Season Outlook: Archbishop Carroll looks to take next step

Coach: Joe Powel (Fifth season)

2014 Record: 2-8 (0-4 PCL AA)

2014 In Two Sentences: With as many as 43 players on the roster (which represented a significant uptick in student participation compared to previous years) the Patriots showed their immense youth and stumbled against superior competition. After a promising 2-2 start, the Patriots closed out the year with six consecutive defeats.

Key Departures: Sean McMorran (QB), Christian Ritter (WR-DB), Max Frederick (WR-P-K).

Looking Ahead: A five-win season is an attainable goal for Powel’s team, which brings back a ton of letterwinners from a season ago. That’s the good news, that even though they took their lumps, the returning Patriots have honed their skills on varsity the last couple years. They should be wiser for the time.

McMorran was a reliable signal caller the last few years, so it’ll be interesting to see how that position develops in camp.

Players to Watch:  Rich Melito (Jr., LB-FB) and Harry Rohlfing (Sr. LB) give the Patriots a solid one-two punch at the linebacker position.

Third-year starter Brian Steinmetz (Sr. OL) is the anchor on the offensive line. Khadir Roberts (Jr., WR) is a threat in the passing game. Jay Smiley (Sr., RB) showed signs of potential last year in a part-time role, a speedy running back with big play ability.

Coach’s Corner: According to Powel, the team’s biggest strengths are “bigger bodies up front should help our run game game and ability to stop the run. Player competition, team size has grown to where players are now competing against each other for playing.”

In terms of weaknesses, there is a “lack of experience at key areas throughout the line of scrimmage.”

Season Opener:  Away vs. Conwell-Egan in Wildwood, N.J., Friday, Sept. 4, 6 p.m.