Calhoun Colts

CALHOUN

New era begins for promising Colts

By BRIAN KACHARABA

In its search for a new football coach, Calhoun turned to a conference-rival’s assistant who has been waiting a long time for his opportunity. Fourteen-year Sewanhaka assistant Nick Rawls will take over on the Colts’ sideline this fall and inherits a team that showed signs of improvement last season but is still learning how to win. The team started 3-1 in 2021 – the win total being two better than the previous two seasons combined – before suffering a fi ve-game losing streak to end the campaign. Rawls, a former offensive lineman with Holy Trinity High School and Towson University, hopes to lead Calhoun to its fi rst winning season since 2017. “It was one of those things where I was an assistant for so long that I was looking forward to becoming a head coach one day,” he said. “I was keeping my eye out and when Calhoun opened up, it almost seemed like a dream come true. It seemed like the perfect spot for me to land in.” Junior Joey Goodman returns at quarterback and is a dual threat with his improving arm and running ability. He threw two touchdown passes in a 55-24 win over Roslyn on Sept. 25 and followed that up with three rushing scores, including a 12-yarder in overtime that gave Calhoun a 27-20 victory over Herricks the next week. “Joey’s a tremendous athlete,” Rawls said. “He can run the ball and we’ve been working on his throwing mechanics and he’s been improving every single week. I’m very excited about what Joey can bring to the table.” The offense will feature a two-back set, with senior bruiser Josh Bailey and juniors Josh Edouard and Brandon Sherman likely getting the most carries. Isaiah Hernandez will team with fellow senior Kyle Auty to form what could be a dangerous receiving tandem. Matt Baci and Hayden Higgins are also in the mix at receiver with the team moving away from the triple option. Junior tight end Dylan Grech is hard to miss on the fi eld and his 6-foot-5 frame will also be an inviting target for Goodman. “He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast,” Rawls said of Grech. “When you walk into the weight room and see that kid, it kind of opens your eyes a little bit.” The Colts will have a younger and smaller offensive line this season with the exception of 6-foot-4, 330-pounder junior Tanner Kranmas. Kranmas can play any spot on the offensive line and impressed Rawls with his work ethic during the offseason. “He’s been working out like a demon,” he said. “He’s getting bigger and he’s getting stronger. The sky’s the limit for him. He has a unique size, just like Dylan, at their position.” Kranmas and Grech will also man the defensive line and Bailey and Sherman are vying for playing time at inside linebacker. But Rawls took particular notice of another linebacker – Connor Faughman – while watching last year’s game fi lm. “When he was on defense, his number was always on the screen,” Rawls said. “Wherever the play was happening, whether it was his side or away from him, it didn’t matter. I also noticed that he was the guy sometimes in the backfi eld and sometimes returning kicks.” Auty is slated to be the starting free safety and Rawls expects him to be “one of our big guys” defensively. Fellow junior Aidan Higgins will be the weak side safety opposite strong sider Edouard. In an ironic twist, Sewanhaka’s homecoming game will be Oct. 8 against Calhoun. But Rawls channeled his inner Bill Belichick when asked about returning to face his former team. “I’m thinking about Week 1 fi rst and foremost,” he said.

Higgins will be the weak strong sider ironic twist, Sewanhaka’s homecoming game will be Oct. 8 against Calhoun. But Rawls channeled his inner Bill Belichick when asked about returning to face his former team. “I’m thinking about Week 1 fi rst and foremost,” he said.

Joey Goodman

MATT BACI AIDAN HIGGINS

Schedule

September 9 @ MacArthur 7:00 p.m. 17 Herricks 2:00 p.m. 24 @ Mepham 2:00 p.m. October 1 Roslyn/Friends 3:00 p.m. 8 @ Sewanhaka 2:00 p.m. 15 Garden City 2:00 p.m. 22 Kennedy 2:00 p.m. 29 @ Long Beach 2:00 p.m.