you want to, but we have awesome coaches ? great men and women to work with. They know I’m new to this, and they’re picking up the slack.”Football alumni Neil Gendron will join Ralph Renzulli as new assistants on the staff.