Saints march on

The scoreboard said it all: Southern, 30, Ss. John Neumann-Maria Goretti, 26.

This is the same Southern the former Neumann Pirates, who became the Neumann-Goretti Saints last year, had beaten every Thanksgiving since 1990 and 49 times overall. The Saints also missed the playoffs with a 1-7 mark against Catholic League Blue teams and 2-10 record overall last season.

The bad memories have provided great motivation for the team’s off-season workouts and conditioning sessions.

"Every time we came to practice this summer, we are all thinking about how hard last season was," senior offensive tackle Dominic Orlando said during Monday’s practice. "Everybody is pushing each other so we don’t have another season like last year."

Senior defensive end Joseph Mike "J. Mike" Francesco said the team has picked itself up since suffering that 30-26 Thanksgiving Day loss to Southern.

"You can’t point fingers at anyone," he said. "We win as a team and lose as a team."

Head coach Steve Smith said he is noticing a difference as 40-plus players attended the summer practice sessions.

"You just see how hard they work and interact," Smith said. "They are very dedicated, which bodes well for us and our season."

THE SAINTS HELD conditioning sessions Tuesday and Thursday nights and dedicated several hours a week to the weight room.

"The harder you work, the more it pays off in the end," said Ryan Howlett, a senior halfback-defensive end. "Everybody gave up summer jobs and vacation to be home and work hard in order to be a good team

this year."

There is a lot of work to do. In 12 games last season, the Saints were outscored 314-132, which includes four shut outs. It was hard work was the off-season focus. The team held 14 mini-camp-type workouts Mondays from February to April.

"The work ethic in the kids is sensational," Smith said. "Anything we asked, they did. They’re keeping up the intensity and we keep increasing their football IQ."

This week, the Saints held grueling three-a-day sessions Monday through Wednesday with the first starting at 8:30 a.m., then from noon to 2 p.m. and the last going from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. The last session was for special teams. When the players started feeling fatigued, a quick thought of the 2004 season provided a mental boost.

The Saints first non-league test comes next Saturday in Wildwood against North Catholic in their annual Labor Day weekend Beach Bowl. North Catholic won last year, 15-12.

"That game sets the tone for the school year and the season," Cimadamore said. "We are going to show people what they can expect from us at that game."

The Saints also have non-league games against Bartram Sept. 10 and Episcopal Sept. 17 in preparation for their Catholic League Blue opener Sept. 24 against Kennedy-Kenrick.

Smith hasn’t announced his team goal for wins, but he is confident the pieces are in place for a much-improved record.

"I think as a program, we have something to prove," he said. "I am pretty sure we are better in all phases right now."