St. Luke's Football: Season Outlook

After a vigorous preseason, St. Luke’s hopes for a positive start to its upcoming season in the Evergreen Football League. 

 

This year’s team is led by Harrison Bennett ’23, Andrew Kress ’23, Ben Hochadel ’23, and Roderick Olson ’23. Head Coach Noel Thomas expects all three captains to embody St. Luke’s football philosophy: “I expect our captains to lead by example, to live up to our high standards of physicality and character, and to treat everyone with respect. I believe they will lead this group in the right direction.”

 

Thomas, who enters his eleventh year as head coach, has been extremely pleased with preseason preparations: “Preseason has been very productive – we've balanced our time well, focusing on strength and conditioning and the fundamentals of the game. We have used drills and film to teach our players the skills to play well.”

 

Thomas has been impressed with a number of his returning players and believes their experience is key to the team’s success. “Roderick Olson ’23 and Tad Fleuette ’24 are both impressive at running back and linebacker. They have incredible strength and big-play ability. Kress and Bennett lead a talented group of offensive and defensive linemen.  Zion Profit ’23 and Ethan Righter ’23 are defensive standouts, who have proven to be strong leaders we can depend on to neutralize opposing offenses.”

 

There are also a number of new players who have caught the coach’s eye. Thomas is excited to see how much they contribute this fall: “Holden Brown ’24, Graham Findeisen ’24, Mark Dodaj ’24, Caden Bowling ’24, and Adrian Almeida ’26 have done extremely well in their positions. All five players are exciting additions to our football family.”

 

The Storm enjoyed a good joint practice with Rye Country Day School on Friday, Sept. 2, and is scheduled to scrimmage Wilbraham & Monson Academy on Friday, Sept. 16. St. Luke’s  season opener will take place on the road at Kingswood Oxford School on Saturday, Sept. 24. 

 

Thomas is eager for an explosive start to the campaign: “I expect to start the season fast and focused. I expect to be challenged by all the talented teams in the Evergreen League, but I want us to play with passion and compulsion. That will create a contagious energy that gets everyone moving together.”

 

Each year, Coach Thomas  has the same goals for his team and knows his players will be challenged: “Our biggest challenge will be to weather the inevitable storm that comes every year — the storm of adversity. I'm confident we will face this challenge successfully. Our goal is always to give maximum effort while striving to achieve supreme character. I trust this group will give it their all.”