Published on: Thursday, August 26, 2010

By Brandy L. Simms

For the first time ever, Good Counsel finds itself in a unique position this season, as the Falcons open the 2010 campaign seeking to defend their Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title.

“It’s an unusual position,” said Good Counsel head coach Bob Milloy, who enters his 10th season at the Olney private school.

Mainstays from last year’s championship team have graduated — players such as Louis Young (Georgia Tech) and Troy Gloster (West Virginia) have moved onto greener pastures. They helped deliver the school’s first league title.

“Last year’s team was a great football team,” Milloy said.

However, it’s a brand new season and the Falcons have a number of talented players returning, including Virginia recruit and three-year starter Vincent Croce, along with quarterback Zach Dancel and tailback Wes Brown. Good Counsel also boasts defensive backs Stefon Diggs and Blake Countess. Diggs is also a talented kick returner.

“On paper, they look pretty good,” Milloy said. “I got to see how they play on the field.”

That opportunity will present itself this weekend when the Falcons travel to Cincinnati to play national power St. Xavier on the team’s home field.

The game is scheduled to kick off at 3 p.m. Sunday and will be broadcasted live on ESPN, marking the second time in three seasons Good Counsel has played on national television.

“We’ve known about it for a while now — all summer, really. That’s our focus, that’s our drive right now,” said Croce, a defensive end. “[It’s a] big stage, that’s what we want, so we’re excited.”