FeedsBringing the team together
Seniors vow to improve last year’s record
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Belleville Coach Bob LaPointe (seated) goes for a ride as he instructs his linemen in drills during the first full week of conditioning and practice last week.Things are going to be different this year.
With a new football season on the horizon, the Belleville community will see a football team that is not so much new as it is different take to the field in the fall.
That’s if Rob Dellapelle, Darius Logan, Waseem Elawadi and David Kennedy have anything to do with the Tigers’ success this season. And they will—the four seniors have their sights set on bringing the team together for one goal—to make it to the playoffs.
“All the guys are working hard this year because we had a bad season last year,” said Dellapelle, a linebacker. There’s a lot of experience this year. Last year there was no senior leadership at all. As seniors we’re trying to…”
“Bring the team together,” Kennedy, a lineman, interjected. “That’s what we need to do: be a team. We can’t be individuals.”
“That’s all it is: one big family with one goal and that one goal is the playoffs,” Dellapelle finished.
For those who don’t remember, the Tigers suffered through a tough 3-6 season last year. They didn’t make the playoffs and fell short of their—and fans—expectations.
“I feel that most of us had our mind on something else and that’s why we didn’t play good,” said Logan, a linebacker. “We have to take each game as it comes and don’t think of the next game; make sure you have your head in the game.”
Things are different this year. Belleville is bigger faster and stronger and, not to forget, more experienced.
Head Coach Bob LaPointe said he has 32 seniors on the squad this time—a vast improvement from last year—with overall numbers surpassing those of last year, too. Experience and numbers should be a boost.
“We think we’ll be a lot better than we were last year,” LaPointe said. “Last year was a real bad season for us. It was unusual here.
“The kids, especially the seniors, are really taking charge,” he added. “They’re working hard and that’s a real positive sign. Now we have to put together the team in regards to efficiency on offense and defense and I think we’ll be all right.
He said the seniors, on their own, implemented an off-season conditioning program for the team. They’ve improved in all areas, including speed.
“Last year it was like we were just trying to get through things,” he said. “I’m excited about this group. It’s been a good group to work with. I think the way we are and the kids are approaching the game and the practices that we should have some success. It should be an exciting season for us.”
The Tigers still have this week of practice to make it through before LaPointe can finalize the roster and choose his starters.
“We’re still trying to feel our way to a lot of different positions,” he said. “Our team speed is better than it was last year, as a team. Our offensive backs are quick, but our team speed, overall—defensive line, offensive line, linebackers—looks like it’s really going to be good.”
After this week of conditioning and practice it will practically be game mode for the team, as it starts preparing for a rematch with John Glenn.
Glenn was the Tigers’ opener last year. Belleville dominated the contest for most of the game, but Glenn overtook the Tigers in the final two minutes and stole the victory. That’s something not forgotten or taken lightly by Belleville’s squad.
“We had that game probably won if we would have played right to the end,” LaPointe said. “We made a little mental mistake and it cost us. That will be pointed out to the kids, but they know. They remember that. They told me.”
After Glenn they step into the Mega Conference foray where they’ll have to face tough opponents like Dearborn, Allen Park and Southgate.
LaPointe enlisted former Romulus Head Coach Wade Cook as an assistant on his staff with hopes of putting Cook’s football knowledge to use. So far Cook’s rapport has earned the respect of fellow coaches and the players.
“(Cook) has been great,” LaPonte said. “He’s has a great football background and he works well with the kids. He’s a super addition to our staff and I think he’s really going to make a difference for us.”
Dellapelle, Logan, Elawadi and Kennedy gave him an overture of praise.
“He really knows what he’s doing,” they all said in unison.
“I happy for this opportunity,” Cook said. “These kids have been great to work with. You can tell that they want to be here. You can tell that they want to play football and that they want to win.”
Once the agonizing first two weeks of practices are done, the coaches and players will take it one game at a time—just the way they like it. However, the playoffs will never be far from their minds.
“Everyone’s working hard so I think we’re going to go far this year,” Elawadi said. “I’m looking forward to the first game but, then again, I look forward to every game…every Friday.”
