Football

In its first five games, the football team meets its biggest rivals--Garfield, Walsh and St. Vincent-St. Mary--and challenging powerhouses--Cardinal Mooney and Mason.

With four returning three-year linebackers, senior quarterback Jimmy Fleming looks forward to a successful season.

"I just hope to go and play like I know we can," he said.

Coach Ralph Orsini is hopeful.

"We have a strong defense coming back," Orsini said, "and a potentially strong offense."

Last year, the coaching staff changed the defense formation from a more common 4-3, with four linemen and three linebackers, to a 3-5 defense, and that helped. This year the offense is trying a lot of three-receiver sets, with one running back and no fullback.

With a strong all-senior line, Fleming should be able to get the ball to any of the outstanding receivers--seniors Craig Blike, Mike DelMedico, Deante Johnson and Steve Stetz. Johnson also switches in and out with the powerful junior Steve Yoak starting as running back.

Captains are seniors Anthony Congeni, Kevin LaJudice and Rob Ondracek and Fleming.

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Boys soccer

After what senior Drew Erdman described as a "forgettable" season, the boys soccer team is back for its third season in the North Coast League.

The team must fill the gap left by the graduation of Mac Woods. Coach Nate Varrato isn't worried.

"It's always hard when an all-state player graduates, but I have 22 guys who could technically play varsity," Varrato said.

The team showed itself able to win difficult games by finishing second among all divisions in the Adidas Summer League. Varrato attributes the Knights' success to their depth.

"This year we are much deeper than previous years," he said.

Erdman, a three-year letterman, thinks the team will do well in the NCL and in postseason.

"We can win the league title," he said. "We should also be able to go pretty far into the state playoffs."

The team begins its season at 4:30 Wednesday at Bedford St. Peter Chanel.

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Girls soccer

Benny Pietrangelo will be coaching girls soccer this year. He amassed a 221-65-19 record in his years coaching boys soccer.

Captains are seniors Lindsey Bartkowski, Kaitlyn Feron and Patricia Kline.

Bartkowski sees the team's future as bright. "Personally, I'm excited to see how much stronger and united the team is as a whole," she said. "We just [seem] skilled and disciplined and tactically strong."

She credits the team's potential for a great season to the positive morale.

Games to look forward to are Chippewa and St. Vincent-St. Mary.

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Girls volleyball

With seven returning seniors, the girls volleyball team is ready for another year of North Coast League play. Players completed vigorous summer workouts to get ready.

The Knights will need those workouts to improve on last year's disappointing season.  Their difficult schedule is relatively unchanged.

Coach Renee Anderson thinks the team's experience will help in league play.

"We have a lot of returning seniors, which is good, because last year we were inexperienced," she said. "[Senior] Ellen Walker made Honorable Mention All-League last year, so she is one to watch," Anderson said.

Volleyball fans can expect a shake-up in the team's lineup with a freshman and a sophomore playing varsity.

The Knights begin with a four-game home stand.  The first game is Aug. 29 against NCL rival Holy Name.

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Cross country

After grueling summer training, practices have begun, and it isn't just returning runners who are helping the cross country team.

Coach Paul Donatelli is in his fifth year as coach and thinks the Knights' chances are better this year than ever.

"Our goals are to have our girls team at a 21:50 average and our boys team at an 18:25 average," he said.  "This is a high goal, but we have a good chance of maybe even surpassing that goal."

Senior runners include Matt Alto, Andrew Bluebond, Kevin Buehrle, Maura Bulgrin, Erin Capitena, Paul Eastbourn, Dan King, Craig Mesaros, Katie Mitchen, Haylee Myron, Jessica Sullivan and Lauren Yanko.

The Knights' first meet is the Bill Parris Invitational on the Tri-C West campus at 9 Saturday, Aug. 26, hosted by St. Peter Chanel.

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Girls tennis

Last year the girls tennis team finished its 10th straight season with wins in double digits.  This year coach George Koroshazi hopes the Knights will continue that success despite losing six players to graduation.

"We're young, so we're not sure what we can do under match conditions yet," Koroshazi said.  "But we're determined and competitive."

Senior players are team captain Alex Rotunda, and Alexa Drjnevich, Laurel Marshall and Rachel Brooks.

Last year Hoban finished second in the North Coast League Conference Tournament. This year Koroshazi hopes to do better.

"We'd like to compete for the NCL championship," he said.

The Knights played Elyria Aug. 17.  Next game is against Ellet today at 4 at Hyre.

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Girls golf

Coming off a phenomenal 16-0 run in the 2005 regular season, the girls golf team hopes to do well in 2006, even though no seniors are returning.

"We actually had to make cuts this year," coach John Kabasky said. "Our program is heading in the right direction. I am pushing for a junior-varsity team next season,"

The team of eight players has its home matches at Mud Run and has moved up to a higher division in the North Coast League.

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Boys golf

"Having barely missed states last year, anything less will be a disappointment," coach Jim Pecnik said.

The Knights return a veteran staff of players, including three seniors. "It's hard to replace guys like Andrew Ward and Mike Voellmecke, but we are doing it with our team balance. We have six or seven guys that can break 80 easily," Pecnik said.

The Knights play home matches at Good Park.