Connolly athletes happy to team up with Coyle-Cassidy football

TAUNTON — Bishop Connolly junior Michael Silvestro and freshman Eric Raad are happy football is back at the high school.

They are even more excited to be playing with Coyle-Cassidy.

"I wasn't planning on going to Connolly, but when I heard that the school had a co-op with Coyle, I went to Connolly," said Raad, who is a Somerset resident. "I wanted to play with a really good football team. I heard that Coyle had a really good coaching staff. So I decided to sign up. Over here, it is way better than other football programs."

In early April, the Warriors and Cougars joined forces to have a co-op football team for the 2019 season. Originally, Bishop Connolly in Fall River had plans to co-op with St. John Paul II of Barnstable late last year. However, it was dissolved, opening the door for the two schools from Taunton and Fall River to merge.

E. Christopher Myron, president of both schools, was responsible for the final push in the agreement.

Silvestro, 16, said he had heard that the two schools would join forces for the upcoming season.

"I was very excited to go to Connolly," said Silvestro, a soccer player who transferred out of Durfee High School in Fall River. "After I heard that they [Connolly] would have a football program after not having one, was great especially with Coyle-Cassidy as a co-op. I heard things about Coyle Cassidy and the football program. It has been great and fun to play. The coaching staff is great."

Besides Raad, 14, and Silvestro, there will be four other players from Connolly to take the field in Fall River on Friday at 4 p.m. in the season opener against Atlantis Charter. The Warriors have 29 players.

C-C head coach Chris Pabst is really happy where his team is at heading into Week 1.

"You couldn't tell which kid is with Connolly and which one is with Coyle," Pabst said. "We are gelling so well together and the kids are getting along great. They spent the whole summer together working out at both schools. They are way beyond what I expected with this group. The kids are great together. It has been a smooth transition."

The Warriors punched their second consecutive postseason berth in 2018. C-C made it all the way to the Division VIII South finals before falling to West Bridgewater.

Now the Warriors look to make another deep run in the playoffs.

Pabst said he'll start five seniors on offense with several juniors as well.

"Every year you try to get better, especially when you have a senior group like we do," Pabst said. "All the kids got better. Obviously, losing a few seniors from last year's team hurts. But I think we have improved as a football team this off-season. We have speed and we have some size. We have to stay injury free just like any football team. We have to control the football, like we normally do."

Pabst's team take pride in holding on to the football. The Warriors fumbled just once all season.

Leading the way offensively for C-C is senior captain quarterback Jackson Murray. Murray rushed for over 1,000 yards and led the Warriors in points scored under center.

Senior captain and offensive tackle Kurtess Poissant will protect Murray's blind side as well as open holes in the run game. Senior Kenneth Olivieri is a big force on defense and on the offensive end.

Six-foot-three Jake Santos gives the offense a big target at split end this year.

Pabst said Murray is healthier than last year and his numbers should be even better this season.

"Jackson [Murray] is back and he's our leader on offense," Pabst said. "He was actually hurt all last season and battled injuries. He's 100 percent healthy right now. I think his numbers will improve from last year. He is going to be scary good."

In just a short time, Raad and Silvestro already have the winning Coyle-Cassidy football attitude.

"The goal is to go to the Super Bowl," Silvestro said. "That's our mindset this year."