Consistent Crusaders look to become Championship Contenders
Holy Cross featured a stingy defense in the 2011 campaign, allowing just 20 points per game and less than 200 passing yards per contest. The Crusaders also held the mighty Lehigh offense to just 14 points in a game where they fell short by just 7 points. There will be some holes to fill on the defensive side of the ball this year, as 2011’s leading tackler Ricky Otis has moved on. Senior Tom Mannix will be a focal point on defense. He ranked second on the team with 87 total tackles last year, and also forced 3 fumbles.
Offense will be a question for the Crusaders. Last season, Ryan Taggart started all 11 games, throwing for nearly 3000 yards and 17 touchdowns. Taggart has since graduated, and Senior Kevin Watson appears have the edge in the battle for the starting QB position. Watson hasn’t thrown a pass in game action since the 2010 season. Gerald Mistretta, a 2011 All Patriot League Wide Receiver, should make things a lot easier for whoever is under center. Mistretta had 723 receiving yards and caught six touchdowns last year.
Click the Plug-ins below to hear my interviews with Tom Mannix and Head Coach Tom Gilmore.
