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NEW CANAAN, Conn. The Matt Milano era is over at New Canaan High, but the Rams are still expected to be near the top of the conference in 2012 even without one of the best quarterbacks in state history.
In the video, Rams head coach Lou Marinelli discusses Milano's legacy and the current quarterback battle between Teddy Bossidy and Nick Cascione. He also talks about having a much younger squad and teaching those players New Canaan's high-flying offense.
Eric's Take: Life after Matt Milano is going to be interesting for New Canaan. But if there's one team that can stay at the top even after losing one of the state's all-time great quarterbacks, it's the Rams.
However, I may have detected the tiniest bit of nervousness in the 32-year veteran coach's voice when talking about this season's offense. Or maybe it was just my imagination.
Marinelli insisted that the West Coast offense would be alive and well on the Rams' side of the ball. While I didn't expect the Rams to suddenly become Ansonia and run the ball every play of the game, I'd be stunned (and Rams fans would be pleasantly surprised) if Bossidy or Cascione can run the New Canaan offense as efficiently as Milano did.
Of course, no one is expecting them to be Matt Milano. The Rams graduate holds the single-season state record for touchdown passes and completions and is the school's career leader in touchdown passes.
Worst Case: The Rams' passing attack doesn't stack up and they have to rely on the run, which conference opponents are ready to defend against. The young offensive and defensive lines make some rookie mistakes that cost New Canaan a game or two. The Rams' postseason hopes come down to Thanksgiving, but they are topped by archrival Darien for the first time in 11 years.
Best Case: Matt who? Bossidy or Cascione emerges as a worthy successor and the high-flying Rams don't miss a beat. They blow through their schedule and party like it's 2009 with a trip back to the Class L championship, this time picking up the trophy.
Key Players: Bossidy, Cascione, QB, Louis Hagopian, RB, Grady Lynch, WR, Dylan Karnedy, OL, Bobby Erickson, DL
Big Games: 9/14 (Opening Day) vs. Bassick, 10/12 vs. Norwalk, 11/2 vs. Stamford, 11/22 (Thanksgiving) at Darien
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