Life has become somewhat more complicated for Greg Luzinski, the Holy Cross football coach, than it was back in the days of Greg Luzinski, the homer- hitting Philadelphia Phillies outfielder.
It was one thing for Luzinski to take a pitcher deep, and quite another to inherit the Lancer program left behind by Frank Paris. In his 11 years, Paris compiled a 62-43-3 record, claiming two Burlington County League Liberty Division championships and two South Jersey Parochial A titles along the way.
Knowing that, Luzinski realized the job would be tough, but . . .
"We've already caught some guy out here with binoculars," said Luzinski.
"I guess that's an indication of how competitive (high school football) is in this area," Luzinski said. "The field is fenced in, but there isn't a whole lot more we can do to close practices."
There's a reason for the cloak-and-dagger aura surrounding Holy Cross, with Luzinski refusing to divulge anything about his offense other than the fact that the Lancers have junked the Wing-T.
"By the first game, everybody'll know what we're going to run, but I'd like to make them work for it," Luzinski said.
COACHING. This will be Luzinski's first year of coaching football. Period. No pee-wee, Midget or junior high experience, just an interest in re- establishing the football program, as Luzinski has done with Lancers' baseball.
"I was very enthusiastic about the opportunity to work with these kids," Luzinski said. "My main concern was with surrounding myself with good people, and I feel comfortable with the staff we've assembled."
Offensive coordinator Jack Patton and offensive line coach Bill Lustina are two of the new assistants Luzinski has brought in. The Lancers also have Joe Taffoni as defensive coordinator, Abby Semptimphelter directing the offensive backfield, Jay Dever tutoring the defensive line and Dave Law working with the defensive secondary.
LAST YEAR. Holy Cross slipped a notch, falling to a 3-4 fifth place in the Burlco Liberty Division. The Lancers dropped their first five games by a cumulative 90 points, then won their last three to end with a 3-5 overall record.
LETTERMEN LOST. Graduation extracted heavily from the Lancer offensive and defensive lines. The offense also lost fullback Doug Harty, wide receiver Jim Connolloy and tight end Rich Coates.
Steve Porter, a 6-foot, 185-pound offensive guard/linebacker, will miss his senior season because of illness.
