Camp Tour Day 13: The Chantilly Chargers
Head Coach Mike Lalli addresses his team after they played well against Potomac in a recent scrimmage. Lalli and Chargers are hoping to return to the final game of the year in 2008.
Photo By: Marc Gold / Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
The biggest question mark for the Chargers remains the quarterback position, but according to head coach Mike Lalli, Chantilly should be ok with either Roger Strittmatter or the injured Mike Fries....
Marc Gold / Gameday Magazine | VIEW GALLERY
CHANTILLY, VA - Torrian Pace sat on the sideline. While the rest of his team ran through drills on the Chantilly Chargers practice field, Pace was hobbled by his first real ankle injury. But make no mistake, it was just a precaution. In fact, he even ran through the offensive drills in the early portion of the season. He was only resting on the sideline because the first team defense was working against the scout team.
Pace will be setting the tone for the Chargers this year, and that should worry plenty of opposing defenses. Chantilly returns one of the better offensive lines in the region, and unlike last fall, Pace will get the majority of carries in the game. He split duties with two other backs in 2007, but the Chargers will look to their senior horse to get the job done in 2008.
The Chargers, who have traditionally played great defense under Head Coach Mike Lalli, will once again have a solid unit. Led by All Gameday linebacker Isaac Sine, the Chargers will physically be able to matchup with everyone in the Concorde District. Sine looked bigger than last year after putting in a long off-season in the weight room.
Flanking him on both sides is two outside linebackers that share the same last name.Travis Abatemarco and Brian Abatemarco are both a part of a linebacking trifecta that will be on the hunt this season. Brian's size and build actually mirrored a member of the Chargers' secondary, and for good reason. The third Abatemarco on the first-team defense and twin to Brian, Danny, will be patrolling the air from the cornerback position.
Along with Danny, Mike Fries and Kris Martin there is a lot of potential in the secondary. Martin spent most of last year on the junior varsity squad and as his nickname "K-Mart" may allude too, will be asked to do everything from playing safety to starting at wide receiver.
The biggest question for the Chargers is at quarterback, where Roger Strittmatter looks to be the guy as the Langley game approaches. If the Chargers can find the production they need out of Strittmatter, or a healthy Fries when he recovers from a banged up thumb, they could once again prove to be a strong title contender.
