Yarmouth Clipper (and Kicker) Bryce Snyder to Attend Hobart

Thanks to Jordan Denning H94 for the head's up on this incoming recruit.

Given the Statesmen's struggles in the kicking game in 2011 (only converting 1 of 4 FGs), getting a good kicker was clearly a priority for Coach Cragg this offseason.  The potential solution to this issue could be in the form of Bryce Snyder from Yarmouth, ME.

Snyder was a co-captain for an undefeated (12-0) Clippers team that hasn't lost a game since early in 2009.  Snyder and his teammates repeated as Class C State Champions in impressive fashion, defeating Bucksport 41-14 in the 2011 title game.

Snyder (5' 11" 170 lbs) also played safety and quarterback at Yarmouth and apparently is a talented baseball player as well.

A highlight video of Snyder kicking PATs and FGs is available below:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJYcE4AwR_8

Welcome to Hobart Bryce!  Go 'Bart!

Amsterdam's Liverio to Enroll at Hobart

The DailyGazette.com reports that Amsterdam High School SR DE/TE Nick Liverio will suit up for the Statesmen this fall.  Liverio had 82 tackles, including five sacks, for the "Rugged Rams" in his senior season.  The Rams went 9-1 in 2011, advancing to the Section II Class A title game, falling by three points to Burnt Hills-Ballston Lake.  For his efforts Liverio was named to the 2011 NORTHWEST DIVISION ALL-STAR team.

What's interesting about Liverio is he comes from a true "football family", having been coached by his father Pat the last four seasons.  Pat, who retired after this fall, lead the Rams program for 16 seasons as head coach, not including 12 prior seasons as part of the Amsterdam High football coaching staff.  Coach Liverio had an impressive record at Amsterdam and an article chronciling his career can be found here:

http://1045theteam.com/liverio-coaches-final-game-for-amsterdam-football/

Hopefully Coach Liverio will enjoy his retirement and coming up to Geneva to see his son play at Hobart.  In the Gazette article Nick was clearly impressed by Hobart stating:

“It’s big-time football there,” Liverio said of Hobart, which went 7-2 overall for its 15th straight winning season under coach Mike Cragg. “They take their football very seriously. When I was there, it felt like a Division I program, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”

A link to the article is listed below:

http://www.dailygazette.com/news/2012/jun/11/611_HighSchoolNotes/

Welcome to Hobart Nick!  Go 'Bart!

Walton's DiJiulio to Suit Up for Statesmen

Syracuse.com reports that Walton SR OL Justin DiJiulio will enroll at Hobart this fall.  DiJiulio is the second OL recruit (along with Williamsville South's T.J. Scamurra - see post on May 6th) that specialized as a center - an area of need on the Hobart OL given the graduation of Jarrid Blades and Kevin Cruz '12.

DiJiulio helped lead the Walton Warriors to an 8-1 overall record and a NYS Class "D" Division VII championship in 2011.  For his efforts DiJiulio was recognized as an "Ernie Davis All Star Selection."  DiJiulio brings good size at 6' 4", 260 lbs and he also added 20 tackles, including four TFL as a DL for the "Orange Crush."

It will be interesting to see how the competition between Scamurra and DiJiulio pans out at center and if either player sees time at other positions (e.g., guard or tackle) depending on this fall's camp?

Regardless, having too many quality players is a nice problem to have, so please join me in welcoming Justin to the Statesmen!  Go 'Bart!

Incoming Hobart FY LB Adds PSAL Lacrosse All American Honors to Resume

SILive.com reports that incoming Hobart FY LB Kenny Coughlin (Staten Island, NY) has been named to the PSAL lacrosse "All American" team for their efforts this spring.  Coughlin, who scored 43 goals and added 31 assists, lead the Tottenville HS Pirates to the PSAL division title.

In the attached article Coughlin stated that:

"I just played lacrosse in the beginning to stay in shape for football and it really was fun for me. Having catches was just fun. It was new and different. And playing a game and being an offensive player and scoring was different."

"I fell in love with [the game of lacrosse]. I never thought I would be a lacrosse player. I don't know if I like it more than football, but it's pretty close."

"It felt pretty good to be one of [the players recognized as an All-American award winner] and to be one of the top players in the PSAL."

http://highschoolsports.silive.com/news/article/-315223105614235188/new-dorps-fiore-and-tottenvilles-coughlin-named-psal-all-americans-in-lacrosse/

Congratulations to Kenny and we'll look forward to following your lacrosse career (after football season, of course) at Hobart.  

Coach Cragg Reports from Spring Camp

Yesterday Hobart Football Head Coach Mike Cragg updated former players, SAA members, friends and family of the Statesmen Football program via email.  Coach Cragg congratulated and thanked the 18 seniors who graduated on May 13th and also officially named the team's 5 new co-captains (please see my post on 4/15/12).  Cragg also indicated that spring camp allowed many younger players opportunities to compete and gain valuable experience prior to this fall's camp.

Of particular interest to this Statesmen fan was this update:

"The offensive line used the spring to improve their strength and come together as a unit, while the offensive skill players focused on timing and precision. On the defensive side of the ball, our secondary worked primarily on communication and technique. With three returning starters at linebacker and some key contributors in the defensive line back, the defensive front should be a strong point again this fall. We finished up our spring practices with an intra-squad scrimmage, which pitted the offense against the defense. The defense was spotted 21 points and it was up to the offense to close the gap in two quarters of play. In the end, the offense was able to post 21 points on three scoring passes and the scrimmage concluded in a tie." - Coach Mike Cragg 5/30/12

Coach concluded his update thanking the friends and family of the program.  My favorite part of the update was Cragg's commitment to "make a push to defend our 2011 Liberty League Championship and a bid at the National Championship in 2012."

The bar is set high for the Statesmen in 2012 and we're only three months away until kickoff.  Go 'Bart!