Fordham Prep coach Pete Gorynski (c) and key players (from left to right), Logan Williamson, Jimmy Drago, Michael McGrane, Malik Crossdale, and James McHale hope to get the Rams back to the CHSFL Class AAA playoffs. (Robert Cole)
Pete Gorynski is a hard man to please, but quarterback James McHale has him absolutely ecstatic in the preseason.
“I don’t think I’ve ever gone home this happy,” the Fordham Prep head coach said.
The junior signal caller, who split time last year with John Trimble, has come into his own and secured the starting spot. Gorynski ran through the passing numbers they chart at practice. He was 14-of-17 in the morning on Thursday and 16-for-18 early in the afternoon. Wednesday he nearly had the first perfect game of Gorynski’s 18-year tenure, going 15-of-16 with one drop.
“If this translates to the game, he’s going to be tremendous,” Gorynski said. “If we get him time to throw the ball he can be something very, very, very special.”
Added senior offensive lineman Michael McGrane: “He’s a monster.”
McHale, who can make all the throws, was pleased to know of his coach’s praise, but hasn’t let it get to his head. It has made him want the games to come quicker, to help the Rams get back to the CHSFL Class AAA playoffs. McHale has always been clutch, leading Fordham Prep to two last-second, game-winning drives against Kellenberg last year including one in the Class AA title game.
“It’s a very good feeling knowing he trusts you,” the 6-foot-2 McHale said of his coach. “He’s going to let me play around with the offense a little bit more.”
Gorynski is tinkering himself, opening things up because of McHale’s development. He has plenty of weapons to work with, such as elusive returning running back Malik Crossdale, who tore his meniscus last season. Gorynski believes he could be the best overall running back he’s had.
“I kind of feel like I have to make up for last year,” Crossdale said.
Jimmy Drago, who filled in for Crossdale last season, moves back to his natural position at wide receiver where Gorynski believes he can have a big year. He will be joined by Trimble, fellow senior Logan Williamson and Ryan Sullivan.
“He can catch everything you put out there for him,” McHale said of Drago.
While the Rams bring back plenty of talent on offense. they will rely on a young defense, which will include four sophomores. Junior Itua Uduebo will anchor the line with sophomore Thomas Munson while four underclassmen, including Corey Giordano and Jarred Moorer, will be at linebacker. Trimble could see time at safety with Michael Wagner and Sebastiano Santorelli at cornerback.
Fordham Prep is hoping to get a chance to show what its capable of after injuries took its toll last fall before a strong finish. Gorynski knows a few guys going down again could be a problem again with a lack of depth, but he believes this group has all it needs to push for the ‘AAA’ playoffs.
“Once we got all of our players back for the playoffs, we came back strong,” Trimble said. “We showed the league why we belong in the ‘AAA.’”