Coming off of a 10-2 season, the football team looks to continue their strong reputation as one of the top teams in the league.
“We have an opportunity to do well in the playoffs, but we have to make them first. So we’re going to have to obviously play well,” said head coach Steve Sell.
The Dons are playing with a roster of only 35 players compared to last year’s 49 players. The shrunken roster has led to numerous practice adjustments.
“We obviously never hit that much in practice because we have to preserve our kids, but it’s going to change because more of our guys are going to have to play on both sides of the ball,” Sell said. “In the past, we’ve been able to have an offensive line and defensive line with different kids. Now we have more kids that have to play on both sides on the ball.”
Despite their shortage of players, the Dons have gained an administrative advantage through hiring a new defensive coach, David DeGeronimo.
“DeGeronimo from Sacred Heart, he’s a great asset,” said senior running back Camron Grant.
“He’s coming in and he’s teaching our defensive line new things, like paying more attention to detail.”
DeGeronimo works alongside defensive coordinator Ashley Parham.
“[Parham] is probably the best in the league,” said offensive line coach Michael Wu. “His mentality is always to rush the quarterback, be aggressive up front and disciplined in the secondary.”
To compensate for the smaller roster, the coaches attempt to utilize every player.
“Coach Parham has me run what we call the scout offense, usually the people who don’t start. They simulate what the other team does,” Wu said. “I try to let them know how important they are because it’s hard to be second string and feel that you’re contributing to a team.”
Aside from new drills and practices, another additional coaching aspect is joking around, especially towards Grant.
“Cam’s a very fiery guy, so I’ll start talking trash to Cam, and the kids start loosening up,” Wu said. “When a kid makes a great play, I’ll make a big deal out of it, we’ll laugh, we’ll make jokes, but when we run the play, I make sure they know that it’s serious.”
Despite the jokes in practice, Wu has clear expectations for his team.
“I demand perfection and it’s unachievable,” he said. “I want to push these young men to be the best they can be … [and] if they mess up, I’ll let them know. But when they fix their mistakes, they’ll know how excited I am.”
“I want to push these young men to be the best they can be”
Aside from coaching, Aragon has another source of major leadership in its experienced players, some of whom have been on varsity since sophomore year.
“Our strength is that we’ve got some veteran leadership, we [have] some of the best players we’ve had,” Sell said.
Grant, who has been on varsity since freshman year exemplifies this leadership.
“Camron was a captain last year,” Wu said. “In my eyes, he’s the undisputed leader. He’s the returning captain. He’s vocal when he needs to be.”
However, Wu believes the Dons have a different form of leadership in another one of the returning players: senior running back Paul Lautaimi.
“Paul’s a guy who, when you watch him play, you get excited. He definitely leads by example. The way he runs is reflective of his commitment and his intensity,” Wu said. “Even though he doesn’t say much, seeing him perform in practice and games is contagious, so he’s definitely a leader.”
Lautaimi provides personal insight into how he practices and plays.
“I speak with my actions and that’s all that’s said on the field,” Lautaimi said. “I just try to do my job.”
The Dons are set to start off their season at home against Aptos on Aug. 31.
