St. Viator uses youth movement to move forward

This could be a defining year for St. Viator.

After three games last season the Lions appeared to be headed for a school-record fourth straight playoff appearance.

But those hopes disappeared with 5 losses in their last 6 games. And now Chris Kirkpatrick has one of the youngest teams of his tenure at Viator.

"We had a very good two or three years but right now our reputation is still kind of up in the air," Kirkpatrick said. "Are we a flash-in-the-pan or a team that's going to be good year-in and year-out?

"Us being young is no excuse to not be good. I have confidence in what we're doing but we need to get that confidence throughout."

Junior Julian Sipiora takes over at quarterback after starting the final game last year.

"He's a good athlete and he can make things happen," Kirkpatrick said of his starting free safety a year ago.

Sipiora has a dangerous receiving threat back in Richard McLoughlin. Left tackle Dan Schatz anchors the line.

"We have some more jelling to do and if we can protect and block we'll be decent," Kirkpatrick said. "They're not very big but they can move a little bit."

Kirkpatrick said it's the first time - but not by design - he's had more athletes on defense instead of offense.

Joe Peart leads the way up front in the Lions' switch to a 3-5-3. Tom Supplitt is the middleman at linebacker and Dan Faerber brings toughness and leadership at safety.

"We've always been an attacking-style defense and we'll keep that up," Kirkpatrick said. "We've got to have the mentality of always getting to the football and making up for what mistakes we make with speed."

And the Lions also need some leaders to quickly emerge.

"They're all trying to feel themselves out and see who is going to step up," Kirkpatrick said. "The seniors have to do a good job."