WELCOME TO THE BC RADIO NETWORK

The other day in my article covering the BC/St. Joe's scrimmage, I focused on BC's display of mental and physical toughness against the Green Knights, and how it was a result of Coach Campanile's coaching style this summer.  Of course some opposing football fans snickered upon reading this, chalking up that statement to just biased reporting and skeptical to the idea that BC has improved on their major weakness in recent years.  But I would like to highlight a couple of instances in the scrimmage on Tuesday that should be a source for optimism for both Crusader coaches and fans for the upcoming season. 

                                                                                                                       When I first arrived at the scrimmage I could see a new type of confidence surrounding the team.  It was just the way they were carrying themselves in warm ups, as if they were on a business trip and had a job to do.  There was less hooting and hollering compared to recent years, and more focusing on the job at hand.  I understand that it is easy to get caught up in the moment and start trash talking the opponent, as we saw from BC and some other teams in the playoffs last season.  They are high school boys after all, but this BC team almost knew they had no right to brag, instead they needed to let their play do the talking.  Actions speak louder than words, and soon enough everyone in attendance would hear those actions. 

                                                                                                                  Whether they were the crunching hits from the linebacking position delivered by Spencer Kulcsar, the trap blocks delivered by TC Piccariello, or the echoed clapping of Cam Dickerson's hands after a big reception down the field, BC displayed a team toughness that has not been seen since earlier on in the decade.  There was a swagger, a confidence that was a reflection of their new coach.  A young coach that has sold his team on the fact that he has all the answers and that if they follow him he will bring them glory.  With every barking order and twirl of his whistle, Nunzio Campanile drills into the psyche of his team.  They may not like him getting in their faces, screaming his displeasure at missed blocking assignments, bad pass decisions, or sluggish secondary play, but they damn sure respect him.  He has won, and they are desperate to win as well.                                                                                                                          This has translated onto the field, and helped propel BC past their Montvale rivals in the scrimmage.  A fumble on the second series killed a BC drive, but the Crusaders never dropped their heads or mumbled to themselves, and instead took the ball down the field 70 yards for another touchdown.  When an interception was thrown by the BC offense, the defense came out on the very first play and made an interception of their own, and gave the ball right back to their offense who eventually scored another touchdown.  Players are not hanging their heads, as was the case in the waning moments in Jersey City last November.  There is no self-pity or the pointing of fingers.  There are no excuses for being winded or being battered or bruised late in a contest.  Not this year, not with this team, not with this coach. 

                                                                                                                         Now obviously this new mentality does not guarantee anything, as BC may say they have never been better as a team and then may lay an egg against LaSalle on opening day or lose again to Bosco and St. Peter's later on in the year.  But in talking with players, coaches, alumni, and fans around the program, they can see this difference in toughness.  Toughness may not be something tangible, but the attitude change is clear.  Nunzio has his team believing that they are no longer the hunters, but that they are the hunted.  They should be the team that other coaches stay up all night thinking about, not the other way around.  They are thinking that they can restore the glory of the past, with their play of the present.  This year's team is not haunted by the past, but challenged by it. 

                                                                                                                      Again, this may be all well and good for one scrimmage in August, but BC must continue to play with this insatiable hunger for a championship whenever they step on the field.  They need to continue to develop this toughness that has been the calling card of their opponents in the last 5 years, and what has been lacking of late on Oradell Avenue.  Mental and physical toughness, when combined with elite talent, can translate in a championship.  A championship is the only way that BC can finally silence those snickering fans who remain skeptical to the belief that a new coach can bring a new mentality on and off the field to a program in just a matter of months.  It is a tough job, but BC is up to the task.

                                                                                                                           DL