The Record Blogs: Off the Record: Training camp report No. 20: South Colonie High School

COLONIE -- The South Colonie Garnet Raiders are hoping 2010 is going to be a season on the Brink.

Senior running back and linebacker Davion Brink has put in the extra effort in the offseason, knowing he's going to be one of the keys to Colonie's success in 2010.

"It's confidence," Brink said. "I feel like last year we definitely waited for things to happen. This year, we’re going to make them happen. There is no second thought, no hesitation. We’re going to make it happen, no question about it."

Colonie senior running back and linebacker Davion Brink figures to take the lion's share of the carries in the Garnet Raiders' backfield in 2010. (Videograb by Will Montgomery - The Record).

Colonie has a handful of returning starters, but they're still going to be a young and inexperienced team in 2010. That has changed the Raiders' practice approach during training camp, as they started from square one.

"We try to do more basics as opposed to the details," head coach Mike Ambrosio said. "Knowing the basics and the fundamentals, you can start building on that foundation. These kids have to spend more time with the foundation, the base stuff, before they start adding wrinkles."

For video highlights from Colonie training camp, visit. www.troyrecord.com/video/sports

Colonie linemen work on their technique on the sled during practice last week. (Photo by Mike McMahon - The Record).

Colonie plays a big game in Week One against Shaker.

For some of head coach Mike Ambrosio's thoughts on the challenges of having to play on Thursday against his crosstown rival in Week One, click here to read Sunday's media day notebook.

"To have Shaker the first game, it made us work harder over the offseason and it gave us motivation," said senior running back and linebacker Ryan Nolte.

For more on this game, check out The Record's sports section on Thurs., Sept. 2, which is also the day Kickoff 2010 hits the newsstand, tucked inside the paper.

Colonie players work on exploding off the line of scrimmage during a recent practice at Roessleville Elementary School. (McMahon photo - The Record).

Colonie last won a Section II title in 1988 (with a 20-0 victory over Albany in the Class A Super Bowl) and has lost in Section II’s ultimate game four times since then.

1989 (45-6 loss to Saratoga Springs, Class A Super Bowl)
1998 (14-0 defeat against Troy in Class AA Super Bowl)
2002 (21-7 defeat to Shenendehowa in Class AA Super Bowl)
2006 (18-0 loss to Christian Brothers Academy in Class AA Super Bowl)

Could 2010 be the year?

Senior lineman Matt McCarty works on his technique during a recent practice at Colonie. (McMahon photo - The Record).

South Colonie playbook
COACH: Mike Ambrosio
STARTERS RETURNING: 4 offense, 4 defense
2009 RECORD: 4-5
NICKNAME: Garnet Raiders
OFFENSE: Multiple
DEFENSE: 4-3
LAST PLAYOFF GAME: 2009
LAST SECTION II TITLE: 1988 (Class A)
DIVISION: Class AA, Liberty

Colonie, 2009 game-by-game results
Christian Brothers Academy, W 29-20
Saratoga Springs, L 31-13
LA SALLE, L 21-0
COLUMBIA, W 24-7
Schenectady, L 25-0
SHAKER, W 27-19
Bethlehem, L 31-14
Saratoga Springs, L 34-6*
ALBANY, W 32-7!
*Section II Class AA quarterfinals
!Crossover game
Home games in CAPS

Colonie, 2009 stats review
Rushing, Att., Yds., Avg., TDs
Matt Hamilton, 111, 611, 5.5, 6
Passing, Comp., Att., Yds., Avg., TDs
Mike Branche, 43, 79, 381, 8.9, 3
Receiving, No., Yds., Avg., TDs
Nick DiFlorio, 7, 94, 13.4, 0
Scoring, TD, 2-pt, PAT, FG, Tot.
Nick Colello, 5, 0, 6, 1, 39

Colonie 2010 roster
No., Player, Yr., Pos. Ht., Wt.
1, Mike Fitzgibbon, Sr., WR-DB, 5-9, 170
2, Davey Mitchell, Sr., WR-DB, 6-1, 180
4, Davion Brink, Sr., RB-LB, 6-0, 195
6, Bryan Cross, Sr., WR-DB, 5-8, 160
7, Steve Wutzer, Jr., QB-DB, 6-2, 175
11, Edwin Reyes, Jr., WR-DB, 5-10, 160
12, Pat Schroeder, Sr., WR-DB, 5-9, 170
17, Giancarlo Sainato, Jr., WR-DB, 6-0, 160
20, Ryan Nolte, Sr., RB-LB, 6-0, 180
22, Rich Bell, Sr., WR-DB, 5-11, 175
24, Elijha Crago, Jr., WR-DB, 6-0, 180
25, Hezekiha Williamson, Jr., WR-DB, 5-6, 165
28, Tommy Dawkins, Sr., TE-DL, 5-11, 165
30, Dave Monin, Jr., RB-LB, 5-10, 180
32, Mike Cuoccio, Jr., RB-LB, 5-7, 165
33, Nick Hirsch, Jr., RB-LB, 5-11, 210
36, Brenden Dilello, Jr., WR-DB, 5-10, 170
40, Jamie Chittenden, Jr., WR-DB, 5-7, 140
41, Brendan Schroeder, Jr., QB-DB, 5-7, 155
44, Mike White, Sr., TE-DL, 5-11, 190
48, Elijah Brown, Jr., RB-DB, 5-8, 155
50, Bruce VanEpps, Jr., OL-DL, 6-0, 170
54, Casey O’Hare, Sr., OL-DL, 5-8, 185
55, Raphael Duncan, Jr., OL-LB, 5-10, 210
57, Shaun Stey, Jr., OL-DL, 5-11, 220
60, Zach Springman, Sr., OL-DL, 6-0, 215
61, BRaden McKinney, Sr., OL-DL, 5-8, 190
62, Sean Richards, Sr., OL-DL, 5-8, 195
64, Dave Bradt, Sr., OL-DL, 5-11, 190
68, Matt McCarty, Sr., OL-LB, 5-9, 200
70, Seamus Lyman, Sr., OL-DL, 6-0, 270
71, Brandon Giminianni, Sr., OL-DL, 6-0, 260
72, Padraic Lyman, Sr., OL-DL, 6-0, 265
74, Austin DiCerbo, Fr., OL-DL, 6-2, 280
75, John Burnett, Jr., OL-DL, 5-11, 210
78, James Meister, Sr., OL-DL, 6-2, 225
81, Kage Allen, Sr., TE-DL, 6-2, 180
85, Joe Shell, Sr., TE-DL, 6-0, 175
88, Jamie June, Sr., WR-DB, 6-0, 170

South Colonie head coach Mike Ambrosio displays proper technique on the swim move during a recent practice. (McMahon photo - The Record).

Colonie’s three keys to the season
1, Adjust to the tempo of varsity football.
2, Play fundamentally sound on both sides of the ball.
3, Not inflicting self-harm. "If we’re able to avoid the big mistake, we’ll be competitive," head coach Mike Ambrosio said.

Colonie, 2010 schedule
Thursday Sept. 2, at Shaker, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday Sept. 11, at Troy, 1:30 p.m.
Friday Sept. 17, vs. Columbia, 7 p.m.
Friday Sept. 24, at La Salle Institute, 7 p.m.
Friday Oct. 1, vs. Niskayuna, 7 p.m.
Saturday Oct. 9, at Albany, 1:30 p.m.
Friday Oct. 15, vs. Schenectady, 7 p.m.
Oct. 22/29, Playoffs/Crossovers, TBA