A new era of St. Joseph High football kicks off

Posted: Aug 10, 2012 5:18 PM by Andrew Masuda

A new era of Knights' football is underway at St. Joseph High School and players say they are excited to be a part of it.

First year head coach Dustin Davis says his boys bought into his system after the second week of spring ball and they put in extra work this summer. "They all seemed hungry to learn, hungry to get better and hungry to succeed. That's easy to work with for a coach and a coaching staff," said Davis, who came to the Knights from Cardinal Newman High in Santa Rosa, where he was an assistant coach. He also spent four years at Windsor High where he went 36-4 as a junior varsity and varsity head coach.

The Knights return 17 of their 22 starters from last year's team that went 3-7 overall and 0-6 in Pac-7 League play. "It's going to be a big momentum change. Our line was really young last year. We're only missing two linemen. So I think that's a big aspect of what we'll need. So I think we'll do significantly better than last year," said senior running back/cornerback Scotty Cusack. He ran for 374 yards on just 27 carries last season.

Junior Curry Parham has been dubbed the team's starting quarterback, replacing the departed Paul Avila. Parham has plenty of talented targets to choose from. Fullback Wesley Williams returns after rushing for 380 yards on 83 carries last year. Wide receiver Zak Karsh is a senior, who hauled in 48 receptions for 704 yards and 7 touchdowns as a junior. Tight end Ryan Mediano returns as well as after having 13 catches for 167 yards and 2 TD a year ago.

On defense, Williams and Mediano will have impacts along with senior linebacker DJ Migliaccio, who tallied 76 tackles last season.

This year's senior class is determined to return the program to its winning ways. They went undefeated as freshmen and sophomores and are more motivated than ever after last year's losing season. "I think we'll all have a lot more energy on the field and be a little more pumped up before the games and we'll just pull through and win the game. We have enough talent," said co-captain and lineman Mark Mahoney.

The Knights open the season August 24 at Santa Barbara High.

Davis admits he has been troubled by low turnout for players at the junior varsity and freshmen levels.